Washington Post: Let President Obama have a cigarette, already
A photograph of President Obama with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has whirred the long-dormant "Is Obama smoking?" conspiracy machine back to life. Posted to Instagram by Renzi's spokesman, it shows the two leaders standing on a balcony adjacent to an office, as one might if he didn't want to smoke indoors. And Obama's holding … something in his hands. Something roughly cigarette-pack-shaped, and he's picking at the top of it.
WNU Editor: It looks like the US press corp has been keeping this story under-wraps .... it was the Italians who have released this pic and story. It makes you wonder on what else is the US Press Corp keeping under wraps?
7 comments:
Who cares?
I do not care about him smoking .... but what I find interesting about the story is how the US media decided to hide it. Were they told or was it a group thing. Either way .... it illustrates how powerful the White House is when it comes to the image of the President.
As phil said, who cares???
I don't think his point is that he is smoking. His point is that the white house has the ability to keep almost any information they choose from the public.
They are not trying to hide it. Look at the entire picture, all the papers on the side by side desks, Renzi coat off, cuffs rolled up! Why Obama needs that cig break, just look he's been working hard, doing things. That's the message.
James ... its the Italians who released that picture, and it is apparently Renzi's desk. President Obama is the guy who showed up looking for a light. :)
Yeah WNU,
I got that, but there are two desks and the Italians might not have released any photos without the Whitehouse's permission. The gist of what I'm saying is I believe still true, in that it's staged for the "things are getting done" effect. You will note that the materials on the two work surfaces don't match very well. All in all it's a minor point, but it does reflect that the West's rulers need to show their own people that they are "on the job" so to speak. They aren't as confident as they are letting on. Alright back to the "conspiracy stool" for me.
Ps. The US media might be becoming a little self aware and sensitive about the accusations of being mere spokesmen for the Administration, so let the Italians publish the photo then pick it up thenselves from there.
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