Why "bleep" the President of the United States?

I think most networks have previously decided to add the word to George Carlin’s list of 7 words that you can’t say on TV, president or not.

It makes me wonder if he will becoming more pro-active about race relations in the remainder of his lame duck term.

Obama laughed after saying it, which I think was strange

@rockfan Agreed. It made me wonder if it was pre-calculated. Perhaps he had discussed it with advisers ahead of time, and he knew he was using the word contrary to their advice.

I think he chuckled upon realizing there was going to be turmoil over his choice of words (word).

Is this the interview referred to?

If so, I agree that it’s ridiculous that it was bleeped. I also agree that it was probably calculated on Obama’s part. I guess it guaranteed maximum exposure for a topic the President has taken criticism for not addressing more strongly.

It’s stupid, but there is a certain internal logic to it: “we don’t allow these words on the air, so bleep it no matter who says it.” The underlying problem seems to be that American prudishness has no nuance. It doesn’t understand context, and it tends to declare things either always okay or never okay. But this makes it very difficult to have real conversations about difficult subjects, which leads to problems being swept under the rug because we don’t know how to talk about them.

It has been bleeped on every news cast I’ve seen as well. I think the problem is the shit storm that occurs anytime anyone uses a word that is not politically correct. President or not, it is safer to bleep it than to let it go.

He did not laugh. He put emphasis on the word, “not”. The best way to describe his use of the word is, “clinical”. In Churches, ministers say the word hell, and nobody feels shocked about their language. They are not cursing anyone, they are describing a place, a destination for naughty boys and girls.
This is a man speaking from experience. It is a subject he knows about. He is being clear in sharing information. He was not on a rant, or addressing any individuals.

Haha, do this to the VP…bleep the veep

Such Presidential behavior!

Is this leading by example?

“He is black, he is not some psychotic racist.”

WTF?

This statement makes so many assumptions Fluther might need a bigger server to list them all

I wonder how many people who are slamming the president for using the N-word actually took the time to listen to the entire interview. I did, and I think in context, the word was appropriate and, at least to me, inoffensive and instructive. I consider this a stupid, time-wasting debate that simply diverts precious time and energy from the discussion we should be having, which is what steps can we take now as a nation to start shrinking our truly offensive racial divide.

You want to know what’s truly offensive? It’s a symbol of racism and slavery hanging at full staff in front of courthouses and on license plates and bumper stickers, and in photos with the poster boy for racism and soon-to-be murderer of nine innocents in a church proudly displaying it. THAT’S offensive… not a president who’s trying so hard—perhaps harder than any other president before him (presidents, by the way, who were recorded to have used the N-word, including LBJ, Nixon)—to take our nation forward.

@SecondHandStoke
Spare the server. What’s one of them?

@SecondHandStoke , did you see/hear the interview? Your response would suggest you are following the example of gossipers, and answering from gut reaction rather than accurate information. Perhaps you could burden yourself with a viewing of the actual interview, and then come back with something pertinent.
As for me, so far I have only responded to other responses. In regards to the OP, I think such a situation is difficult to resolve. On the one hand, omitting anything said publicly by our Commander In Chief is wrong. The population has a right to hear whatever he says, be it offensive to some or not. If individuals have a right to free speech, surely our leader must. On the other hand, the word in question has real stigma attached. It could be that President Obama spoke the word expecting it to be bleeped. He may have seen that as an aid in making his point. I feel his point was delivered well.
Censor ship is an unfortunate activity, but is sometimes a necessary tool. I believe our President knew going in that it would be a tricky moment.
So while I believe no speech or interview made by any U.S. President should be “Bleeped”, I am certain it was not done with any sort of malice, intent to discredit, or intent to barricade the information being shared by our President.

I haven’t seen a single network analyst criticize the president for his use of the word, but I don’t watch Fox News.

Anybody know how they’re reporting this? I would expect them to try to make political hay out of this.

I am quoting form the op.

The statement hints that a black person’s motivation likely could not be that of a “psychotic racist.”

Absurd.

@SecondHandStoke “The statement hints that a black person’s motivation likely could not be that of a ‘psychotic racist.’”

Um, no. If you read carefully (instead of just skimming for something to sensationalize), @josie clearly gives a four-part list, with each part being a description of Barack Obama. The statement does not hint at anything. What it does is explicitly state the following:

(1) Barack Obama is the President of the United States,
(2) Barack Obama is black,
(3) Barack Obama is not some psychotic racist, and
(4) Barack Obama used the term in a context that was not offensive or sensational.

If you think one of these is false, fine. Tell us why. But in the meantime, work on your reading comprehension.

P.S. The words “I am quoting from the OP” would usually be followed by an actual quote. So maybe work on your writing skills as well?

^ You are certain, beyond any doubt, that Obama has never once been influenced by racist concepts. agendas, etc.?

@SecondHandStoke , huh? What do @SavoirFaire s feelings have to do with the question? Are you insinuating that @SavoirFaire was the one who bleeped President Obama?
My impression of this question is, it is asking for individual opinions, not harassment of those who actually express opinions. If you must rip apart what some of us say, it seems to me you could first answer the question, and hopefully provide some basis for your answer. I have seen some very intelligent answers from you at times, and I am disappointed you did not put more of yourself into your answers this time.
perhaps you yet will?

@SecondHandStoke Everyone in a racist society has been influenced by racist concepts and agendas. That doesn’t make us all psychotic racists.

Guess those reading comprehension skills of yours aren’t coming along at all yet.

People can’t understand context, or they ignore it, and are easily offended; you have been here long enough to know that about human nature. ;-)

^ Fact from fiction.