Posted on 09/13/2011 12:05:44 PM PDT by fightinJAG
But..... usually that is a part of the Proper Protocol Training that government officials in high positions are given. Flag etiquette would, of course, be part of that.
Presumably this wasn't the first memorial service involving a flag that she's attended since moving into the White House.
If that's the case, she recognizes what the ceremonies involve and it's less likely that she'd deprecate or disparage the very fact of having a flag folding ceremony in the memorial service.
Lip-reading isn't an exact science. It's said that "where there's life, there's hope" looks identical to "where's the lavender soap" in most English dialects. Lip-readers rely on context to narrow down what could have been said.
Whatever she actually said, nothing's going to stick here.
I don’t know for sure, but I can see a briefer saying “Mr & Mrs. President, time for your Flag Etiquette and other Protocols.” and the two of them waving their hand in the air saying “Yes, yes, yes. We already know all of that stuff.”
There are too many syllables in your last two examples. There's a reason why many people think she's saying "all this for a flag." Because it fits. I'm not saying I agree with that, but it certainly fits the rhythm and facial motions of whatever she is saying.
There's a five beat rhythm there, or syllables if you will, that is visible after she clears the obstruction. The problem is, she actually starts talking while her face is obscured by whatever the obstruction is between her and the camera.
What makes the interpretation difficult, is context of setting (ceremonial) which means she's not speaking at a normal volume. She leans in to him and slightly whispers, and that will reduce facial motion. Add to this that Michelle Obama's facial dynamics are a little stiff anyway, and you have the potential for a very difficult interpretation.
I disagree with you that her tongue is visible. I can't see it at all. which makes words like "the" and "a" virtually identical from our point of view. Without seeing her tongue, many words that may not sound alike, may look similar in facial dynamics...that is the movement of the jaw and lips primarily.
Then you have the problem of separating the rhythm, or syllables, into words. 'All this" could just as easily be "reverence," wherein she speaks it like most people do as two syllables. You may think it doesn't fit because of different tongue dynamics, but your facial motion is similar, and that's all we can really see.
The way she shakes her head from side to side could be indicative of either disgust, or awe, and it doesn't look to me like she "rolls her eyes," as some people have commented. I just don't see it. If you're inclined to think she said something negative, then you'll intepret it as disgust.
Her husband's reaction is obviously one of agreement, but since he doesn't engage her, it is an agreeement of something that is obvious, at least to them two, and quite possibly everyone else, which is why I think people should tread very carefully here because the obvious sentiment that presides there is one of reverence.
You make some interesting points. You may have thought I had drawn a negative conclusion, but I hadn’t. My conclusion was neutral. Michelle Obama’s comment could have just as easily been a comment of admiration mingled with sadness. “Amazing what they do with their flag.” And his response coupled with the “that’s pitiful” face could have simply conveyed the sadness of that recognition.
I am no expert, nor am I hearing impaired, just someone throwing in my two cents. As I said, for what it’s worth! LOL!
I know, and I didn't mean to imply that you had drawn a conclusion. Your post simply offered an oportunity to state my opinion, and hopefully, add a little sanity. IF it turns out she didn't say what some people are ascribing to her, it doesn't make us look too good...
Oh Yeah! Like we need any more proof of the hatred and insipid ignorance that either on of the Obamas have when it comes to anything TRADITIONALLY AMERICAN.
error 404 on so many. I saw this but today, wow, I wonder if them good ole Hopey/Changey folks are trying to wipe this off the web.
Looked to me like the first wookie said “all of this for a f’king flag”. Those two pieces of $hit have nothing but contempt for this country.
When Michelle’s face comes into full view I read her lips as saying; “...fold the flag.” So I take this as her making a comment on the manner in which the flag is being folded. Is her remark to Obama one of disdain? Her gesture afterward - shaking her head - would suggest that, sure. But she could also have been moved by the ceremony, commented on it to Obama, and then shook her head in awe. Obama’s gesture doesn’t tell me much about what she could have said. Since he seems to always have that lordly, Moussolini-type posture to him when he attends these ceremonies. We know deep down it’s always about him, so he could give a rat’s a$$ about reverence for the flag, honor for those who have died in it’s defence, or his wife’s feelings about any of it. To him it’s simply the awesomeness of his presence as Commander-in-Chief over it all.
Has anyone heard if any of the conservative talk show hosts brought this matter up? I’m curious, because, unless I missed it, it wasn’t discussed...?
I think I read that Hannity went over it, or at least mentioned it, but I didn’t hear that myself.
“I think I read that Hannity went over it, or at least mentioned it, but I didn’t hear that myself.”
Thanks, FightinJAG
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