For many this ad will appear to be a joke, a silly campaign tactic, and little more than a distraction. But this ad was not done by some campaign volunteer with a bit of editing experience for (as McCain suggests) his supporters amusement. This was a professionally cut, edited, and produced ad full of sinister dog-whistles for evangelical ears.
At best it is suggesting supporters of Obama are idol-worshipers. At its worst it is suggesting that Sen. Obama is some kind of anti-Christ.
The McCain campaign is unquestionably targeting the 44 million+ Americans who have read the Left Behind series. The makers of the ad chose all of Obama’s quotes very carefully and filled it with image after image equating Senator Obama to the anti-Christ, and especially to Nicolae Carpathia, the anti-Christ in the popular end times novels.
This is where religion and politics goes bad. We've seen this game before in history - suggest your opposition is the anti-Christ. Sadly I never thought I'd see it from the nominee of one of America's main political parties. The ad plays on fears well beyond the economy, terror, or war - it plays on what are foundational scriptural fears for many people, the very end of the world. That ad is flat-out dangerous, irresponsible, and heartless.
The title or the ad is set up to immediately remind anyone familiar with the Left Behind series of the name of the false church set up by the anti-Christ - "THE ONE World Religion."
The text and voice over are exact copies of previews for Christian Specific end-times movies.
The images and quotes the McCain camp employed all allude to symbols of the anti-Christ. If the McCain campaign were simply cutting an ad about Obama being an idol that would be offensive enough; however, there are just too many parts of this ad which make no sense, for a professional production, unless they were trying to suggest Obama is the anti-Christ.
So you know we are not just talking about John Hagee end-times believers here. This is an ingrained fear for many Americans
where am ad
I think the best argument to level against McCain's ads is that they are entirely not about any fucking issue that is relevant to the current condition the united states is in.
If you can't win on the issues, go the fuck home please.
does this mean that obama will torture and persecute christians?
if so, I need to donate. that's change I can beleive in.
Really, what's more convincing: the argument that this is a throwaway ad using iconography every American will immediately associate with unearned attention, or the argument this is a calculated message to a small subset of likely Republican voters depicting a black rapist who will literally end the world per Biblical prophesy?
I suppose the ad will cause concern among some fundamentalists but I'd imagine most of those people realize the anti-christ will not be of North American descent (if you believe in that stuff - Indiana Jones disclaimer)
not to mention that the AC won't even appear until the tribulation starts, which won't be a problem for christians considering they won't be on earth (if you believe that sort of thing - Indiana Jones disclaimer)
dude, the ad refers to him as "the one" and "blessed" and has stock footage of Charlton Heston parting the Red Sea. a Biblical connection is hardly a stretch
You're assuming that most fundamentalists don't jump on anything that vaguely resembles the end times.
does this mean that obama will torture and persecute christians?
if so, I need to donate. that's change I can beleive in.
You would see Tauntaun tortured? :(
Seriously, religious people are scary. I wet myself whenever I hear a bell ringing because who knows what those delusional crazy folks are signaling with those things?
Seriously, religious people are scary. I wet myself whenever I hear a bell ringing because who knows what those delusional crazy folks are signaling with those things?
Usually the time of day, or that church is starting or ending.
dude, the ad refers to him as "the one" and "blessed" and has stock footage of Charlton Heston parting the Red Sea. a Biblical connection is hardly a stretch
No, I totally agree that the point of this ad was to show Obama is literally the antichrist and it's your religious duty to vote against him, I mean that's completely obvious and not at all a histrionic interpretation of a gag ad.
Why didn't they just shop some goat horns on him too ffs. ::)
I suppose the ad will cause concern among some fundamentalists but I'd imagine most of those people realize the anti-christ will not be of North American descent (if you believe in that stuff - Indiana Jones disclaimer)not to mention that the AC won't even appear until the tribulation starts, which won't be a problem for christians considering they won't be on earth (if you believe that sort of thing - Indiana Jones disclaimer)
You're assuming that most fundamentalists don't jump on anything that vaguely resembles the end times.
I don't think this would be very effective, certainly nowhere near as effective as painting Obama as an atheist (or Muslim). Anti-Christ, that's in the bible. That's something the bible nutters can relate to. An atheist, and a black one no less, that must be akin to a full on alien invasion for these people. And a black alien with a Muslim tint, that'd be validation of all sorts of conspiracy theories within the bible hugging circle.
I think it's just an internet ad
Nah, I definitely saw it on TV last weekend.
I don't think this would be very effective, certainly nowhere near as effective as painting Obama as an atheist (or Muslim). Anti-Christ, that's in the bible. That's something the bible nutters can relate to. An atheist, and a black one no less, that must be akin to a full on alien invasion for these people. And a black alien with a Muslim tint, that'd be validation of all sorts of conspiracy theories within the bible hugging circle.
After all what's more dangerous than an Atheist Muslim!
apf are you... like, going somewhere with all this
Is it possible that this ad reveals the REAL antichrist is McCain himself?? Think about it: the false miracles, like the SURGE; his desperate trying to SMEAR someone who is in all truth the real MESSIAH for both America and the WORLD??
apf are you... like, going somewhere with all this
Same place he goes with everything- round and round in circles, trying to make you dizzy.
Is it possible that this ad reveals the REAL antichrist is McCain himself?? Think about it: the false miracles, like the SURGE; his desperate trying to SMEAR someone who is in all truth the real MESSIAH for both America and the WORLD??
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
At this point I'm just loling
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
I don't think you realized the point of my sarcasm: there are voters who are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument. It's not as though they were ever going to vote for Obama anyway though.
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
I don't think you realized the point of my sarcasm: there are voters who are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument. It's not as though they were ever going to vote for Obama anyway though.
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
I don't think you realized the point of my sarcasm: there are voters who are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument. It's not as though they were ever going to vote for Obama anyway though.
Crushed: it doesn't. You are insane.
At this point I'm just loling at how many of you are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument.
I don't think you realized the point of my sarcasm: there are voters who are batshit insane enough to buy the antichrist argument. It's not as though they were ever going to vote for Obama anyway though.
Then why make this ad? --the only reason for which would be to remind them why they're not voting for him?
It's like, why would you make an ad saying, "this guy is black; he could steal your DAUGHTERS?" Because people forget he's black?
I am being honest; you are insane.
I am being honest; you are insane.
"THE ANOINTED ONE IN THE BLESSED TIMES?"
(shows people in a frenzy underneath crazy apocalyptic sky)
(shows Moses)
APF: NOTHING RELIGOUS ABOUT MOSES, ANOINTED, BLESSED
McCain should probably rename his bus the Cognitive Dissonance Express. How else can you explain comparing your opponent to Jesus and Moses...then questioning his leadership skills.
McCain should probably rename his bus the Cognitive Dissonance Express. How else can you explain comparing your opponent to Jesus and Moses...then questioning his leadership skills.
Wait, The Ten Commandments was a movie about the antichrist? That's certainly an interesting interpretation.
Hey, lets post cartoons rather than good arguments!you haven't posted a single argument PERIOD in this thread
Hey, lets post cartoons rather than good arguments!you haven't posted a single argument PERIOD in this thread
Hey, lets post cartoons rather than good arguments!
Hey, lets post cartoons rather than good arguments!
Because my attempts to engage you in actual discussion have turned out so, so well.
Like I said, the OP link does an excellent job of laying out the imagery and parallels. If you disagree, then you should present an alternate explanation for the ad.
Hey, lets post cartoons rather than good arguments!
Because my attempts to engage you in actual discussion have turned out so, so well.
Like I said, the OP link does an excellent job of laying out the imagery and parallels. If you disagree, then you should present an alternate explanation for the ad.
The original article was a joke
The funny thing about that comic isn't that it's an accurate description of Republicans / Conservatives --it's that it's an accurate description of any asshat who argues a point because they need it to be true, ie "I'm from Texas I know what I'm talking about."
does this mean that obama will torture and persecute christians?
if so, I need to donate. that's change I can beleive in.
You would see Tauntaun tortured? :(
I have realllly nasty side that I don't show often. I'm a real mean motherfucker, sadly.
as for the ad, there's no doubt that they are going for the antichrist undercurrent in that ad. The codewording is both very specific and the imagery is also very deliberate.
Holy shit that ad is awesome. McCain's not even trying anymore.
I though all metalheads were satanists?
The funny thing about that comic isn't that it's an accurate description of Republicans / Conservatives --it's that it's an accurate description of any asshat who argues a point because they need it to be true, ie "I'm from Texas I know what I'm talking about."
You already vetoed the contents of the advertisement and Rapture rhetoric as inadmissble! Texas is all I have left, you cocksucker!
Else, point-out exactly what the argument is, in bullet-point form, so we can analyze exactly what it's saying.
Else, point-out exactly what the argument is, in bullet-point form, so we can analyze exactly what it's saying.
Why should I do this when it's already been done in the original article that I am starting to doubt you've even read
Else, point-out exactly what the argument is, in bullet-point form, so we can analyze exactly what it's saying.
Why should I do this when it's already been done in the original article that I am starting to doubt you've even read
Why read it? It was a joke article, just like this was a joke ad.
I remember when this (http://www.apostropher.com/blog/archives/001712.html) was the top Google result for Obama Antichrist. Now it's not even top 20.
Though yikes, the comments just kept coming. You might not want to make your browser load the whole thing.
1782
BARACK STARRED IN GAY PORN!!! I HAVE PROOF!!!
I was talking to Sandra Day OConner and she said she saw a movie called "White in Black, Red All Over" and Barack and a dong in each hand, one in the mouth and one in the bunghole. He giggled like a bitch when they all pulled out and unloaded on his face. Then he rubbed it all over his chest and said "Now that's Spicy Meatball!"
Posted by: Earl the Cranberry Man at August 7, 2008 02:39 PM
If we've accepted that the ad is indeed a gag ad and wouldn't be interpreted otherwise by even the reddest neck, why is McCain pouring campaign funds into a joke? Airtime costs can be steep, can't they?
If we've accepted that the ad is indeed a gag ad and wouldn't be interpreted otherwise by even the reddest neck, why is McCain pouring campaign funds into a joke? Airtime costs can be steep, can't they?
i don't think it's actually aired
i think news programs discussing it have aired it
i think that mccain is doing this because
1) viral marketing techniques mean the ad get shown all over the internet whether you're a "hyuck hyuck" or a "that's shameful" audience member
2) news shows discuss it and show the add to an already interested in politics audience and then bam, free advertising.
I remember when this (http://www.apostropher.com/blog/archives/001712.html) was the top Google result for Obama Antichrist. Now it's not even top 20.
Though yikes, the comments just kept coming. You might not want to make your browser load the whole thing.Quote1782
BARACK STARRED IN GAY PORN!!! I HAVE PROOF!!!
I was talking to Sandra Day OConner and she said she saw a movie called "White in Black, Red All Over" and Barack and a dong in each hand, one in the mouth and one in the bunghole. He giggled like a bitch when they all pulled out and unloaded on his face. Then he rubbed it all over his chest and said "Now that's Spicy Meatball!"
Posted by: Earl the Cranberry Man at August 7, 2008 02:39 PM
Awesome
If we've accepted that the ad is indeed a gag ad and wouldn't be interpreted otherwise by even the reddest neck, why is McCain pouring campaign funds into a joke? Airtime costs can be steep, can't they?
i don't think it's actually aired
If we've accepted that the ad is indeed a gag ad and wouldn't be interpreted otherwise by even the reddest neck, why is McCain pouring campaign funds into a joke? Airtime costs can be steep, can't they?
i don't think it's actually aired
i think news programs discussing it have aired it
i think that mccain is doing this because
1) viral marketing techniques mean the ad get shown all over the internet whether you're a "hyuck hyuck" or a "that's shameful" audience member
2) news shows discuss it and show the add to an already interested in politics audience and then bam, free advertising.
This thread took a weird turn
I'm baffled by anyone who took the non-arguments in that article seriously. I'm assuming I'm being trolled, but lol either way.no apf everyone is serious
Im not even sure whats going on in this thread. I refuse to read any posts in it.
the ridiculous, overblown reaction
Some Futurists hold that sometime prior to the expected return of Jesus, there will be a period of "great tribulation"[40] during which the Antichrist, indwelt and controlled by Satan, will attempt to win supporters with false peace, supernatural signs. He will silence all that defy him by refusing to "receive his mark" on their right hands or forehead. This "mark" will be required to legally partake in the end-time economic system.[41] Some Futurists believe that the Antichrist will be assassinated half way through the Tribulation, being revived and indwelt by Satan. The Antichrist will continue on for three and a half years following this "deadly wound".
Why is it that in the conspirator's addled mind, it is always the most elaborate and sinister interpretation that is deemed the most simple? A lack of knowledge or understanding of subtlety and nuance would suggest a base interpretation along the lines of, "lol that guy is dumb," not, "omg he's saying something slightly similar to what is possibly a line in the bible while being called something that is remotely similar to someone in a book, and actually there are some similarities I recall both from that book I read and memorized and from selected aspects of Obama's life which I am also fully informed about." If one is dumb, why are we insisting they will progress further than a surface interpretation of this ad, which also will likely not be shown on something they'll be watching.
Or, it could be that all this stuff is literally Obama's campaign message (save the "false profit" part), and this is making fun of the messianic tone that people long before McCain was the presumptive nominee of his party were noting.Since I have nothing better to do: that point is true when you're talking about normal people. The whole anti-christ myth is that initially that people see him as a charming, charismatic figure and some even do call him messianic. He's seen as this great figure that will bring peace to Palestine and Isreal, create a new order in the world etc. The point for Christians is to recognise the 'true' Chirst and that they must not fall for this trap (to be saved), hence it doesn't just become a matter of saying he is not a messiah but he is there to lead the world into damnation and hence is the antichrist.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor
Any rational person would be able to comprehend the reality that saying someone is not the messiah is not the same as saying they're the antichrist, but apparently I've underestimated the degree of literal insanity that has gripped the denizens of this board.
no, my argument is that the ad CLEARLY says "hey, folks in the Midwest/South who are fuck all crazy, mccain here kinda thinks there might be something to your idea that obama is that kid from the omen, how about you do the safe thing and send a vote his way wink wink tee hee"
you, as someone who has long given up the mantle of true conservatism in favor of histrionic internet contrarianism, are free to support that message as disingenuously as you are able
'Surface Interpretation' - that is what you are making. If you grew up around fundie religion, you know about the subtle symbolism, the nuanced allusions to the Antichrist that this ad is making. But this ad is not for you it's for those who come from strong Christian based families who are already familiar with the whole Antichrist story
SP: make your point re: "end times" like an adult, with an actual argument that has disprovable points. I've countered the article I posted and your response was childish and pathetic, much like everything you've been doing here.
Actually, this ad--like its sister the "celeb" ad--is for the press, to regain coverage after Obama's Europe trip.I'm not familiar with it's history but whatever the origin, the point now is that it is out and can be seen by the public, where some sections will validate the Obama is the AnitChrist message.
since when has asserting the author's intentions been a critical argument?
Actually, this ad--like its sister the "celeb" ad--is for the press, to regain coverage after Obama's Europe trip.I'm not familiar with it's history but whatever the origin, the point now is that it is out and can be seen by the public, where some sections will validate the Obama is the AnitChrist message.
Apparently, those are inadmissable arguments. If you'd let me know what rhetorical tools are still on the table, I would be happy to try and forumlate an argument that the Auto-Posting Freeperbot parses as acceptable.
you keep bringing up the intent of the ad as if you knew exactly what it is, and from that you're dismissing counter arguments based on that. if people see it one way, you can't simply respond that that wasn't the intent of the ad so they are wrong by default. if that was the case i would've slept through most of my undergraduate classes after stating what the author's intentions were.
Eric P: what do you mean, disingenuous? ;)
If Obama is the antichrist, would not voting for him even do anything? I think it's pretty obvious this is a clear call for Obama's assassination by the McCain camp, arguably even more worrysome than the similar call by Hitlery Killton just a little while ago. Religious nutballs are NOT above killing people to serve their twisted goals.
Religious nutballs are NOT above killing people to serve their twisted goals.
but he's seriously not wrong in this thread.
he's contentious, he's incorrigible, he's disingenuous, but he's not wrong.
i'd suggest its purpose was to get the PRESS to recognize it as an anti-christ ad, and then spell it out for the denser viewership, all for a few relative pennies
Religious nutballs are NOT above killing people to serve their twisted goals.
there's an entire book about it
THE BOOK OF LUKE
maybe you've heard of it.
Religious nutballs are NOT above killing people to serve their twisted goals.
there's an entire book about it
THE BOOK OF LUKE
maybe you've heard of it.
Wait I was just thinking about this. If the Book of Luke discusses the death of a messiah, and Luke is the name of the guy from Star Wars--a series where some black guy dies at the end--and Eric P is defending my interpretation of McCain's ad, then obviously Eric P is part of McCain's campaign staff, meaning I was RIGHT that this is a call to assassinate "some black guy" IE BARACK OBAMA OMG I SEE IT NOW
I think that even if there's the slightest possibility that someone might interpret anything in any way I can imagine, that must have been the author's intent, and I intend to inspect every speech, every word, every intonation with that principle in mind. Frankly, in these worrisome times it's the only way to be sure.
What the fuck is wrong with you.
The fact that I'm reading your replies.