Obama Memorabilia

I'd completely forgotten about a certain link in my bookmark folder until computer Spring cleaning today.

This, as one can guess, is a rather convincing action figure of now-President Obama. Recreations like this are common for actions heroes such as Indiana Jones or villians such as Darth Vader.

But aside from mean-spirited parodies or tongue-in-cheek jokes, real life or influential people are a rare sight on toy shelves.

Unlike this one.

And the manufacturers seem genuine.

I find it both strange and fitting that the maker of the incredible Obama doll is foreign.

First and foremost - Obama is our president, not theirs; and second - it's almost a little comforting that he's viewed favorably enough for a toy company to put so much time and effort into crafting him.

But some of his accessories and actions poses seem a little odd, I'll admit.

I like to think of this one as Dramatic Pose Obama. Complete with wind in the hair.

A note on the detail: see the wedding ring?

Another note as well as admittance: the toy is a 2008 model, which potentially means it was manufactured long before Obama became president.

Unfortunately, there is no conclusive date, and I can't remember precisely when I found this gem and tucked it away in my bookmark tab.

Ah, the wonders of capitalism and even stranger wonders of the Internet.

For more fun, run the website through the Babel Fish translator. A note of caution: not everything displays correctly, and little to nothing makes grammatical sense. Online translators always leave a little something to be desired.

Also, earlier - didn't I mention something about Darth Vader?

All images are Copyright © Gamu Toys.

Return to the Obameter

It's been one month since we last looked at the Obameter. Surprisingly (or perhaps unsurprisingly, it's only been one month!), not too much has changed in the presidential grading tally.

Changes are marked in the color red.

• Promise Kept... 19 / +4
  
• Compromise... 6 / +3
  
• Promise Broken... 3 / +1
  
• Stalled... 3 / +2
  
• In the Works... 44 / +24
  
• No Action... 438 / -31

The comparison comes from the previous blog post on Feb. 23, or Day 35 of the Obama administration. Today is Day 63.

But I can't help but look back at a certain cartoon from a few weeks ago and slap a hand against my forehead.

Patience, patience. Just how the old saying goes... don't make me turn this car country around.

Obama's Bushism

Copyright © Peter Brookes of Times Online

Very few people can make fun of the Special Olympics and get away with it. Unfortunately, the president is not one of those people in that category.

Someone that's been doing it somewhat successfully for years is none other than stand-up comedian and actor Robin Williams.

But very few would ever say that the presidential position matches up perfectly with being a comedian.

On the contrary - one banana peel slip, and it's a media storm downhill.

Week in Cartoons III: Presidential "Clue"

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Some say that for every year in the White House, a president ages two more. But there must be a reason why our 47-year-old president is allegedly grayer on Day 58 of his presidency.

It's time to play Clue. Remember that old mystery, whodunnit board game? Let's see what we can find in this week's snapshot into political cartoons.

I'm already going to guess: it was Mr. Plum, in the library, with the wrench.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Strenuous activity definitely makes a man grayer, but if I didn't know better, President Obama is simply taking our jeopardized economy out for some playtime.

There's nothing wrong with father-son-bonding and exercise. Let's see what else is there.

Copyright © 2009 Creators Syndicate

Being an unpopular guy among others certainly could make a man upset. Especially if the group that's avoiding you is seriously contemplating giving you a wedgie rather than lend a helping hand.

Still, even grumpy elephants in business suits shouldn't put a guy down. Let's look for more.

Copyright © 2009 Daryl Cagle

From one Greek Atlas to another, President Obama is still holding up something. At least this garden hose-like arrow looks a lot easier than carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.

But still, our president seems to be working out quite a bit. Always good to have a president that sets a good and healthy example, despite the occasional cigarette.

Copyright © 2009 Glenn Foden

Now it's getting personal. It's already a recession, but someone still thinks it's a good idea to throw eggs at people. This kind of behavior doesn't bode well for a economy already in trouble.

Maybe the president should pass laws about wasteful produce throwing.

Still, no Mr. Plum, in the library, with the wrench. I think we've effectively been tossed off the trail. Something's going on here.

Our findings:

• Gray hairs.
• Obese people on swings.
• Obama's Atlas impression.
  
• Garden hose Do's and Don'ts.
• Rotten egg.
  

Conclusion:

President Obama has gray hair due to obesity, overdone Greek god references, do-it-yourself Home Depot and medieval mobbing techniques.

Or maybe he's really, really busy and is now 47-years-old, a typical age for grayness to seep into a man's hair.

But really, I'd rather play the real Clue boardgame any other day of the week.

Obama Angry, Obama Smash

YouTube: Obama Slamming AIG - Sort Of


Obama is a failed Incredbile Hulk. He doesn't throw cars or bang his fists against his chest. He doesn't scrunch up in front of the cameras and jab an accusing finger at the offender.

But despite cutting the dramatics, Obama is angrier than ever before. It's just hard to see it.

Another "That one!"
The 2008 president election was, in one word, painful. Blame was tossed around like a game of hot potato and both sides slung one catapult of mud after another. But suddenly I miss the finger-pointing and fist pumping - it's like a strange void I've just realized was unfilled.

And honestly, that'll be just fine.

It's not necessary for our president to order all responsible AIG executives to commit seppuku, but sometimes you have to wonder where President Obama's anger threshold is.

It must be a bar set ridiculously high, but normally things like that mean that the final pent up explosion will be more dangerous than, per say, Senator McCain's more frequent outbursts.

Maybe it'll be like comparing Mt. Saint Helens to a simple sneeze. If it ever happens, I hope I'm there to see it.

But maybe - maybe, maybe - this is just what we need. A president that doesn't jab accusing fingers like an aged and angry politician. Although the president quipped that he was "choked with anger," that moment looked more like a normal stumble in a lecture or careful speech.

Our "Dad" Obama
It's hard, but let's look back to 2006. Before young Illinois Senator Barack Obama declared intent for U.S. presidency, there was a moment of on Late Night with Conan O'Brien when his oratory skills were brought up to debate.



It's funny to say, my fellow Obamas, but Daddy Obama is here to stay, and it'll get more than $165 million lost bonuses to get him really angry.