Obama's pseudo Presidential seal... just cheesy and tacky, or worse?

[Takvah]

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20080620/capt.003d2c72499f41c39003beeac3b60770.obama_2008_p olitical_play_of_the_day_ilab102.jpg?x=221&y=345&sig=LniSlpT8_ta81yX28Ci8ZQ--

What the hell is with this pseudo-seal? (http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080620/480/003d2c72499f41c39003beeac3b60770/) I think this is tacky as hell and beyond arrogant. Talk about having to go some to look "presidential"... this takes the cake.

[Plot Device]

1) Who designed that seal?
2) Did Obama endorse that seal?
3) Is that seal really in the same place with Obama, or is that photo a mash-up?

[Takvah]

1) Who designed that seal?
2) Did Obama endorse that seal?
3) Is that seal really in the same place with Obama, or is that photo a mash-up?

AP image, I added a link.

[Plot Device]

AP image, I added a link.

Okay. If this is all legit and if it's NOT a mash-up, then I say this is a tacky and even reprehensible abuse of an important (dare I say ... sacred?) symbol from the highest level of our society. That seal is a member's-only priviledge and it should not have been borrowed like that.


--ETA--

I'm not saying that some silly TV commercial that's advertising underarm deordorant can't use a deliberate lampooning of the Seal of the President of the United States in some clever way (even I have a sense of humor). But this is the election we're talking about here. There is a serious and respectful degree of decorum that needs to be adhered to by both sides throughout the full duration of the election process. And this (if it's real and NOT a mash-up) is a vulgar breach of that decorum.

[donroc]

If not a doctored photo, I agree.

[MattW]

When he's crowned emperor, he will need a new seal, yes?

[Bird of Prey]

When he's crowned emperor, he will need a new seal, yes?


Don't laugh.

[Plot Device]

I just did a Google search and I am not finding that seal ANYWHERE on the internet.

I'm geting more and more convinced that the image is not at all real.

--ETA--

Whops! No --I take it back. It's on CNN and other major news sites also. The seal was unveiled for the first time today.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/20/when-the-obama-logo-and-presidential-seal-morph/

Who was the butt head who dreamed this piece of crap up????? This is seriously going to damage him.

[Takvah]

Here's a wallpaper from Barry's site that they must have used as a template then....

http://www.barackobama.com/downloads/images/computer/Desktop_Background/unum_preview.jpg

It's called, "Unum"... how sexayyy! *snickers*

[Takvah]

Nevermind above... here's more links.

Columbus Dispatch. (http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/06/20/economy.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101)

Chicago Sun Times (http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1016724,obamaweb062008.article)

It's so tacky and cheesy that you almost have to believe it's fake... but sadly... it's not!

[Gravity]

Poor eagle looks like it's got a bellyful of gas. Somebody slip it some Di-Gel, fast...

[Robert Toy]

I just did a Google search and I am not finding that seal ANYWHERE on the internet.

I'm geting more and more convinced that the image is not at all real.

--ETA--

Whops! No --I take it back. It's on CNN and other major news sites also. The seal was unveiled for the first time today.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/06/20/when-the-obama-logo-and-presidential-seal-morph/

Who was the butt head who dreamed this piece of crap up????? This is seriously going to damage him.
Damage him? From what I have seen of the level of fanaticism of his supporters they will probably swoon and kneel before the Obama Seal.

Kool-aid anyone?

[Bartholomew]

I really don't see what the fuss is over. It's a big, blue eagle. It matches any number of other colored eagles we use in every other stupid seal in this country.

Non issue. Lock thread.

[odocoileus]

I really don't see what the fuss is over. It's a big, blue eagle. It matches any number of other colored eagles we use in every other stupid seal in this country.

Non issue. Lock thread.

Well, if it gets Takvah's goat, it's got to have some value.

It seems to reinforce the Obama brand in a small way. Impressive.

If he loses in November, I want to hire his team to rep me in Hollywood. I'll be owning a studio in no time. :D

[Mac H.]

I'm not American, so can someone explain what the controversy is about?

A quick check shows that it looks many of the dozens of 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help you' seal.

Normal government Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:US-GreatSeal-Obverse.svg

Town of Plymouth Seal:
http://www.plymouthct.us/images/lgseal.gif

Presidential Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_Unites_States_O f_America.svg

etc ..

If you guys feel so stongly about the logo you might want to stop every little town from doing their own variants ...

Mac

[odocoileus]

I'm not American, so can someone explain what the controversy is about?

A quick check shows that it looks many of the dozens of 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help you' seal.

Normal government Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:US-GreatSeal-Obverse.svg

Town of Plymouth Seal:
http://www.plymouthct.us/images/lgseal.gif

Presidential Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_Unites_States_O f_America.svg

etc ..

If you guys feel so stongly about the logo you might want to stop every little town from doing their own variants ...

Mac

Variations on the logo are routinely used in adverts too. Nothing to get excited about.

[MattW]

I'm not American, so can someone explain what the controversy is about?

A quick check shows that it looks many of the dozens of 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help you' seal.

Normal government Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:US-GreatSeal-Obverse.svg

Town of Plymouth Seal:
http://www.plymouthct.us/images/lgseal.gif

Presidential Seal:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Seal_Of_The_President_Of_The_Unites_States_O f_America.svg

etc ..

If you guys feel so stongly about the logo you might want to stop every little town from doing their own variants ...

MacThose are all OFFICIAL seals designated for use only by the OFFICE to which they represent.

There is no seal for a campaign. Or for a personality, or a senator. It is presumptuous at best.

[Takvah]

Well, if it gets Takvah's goat, it's got to have some value.



Just thought it was tacky and mentioned it. Thanks for being a fan... I try to acknowledge the little people when I can.

:D

[Appalachian Writer]

I agree. Tacky as hell! With all due respect, Obama is a little tooo slick to me. Every time he's asked a question that hasn't been previously prepared, he gets shaky. His voice wavers and his eyes blink really fast. I don't want a president who's shaky in the clutch. At least Clinton never wavered, and it was hard to tell when she was lying, assuming that all presidential candidates lie at some point.

[SHBueche]

I'm a huge Obama supporter, but I have to agree that seal is a bit much. But hey, is he wearing a flag pin? Anyone see the latest poll results from Newsweek, Obama is up by an estimated 15%.

[johnnysannie]

Variations on the logo are routinely used in adverts too. Nothing to get excited about.

Quite true and the fuss is a tempest in a teapot.

It's not an identical representative of the Presidential Seal, the colors are different, the Latin phrase is different.

If someone aspires to something, why not reach for it?

The Latin inscription on Obama's version reads ""vero possumus," which means "Truly we can".

[poetinahat]

The original knock-off is still the best.

http://www.myramones.com/ramones/ramones_logo.jpg

[Ol' Fashioned Girl]

I really like the 'possumus' part... it's so ripe for satire.

[Plot Device]

Those are all OFFICIAL seals designated for use only by the OFFICE to which they represent.

There is no seal for a campaign. Or for a personality, or a senator. It is presumptuous at best.


"Presumptuous" is the perfect word that sums up my contempt for that seal --and I am someone who wants to see Obama win!!!!

This is all about decorum. Using such a seal is in no way illegal, nor even immoral, it's just one of those things that "simply isn't done."

[Robert Toy]

I really like the 'possumus' part... it's so ripe for satire.
You beat me to it...so tempting...:D

[donroc]

Presumptuous indeed. Hubris may indeed be his undoing if he is still perceived by Regan Dems as elitist, arrogant, and overconfident.

[Plot Device]

I want to expand upon the concept of "presumption."


One trait that no presidential candidate ever wants to be associated with is "aspirationalism." And that's because in the context of an election, the national perception of someone who is "aspirational" puts them just a hair's breadth away from looking as if they are also guilty of the dual offenses of "self-aggrandizing" and "over-ambitious." It makes people wonder if you make a frequent habbit of lying in bed every night re-composing your innagural speech, and then practicing it in the bathroom mirror the next morning.

Alexander Haig is the poster child for such career-destroying behavior. He was Secretary of State to Reagan, and when Reagan was shot, Alexander Haig was presumptuous enough to call a press confernece --something he really should not have taken upon himself to do. He was also presumptuous enough to place himself in charge of the press conference, and made himself the key speaker at the press conference. He very urgently --in a very dramatic and disturbingly emotion-laden manner-- explained to the press all about what had just happened to President Reagan less than an hour ago when he was shot. And then when one of the reportres asked Haig: "Who's in charge right now?" Haig was stupid enough to say with no hesitation: "I am." The press was shocked and the overall reaction was: "Gee, Mr. Secretary, whatever happened to the 25th Amendment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-fifth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution) to the US Constitution??"

Obama has thus far (in my peceptions) successfully avoided even the tiniest hint of that rather dark and repugnant brand of aspirationalism. But now he's blown it completely with this dumb graphic --at least in my perceptions. And what you have to realize is that perception is absolutely everything in this very very delicate matter of decorum. I see this as a fatal error. If he had done this six weeks ago, it might have made all the difference for Hillary's chances.

The only thing that will save him now is major damage control.




.

[kuwisdelu]

At worst, I think it's tacky. Beyond that, it's just a logo. I think it's kind of sad that something like this may hurt his chances. Do our candidates really have to apologize for a logo these days?

Besides, I like any candidate who endorses proper Latin.

[donroc]

Sic semper tyrranus too? Literate assassins have used Latin as well. :D

[William Haskins]

caveat emptor springs to mind.

[Haggis]

I really like the 'possumus' part... it's so ripe for satire.

You beat me to it...so tempting...:D

I admire you both for leaving it alone. Like I always say, let sleeping possums lie.

Or is that "lay?"

[Plot Device]

How about veni vidi vinci?


Sorry, I meant veni vidi vici. (Thanks kuwisdelu.)




(BTW-- is your real name Chris DeLoo?)

[donroc]

Or the new McCain slogan, Obama delenda est.

[kuwisdelu]

Sic semper tyrranus too? Literate assassins have used Latin as well. :D

I'm related to him ;)

[kuwisdelu]

How about veni vidi vinci?

Veni, vidi, vici, you mean.

Points for everyone who pronounces it correctly :D

[Takvah]

caveat emptor springs to mind.

God, so appropriate.

[benbradley]

So is this really all that different from a candidate's photograph being set in front of red, white and blue stars and stripes, strongly reminiscent of the US Flag? Is the Flag not as "sacred" as the Presidential Seal?
Those are all OFFICIAL seals designated for use only by the OFFICE to which they represent.
Yeah, well, ... I found this "official" link to an "official" online image:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/eeobtour/images/seal-presidential-color.html
However, the Wikipedia image is notable because of this text under it: "This image is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Office_of_the_President_of_the_United_St ates), taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_of_the_United_States_Government) of the U.S. federal government (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Government_of_the_United_States), the image is in the public domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain)."

I suppose the US Government could get trademarks on all the seals they use, but that might go against these things being in the public domain (and I DO uderstand that it's the IMAGE on Wikipedia that is being claimed is in the Public Domain, not neccesarily the seal itself).

On the other hand, this is The Government, and if The Government decides It doesn't like someone doing something, It can make life very uncomfortable for that person until that person stops. No trademark or other IP protection is neccesary...

"Presumptuous" is the perfect word that sums up my contempt for that seal --and I am someone who wants to see Obama win!!!!

This is all about decorum. Using such a seal is in no way illegal, nor even immoral, it's just one of those things that "simply isn't done."
Welcome to "Change You Can Believe In" [shouldn't that be "Change In Which You Can Believe" so it doesn't in in a ... Whatever]. What was once "simply not done" is now done [though I can't wait to see if this will be Undone]. This is just one of many Changes Obama will make if elected President, You Can Believe It.

[Robert Toy]

So is this really all that different from a candidate's photograph being set in front of red, white and blue stars and stripes, strongly reminiscent of the US Flag? Is the Flag not as "sacred" as the Presidential Seal?

Yeah, well, ... I found this "official" link to an "official" online image:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/eeobtour/images/seal-presidential-color.html
However, the Wikipedia image is notable because of this text under it: "This image is a work of an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Office_of_the_President_of_the_United_St ates), taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Work_of_the_United_States_Government) of the U.S. federal government (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Government_of_the_United_States), the image is in the public domain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/public_domain)."

I suppose the US Government could get trademarks on all the seals they use, but that might go against these things being in the public domain (and I DO uderstand that it's the IMAGE on Wikipedia that is being claimed is in the Public Domain, not neccesarily the seal itself).

On the other hand, this is The Government, and if The Government decides It doesn't like someone doing something, It can make life very uncomfortable for that person until that person stops. No trademark or other IP protection is neccesary...


Welcome to "Change You Can Believe In" [shouldn't that be "Change In Which You Can Believe" so it doesn't in in a ... Whatever]. What was once "simply not done" is now done [though I can't wait to see if this will be Undone]. This is just one of many Changes Obama will make if elected President, You Can Believe It.
Check out http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00000713----000-.html

[Plot Device]

Veni, vidi, vici, you mean.

Points for everyone who pronounces it correctly :D

winnie

witty

weekie




(And thanks for the correction. ;) Thanks also to my awesome 10th grade Latin teacher.)




.

[kuwisdelu]

winnie

witty

weekie




(And thanks for the correction. ;) Thanks also to my awesome 10th grade Latin teacher.)




.

:D

[whistlelock]

Cheesy and overly gimmicky.

[cethklein]

1) Who designed that seal?

Probably the same people who design "cover art" for Publish America books

2) Did Obama endorse that seal?

Who knows, with all the fake crap out there it's hard to discern what is and is not legit anymore. Could be, could not be.

3) Is that seal really in the same place with Obama, or is that photo a mash-up?

I think it is, I heard something in passing yesterdy about him having a new seal.

I really don't see what the fuss is over. It's a big, blue eagle. It matches any number of other colored eagles we use in every other stupid seal in this country.

Non issue. Lock thread.

The fuss is that it's Obama's Seal, and that makes it part of the evil sexist conspiracy pushed forward by blind fanatical zealots who eat babies and rape cattle..;)

[William Haskins]

it's real, he's using it and it's just one more example of style trumping substance, in my view.

not a big issue to me, however. par for the course.

[Bird of Prey]

Obama campaign retires altered presidential seal

By SARA KUGLER – 1 hour ago

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A presidential seal graphically altered with symbols representing Barack Obama's campaign of change was just for one-time use and will not be used again, a spokeswoman for the Democrat's campaign said Monday.

The seal, with its blue background and an eagle in the center clutching arrows and an olive branch, evoked the official presidential version, but had been altered with a new Latin phrase, instead of the original "E pluribus unum," which means, "Out of many, one."

Obama's campaign changed the phrase to "Vero possumus," which can be roughly translated to his "Yes, we can" slogan. The seal also featured his "O" campaign logo covering the eagle's body, instead of a shield.

When the altered seal was unveiled last Friday in Chicago, it raised eyebrows and prompted comments about how presidential it looked. The Republican National Committee gleefully ridiculed it as a prop.

Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Obama's campaign, said Monday that the altered seal would not be used again. She said it was only intended for that event, in which Obama held a round-table discussion with Democratic governors. . . .

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hTt0O708_aQIHJbPMXTFSYmFxk6gD91G2DUO0

And look how "level" the article is toward Obama. If it had been McCain, it would have ridiculed him in the headline. That's AP for you. . . just like Obama: tasteless and transparent.