Favorite Song - What a stupid ass question

[Torgo Johnson]

When I watch a debate, I want to hear questions asked about serious topics, such as the war and education. This question has absolutely no bearing on who will best be able to lead the country. I could honestly not give a shit if Howard Dean said he likes to continously listen to Celine Dion and Michael Bolton tapes. But somehow, in GD there are as many topics about this then the actual debate itself. Flame wars have even developed (then again, this is GD). IMHO, this is what Faux wanted, people getting into arguments about a candidate's taste in music or how truthful they were. I can't wait for the next debate. What will some of the questions be then ?

Kobe: Guilty or Not Guilty ?
Britney and Madonna's Kiss: How hot was it?
If you could be a tree...?

Thank you Faux, for once again lowering the common denominator.

P.S If Dean really wanted to pander, he would of picked an Ashanti or Beyonce song, or even one of Wyclef's more popular songs.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. I was amazed that they would ask that too

That just looks like fodder for all the RW pundits later.

But hell..there is a thoughtful individual in GD jockeying for the fact that actual policy promoting debates are not enough like reality TV to captivate the average individual's attention,,,so we really should try more to cater to the lowest common denominator so they can make a choice as thoughtless as the rest of their considerations concerning who will be our policy makers.

[Booberdawg]

3. I wouln't agree he is too thoughtful or represents the better minds

on DU. I know who and what you're talking about.:eyes:

[Torgo Johnson]

7. What a great idea...

Let's have Britney Spears perform after the debate, and whoever wins can take off her pants while she's "singing". (sarcasm)

[ropi]

2. fave song

What is scary is that with Faux News...the question was asked for a reason. It will somehow become cannon fodder for harming the participants.

--ROPIPOR (laughing at the idea of Dean picking "Bootylicious" as his fave song).

[newyawker99]

8. Hi ropipor!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[otohara]

4. Which Wyclef's Songs Did Dean Pick

?

[Booberdawg]

5. This debate was set up as right wing fodder to begin with!!

Right wing moderators - Fox News.

:wtf:

WHO set this up anyway??? Karl Rove??

[knight_of_the_star]

6. They asked that?

Someone should have said something to the effect of, "Why are you asking that question?"

[JHB]

11. Better yet...

someone should have said:

"Brit, at the risk of going out on a limb ans speaking for my fellow candidates, I'd like to thank you for dispelling the myth that there's no such thing as a 'stupid question'."

[arwalden]

9. Favorite Song? Must Have Been Someone From DU's Lounge!!

[CWebster]

10. It was an interesting personal question

In fact, this strange marriage between the Black caucus and Fox news provided an overall interesting debate with some great questions---although the candidates were allowed time for the barest bones responses. Sometimes that is all that is necessary--it prevents the point from being obscured by a lot of rhetorical posturing, but it also prevents the issue from being fleshed out. Getting the sound bytes down.

[arwalden]

12. "Boxers or Briefs?" --- Who asked that of Clinton? MTV?

[CWebster]

13. LOL

I guess this was the fox news contribution---but it was sort of fun and it helps to humanize the candidates in a pop culturey way. ;-)

[Atlant]

19. Yes, on one of their "Rock the Vote!" programs, IIRC. (NT)

[Torgo Johnson]

14. If it was during a one-on-one interview...

or on something like the candidate's website, it would not bother me. But, it just did not seem professional to me to have that kind of question during a debate. Like you said, the candidates already did not have enough time to delve into the question, and the Larouche loonies made that time even more scarce.

[CWebster]

15. Who cares

These are the things that engage the public. It lightens the formality and even the disruptors add a spontaneous real world element which spotlights the candidates reactions away from the canned, handled worn-out speeches. These are political opportunities that every great politician masters. this is part of the process and it matters. It matters.

[TahitiNut]

16. If I were asked that in a job interview ...

... I would respond with "What function of the job makes that question relevant?" :shrug:

Such a question is typical of Fox ... or the old "Dating Game". Their audience seems incapable of getting beyond such visceral opinionation. (Wouldn't it be more interesting to have HR/legal professionals vetting the questions according to employment interview guidelines?)

[CWebster]

Woudn't mind that question in a job interview.

Shoot, that's my kind of work environment.

Man. You folks are uptight. Too many years under the Right-wing thumb.

[Atlant]

24. If you answered inthat fashion, I'd...

> I would respond with "What function of the job makes that question relevant?"

If I were conducting the interview and you answered me in that fashion,
I'd quietely cross you off my list as: 1) Not having any ability (or
desire?) to think on your feet, and 2) Not having any sense of humor.

At my company, we actually make a point of always taking the
candidates out to lunch, and yes, that's part of the interview
process; it's intended to see how you behave just "folks-to-folks"
in a relatively unstructured evironment. We once had someone "fail
lunch", although they failed most everything else as well.

Atlant

[TahitiNut]

26. Minorities usually "fail lunch" ...

... in bigoted business cultures. :shrug: I'm sure you'd ask that of a deaf person. :eyes:

It may be appropriate for a fraternity (as is your black-balling approach) or country club. It's not appropriate in public enterprises. Thinking "on your feet" and humor can be easily assessed in job-related questions. For example, in one job interview I was asked "What's the price of gold today?" That's both an unusual and relevant question. It assesses the candidate's knowledge of current (economic) events and permits responses of varying degrees of both humor and familiarity. (I personally think it's sad many folks don't comprehend the distinction between a fraternity and a business enterprise.)

[Atlant]

27. You've obviously never seen my shop.

You've obviously never seen my shop or the people I've agreed
deserve hiring.

And since you just, in effect, called me a racist, I believe
we're done talking now. Forever. Bye! Feel free to have the
last word.

I will leave you with one important job-hunting hint,
though: Walking in with a 'tude probably won't get you
hired no matter what your favorite music is and whether
or not you care to share your choice with the interviewer.

Atlant

[TahitiNut]

34. "The ends do not justify the means."

Sound familiar? I merely observed that the practice you described is one often used to mask bigotry. You were the one who chose to put on the shoe. I neither have ubiquitous knowledge nor a crystal ball to divine the intentions of all those who engage in such practices -- merely that such practices are often a 'cover' for bigotry. Sharing a meal has been, for much of human history, the means for distinguishing one 'tribe' from another. Try studying up on the sociology of Hindu, Moslem, and Jewish dietary laws sometime.

An inability to form a job-related question that offers insight to job-related 'humor' and 'flexibility' would indicate a particularly unimaginative interviewer.

As for the ascription of a "'tude" ... that's your jump to conclusions, not mine. Projection??? Unless I'm very deluded, very few on DU would think I lacked significantly in the 'humor' department -- even on some very serious isssues.

Anecdote: On one "do lunch" phase of an interview, acting under the assertion that interviews are two-way, I offered to tell an "ethnic joke" (primarily to guage their reaction for myself). I then told (my only) "ethnic" joke: "What's Irish and stays out all night?" "Paddy O'furniture." I was not particularly comfortable with the manner in which the folks reacted. That discomfort was shown later to be true when I discovered the deeply-embedded bigotry in their business culture. :shrug:

[CWebster]

37. FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!

This was a light-hearted question attempting to relax the connection between the voter and the candidate. Politicians relish these opportunities. Of course it is silly--just as silly as knowing what Paul Newman's favorite curseword is or what he plans to say to god when he gets to the pearly gates. This is the human interest aspect of the game. What's you favorite song--what's your favorite food, what's your favorite color---these questions put us at ease and add to the likeablity factor--who wants to hear a colorless, monotone policy wonk drag on or a politician enamoured with the sound of his own voice pontificating.

it is not a minority thing, it is not a gender thing--it is...play.

[TahitiNut]

38. If you want to get upset ...

... go right ahead and be my guest.

More calmly, you could have merely made note of the fact that interviews for elected public office differ significantly from job interviews in that representation is far more saliently job-related. Thus, 'pop cultural' questions are some (albeit flawed) indication of awareness of their constituency. :shrug:

It's too bad this 'high road' wasn't chosen in this subthread. :eyes: DU is certainly getting more mud-splattered and internally antagonistic.

[CWebster]

39. C'mon TtahitiNut

;-)

[TahitiNut]

42. Stargazers ...

... often have a Sirius orientation. :silly:

[CWebster]

29. considering that the black caucus

was asking the questions...

[TahitiNut]

36. Got a cite?

You have some insight to the specific source of that particular question? I'd be interested in seeing it. :shrug:

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

33. lots of working class whites do too

This is exactly how the glass ceiling works for women as well.

[TahitiNut]

35. Yup.

Women returning to the workforce after raising children often give themselves away by cutting up the meat on the plates of those they're dining with.

{rimshot} I'm here all week, folks. :silly:

[mitchum]

17. What next? Favorite Darren on "Bewitched?

[Atlant]

18. Actually, you could learn a lot about someone from this question...

Did they think about all sorts of things? If the do, they've
probably pondered this question. I certainly have, and I'll
bet you have to.

Did they reach a conclusion? Is it valid for all time? I'd
fumble this as I never have reached a conclusion and I
KNOW my opinion changes with my moods. "Stairway
to Heaven"? Best exemplar of a certain style of Rock-n-Roll.
"Sweet Baby James"? No song I'd rasther here driving through
the Berkshires on the Mass Pike. "Both Sides Now"? If I'm
feeling sentimental.

On the other hand, if the candidate answered "Why, anythin'
by Conway Twitty, Ma'am!", I'd have a purty good idea that they
were not the candidate for me.

I'd much rather here "What song?" than any of Juan Williams'
smarmy "Aha, let's see if I can trap you with THIS one..."
questions. What a tool he is!

Atlant

[spooky3]

22. They could have answered...

..."Gee, there are so many great songs; I'd have to think about that. Now I'd like to use this time to tell you my thoughts on the Bush tax cuts..."

[CWebster]

23. Kucinich certainly thought about it

"Imagine", by Lennon.

Perfect.

[Atlant]

25. And that's actually the one Kucinich answer I remember from last night!

He won points from me on that one!

Atlant

[kskiska]

30. *'s answer, when asked in 2000

was "Wake Up Little Susie."

[uptohere]

20. ahem... Brit Hume et al did not write the questions folks

if you don't like them (and I thought this one was needless but an honest attempt to draw young people into the process a little) then direct your ire at the authors.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[elcondor]

32. Unbe-fucking-lievable

Anyway you slice that, that's inappropriate. Wagner was a well known anti-Semite--why would Lieberman claim that to be his favorite song?

If you meant that to be a swipe at Lieberman's Iraq vote (a war-cry song) there are a miriad of others to choose from.

[Atlant]

41. Yeah, but for a lot of people...

> If you meant that to be a swipe at Lieberman's Iraq vote (a war-cry
> song) there are a miriad of others to choose from.

Yeah, but for a lot of people, those first few bars of "Ride of
the Valkyre" takes them right to the scene in Platoon where the
officer says (more or less) "'cause it scares the shit out of the
gooks". If I were chossing a war song for a barbed reply, that would
likely be my choice as well. And it's pretty clear that Joe would be
better off surfing, and we'd be better off too.

Of course, for Shrub, I might choose "We'll meet again", hoping
to evoke Strangelove-ian connections.

Atlant

[RapidCreek]

47. Unfucking believable is it?

The fact is, anti-semitism wasn't the gist of my point...your interested in that tact has inspired me to consider it, however. As such I'll be more than happy to address it, now that I have given it a little thought.

Do you know what a Semite is? Evidently not....Let me help you out.

From Merriam Websters: 1 a : a member of any of a number of peoples of ancient southwestern Asia including the Akkadians, Phoenicians, Hebrews, and ARABS b : a descendant of these peoples.

Sending 9 billion a year or $84,854,827,200 since 1949 (more than any other country on earth) to Israel so they may purchase the equipment with which to most efficiently murder their fellow semites is a great idea according to Joe.

Guess anti-semitism is ok...as long as it is the right kind of anti-semitism, eh? Lieberman and his PNAC buddies spending my tax money to help Israel (mostly relocated Europeans, Russians and Americans) murder Palestinians (true Semites) is ok but the suggestion that a person who advocates such shit is a hypocrite, that's anti-semitic,right? You remind me of a Republican who cheats on his wife but suggest others should be impeached for it.

Now as far as Wagner goes, another thing he was well known for was his love of war and his anthems inspired by the notion of the glory of death and killing. In the film, Apocalypse Now, Martin Sheen asks Robert Duvall, who plays the Helicopter Cav commander, why he plays Cry of the Valkyries from loud speakers mounted on his gunships, while engaging in battle. Robert Duvall's character explains that they play the music as they attack because it "scares the shit out of the gooks". The money Mr. Lieberman insists we send Israel is being used to purchase gunships etc. and the purpose of those gunships is to scare the shit out of and kill Palestinians (who again, happen to be semites....more truly semitic than most of the folks who founded Israel). Again I hadn't really considered Wagner's anti-semitism...in that you felt the need to make indignant mention of it....I thank you, as it adds even more weight to the point I was making. People who advocate killing and murder as a way to solve the worlds ills are anti-human and I'd say that trumps pretty much all other anti's-.

Further, I would suggest that the mod who removed my post is a bit over-zealous and anti-Austrian.....for what other reason did he or she do what he or she did?

RapidCreek

[elcondor]

49. Reply

I was merely pointing out that Wagner was a well known anti-Semite (and yes, I KNOW what a Semite is--I am Jewish, if that counts for anything. I realize that "Semite" could refer to several peoples in Southwest Asia. And don't patronize me please, you know as well as I do that when someone says "anti-Semite" they are nine times out of ten refering to anti-Jewish remarks or beliefs. Next time, though, I will be more specific.)

I support the national sovereignty of Israel--but I absolutely do not support the murder of innocent Palestinian people. In no way did I imply that I did in my post. I never said that I supported what they use our aide for, nor did I say that I support Lieberman's views on the subject.

Please note that I did not call YOU an anti-Jewish person, but that I was referring to Wagner. You did not specify your frame of reference (the movie), therefore, and this is where I perhaps became hasty, I questioned the reason why you chose a song composed by an anti-Jewish person as Lieberman's favorite song. (Who makes it clear to everyone who will listen that he's Jewish.)

As to why your post was removed, I was a bit surprised by that myself. I did not hit "alert," just to let you know. I questioned your reason for choosing the song, but I did not leap to the conclusion that YOU were expressing an anti-Jewish sentiment. But I am sure the mod had a good reason for doing so.

I hope that you can take the time to read and respond to this. Now that we understand each other a little better, I also hope that we can put this behind us and work for the real objective--getting Bush* outta office! :-)

[RapidCreek]

51. Certainly!

I guess my problem with Joe is, his assertion that we, who do not advocate sending our tax dollars to Israel, are somehow anti-Jewish. I know plenty of people who practice the Jewish faith who could care less about Israel. In fact I know quite a few who are extremely angry about it's behavior over the years. Joe putting the back of his hand to his head, while indignantly accusing those who fail to support his PNAC objectives, of being Anti-Jewish...does Jewish people a disservice. He is attempting to manipulate those who stand in his way via self righteous, poor poor pitiful me, faith based pandering. This plainly transparent approach is designed to elicit acquiescence, wrought by the defensiveness and guilt he hopes to generate in the minds of those he accuses. It makes me want to vomit. It stinks of neo-conservative methodology. I wish, just once, a Jewish person would stand up and tell the sorry assed kvetching whiner to shut the hell up and stop playing pathetic, revolting little games with their faith.


Anyway....No worries from my end. Glad you understand my position on this....and I understand yours....and yes, an end to AWOL Georges destruction of our country is number one on my list of priority's. I am counting the day's til he is enjoying a nice little do nothing job with Carlyle or better yet, sitting in the Hague, contemplating what life in a cage might be like.

-Peace- :)

RC

[JanMichael]

28. Was that during the beachwear portion of the program?

I heard that the thong is back this year.

[Michael Daniels]

31. No, the stupidest LCD question asked of a presidential candidate

in any public forum discussion or debate would still be:

"Boxers or Briefs?" as asked to Clinton in what was supposed to be a town-hall equivalent hosted by someone who considered herself a serious journalist (Tabitha Soren?).

Personally, I think Clinton defined himself right there by not having the dignity to not answer the question.

[TahitiNut]

40. Careful.

The "lighten up!" wing will have you for lunch. :silly: (I hear "prurient interest" is on the menu, too.)

[shugah]

43. i thought it was light and fun

i guess i'm not as serious as so many here :shrug:

i have no problem voting for a candidate that listens to music. and i do think they should add the "if you could be a tree..." question to the next debate, because now that would be downright funny!

[ArkDem]

44. It would have been much more relevant to ask,

"Who was your favorite Beatle?".

[Atlant]

45. What would you say if they answered "Scarab"? (NT)

[ArkDem]

46. Scarab is a beetle not a beatle

.

[Atlant]

50. I'm not aware that the pronounciation varies.

And, as you probably realize, the pun was deliberate on the
part of the Beatles.

Atlant

[ArkDem]

52. the beat generation, man

.

[uptohere]

48. could have been favorite color

n/t