The cult of personality continues
posted at 9:05 am on November 10, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Share on Facebook | regular view
We’ve had Vero Possumus and the Barackopolis in the run-up to Barack Obama’s election. Now we have people attempting to get a national holiday for Obama before he has even taken the oath of office. Every Tuesday between now and the inauguration, a Topeka McDonald’s will host two rallies to demand an Obamoliday:
Plans are being made to promote a national holiday for Barack Obama, who will become the nation’s 44th president when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20.
“Yes We Can” planning rallies will be at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the downtown McDonald’s restaurant, 1100 Kansas Ave., until Jan. 13. The goals are to secure a national holiday in Obama’s honor, to organize celebrations around his inauguration and to celebrate the 200th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12 1809.
At 7:30 a.m. on Inauguration Day, Obama Cake will be served at the downtown McDonald’s, and a celebration is scheduled for 8 p.m. to midnight Jan. 20 at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 S.E. 6th.
First, we have a national holiday to honor our presidents. It’s called — President’s Day. One can see how this might confuse the national supporters of Hope and Change, but perhaps we can try to rename it into something easier for them to understand.
In our history, we have had only one national holiday for a specific president. The birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln later got combined into Presidents Day, but only Washington’s Birthday was ever a federal holiday. Washington’s Birthday was established as a national holiday in 1880, 83 years after Washington left office and 81 years after his death. Lincoln’s birthday was celebrated by a number of states as a holiday, but never officially received recognition as such. Congress specifically honored Lincoln in renaming Washington’s Birthday into President’s Day in 1971.
Think about the presidents that haven’t received this honor. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence and purchased the Louisiana Territory, starting the march to the Pacific. Theodore Roosevelt made America a global power for the first time in our history. Franklin Roosevelt defeated the Nazis and the Japanese Empire. Ronald Reagan defeated the Soviet Union. All of these men have their honor in Presidents Day.
And now the Cult of Obama wants a specific day to honor the object of their adoration, and for what? Getting elected? Isn’t that the soft bigotry of low expectations?
Jazz Shaw and Michelle have more thoughts on this.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »
We need this so those Obama supporters that don’t work will get a day off.
DCJeff on November 10, 2008 at 9:09 AM
More than a day, we need a week to celebrate.
We could call it ‘car-NEE-val’.
Skandia Recluse on November 10, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Hey man, there’s no sense in doing it now, but can you blame the community for seeing this as a once in a generation event? I mean, even if it was Alan Keyes, people would still be like “woow…a black president…we need to commemorate this forever”
but lets wait till he leaves before we do anything drastic…we wouldnt want to feel like the asshole who got a metallica tattoo after And Justice for All thinking “They’ll never disappoint me…”
ernesto on November 10, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Welcome to the cult of Obama. But on the plus side, cults tend to implode as the promises of their demigods go unfulfilled.
DJ Rick on November 10, 2008 at 9:11 AM
Only a day?
Hello, how can we truly celebrate his greatness with less than a week?
He has risen.
artist on November 10, 2008 at 9:11 AM
I think it’s a bloody shame that Reagan and both Roosevelts don’t have their own days. But they actually, you know, accomplished stuff. Obama wrote two books, got elected on the stupidest two catchphrases in political history, and now needs a special day??? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot????
mjk on November 10, 2008 at 9:11 AM
More than a day, we need a week to celebrate.
We could call it ‘car-NEE-val’.
Skandia Recluse on November 10, 200
you beat me!
artist on November 10, 2008 at 9:12 AM
the MSM news reports the next few years will be very positive for once, that is ‘real change’ for sure. Even if Russia has troops on our borders about to move in, the MSM will resort to Baghdad Bob type reporting
jp on November 10, 2008 at 9:12 AM
Let’s Let’s just change the name of Tuesday to Obamaday.
Akzed on November 10, 2008 at 9:12 AM
EVERY DAY is an Obama day! WOOHOO!
robblefarian on November 10, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Get used to the Cult of Personality because it is here to stay.
And in other news, Biden getting booed at the Eagles/Giants game last night was truly funny. I was there, in a box with a bunch of mostly libs. Biden’s face comes up on the big screen, and Philly fans did what they do best.
The Marines at halftime, however, were fabulous.
BigD on November 10, 2008 at 9:13 AM
Why didn’t we have a special day for Kennedy, the first Catholic president?
davod on November 10, 2008 at 9:13 AM
The more holidays we have for federal workers, the more likely the stock market will rise.
I say we shut down the federal government for all of January again.
dtestard on November 10, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Why stop with a week – I say a month off (in August) with pay. Europe takes August off and it is the month of the Messiah’s birth.
HawaiiLwyr on November 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM
I see people driving around with “Obama”, “Peace”, and “Unity” soaped on their vehicle windows. They really think he’s going to work do something.
As for this whole devote a holiday to Obama, I thought many of his constituents were already experiencing holidays every day, which is why I’ll have to pay more taxes.
jediwebdude on November 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM
but.. but.. he’s Black
isn’t that reason enough to celebrate diversity by giving him his own holiday?
/sarc
DaveC on November 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM
And next they’ll tell us Obama cake will rise without leavening.
qestout on November 10, 2008 at 9:15 AM
Oh please! Let’s not stop with just a mere holiday. Our new president-elect deserves nothing less than a full blown memorial on the mall in DC.
Browncoatone on November 10, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Слава за Обамы! Слава, Слава!!!
Realist on November 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Bad things come to those who put themselves above the Lord.
False messiahs are many.
The eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.
Kuffar on November 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM
and for FDR…the first person to overcome severe physical disability and get elected to the presidency not once but four times.
sdd on November 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Why not, he hasn’t done anything else really in his career so why wait now?
skatz51 on November 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Remember Saddam St, Saddam Plaza, Saddam Dam, Saddam Stadium, Saddam City…?
Akzed on November 10, 2008 at 9:17 AM
Right. So now the only individual who already has a national holiday is Martin Luther King Jr.
RushBaby on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Kennedy was only a Catholic parishoner, The Obama™ is the Messiah.
johnsteele on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
I thought at the end of the election, there would be a significant drop in the Obammercials.
Silly me.
There’s as many or more since he won. How much more money do they have and what is he trying to prove.
God, spend that money on the poor Americans without health care you kept talking about.
What a farce is materializing already.
PS, you gun owners in NC that voted for Kay Hagen…
SUCKERS!!!
hawkdriver on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
How about a day for Bill Clinton.. the first Hill Billy to be elected president..
Or Lyndon Johnson?.. the First President to have cabinet meetings while he was taking a sh!t..
you know, substantial stuff..
DaveC on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Hey, they could rename Grant Park in Chicago Red Square or something and have a statue of the “The One” holding his fist up high.
BobK on November 10, 2008 at 9:18 AM
Right. So now the only individual who
alreadyhas a national holiday is Martin Luther King Jr.pimf
RushBaby on November 10, 2008 at 9:19 AM
Schools in my area are changing an item on the lunch menu:
A sqaure portion of meatloaf was call “Meat Slab” has now been changed to the “Obama Block”.
I’m still trying to figure this out, but my shirt caught on fire.
mylegsareswollen on November 10, 2008 at 9:19 AM
I noticed the other day he had a sign on the podium in Chicago that read, “Office of the President-Elect”. Is there such an office? Or, did they make that up like they did that bogus logo they were usuing?
flyoverland on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Why bother with waiting for exceptional accomplishments or lasting achievement? That just spoils the narrative the MSM created for this empty suit. They will surely be creating mythology for the man that even eclipses the outright lies that are “common knowledge” about JFK’s administration.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 AM
You are all pikers.
Here is a better idea: We need to celebrate for 9 months–Der Great HopenChanger’s entire gestation period.
______
RJGatorEsq. on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 AM
I wonder if this is a McDonald’s corp-sanctioned event? Might have to make a call to their PR department today to ask…
Blue-eyed Infidel on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Either that or the manifestation of a new kind of racial supremacy. The achievements of some americans are much more significant than others depending on their skin color.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Except that he isn’t black, he’s multi-racial with a white mother and a black father.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:21 AM
I fully support the erection of a giant Obama statue in Topeka immediately.
We need something symbolic we can pull over in 2012.
saint kansas on November 10, 2008 at 9:21 AM
Have a President Polk day.. if only for the other president who had a funny name
Or President John Adams.. cause he had an HBO mini-series based on him.
Or President John Quincy Adams.. the one case of a son doing as good of a job as President than his dad did.. :) (not a fan of W atm)
DaveC on November 10, 2008 at 9:22 AM
And if you disagree, you, sir or madam, are Worse Than Hitler.
(apologies to Greg G.)
//sarc.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on November 10, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Rushbaby, Martin Luther King Jr. and Christopher Columbus are the two people with individual American hoildays, IIRC.
Techie on November 10, 2008 at 9:22 AM
You are right.. give Obama his own week.. not just a day.. ;)
DaveC on November 10, 2008 at 9:22 AM
Here’s a clue : it ain’t whitey holding you down, it’s this kinda crap.
LimeyGeek on November 10, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Lets make it on Earth Day
долгосрочной службы тот !!!
NY Conservative on November 10, 2008 at 9:23 AM
Every day is going to be a holiday in the new worker’s paradise. Dear Leader is going to provide everything, such as our mortgages and gas for our cars. There will be no need for us to work. We’ll get to play with our unicorns and eat candy from our lollipop trees.
Just one minor, silly little question. What’s up with this “office of the president elect” thing? Is that new or have I just not been paying close enough attention all the previous transitions?
rbj on November 10, 2008 at 9:24 AM
In the words of Joe the Biden, “Are you joking? Is this a joke?”
Amy Proctor on November 10, 2008 at 9:24 AM
Rap stars will be saying idiotic things like we need new chapters of the bible for Obama. They’ve already said this about MLK, Malcome X…..when they do it, we need to jump on it and politicize it.
Our focus should start with constantly reminding people of the “What the hell did we just do” part of electing Obama.
jp on November 10, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Have this National B.O. Day fall on what I think would be the most appropriate date one could think of for something like this.
April 1.
pilamaye on November 10, 2008 at 9:25 AM
It makes you wonder if the origins of MLK day were as sound and pure as they were made out to be. Let me see if I can make my point without using the word “they”. LOL no I can’t. MLK is the only person to have a holiday named after him, if you don’t include Xmas and Good Friday and Easter. Then Obama would be the 2nd. Gee, what qualifies you to get your own day. At least I didn’t say “they”. Give me points for that.
Paul-Cincy on November 10, 2008 at 9:26 AM
I’ll stop showering now in preparation
LimeyGeek on November 10, 2008 at 9:27 AM
But…he doesn’t look like those other presidents. His words not mine.
If Martin Luther King’s dream was that we judge a man by the content of his character and not the color of his skin, why should he be honored any differently than other presidents?
loudmouth883 on November 10, 2008 at 9:27 AM
Definitely new and also telling. Previous transitions have felt confident enough in their status that they didn’t need a billboard sized sign in front of the President-elect. It’s as if they want to make sure everybody remembers who won.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Cultus
RectorRectumsaint kansas on November 10, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Right you are, thanks. CC’s probably goes away next year.
RushBaby on November 10, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Kansas just received honorable mention in the Stupidest State in the Union contest.
Pennsylvania still sits at #2 for re-electing Murtha.
Minnesota could come in at #3 if Franken wins.
Illinois remains as #1 as the Training Camp for Socialists.
No offense to the entire population of these states, just the pockets of fools.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Because he’s the one that got Oprah’s endorsement- DUH!
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Louisiana has GOT to be in the top five somewhere for re-electing William Jefferson.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Who needs a day, when you can memorialize our dear leader w/an entire city!
Let’s rename Chicago, ChicagObama or New York, New Obama City…They can run his previous speeches 24/7 in Madison Sq. Garden if they are not already doing it.
JAM on November 10, 2008 at 9:31 AM
I honestly see this as a cultural problem. We are generation of celebrity worshipers. The media puts people up on a pedestal. (Only to take them down, later.) It is not good for the soul of America.
Also, I’m sure our great presidents Lincoln, Washington, etc never got recognition for their work until way after they were long gone.
terryannonline on November 10, 2008 at 9:31 AM
A day? I thought they would be changing the name of a month to “Obamauary”.
And of course there has to be found room on the left of Mt. Rushmore for Obama’s face to be carved in stone.
And isn’t the state of Hawaii changing its name to “Obama”.
Then of course the street in front of Obama’s house will have to changed to “Socialist Way”….
albill on November 10, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Good one! I am holding #4 open for Ohio when they start complaining about the decline in the coal industry.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 9:34 AM
The day of the election Murtha ran an ad in Pa telling all about how much money and jobs he had brought to Johnstown. The obviously fell for it. I do not live in Murtha’s district but I am embarrassed anyway.
becki51758 on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
And a dead granny that he has shown so much in family values and compassion by rushing out to Hawaii with his wife and two girls to attend the funeral or make the arrangements or DAMN SOMETHING!
driver on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Just call it Black President’s Day. Feel the racial healing yet?
Seixon on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
We believe in one Leader, Barack Obama,
the only new God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being He is the Father.
Through him all things are possible.
For us and for our salvation
he came to power:
by the votes of the masses
he became incarnate from the Virgin Stanley,
and was made man.
his kingdom will have no end.
Dorvillian on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
The nation has left its moorings. Pretty much officially. This level of delusion cannot support a republic. Cry the beloved country. I question whether she’s coming back.
paul1149 on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
Alaska deserves (dis)honorable mention for re-electing Ted Stevens. Or maybe #3 instead of Minnesota if Franken loses.
Bigfoot on November 10, 2008 at 9:35 AM
I am a little ashamed to be living in Kansas right now!
If I didn’t have to do, you know, actual work, I would go protest every meeting!
Dr. Conservative on November 10, 2008 at 9:36 AM
I think things like this are going to get worse and worse.
Obama propaganda is going to saturate TV, Music, Movies, Magazines, Newspapers, the internet, and on and on.
A new generation of Obama worshipers are going to be indoctrinated in American schools. It’s going to be a nightmare.
gumble on November 10, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Why not rename Washington Obamopolis and the United States Obamastan. Probably still not enough. Lets rename Earth Planet O
davo on November 10, 2008 at 9:38 AM
Even if Franken loses. It should have never been that close. Franken is a hyper-partisan.
terryannonline on November 10, 2008 at 9:38 AM
I’ve already sent an email of my opinion to the people indicated in the article:
Next, an email to the Corporate Offices of McDonalds.
I am looking forward to responses from these schmucks. Ha.
tru2tx on November 10, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Well, just the fact that the “downtown McDonald’s” is the HQ for this movement speaks volumes. And what the hell is a “planning rally“, anyway? How does one rally and plan at the same time?
flipflop on November 10, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Are you serious? Meatloaf? We used to call it “mystery meat,” which maybe was where they were going with this. Obama = man of mystery (meat)
Dee2008 on November 10, 2008 at 9:40 AM
Yeah baby, this is gonna be a fun 4 years. Trust me when i say this will get really old really quick. The majority of this country is not part of the Obama cult, and this kind of garbage is only gonna make a 2nd term that much more impossible.
MDWNJ on November 10, 2008 at 9:41 AM
So if Obama wants to help the poor people, why is he going to reverse Bush’s executive ruling on off-shore drilling? If Obama wants to help people pay their bills, then surely he knows that killing off-shore drilling will result in higher energy bills.
jediwebdude on November 10, 2008 at 9:43 AM
It’s hopey-changey-licious!
locomotivebreath1901 on November 10, 2008 at 9:44 AM
bite me
ctmom on November 10, 2008 at 9:46 AM
That is scary. He had a good month of bad press for his ridiculous comments and he runs one ad in one day and the district says “ok”. Let em’ eat coal.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 9:46 AM
Makes sense since we give tax refunds to those that don’t pay taxes.
katablog.com on November 10, 2008 at 9:46 AM
He should share MLK’s day with MLK, like all the white men have to do. Make it Black Idol’s Day or something stupid like that. We need another paid day off work, so go for it.
UnEasyRider on November 10, 2008 at 9:47 AM
February has long been celebrated as Black history month. Who cares that it was based on the Birthday of a truly great man, Fredrick Douglas. Let’s rename it Obamauary.
Zaire67 on November 10, 2008 at 9:49 AM
You’re right, there could be a tie there. By the time this all shakes down, I am wondering if we can even claim a “smart state”. I was thinking it might be Mississippi but then I realized that is the home state of Shepard Smith so I had to reconsider.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 9:49 AM
To celebrate we all face Mecca on our knees five times that day and listen to the beautiful music wafting from the Mosques.
Alden Pyle on November 10, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Ex 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying,
Ex 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Ex 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
<
<
I’m just sayin.
multiuseless on November 10, 2008 at 9:52 AM
The cult of personality continuesThe Obama bashing continues.Is it silly to propose a national holiday honoring Obama? Yes.
But more to the point, is it silly to try and paint Obama as a “cult of personality” when 56% of the American people just selected him as president in one the nation’s most historic elections? Double yes.
People are inspired by Obama. He’s very popular. The VAST majority of people who support him do so in the promise that he’ll make a great president. And because he’s a man who can help transform people’s view the country because he has shown that a black man can be president. Also, because he’s guy who people think can bring this country together.
If you want to cherry pick small pockets of people’s silly actions to try and portray 56% of the country as foolish cult-worshipers… go right ahead.
But reality will pass you by. You can spend your time sniping, or spend your time looking back on your failed strategy of attacking every little thing Obama does (hello Roman columns!). The choice is yours.
Tom_Shipley on November 10, 2008 at 9:55 AM
Where’s the Beef?
davo on November 10, 2008 at 9:56 AM
I thought we already had a holiday for 0bama: May 1?
Princeps on November 10, 2008 at 9:57 AM
Obama said he doesn’t look like those other presidents on the dollar bills. Even before getting elected, Obama was already imagining himself in the same company as great presidents like Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson.
Maybe somebody should tell him that Jimmy Carter’s face isn’t on any dollar bills, and is never likely to be. The only planning Obama should be doing now is for what he’s going to be doing with his time 4 years from now when, like Carter, he’s shown the door.
AZCoyote on November 10, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Obama gets half of February already. Only half since he is half-black.
jediwebdude on November 10, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Umm, i think the only people who are out of touch with reality, are Obama supporters.
MDWNJ on November 10, 2008 at 9:59 AM
At least for right now.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 9:59 AM
Just when you think you’ve seen it all…… (sigh)
It took some time to get MLK day. You’d think that some civil rights and African American leaders would find this offensive…. Perhaps they do.
worlok on November 10, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Funny, it seems like McCain won Kansas. What we need to do is put photos of Obama on all the tables at McDonald’s, and spike the food with a digestive irritant that causes vomiting.
Topeka Retch on the Wretch Day!
Steve Z on November 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
McDonald’s was in the bag for Obama…they knew stupid people who disagreed with them would still buy their garbage disguised as food.
DCJeff on November 10, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Then we could take Jesse Jackson’s suggestion about giving Obama a higher voice.
Steve Z on November 10, 2008 at 10:04 AM
You talking about Hussein?
the_nile on November 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM
You ain’t seen nothin’ yet: Anti-Racism Coalition Woman Celebrates Obama Victory
CONTENT WARNING!!!! OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE!!!
tru2tx on November 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I am certain that our President-on-Training-Wheels will keep us safe as Bush did.
carbon_footprint on November 10, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 Next »