Obama’s temple for the Cult of Personality; The father of American democracy?
posted at 9:45 am on August 27, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Fausta made this connection before I did, and combined with the so-called “sign of progress”, Barack Obama may be better suited to run for the presidency of the United Federation of Planets than the USA. Allahpundit reported last night on the plans for Obama to deliver his acceptance speech in front of a fake Greek temple, and John McCormack has the picture:
That this scales heights of presumptuousness can hardly be refuted. What genius thought of this motif? Probably the same one that concocted Vero Possumus and the Fleeing Eagle. It’s a paean to an ego run amuck — and if American voters wondered about the cult of personality that Obama has inspired, this settles the question and explicitly makes Obama the cult leader.
At least their taste in Star Trek episodes has improved. While their “sign of progress” was lifted from one of the dumbest entries in the original-series catalog, this set comes straight from one of their more intriguing episodes, “Who Mourns For Adonis?”
The parallels are interesting, at least. Obama wants to treat us the way Apollo treated the Enterprise crew — as children who need do nothing but gather food and worship him. He promises them peace, tranquility, and happiness, as long as they agree to become his servants and relinquish their free will. In the end, Kirk and his crew destroy his power source and send him off to his fellow demigods in bitterness rather than allow themselves to become enslaved to Apollo.
Somehow, I think that American voters will understand those parallels, even if they’ve never seen this episode before in their lives. (post photo from Political Inquirer, via Power Line)
Update: No, it’s not a reference to the Lincoln Memorial either. That has a straight line of columns, not curved as in the set in Denver:
Some have written and commented that Obama wants to reference Athens as the birthplace of democracy. That’s almost as bad as the reference to Greek temples. Is Obama styling himself as the father of American democracy?
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Can we get the US Airforce to use their cool new laser beam to zap this thing mid-speech? That would be super sweet!
sabbott on August 27, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Don’t make fun of Obama’s Greek temple or he’ll sic the Dept. of Justice on you.
JA on August 27, 2008 at 9:48 AM
Heh…it is surreal.
Our lives are so bad…we’re poor no hope can we change?
and there is Barry as Dionysus er wait that’d be Teddy K….as Perseus I suppose standing at the temple.
McCain by 4% in the general and an electoral gap of 30+.
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:49 AM
“Don’t cry for me, Argentina!” oh no, wait! That’s EVITA showing her arrogance, not Obama! Well, it works! Never mind!
Vntnrse on August 27, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Such a pompous ( ) …..fill in the blank
grapeknutz on August 27, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Two words: tack-y.
S. Weasel on August 27, 2008 at 9:49 AM
-Who puts their name on their license plate?
-My mother does the same thing with my underwear.
-Your mother puts license plates in your underwear? How do you sit?
Darksean on August 27, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Friends, Americans, Countrymen – don’t lend me your ears – mine are already too much, and so is my mouth.
Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 9:52 AM
He’s dead, Jim.
Fletch54 on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Wings, I’d like you to meet my good friend, the Sun.
Hubris, a word prophetically coined by the Greeks to define a presidential candidate thousands of years in the future.
The ads are pretty much writing themselves at this point.
Imagine the outright giggling going on right now at RNC video production rooms…
hippie_chucker on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Since he’s running for President of the World, why not just do the speech from Athens?
jp on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Any rain in the Denver forecast?
jgapinoy on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM
If times are so bad why is he spending so much MONEY on…trips to Europe, a huge stadium for his speech, a greek temple backdrop etc…. Oh thats right, he isn’t spending HIS money on all this ridiculous stuff, he’s spending YOURS you dopey supporters!
ctmom on August 27, 2008 at 9:53 AM
It may be symbolism, but it is a bit scary.
Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Kirk has some great lines in that clip that fit Obama:
“Do you mind telling us what you want without all the Olympian generalities?”
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 9:54 AM
Is that a Greek column or the shaft?
jgapinoy on August 27, 2008 at 9:54 AM
imagine the amount of women that must be throwing themselves at him everywhere he goes.
jp on August 27, 2008 at 9:54 AM
“Scout around with your tricorders. Find the source of that power!”
p40tiger on August 27, 2008 at 9:55 AM
I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and not one was the stage set up like a Greek temple. The closest was Iron Maiden and the Egyptian motif.
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Obama needs to wear that gold toga.
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Ya think? Heeheehee. Major props to Mike O and the Political Inquirer!
Gilda on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Dammit Jim, I’m a conman not a president!
Laura in Maryland on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM
“What if he is really Apollo?”
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Spock: “Captain there seems to be some type of crude machine that has as its magneto a Hungarian Money speculator driving an angst engine”
sven10077 on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Surreal is as close as it gets. Not sure the word has been invented for this. Demented, maybe.
RushBaby on August 27, 2008 at 9:57 AM
I wonder how much that little temple to self worship cost.
Obama must be utterly convinced of his own inevitability to be spending campaign cash that freely.
MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Fixed that for you.
CherokeeJack on August 27, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Is that a Greek column, or are you just glad to see yourself?
MarkTheGreat on August 27, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Hah…its more Nuremberg rally meets the hood!
elduende on August 27, 2008 at 9:58 AM
It boggles the mind. I wonder, once he gets elected
chancellorpresident, will he suspend the constitution and ask for new authority to solve the problems caused by hisegopolicies?Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 9:59 AM
A teaser from The Belmont Club via Townhall. Anyone know this Khalid al Monsour who supposedly wrote a reference for Barry’s admittance to Harvard?
http://pajamasmedia.com/richardfernandez/2008/08/26/the-wrong-man-sir/#more-182
a capella on August 27, 2008 at 9:59 AM
That is just really creepy… What is this obsession with these architectural backdrops and props? A real man, who is self-assured and comfortable in his own skin, does not wear lifts in his shoes, or a toupe.
What is latin, or german, or greek for that matter, for “Form Over Substance Forever”
Bring back the baby Seal!
singlemalt_18 on August 27, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Megalomania:
[Note to Department of Justice: This has nothing to do with criticizing Obama. Nothing, I tell you.]
Loxodonta on August 27, 2008 at 9:59 AM
He is the One… He is the One… He is the One…
Oops, my Spock-ears fell off. Somebody get me a tri-corder.
lionheart on August 27, 2008 at 9:59 AM
This guy has such a massive self-image problem brought on by having a deadbeat, drunk, bigamist father who skated on a ditzy moonbat mom with more fertility than sense, who left him in the care of her commie-symp parents when she was off populating the world elsewhere, that he resorts to appearing in grandiose and kitschy facades of history that would have been rejected by Ed Wood or Spinal Tap as too over-the-top. Oblammo needs years of psychiatric intervention yet the Donks want him to run the world.
Captain Hate on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I know he’s really spaced out on his ideas about foreign policy, but please don’t turn him loose on the rest of the galaxy.
backwoods conservative on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I can’t wait to see the crowd all give him the O sign when he appears. I hope there’s some dry ice for a nice fog effect.
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
So why the hell didn’t B.O. just go all out to display The Majesty and The Wonder That Is He, and have it set-up for him to give his acceptance speech from on top of Pike’s Peak or some other mountaintop against the backdrop and grandeur of the Colorado Rockies, instead of some cheapo-deluxe fake-looking Greek temple in the middle of a football stadium?
pilamaye on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I’ve been to a lot of concerts, and not one was the stage set up like a Greek temple. The closest was Iron Maiden and the Egyptian motif.
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Spinal Tap anyone?? Yeah it was Stonehenge, but still just as amusing.
Obama “goes to eleven”..
meoky on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Platobama.
fogw on August 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
That fake Greek column will become ruins in November for libs to visit.
jencab on August 27, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Play-Dohbama
fogw on August 27, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Demented works. So does arrogant, conceited, egotistical, lordly, overbearing, presumptuous, snooty, supercilious, superior, vainglorious
And… at the cost of tagging myself as a RAAAAAAAAAAAAACIST – uppity.
The thesaurus is fun!
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Who is? Did I miss something?
http://thepajamapundit.com/
thePajamaPundit on August 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM
“I have a practical question. Are we doing ‘Stonehenge’ tomorrow night?”
Vashta.Nerada on August 27, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Is there a representation of Keith Olbermananannaa’s rigid love for Barry on the stage?
It would only be fitting.
benrand on August 27, 2008 at 10:03 AM
This is beyond parody. How can you make a joke of a joke?
Wethal on August 27, 2008 at 10:03 AM
They’re gonna slaughter 1,000 bulls too, I hear.
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 10:04 AM
That’s arugula he’s holding, I presume.
Wethal on August 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Vultus Super Substantia
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM
anyone know what Obama majored in undergrad?
jp on August 27, 2008 at 10:05 AM
That’s just “form over substance.”
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM
And when do all the temple maidens dance? Do they come out in togas or Hillary pantsuits?
Wethal on August 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Heh heh, well done.
LastRick on August 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM
LOL. I can envision TNOYF doing a vid with Obama as Apollo, McCain as Kirk, and when Apollo loses and calls to Zeus and Athena, we hear the voices of George Clooney and Brittany Spears.
Dusty on August 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM
The Denver Broncos of politics…
BKennedy on August 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM
You know the irony here is biting a lot of the left scream about American imperialism but the stage they are setting for Barack has all the trappings of Imperial pomp and glory…
Also kudos to whoever did the picture on the main page of Obama with that very telling shield….
werehawk on August 27, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Mistake. It doesn’t look grand, it looks like a miniature set in that giant venue. And Obama will look even tinier. As was mentioned yesterday, it’s reminiscent of the poorly-scaled Stonehenge set in Spinal Tap. I’m sure it will look better close up on TV, but from way back it just looks like a child’s toy, like Barbie’s Greek Column Playset.
aero on August 27, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Barack Omerica is a very arrogant man.
Towash on August 27, 2008 at 10:08 AM
“All your temple are belong to us!”
Akzed on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Well, of course. Obama has Bon Jovi packing the place for him.
marybel on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Here’s some appropriate music: Cult of Personality.
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Relax, this is a natural transition: at the end of the Roman Republic, once the Emperors had taken over, the ceasars took on the mantle of both secular and religious powers: Emperor and Pontifex Maximus. The anointed one is simply setting the stage for our own transition into the wonderland many of his followers already occupy.
oldvannes on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Do ya think he owns a red shirt?
Laura in Maryland on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
So, if Obama and Biden are Pinky and the Brain, which one is Pinky?
Narf!
aero on August 27, 2008 at 10:11 AM
For the Hillary folks reading this, I just want to point out that the Greeks did not treat women very well. They were considered inferior creatures and very few, if any, rights. IMO, just another slap in yo faces.
YellowDawg on August 27, 2008 at 10:11 AM
You are correct.
Can this get any more absurd? Seriously, who were the geniuses who greenlighted this latest Obamination? They couldn’t have gone with a simple flag or something traditionally American as in regular old America… they chose to invoke Giant Government Institutions instead?
I wonder if Barry O is going to work the runway like Mick Jagger. Maybe he’ll do some crowd-surfing!
Gilda on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Nope. Clear skies all week. And that may be a good thing. Let him go ahead with this display of egotism so the world can see what he really thinks of himself.
backwoods conservative on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I think they are trying for a pseudo-White House backdrop. Problem? Only 6 columns on the White House. And the colmuns are convex, not concave.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Watched that whole clip. I don’t get Star Trek. It’s almost as goofy as Obama.
srhoades on August 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
The Parthenon (which I assume is the inspiration for this idea) was built for the Ancient Greek god of Athena who represented the highest order of spiritual development and the gifts of intellect and understanding. Athena is the symbol of the universal human aspiration for wisdom.
Really, Obama???? Really?????
mjk on August 27, 2008 at 10:14 AM
.
Spot on.
Think_b4_speaking on August 27, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Brandenburg desperation redux. “Ich bin ein Clinton”.
Fletch54 on August 27, 2008 at 10:16 AM
How do you think Slick Willie will do in his role as Hermes?
flyoverland on August 27, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Personally, I always thought Obama was more like the probe in “The Changling”…
radjah shelduck on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 AM
And I’m sure Obama is counting on the networks to do a lot of pull-back camera shots to show the immense crowd supporting his candidacy. This thing is going to look ridiculous in those shots.
Slublog on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Mr. Obama, how many Greek temples do you own?
faraway on August 27, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Is this the Democrat National Convention or Prom Night?
fogw on August 27, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Star Trek?
More like Nehemiah Scudder.
Laugh it up now folks because come November you will be in tears as BO takes his rightful place as our new lord and master.
If you think Y2K was trouble just wait until we have to adapt to year 1AO or would his fist year be 0?
jmarcure on August 27, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 10:09 AM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM
You may not get it, but it was the first show in the history of television to get more popular after it was canceled. I don’t think that will be the case with Obama, who is getting less popular every day, and will probably sink into obscurity after his show gets cancelled.
backwoods conservative on August 27, 2008 at 10:20 AM
I think it looks like prep for halftime at the Superbowl. Is there going to be an opening act? Dancers on the field?
BigD on August 27, 2008 at 10:21 AM
I love the quote from the McCain camp:
“To which a McCain adviser quipped: ‘Is this from the Onion?’”
Mr_Magoo on August 27, 2008 at 10:21 AM
LOL Ed, I too thought of the Star Trek episode, and then I scroll down and voila, you embedded the youtube video of it, good job, fellow geek! How about Obama puts on not only the Roman robe but also that little crown of leaves (whatever they are) around Julius Caesar’s head. If only I could photoshop. All hail Caesar!
When Obama becomes prez and gives a national address on some national tragedy, will the Greek columns stay or go? Tough decision!
Paul-Cincy on August 27, 2008 at 10:21 AM
BJ: “Where’s the fine piece of a$$, Aphrodite? I want her to feel my pain.”
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Nostradamus predicted a favorite phrase for the future:
Obama Who?
faraway on August 27, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Take away message from His Holiness’ homily tomorrow night.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I just wish that someone would ask him that same question-verbatim!
RocketmanBob on August 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Be on the lookout Thursday night for lots of people wearing red shirts (my fellow old-timer Trekkers will know what I mean…!).
They’ll be under the bus later on!
brushman on August 27, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Gee. I wonder if the choice of Greek columns has anything to do with the fact that Democracy was born in Ancient Greece? And it’s no secret that many democrats feel like the constitution has been abused in the last 8 years. Is it really that difficult to put two and two together?
It’s not representative of Obama’s ego as much as it is supposed to be about going back to the roots of Democracy and restoring some faith in the constitution.
That’s just my take.
ashain on August 27, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Obama really blew it on this one.
He should have used the Guardian of Forever from the episode “The City on the Edge of Forever”.
You know, the time travel portal that looks like a big “O”.
I think they are using it in the new Trek movie, so they could have just borrowed the prop from the film set.
AP, please put a vid clip up!
pseudonominus on August 27, 2008 at 10:26 AM
If Lord Obama speaks from this Greek temple, he will become a laughingstock.
Other events scheduled for the opening ceremonies:
- Dukakis driving a tank past the Emperor
- Kerry windsurfing at halftime
- Jimmy Carter having a Billy beer drinking contest
- Gary Hart singing a song about monkey business
faraway on August 27, 2008 at 10:26 AM
“I am
AppoloObamasus, you will worship me”LtE126 on August 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
To which a McCain adviser quipped: “Is this from the Onion?”
The Star Trek reference is good, but I still prefer the hilarious allusions to Spinal Tap.
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
“would it have hurt us so much to light a fire, and gather just a few [PREGNANT SHATNER PAUSE] laurel leaves?”
HA!
Obama is bunch of Hot AYER!
max1 on August 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Well, an Obama presidency will be a return to the “Good ol’ days” of the Carter years, so that’d be appropriate.
crazy_legs on August 27, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Woops, screwed up the link.
Hilarious allusions to Spinal Tap found here.
Buy Danish on August 27, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I read that fireworks will be used Thursday. DO you suppose that His Most High Obamaship will simply point in that direction and one will be launched due simply to his will?
brushman on August 27, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Dr. CWAC,
“Neon lights, Nobel prize”
Song works for Al Gore, too.
Disturb the Universe on August 27, 2008 at 10:28 AM
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