H.L. Mencken once said that no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public. Well, good ole' H.L. never lived to see the XFL, but, that minor blip excepted, we think he's pretty much dead on.
A scintillating little e-article from something called "Entertainmentwise" offers a perfect example of the cantankerous journalist's witticism. Entitled "George Clooney Running for President?," the piece reads:
Brad Pitt has spoken about his choice for next President of the United States - his good pal George Clooney!Speaking to Parade magazine, the Ocean's Thirteen actor encouraged his fellow co-star and Ben Affleck to run for political office. He says: "I never thought about it. I have no desire at this point. Maybe I serve better by not going through that door.
"George should do it! He'd be quite good. I think Ben Affleck should run."
We think Ben Affleck would be better suited. There's no denying that man needs a career change.
We know what you are thinking, dear reader: Wow: Does it get any more fatuous than this? The author of this piece of resplendent hackery, one Harjeet Mandar, has essentially fabricated a phony story about George Clooney's hopefully non-existent presidential aspirations.
Ah, so Brad Pitt wants George Clooney to run for president. Well, gee: We would love it if our pals became president too, but "Entertainmentwise" doesn't craft any non-stories about them.
And yet people read this mindless pap by the cartloads. Who cares about Myanmar? Bring on the ridiculous pseudo-stories that pertain to self-satisfied thespians!
As if things couldn't get any worse, "Entertainmentwise" chooses to supplement this fetching article with a poll:
Who'd Make a Better President?-George Clooney
-Ben Affleck
-Brad Pitt
What, no write-in candidates? How's a fellow going to vote for Harrison Ford?
(Note: The crack young staff normally "weblog" over at "The Hatemonger's Quarterly," where they're currently tacking up their "Ned Beatty for President" posters.)
Permalink | E-mail This | Technorati Links | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
Featured Columns
Comments (6)
Maybe they'd want to make S... (Below threshold)1. Posted by GianiD | October 7, 2007 12:59 AM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Maybe they'd want to make Sean Chavez Penn Secretary of the Navy?
1. Posted by GianiD | October 7, 2007 12:59 AM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on October 7, 2007 00:59
2. Posted by Jim Addison | October 7, 2007 3:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I remember the Mencken quote as:
"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."
(Italics mine).
The Quotations Page agrees with me. Do I win a prize or something?
In the case of Clooney, of course, it is applicable in either form.
2. Posted by Jim Addison | October 7, 2007 3:03 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 7, 2007 03:03
3. Posted by Jim Addison | October 7, 2007 3:07 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I do notice, however, that there are several sources which use "taste," and some also give a entirely different quote:
"No one in this world has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby."
3. Posted by Jim Addison | October 7, 2007 3:07 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 7, 2007 03:07
4. Posted by Strick | October 7, 2007 8:51 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Like Charlton Heston, Harrison Ford's hunkdome may be past its expiration date.
4. Posted by Strick | October 7, 2007 8:51 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 7, 2007 08:51
5. Posted by Carl | October 7, 2007 2:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I nominate Gary Sinese for President of the United States.
5. Posted by Carl | October 7, 2007 2:53 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 7, 2007 14:53
6. Posted by Henry | October 8, 2007 6:21 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How about Christopher Walken? Unsure as to if it is real or a hoax, he already has his own website.
http://www.walken2008.com
(according to Snopes, it is fake)
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/walken.asp
6. Posted by Henry | October 8, 2007 6:21 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 8, 2007 06:21