Banana Biscuits on a School Day
59Spin
Good morning breakfastpoppers. Today is Wednesday, May 5, 2010. We have been invited to sit in on a class that teaches future politicians how to "spin" a story. Let's prepare some delicious Banana Biscuits and head for class. You will need 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon salt (don't let the food police find out), 1/4 cup butter, 3/4 cup soy milk and 1/2 cup mashed banana. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in butter until crumbly. Make a well in the center and pour in soy milk and banana. Stir to moisten. Drop batter by spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Wrap up your biscuits, bring a beverage and I'll see you all in a few minutes.
Good morning class. Today we will be discussing the art of the "spin" . If you are to succeed in politics it is essential that you know how to distort the facts of any given situation until it looks and sounds just the way you want it to. We have a perfect example of the "spin" taking place right before our eyes. The Obama administration wants us all to believe that they have been on top of the tragic oil spill situation from the moment the first drop of oil leaked. Now, let's for a moment look at the facts. President Obama did not send his top environmental aides to the site nor did he send in the Navy and Air Force until the oil had already reached the shorelines of the Mississippi Delta. This is where the "spin" comes in. Make sure that you and all your "people" keep reminding the public about how committed the government is and how they are always acting in the public interest. If asked why the government response was slow, just smile, swivel your head a bit and assure everyone that they are, once again, the victims of a misinformation. Make sure you act patronizing and smug. Just look at President Obama's claim that BP will be responsible for all the costs associated with this catastrophe. Study the President's words and learn from him. His ability to "spin" is extraordinary. Although it is true that BP will be responsible for clean-up costs, the President forgot to mention that the law that makes the company responsible caps liability at 75 million dollars. Now we all know that the company is not going to come up with more money than the law requires, but just look how the President left this fact out of his speeches.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is another fine example of the "spin" at work. She proudly announced that Defense Department resources were on the scene from day one. Never mind that prior to making this claim she stated that the Defense Department was not yet involved in the spill. If and when you are asked about an apparent discrepancy of this nature, just say that the public misunderstood the comment. Blame it on the general ignorance of the people and remember, keep the look of contempt on your face, and direct it at anyone who tries to make you look bad.
A true master of the "spin" is none other than Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Learn from him. When he was asked about the oil spill his initial response was low key and dismissive. He indicated that this event wouldn't affect President Obama's plans to open new areas of off shore drilling, because he assumed that because this wasn't the first oil spill it wouldn't be the last. He had that "it's no big deal vibe" going on and it is extremely effective in shutting up the press and the public.
I'd like to close this discussion with the suggestion that if you want to rise from nowhere and take over everything you must learn from the masters. You have so many people to emulate in Washington these days that observing their methods coupled with classes like this practically insure your rise to power.
I wish you well...POP...
Good morning, pop.
I do agree with you. It reminds me of the movie "Spin Doctor"
Thanks for the breakfast and the company, always.
Good morning Tom,
I agree. My stomach has been upset since the Inauguration!
Yes, the spin, when I was younger I dated a lot...I know the spin well, whether it be personal relationships or politics the spin is life and well...it just seems that it is getting a new push these days, with all of the married men having all these affairs now that is another good example of the spin. So the class on spin was a great hub, I think we are all now well and aware of this old but updated concept. Love your hubs my dear friend this is a high rated thumbs up...
Good morning msorensson,
I'm dizzy from all the "spin". So glad you dropped in for breakfast.
POp it does seem like one big head spin and just amazing how anyone still falls for it but wait if they don't then do they have to stop blaming Bush for Katrina - funny how it s the same region and all.
Hi BPop is there any doubt that Napalitano is in over her head? The woman cannot pull off what her job requires. She is to busy looking into people mad at the Government and don't believe in Abortion.
Reminds me of the old adage, "Honey, are you gonna believe me or your lyin' eyes." J.R. Ewing used that one when Sue Ellen caught him bedding one of his tramps. It seemed pretty effective at the time especially if delivered with a look of distain. Good Hub, Poppy!
The entire Obumma clan in Washington is all spin. It seems to me that they can only talk about anything they want to talk about or push legislation that they want passed. But they can't deal with anything that is not scripted. I haven't heard much from Obumma about the oil spill. I don't believe he took a trip to the gulf area. And nothing!!! Bush was blamed for Katrina as if he created the hurricane. No one is writing about what Obumma is doing or not doing about the oil spill. This administration is sickening, from all of the idiots he surrounds himself with to Obumma himself. Boy, did the voters in this country F-up!! BARTENDER.................
Pop, I grow weary of all this governmental circus, It has so many rings I don't think anyone can keep track of the get richer schemes embedded with in the walls that surround it. It's like a messy car wreck, you don't want to look at the mess but you can't help but look. They have reached a system of unaccountability and are moving ahead full speed regardless of any opposition of the tax slaves. I see no end to this short of the end of the world. NATO wants domination of the whole globe and they are presently moving fast toward that goal. I'm sick of it, but like everyone else, as one I can do nothing about it and when push comes to shove people will be like the Katrina victims forced into a stadium and locked in. I have other plans.
Hi POP...Glad you have been watching the mess that is unfolding onto our Gulf coast. No one really cares about Mississippi anyway. We are still cleaning up after Katrina and now this. I just don't see how we can recover. We are glad that we put off our plans for the beach next month. Eat some shrimp and oysters while you can.
Just like when Bush ignored all those people drowning and suffering in New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Katrina was still a cat 3 when she hit the town where I live we did without power in the Mississippi heat for several days we had no idea what was going on anywhere else in the state. We weren't prepared we didn't even have a flashlight. We were the lucky ones, most did without power and other necessities for weeks. Not to mention there was no gas to be found. Only people who had essential jobs could get gas (healthcare workers, law enforcement, etc.). The only smart thing I did before Katrina hit was fill both our vehicles up with gas.
Why can't they hold themselves accountable? I have to hold myself accountable for my job. If I make a mistake I lose my job period. Just wish it wasn't something new...Great Breakfast Pop and a really great lesson.
Morning Pop, I can't stand to hear Gibbs talk either. He can't string 2 sentences together that make any sense. I agree that the spin is widely used in this administration and they have made it into a fine art. We will have to practice to get down to their level. Obama has been using the name "tea baggers" like it is the "n" word lately also. His arrogance reaches new bounds of hypocrisy for any president ever.
Good morning Darlene,
Sorry about the delay answering you but I am not receiving e-mails saying anyone commented. Here we go again! Washington is the real life "Spin City" without the humor. Thanks for coming to breakfast.
Good morning billy,
Just wait any day now we'll hear that the BP spill was Bush's fault and plenty of people will believe it.
Good morning tony,
Napolitano is the living example of the "Peter Principle".
Good morning Wayne,
The "spin" is alive and well and living in the White House. Their idiocy makes my head spin. So glad you came to breakfast.
Good morning taxlarry,
Still drinking hurricanes are we? . I think Obama went to the area but he took his time. First he thought it more important to have a chat with Bono in the Oval Office. Save me a seat at the bar. I'll be there later. I'm way too dizzy from all this spinning to head there now.
Good morning 50 caliber,
I'm not going either. Catch me if you can! See you at the bar later. Tell me your escape plan, please.
All this spinning reminds me of the carnival, without the cotton candy. It makes me want to through up though, and then go look at the freak show.
Namaste.
Good morning Tammy,
This spill is Obama's Katrina and he is already messing up. I can't believe this has happened, it's all so devastating. The horrible thing is I've been reading that the government could have prevented some of this damage if they acted sooner.
Good morning Pamela,
I saw a photo of Obama. He was sloppy looking and he had a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. I thought that it really captured who he really is. I'm sick of him, his administration, his friends, his advocates, his preacher and his wife. Meet me at the bar. I need to see a friendly face.
Good morning Deborah,
It is a 3 ring circus in Washington without the fun. See you at the bar.
POP: Great Class. Janet Napolitano is an empty suit. She is in way to deep, and doesn't know how to do her job; just like the rest of the administration, from the top down. Obama needed to respond to this earlier. They might have knew about it on "day one" but didn't respond on day one. Bush continued to read to the children for 3 minutes when the planes hit the towers. Nobody will forget that. Yet Obama and his team do not respond for days, and it's OK.
I keep wondering when the media will turn on him. If and when they do, he should watch out. Why don't they? HMMMMM
I'm off to the bar to contemplate save me a seat....
POP: Great Class. Janet Napolitano is an empty suit. She is in way to deep, and doesn't know how to do her job; just like the rest of the administration, from the top down. Obama needed to respond to this earlier. They might have knew about it on "day one" but didn't respond on day one. Bush continued to read to the children for 3 minutes when the planes hit the towers. Nobody will forget that. Yet Obama and his team do not respond for days, and it's OK.
I keep wondering when the media will turn on him. If and when they do, he should watch out. Why don't they? HMMMMM
I'm off to the bar to contemplate save me a seat....
Good morning Pino,
This is another example of our government hard at work doing too little too late. As for the media, the ones in the White House Press Corps never see him. He can't risk talking of the cuff and he hates the press. See you at the bar. I need to relax. Too much spinning going on.
Pop
OK Pop, here’s the real scoop. The Obama administration tried in vain to get to New Orleans immediately following first drop of oil leaking but guess what. All those levies George Bush Blew up have yet to be rebuilt. Thus there was nothing to stop this oil from oooozing in covering all the roads and even the runways at the airports. Cars were literally slipping off the roads and airplanes were slipping off the runways. There was no way Air Force One could land nor Motor Cade One make it into the city. It was only after our beloved President decided to risk life and limb and navigate the treacherous Snake Oil River which flows through the very heart of Louisiana to the gulf. This trip was made as Chris Mathews narrated while peeing profusely on his leg!
Another problem seldom discussed but just as valid was that State Senator Mary Landrieu was holding out for at least a $400,000,000 payoff to send Obama the navigational maps of the Snake Oil River.
Regarding Premiere Obama's claim that BP will be responsible for all the costs associated with this catastrophe regardless of the law that makes the company responsible caps liability at 75 million dollars; here we go again. He spoke before the teleprompter could be set up. I’m surprised as he rushed to jump in front of yet another adoring mob he didn’t lapse into his Heil Hitler Mode……..
B.P. zahlt für, was sie zu unserem pristeen Umwelt getan haben. Jenes wird schlechtem Kapitalisten nicht erlaubt, unser zu beschmutzen unterstützen weg Wasser während der durchschnittliche Bürger nicht, wie glücklich in life' slotto hebt die Stücke auf!
Hello, Secretary Janet Incompotano isn’t aware of what day it is much less what she said on any given day about any given subject. Like all appointees of this regime she is not encumbered by experience so she has no idea what the Defense Department resources actually were nor what they would do if they were on the scene.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs no doubt the greatest Press Secretary since Bagdad Bob! Of course this spill will not affect President Obama's plans to open new areas of off shore drilling; this charlatan never had any real plans to open off shore drilling in the first place. It was just one more verse of his same old song “Now you see it, now you don’t!”
Yes this administration is so good at spin your wet clothes could dry while attending one of their press conferences!
Good morning patriot,
I had to read your commentary 2 times because it's so good. You know how to spin a tale, but in this case it's a compliment. Your German is impeccable! It may come in handy in the coming months....See you later at the bar. Make sure Napolitano isn't following you!
Morning POP, interesting Hub and even more interesting comments. I love a good laugh in the morning. Seems we're all dizzy from all the spinning...LOL. I believe the general public is getting sick and tired of Obama, how many times was he on the cover of Newsweek, and now it's for sale.
Good morning jiberish,
If there is a parallel between his photo ops on Newsweek and its For Sale sign then I guess all the networks will be for sale shortly.
B'pop-
I can't be there again due to volcanic ash over Ireland-at least that's what they're telling us!!I don't know who to believe anymore.Could you organise a video -link for classes-please.Thank you in advance.
The spin makes us all dizzy, and that's the point. As for the spinners, how do they do it with a straight face? I know I couldn't do it - everybody would know I was lying just by looking at me. Years and years of practice, I guess.
Pop, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, you have chosen to only point out the 'spin' from the DEMS. I wish your article talked about 'spin' from both sides. What about all of these republicans and conservatives that were chanting "drill baby drill" and pushing off shore drilling. You should hear them "spin" their stories now. I agree with most of what you wrote, I just wish it wasn't bias to one party. Both political parties in power are very guilty of "spinning"
Remember how mad everyone one was they claimed Bush didn't take action fast enough after hurricane Katrina. Where's the outrage now at Obama for not reacting fast enough?
How did Gibbs get that job?? I could do better! lol. And yes, this is BO's Katrina.
Yes, BP, the other BP is responsible for $75 million in oil spill cleanup costs. That's their liability cap. But the cost for said cleanup has already been estimated at $14 BILLION DOLLARS! And dounting. Guess which lucky (?) tax payers will be footing the bill.
Good afternoon itakins,
I'll work on that video, but I have to warn you, I'm lucky I know how to turn on my computer. Don't go out in the ash!
It may be something in the genes as well as learned.
Good afternoon LRC,
Actually, I happen to agree with you. The focus of the hub was on those in power at the moment, but do both sides spin? You bet.
Good afternoon Cari,
Give it time, the rage will come as so it should.
Good afternoon habee,
He's perfect for the job if you happen to have a president who hates and disdains the press.
Good afternoon drbg,
Welcome to Obamaland where everything you hear is never entirely true. Don't you just love the transparency.
Morning POP...Thumbs up for another instructive class on the long-running circus we call Washington DC...It's going to take more than spin to keep this administration and it's congressional cohorts in office...We will have a Pandora's Box to open in November, full of reminders of a hapless, hopeless, and honor-less government...The POP ( Pissed Off Party ) is growing daily, fueled by the outrageously disdainful and stupid comments uttered by these clowns...See you at the tavern later, I'm bringing the cotton candy...Larry
Good afternoon, BPop! First of all, banana biscuits - yum! Second of all, very well done lesson plan for today! You don't miss a thing!
Good afternoon Larry,
Let's hope that the POP grows until the last fool in Washington is rendered harmless. Let the voting begin. See you in a while at the tavern. I haven't had cotton candy in years so it sounds like fun. I'm bringing red bulb noses for all the poppers to get us in the proper mood.
GREAT tips and I can't wait to try these banana biscuits! You are so creative!
Good afternoon Lily Rose,
So happy you like the biscuits and the lesson. Our beloved politicians have so much knowledge to impart, don't they?
Good afternoon Ladybird,
So happy you like the biscuits. Thanks so much for stopping by.
As usual, you are spot on with your assessment. It is really easy to effectively disseminate inaccurate information when the MSM is simply your propaganda arm!
Oh, now I get why I never could watch Mr.O speaking on TV.... from the very beginning it was giving me sickness in my stomach. I forgot that I have motion sickness. Could never spin....
Glad to hear you agree Pop. We obviously have different political views but if all people (republican, democrat, independent, etc) worked together to pressure their lawmakers, we could get some meaningful reform that everyone agrees on. We need real campaign finance reform to remove special interest and corporate money from our politicians. I think every republican and democrat voter would agree. Get money out of politics, less spinning from both sides.
Then we could go back to having our political differences but at least we'd have lawmakers who are working for the people and not "for the corporations."
I wish this whole administration would simply spin right the hell out of town. I know, I know. It's wishful thinking. But one can dream, so let me have it.
Good morning Sheri,
It is no longer possible to get anything other than "spin" from the MSM.
Good morning RueVera,
He can't talk unless he's "spinning" literally and figuratively. It's no wonder we're all dizzy.!
Good morning LRCBlogger,
It is very reassuring to know that we have common ground that we can agree on. Now if only those in Washington could follow the example and stop all this fighting and polarizing.
Good morning Springboard,
I believe dreams can come true.
POP - Everything old is new again, keep your eye on the ball while I slip this knife in your back...follow the money and you'll find the special interest of the week writing the laws, and and picking your pocket while the Pres and his minions keep hollering, Special Interest, Special Interest!! What you don't hear is the whisper after, fill my pocket and I'll take care of you..
Good morning Hmrjmr,
Great analysis of our current situation. Now if everyone was a smart as you, we might just have a consensus in this country and get something worthwhile accomplished.
Hmrjmr1 IS RIGHT ON POINT!. I think congress loves the fact that we spend a lot of time fighting each other and ignoring the fact that congress is owned by special interest and corporations that fill their pockets with campaign contributions.
SHERI wrote a hub that started out great by attacking the main stream media (MSM) but then it diverged to basically an attack purely on Obama. Her initial writing was correct, the MSM sucks. The MSM doesn't report the amount of money and corruption in politics because they benefit the most. Come election time, those huge campaign contributions end up as advertising buys in Print, On TV, on the internet, etc.
Want to stop the spinning, the corruption, the favoritism towards corporations? Support legislation like the "FAIR ELECTIONS NOW ACT". (this is a campaign finance reform bill) It is not perfect but would be a huge win for all voters, republican and democrat.
We can complain all day long but how many of us engage our lawmakers? I've organized 2 large groups to meet with our congression reps and both are now sponsors of the "fair elections now act'. They act has only 2 republican supporters. I would love to see one of the conservative political writers like POP do an article on why we should support this bill and how to do it. (of course check the bill out first and make sure you agree with it). Blogging back and forth may be productive in getting like minded people together, however, if we want real change, we have to engage the people in power who are capable of passing a bill that enacts change.
Good morning LRC,
Your point is well taken. I for one write my reps all the time. I can't say I am really satisfied with their responses, but I keep on engaging them. I will check out the details of the Fair Elections Now Act. Thanks for the heads up.
Another quick point pop, don't be turned off by the "canned" responses you get back from your reps. Typically they send back a preformed generalized email on a certain topic. However, they measure each email, call, letter, that the receive If enough people make noise on an issue, they will have to strongly consider acting on it.
Dear LRC,
That is exactly what keeps me going.
I hope so. My local mall has already banned me from throwing pennies into the fountain. When I backed the truck in... :)
Good afternoon Springboard,
I can't believe the mall banned you from making a wish. Next time bring tupperware containers and a scoop!
POTUS said that all hands were on deck from day one. This is a navy term meaning everyone is present, no one is AWOL. So just having your staff show up to work means that you are responding to whatever crisis may arise.
Ph. D in spinning and a good prof is O - Bama! Good hehe, Maita
Good morning garynew,
Okay I get it, the staff shows up but doesn't actually have to do anything and that is the meaning of being on top of things.
Good morningprettydarkhorse,
You're right Obama must have taught "spinning" at Harvard.
Well Pop - as always - YOUR SPIN STOPS HERE! Yet - my head is spinning as well!! Thanks for keeping us informed with your wonderful Hubs. Maybe all your Hubs will pay off in keeping the natives stirred so we'll vote them out in November!!
Dear cjv,
From your mouth to God's ears...
I came for the banana biscuits - and they sound like a treat I need to bake up...Thanks for giving the recipe!
But, your morning news was such reality that I'll have to 'digest' it better before I can enjoy those biscuits! Glad to become your follower now.
Good morning frogyfish,
Welcome to breakfastpop! I agree it is always best to digest the meal and then try and digest the news. I am so glad you came to the table.
Tom Whitworth Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Pop,
I can't stand to watch Gibbs anymore. He makes that noise like a pig way too much in mid-sentence. I get nauseous just listening to him!!!!!!!!