Obama's Rippling Pecs

by nancyvideo | April 25, 2009 at 02:15 am
384 views | 30 Recommendations | 15 comments

Just as I didn't want to hear the explicit details about Bill Clinton's private parts when Juanita Broderick accused him of rape back in the 90's, neither do I want to see the current President of the United States featured on the front page of a magazine with his chest bared.   Color me a prude for caring more about the image of the United States than Obama's rippling pecs. Personally, I don't think they ripple that much but hey, the media says they do, so they must. Color me old fashioned for believing modesty is not an outdated virtue. And color me disgusted that the president of the greatest country on earth allows his half naked image to be displayed and included in the new culture of celebrity.   Yes, sales of the magazine will go through the roof. And yes, the younger set will consider Obama the essence of cool. And the feminists? They're having a collective orgasm as we speak.   To feminists, Obama is the quintessential metrosexual. For all you other prudes out there, a metrosexual is a feminist invention designed to redefine a 'real man'. Guys like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood are out - they exemplified the now outdated version of strong men who used brute force instead of relying on dialogue and charm.   The new revised version of manhood is more politically correct. Body hair is out and testosterone is best kept under wraps. Strong silent types are passe. The new male is sensitive and knows how to cry. The new male is more gentle, more feminized, less threatening, less male. More, well, Obama.   In the face of overwhelming acceptance of the new-improved 'man' I feel kinda silly. My idea of a real man is more along the lines of Clint Eastwood or Sean Connery. You know, the type of guy that wears the pants as opposed to the dude who uses hair spray and nail polish.

As I gaze on Obama's bare and rippling chest, I don't see a real man. I see the nerd that gets sand kicked on him by more powerful members of the species. I see a narcissist who values his exterior over his interior. But like I said, that's just me. And my kind of thinking is way out of tune these days.   As my feminist mother will tell you, my problem is I can't alter my basic nature in order to be in tune with the times. My nature insists there is a basic difference between men and women. Men are stronger. They are the protectors of women and children, whether or not those women and children think they need protecting. Women are the nurturers, taking care of their men and their children. You know, the role they've played since the dawn of man.   When I see Obama cavorting around in his swim suit, I don't feel, well, secure. I keep thinking of all those nasty terrorists that want to annihilate us. I know its silly, but I just can't envision Obama as a warrior, a protector, a 'real man'. I also can't keep from wondering why everyone sees him as handsome and sexy and virile. Not that there's anything wrong with that.   Our president has been called the world's greatest celebrity. That may be true. My question is, what happens when the celebrity fades, as it always does. Who will be left to deal with the threats our country faces, both at home and abroad?  If I had to bet my last dollar, (and its almost come to that) I'd bet on murdering jihadists over a cool guy with rippling pecs any day. But that's just me.

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6
Karen Hatter

The President did not pose for this cover. It is reported this was taken, by paparazzi, last year while he was on vacation in Hawaii in 2008, after his election.  

The magazine says they altered the black trunks he was wearing, making them red. I think I recall the black trunks shot.

4
Roy C

It is very important in an age of secularism that we don't find new false idols to replace the ones we don't worship anymore.

The media loves to idolize and promote idolization. It makes them money and makes them the gatekeepers to the idols themselves. They inflate by association.

I don't think that the author here has an objection based on aesthetics. She objects based on the meaning of the picture.

Obama being willing to do this is part of our culture's shamelessness. The president didn't pose for this cover, but he could have asked not to have it used. He could also not go on the Tonight Show as well.

3
Blue Crush

Thanks, Karen, for explaining the what, where, when - that wasn't explained above.

To me, it shows the ethics of this magazine, not the US President, who was, after all, on vacation in Hawaii when the photo was taken.

2
Rhonda J Mangus

Karen, you recalled correctly. The trunks the President was wearing while in Hawaii appear black, and are shown in this slide-show depicting Obama (and other shirtless presidents from around the world).



2
anarkissed

I do certainly appreciate the main point of this post, although it's concluded in error.  Certainly it would be unseemly for a national leader to pose half naked for a celebrity rag.  Not that he did.  However I find the subsequent rant about real men vs groomed men with manners really offensive.  Maybe you like your men with a strong smell as though they've been riding a horse in the sweltering desert for a month but that doesn't mean a man who showers is a wimp.  Neither does having a strong manly odor make a man strong or mature.  Most of the smelly men I've met are quite the opposite.  A man might smell after a good day of work but a grown man cleans up.  Using grooming products and good diction is a sign of maturity, thoughtfulness and self control, not weakness.  Being lazy and selfish enough to subject the world to your unfettered essence doesn't equate with some hollywood image of manliness!

2
gerrypopplestone

Good on you!  But I guess it's difficult for the Pres and First Lady to object.  After all, the mags dont ask permission:  the couple belong to everyone.  I think Clinton started the ball rolling downhill by ansering the question:  what kind of underwear do you have?  A stupid question to reply to.  Very undignified. I think its sad that Michelle's arms get so much coverage too!

I color you rational!

1
Amy Judd

I think Obama should stay out of the celebrity tabolids, as I agree with you, it just doesn't seem right for him to be on the cover of US Weekly; it makes some see him as just another celebrity and not as the President I think.

1
albertacowpoke

Oh well let him enjoy his celebrity status.  His plate is full.  Doesn.t really matter who took the picture. 

1
albertacowpoke

Once was enough Fred :)

1
Fred Miller

One from Yahoo's Most Viewed Slideshows
August 12, 2008
Presidential Motivation Works...they won !
BusholympicsR110808_450x371

0
albertacowpoke

Good posts, with a lot of good points.  The problem is that we do live in a society that worships celebrity.  Sometimes substance is irrelative.  Thank you again for your post.

0
albertacowpoke

I agree with you Amy.  We have enough other celebrities to worship. 

0
Rhonda J Mangus

A very interesting Opinion piece, nancyvideo. Thanks for posting.

0
Fred Miller

Thank you for not posting the gratuitous pic....or is it just a matter of time :-)

0
jazzyzazzy

Obama the male stripper next.Naw its no gonny happen.

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albertacowpoke
First Flagged at 6:36 AM, Apr 25, 2009 by albertacowpoke

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