October 23, 2010

A Drudgtaposition that didn't last very long — for good reason.

Earlier today, Drudge had this photo juxtaposition:



To become aware of the full — and, I would say, fully intended — subliminal effect, you might need to read the letters — in red — under Michelle Obama's picture: "REPORT: First lady 'likely' to meet 'commercial sex workers' in India!"

Now, expand the frame and see what else was there:



After a few hours, the picture of Michelle disappeared, and the top picture changed from the man-on-man clasp, to this:



There's a secret sex story for close observers of the Drudge Report. Playful, naughty innuendo. I'm not saying that Drudge is suggesting that Barack Obama is gay or that he wants to engage in fellatio with Harry Reid. But that's the funny image of the Drudgtaposition. Then, when Michelle and the phallic symbol were removed, Obama is in the embrace of a woman — a rather boyish-looking woman with mannish glasses — and lots of women are grabbing at him.

If we were to understand the sequence of pictures on Drudge the way we understand panels in a comic strip, we first see Obama approaching an an embrace with a man (who seems to be holding him off at arms' length), and then, in the next, "panel" he finds himself in the eager arms of a person who has some of that masculinity he thought he was about to receive, but who is in fact female.

It reminds me of the sequence in the Stanley Kubrick movie "The Shining," in which the character played by Jack Nicholson enters a bathroom and sees a beautiful, desirable woman in a bathtub. She gets out of the bath, naked, and approaches him for an embrace, and then, once he's holding her, it becomes apparent that she is a dead and rotting old woman.

Does any of this actually say anything about Obama, his sexuality, or his wife? Probably not. It's aimless horsing around, in all likelihood. But we do know Obama is out there this week, trying to woo the women.
The outreach to women — which came on the same day that the White House released a report that said Mr. Obama’s policies, including the health care and economic stimulus bills, have helped women over all — is part of a fevered push to cement a Democratic firewall that White House officials are hoping will stem losses in November.

Women are one of the most important pillars of that wall. “Make sure you’re as fired up and as excited now as you were two years ago,” Mr. Obama told a raucous rally...
Hmm... "fevered push"... "important pillars"... "fired up and... excited"... But that's not Drudge. That's the New York Times.

***

What's the better spelling of the portmanteau word that combines "Drudge" and "juxtaposition"? Drudgtaposition or Druxtaposition?

Choose one:
Drudgtaposition
Druxtaposition



  
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IN THE COMMENTS: XWL said:
Instead of a Harry hand job, we have a Lewinsky hug

(and let's not forget, that's the photo that essentially launched Drudge's empire)
Click that link. The photo similarity is the amazing.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Actually, it looks like Michelle is doing the old, "gag me with a spoon". Halo Joe, once again, shows why he was picked to add gravitas to the Administration.

OTOH, it looks like The Zero and Dingy Harry are both trying to smile while each says, "It's all your fault".

Comic strip, indeed, Madame. Hogarth could not have done better.

Jason (the commenter) said...

Drudgstaposition!

The Drill SGT said...

Speaking of the Obama's in India, apparently we're going to pull them right out of the recession they aren't having:

To ensure fool-proof security, the President’s team has booked the entire the Taj Mahal Hotel, including 570 rooms, all banquets and restaurants. Since his security contingent and staff will comprise a huge number, 125 rooms at Taj President have also been booked, apart from 80 to 90 rooms each in Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels. The NCPA, where the President is expected to meet representatives from the business community, has also been entirely booked.
The officer said, “Obama’s contingent is huge. There are two jumbo jets coming along with Air Force One, which will be flanked by security jets. There will be 30 to 40 secret service agents, who will arrive before him. The President’s convoy has 45 cars, including the Lincoln Continental in which the President travels.”


by my count, that's 965 rooms, god forbid anybody would have to share a room...not in the Motel 6 either

SteveR said...

which came on the same day that the White House released a report that said Mr. Obama’s policies, including the health care and economic stimulus bills, have helped women over all

How in the hell can they say that?

What a made up load of crap.

bgates said...

It reminds me of the sequence in the Stanley Kubrick movie "The Shining,"

except that there the image of the dead and rotting old person came last, but here the picture of Harry Reid came first.

XWL said...

Instead of a Harry hand job, we have a Lewinsky hug

(and let's not forget, that's the photo that essentially launched Drudge's empire)

Sprezzatura said...

This reoccurring Drudgery topic results in traffic for Althouse; hence her motivation to issue reruns.

This topic is an example of Althouse trying to serve up leftover red meat, dressed up with parsley embellishments--rather than being interesting.

Choose one.

SteveR said...

PB&J, don't project your limited view of things on everyone else, much less the host.

You act like you have some keen insight.

Fen said...

Looks like Michelle is blowing Biden while Obama is out getting hugs.

I chose "Druxtaposition" beacause it rolls off the lips better.

Fen said...

[A] This reoccurring Drudgery topic results in traffic for Althouse; hence her motivation to issue reruns.

[B] This topic is an example of Althouse trying to serve up leftover red meat, dressed up with parsley embellishments--rather than being interesting.

Choose one.


[C] Ann is on to something. Drudge is deliberately playing games in how he places his photos. Ann just broke an inside joke between Drudge and his more observant readers.

traditionalguy said...

I see long tall Barack boasting about how much his stimulus has meant to his women. Is Big Brother stealing the daughters of men again? His judge Michelle seems to believe that about him.

Titus said...

Drudge=Kuprick.

traditionalguy said...

I for one am happy to see Drudge have a little fun after playing it straight for 12 continuous years. He has a ways to go to equal Gawker.

Ralph L said...

Titus said...
Drudge=Kuprick.

Oh, you've seen it?

Will you meet with commercial sex workers in India, too?

Ralph L said...

And I thought you preferred uncut hog.

jungatheart said...

Fen:
"Looks like Michelle is blowing Biden while Obama is out getting hugs. "

The force is strong with this one.

Professor, I think you're ranging too far afield with your musings. Short and sweet like Fen, and XWL's noting that the one photo mirrored the Lewinsky photo.

However, I would not be one bit surprised to find that Obama is gay. I think he and Rahm make a likely couple.

Steel Turman said...

Drudge does have fun, but I think you're reading a bit too much into it, this time.

ndspinelli said...

Tedious, barrister Althouse...very tedious.

XWL said...

"Click that link. The photo similarity is the amazing."

Wait, so is The XWL now also The Manolo?

If this is the true, than the XWL must do more of the blogging about the shoes...

(and the today's post at the shoeblog is the amazing)

(my own daily photo post today, is merely the chocolate)

Anonymous said...

It reminds me of the sequence in the Stanley Kubrick movie "The Shining," in which the character played by Jack Nicholson enters a bathroom and sees a beautiful, desirable woman in a bathtub. She gets out of the bath, naked

Was she shaved?

Peter

Moneyrunner said...

Drill SGT:

Can't find a job? Home foreclosed? Savings gone? Car re-possessed? Living in a cardboard box in an Obamaville?


Don't fret.


Live vicariously through Barack and Michelle Obama.


Pretend that your jumbo-jet has taken you to exotic Mumbai, India.


You have taken over the entire 570 room 5 star Taj Mahal hotel just for you and a few close friends. The lesser members of your entourage will stay at the Taj President, the Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels.


The streets are blocked when you want to go somewhere so that you are not inconvenienced by traffic. Your personal armored limousine has been flown there ahead of time. Your personal Navy is patrolling the coast. Your personal chefs are there to prepare your food.


Maybe there will be an opportunity for some golf. Your wife will be getting some tips from Mubai’s sex workers.


There, doesn't that make your sacrifice all worthwhile?


It's good to be the king.

Godot said...

-Drunction
-Drudgevergence
-Drudgarray

___

jungatheart said...

Godot, I think you're going in the wrong drunction.

Godot said...

You mean drurection?

JAL said...

I would say WJC enjoys the hugs waaaay more than BHO.

Ann Althouse said...

LOL re "the amazing."

The Dude said...

Plugs looks insane. One heartbeat away - nice.

AST said...

Drudge shui