LOL
Posted on 10/16/2012 9:59:45 PM PDT by YankeeinOkieville
So after watching tonight's debate, my overwhelming take-away is when did it become appropriate and common for a person seeking political office to refer to people as "folks"? It was like the proverbial nails-on-a-chalkboard to me every time I heard Mr. Obama hiss the word and before the first hour was up, I actually yelled at the screen.
This was the first time in a very long time I had any sort of "out loud" reaction to something on television and I almost turned it off!
Then I reminded myself that since I don't normally watch any TV (I was streaming C-SPAN through the computer) and since I had turned it on specifically to watch the debate, I steeled myself to get through it. (I can see why some of y'all turn these things into drinking games ;-)~ )
Soon I started noticing Mr. Romney with the same affectation.
So I ask you, my fellow Freepers, is it really common and I just never noticed it before Obama or has he lowered this standard as well as those of decorum, civility, and respect for where your feet belong?
My husband kept commenting every time Obama said folks too. As for myself, I’m sick of hearing about cleaning up “the mess” that he inherited.
Hitler started the whole “volks” thing. ;-)
I have no objection when in the course of regular everyday conversation people are referred to as "folks".
"How are your folks doing?"
"Folks around here want to know .."
It is when a politician in a debate or speech continually uses it to refer to the populace. How about "people" or "public" or "citizens"? "Americans" works as well. I think I'd've enjoyed hearing a "youse guys" just to break the monotony. (I know, that's Joisey not LonGisland but still!) Even a "y'all" instead of "folks", "folks", "folks". All "folks" all night long from Obama and intermittently from Romney.
BTW, we say "folks" in my beautiful NYS also. and a second point - Obama is not Southern and only 1/2 black.
Zer0 is an alien mulatt0.
I know, right? The hissing - especially when combined with the purple lips has always reminded me of a serpent - as in the kind referenced up-thread by Yosemitest.
Not nearly as grating as Biden’s “my friend _____ this,” “My friend_______ that,” “my good friends, ______, ______, and _____ who,” when he is referring to people in whose back he is twisting the knife.
Friends don’t eviscerate friends, no matter what the ridiculous Senate convention is.
If you’ll read the thread, you will notice that I was NOT complaining about whomever you think “us” is. My OP was specifically referring to politicians in general and one politician in particular. Where did you get that misconception from?
I knew there was something I didn't like about that fella.
Sometimes you hear Obama say “now these peep-uh-uh folks.” That’s condescending enough.
But I love when he refers to terrorists this way ... “Now, uh, if these folks think they can get away with killing our ... uh ... folks ... we’ve uh ... got to bring these folks to justice”
I would vote to ban it if I could, but I put a higher priority on eliminating “Make no mistake ...”
LOL
“Let me make this clear”
[to all you stupid frikkin’ morons who can’t appreciate my innate genius]
Well now, it’s 1:00 here in Okieland and I have to go do the Tax Slave bit at 7 so I better sign off. Thanks to everyone who posted. I got to rant a bit and got some chuckles and some thought-provoking thoughts in return. Good Night FOLKS!
Yeah, in referring to the terrorists...who "knocked these buildings down." Knocked down these buildings? Like they were building blocks on a playground? Bush's words at that particular moment have always struck me as odd, almost cringing.
“Folks” and “Notion”, etc. - “Notion” when he wants to convey “Lie” instead . . . Oh, and the high school Speech 101 method of not hissing the final “s” on your words ... surprised he’s not “hissing” . . . Obama’s a talker alright . .
I’ve noticed the “folks” thing too and yes it definitely is an Obama thing. What happened is that the media adoringly latched onto it and started using it at questionably appropriate times as well. That created a kind of reinforcing feedback loop and so now it’s part of the Prez’s standard shtick. What’s funny is that while it grates on us, liberals no doubt find it adorable.
Another poster mentioned Obama’s habit of whistling his s’s. That’s another one that grates once you become aware of it. It probabaly wouldn’t bug me except that I suspect he does it on purpose, that it’s practiced.
As TV's most famous fence-sitter, O'Reilly regularly camps out on the left side of the fence when it comes to covering for his best bud, Obama. That doesn't sound too folksy to me.
Big Bill is always busy looking out for himself first, from shilling his books to his Abbott and Costello road shows...... not looking out that much for us folks.
Leni
ditto with McCain who used to be so condescendingy when lecturing us simple conservatives about how democrats are friends, not food
funny how McCain always called himself “Maverick” when we all knew he was “Goose”
Obama would rather use “comrades” but that would expose his socialist/communist ideology.
Supposedly you can’t say “people” anymore so folks is the new “ok” word.
Damn straight. He sounds like some kinda slithery political pit viper.
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