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Trick Or Treat! Obama Derangement Syndrome Is At The Door

October 31, 2011 12:17 pm ET — 44 Comments

In the latest round of Obama Derangement Syndrome, right-wing media attacked the Obamas for handing out fruit along with candy to trick-or-treaters at the White House. Previously, right-wing media have attacked the president over Hurricane Irene, the East Coast earthquake, healthy eating, the White House Easter Egg Roll, and the death of Osama bin Laden.

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Halloween Candy Edition

Fox Nation: "TRICK: Obamas Hand Out Dried Fruit At WH Halloween." An October 30 Fox Nation post rewrote the headline of an Associated Press (AP) article to say: "TRICK: Obamas Hand Out Dried Fruit at WH Halloween." The original AP headline stated, "Things get seasonal at the White House; Obamas hand out Halloween treats." [Fox Nation, 10/30/11, via Media Matters; AP, 10/29/11, via The Washington Post]

Hoft: "Obama Goes Trick-Or-Treating ... They Handed Out Fruit." In a Gateway Pundit post titled, "288,000 Lose Power in Earliest Snowstorm in a Century... Obama Goes Trick-or-Treating," blogger Jim Hoft wrote:

An historic early season snow hit the New England area today knocking out power to at least 288,000 homes. It is the earliest snow in New York City since the Civil War.

Meanwhile... Obama went trick-or-treating.

[...]

They handed out fruit. [Gateway Pundit, 10/29/11, emphasis in original]

Drudge: "Treat Or Trick: Obamas Pass Out Halloween -- 'Fruit'?..." An October 30 post to the Drudge Report read:

Halloween Drudge

[The Drudge Report, 10/30/11]

And This Is Just The Latest Edition Of Obama Derangement Syndrome

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Earthquake Edition. Following an earthquake that struck the East Coast on August 23, right-wing media attacked Obama for being on a golf course during a family vacation when the earthquake struck. [Media Matters, 8/24/11]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Michelle Obama Uses An iPod. Right-wing media figures highlighted a photograph of first lady Michelle Obama using headphones while in her husband's presence, writing that this signified that she "doesn't seem all that happy with the man she married 19 years ago." [Media Matters, 8/22/11; The Washington Times, via Media Matters, 8/29/11]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Happy Meals. Following McDonald's decision to offer "more nutritionally-balanced" Happy Meals and Michelle Obama's praise of its move, the right-wing media jumped to attack McDonald's for supposedly bending to the will of the "fat police" and making Happy Meals "less happy." [Media Matters, 7/27/11]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Dijon Mustard. In May 2009, conservative media attacked Obama as an elitist because he ordered a hamburger with Dijon mustard. [Media Matters, 5/7/09]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: The Color Purple. In March 2010, conservative blogger Pamela Geller incited outrage over Obama "Flying The Gangsta Colors At The White House: SEIU, The Color Purple." Geller went on to criticize Obama's purple tie color choice, despite the fact that Obama's tie appeared to be blue, not purple. [Media Matters, 3/26/10]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Wal-Mart Healthy Foods Initiative. In January, right-wing media accused the Obama administration of threatening or "bullying" Wal-Mart when the company announced a healthy food initiative that would make "thousands of the packaged food items that it sells more healthful and affordable by 2015," according to The Washington Post. [Media Matters, 1/21/11] 

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Latin America Jobs Trip. In March, the right-wing media attacked Obama's long-planned jobs trip to Latin America as a "vacation," even though the trip was focused on economic opportunities for the U.S. and trade relationships with Latin American nations. [Media Matters, 3/18/11]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Children's Easter Egg Roll. Also in March, Fox & Friends attacked the White House Easter Egg Roll, a family event, for making the souvenir eggs more environmentally friendly and encouraging children to exercise. [Media Matters, 3/30/11]

Obama Derangement Syndrome: Osama Bin Laden's Death. In May, The Washington Times attacked Obama following the successful raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, complaining that he golfed before the mission took place and that he "snub[bed] Bush" in his speech following bin Laden's death. [Media Matters, 5/3/11]

— M.L.J.
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    • Author by danielsangeo (October 31, 2011 12:19 pm ET)
      12  
      Happy War on Halloween, folks. :)
      Report Abuse
    • Author by ThomasJH268 (October 31, 2011 12:23 pm ET)
      26  
      I think I'm going to put it on a tee shirt, I've been saying it all weekend

      FOXPAC: What they lack in honesty, moral integraty and journalistic ethics they make up for in childish pettiness.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by CoolSlaw (October 31, 2011 1:26 pm ET)
        18  
        That's really what this all boils down to. I'm not sure if it's more sad that these people like Hoft have made a career out of this kind of idiotic and shallow attacks...or that the republican base is so eager to be provoked and outraged over the most superficial and meaningless drivel.

        Also, let's be honest:

        - If President Obama handed out sugary and chocolate covered treats, they would have accused him of hypocrisy, or undermining his own wife's efforts, or trying to give kids diabetes.

        - If he had given out no treats, they would have called it some attack on American values, or further "evidence" he's not really American, one of us, etc.

        - If he handed out flag lapel pins and little American flags, they would have accused him of using the holiday for "campaigning" and pandering.

        Basically, the point is that these bottom feeding right wing tabloid people are tasked with writing a negative article about the president, and they'll use any kind of shallow, petty, and pointless attack to earn their paycheck.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by nerzog (October 31, 2011 2:33 pm ET)
          7  
          these bottom feeding right wing tabloid people are tasked with writing a negative article about the president

          Bingo. That, in a nutshell, is the world we've lived in for about 20 years. They did the same thing with the Clintons, but it seems even worse now.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by epkklk851 (October 31, 2011 3:37 pm ET)
            1  
            Clinton was White and Southern.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by PBVV (October 31, 2011 5:14 pm ET)
              4  
              By golly he was, wasn't he?

              Which precisely proves the very points that
              Cool Slaw and nerzog made.

              Basically, the point is that these bottom feeding right wing tabloid people are tasked with writing a negative article about the president, and they'll use any kind of shallow, petty, and pointless attack to earn their paycheck.
              Report Abuse
        • Author by Crumble (October 31, 2011 3:15 pm ET)
          6  
          Republicans would prefer the Obama's handed out massive tax cuts to the wealthy and more debt to the middle class and poor.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by jjtb4v (October 31, 2011 4:35 pm ET)
            5  
            Ah yes, but then they would have claimed it was too little, too late, or just a campaign gimmick... the game seems to be "everytime Obama does anything, have a stroke"
            Report Abuse
        • Author by Eric_Arthur_Blair (October 31, 2011 11:32 pm ET)
          2  
          And, of course, the fact that he's giving out handouts at all proves he's truing to indoctrinate young children into being socialists and expecting the government to give them everything.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by m.welker (October 31, 2011 12:23 pm ET)
      11  
      I miss the days when the crazies buried their heads in the sand instead of shouting from the rooftops.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by danielsangeo (October 31, 2011 12:25 pm ET)
        8  
        I remember crazies shouting. They're usually in the inner city and they're shouting at a brick wall or something and most people found it sad and heart-rending.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Andy Kreiss (October 31, 2011 1:01 pm ET)
          9  
          Crazy people have always been very confident, very sure of their positions. But you're right, they used to be the people pedestrians avoided eye contact with, now they're a major media presence.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by nerzog (October 31, 2011 1:01 pm ET)
          8  
          Unfortunately for the country, the Kock Brothers and other Angry Rich White Males have given the crazies a national platform.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by PBVV (October 31, 2011 5:16 pm ET)
            2  
            And it's name is The Fox News Channel"
            aka "The Fox Noise Circus & Freak Show"
            Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (October 31, 2011 1:04 pm ET)
      11  
      Why does anyone care what someone else hands out for Halloween?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by danielsangeo (October 31, 2011 1:27 pm ET)
        8  
        Fox News apparently does when they can (try to) make political hay out of it. The Obamas are handing out FRUIT instead of candy!!!!! (Except for the candy they're already handing out.) It PROVES that the Obamas are pushing a fascistic agenda onto our children by forcing us to eat tofu and sprouts on Halloween (which they secretly loathe)!!!!!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by PBVV (October 31, 2011 5:22 pm ET)
        3  
        Shaggles wrote:
        Why does anyone care what someone else hands out for Halloween?


        Because they are Black
        and Uppity
        and in the Whitehouse.
        How dare they pass out to America's children anything other than
        blocks of sugar and preservatives dressed up in various fashions?
        Fruit? Only Uppity Black people would do anything so heinous to our children, dontcha know?


        Sheesh.
        These people are all major voting shareholders in
        "Freaking Idiots Abound, Inc."
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Andy Kreiss (October 31, 2011 1:17 pm ET)
      7  
      I've been a fan of the right wing parody political cartoons of Kelly from the Onion for years. It's just been weird watching the real right wing out-parody Kelly.

      Is this any different than what they're saying ?

      Or this ?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by magnolialover (October 31, 2011 3:22 pm ET)
        5  
        Actually, not really different at all. I am having a hard time believing that The Onion can make up anything that the actual real republicans wouldn't say or do at this point in time. Heck, they could just run real news stories, and it would STILL look like a parody.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Andy Kreiss (October 31, 2011 3:40 pm ET)
          3  
          Looking at Kelly's cartoons ( which I try to do often) I always think they should be studied, every time I see one of those pathetic right wing attempts at comedy.

          All of the wingnut jokes are based on their own mythical "Teh Libs". They don't seem to understand that it's truth that make it funny, and Kelly's stereotypes are barely exaggerated.

          I love his characters, labeled " Innocent Businessman" and "Concerned Americans", and all of his regular motifs; the weeping Statue of Liberty, the dirty hippies and clean-cut hard-working conservatives.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by MiG (October 31, 2011 1:21 pm ET)
      6  
      I hope the Right Wing Media is working on their material for President Obama's second term already. If they had anything of substance to attack him on, they would be all over it.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by scooter51 (October 31, 2011 1:33 pm ET)
      8  
      It's simple for these rightwing blowhards - ANYTHING is fair game to attack Obama. I'm surprised they don't attack him for waking up in the morning or going to sleep at night. Surely there's something nefarious going on.

      I've reached the point where I will not discuss ANYTHING meaningful with these right-wingers. Their view of the world is one that is not mine, and certainly not congruent with reality. They live in a fantasy world created by Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage, Coulter, Levin et al. This world is also inhabited by politicians such as Boehner, Cantor, Inhofe, Graham, Rubio, etc etc etc. The list if far too long. They are all bat-sh_t crazy, every last one of them, and discussing anything would have the same effect as talking to a soap dish.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by MsYellowDog (October 31, 2011 3:32 pm ET)
        1  
        I agree about trying to discuss anything of real import with a Rethuglican...I have many in my family,and the best I have been able to achieve is a sort of "truce," where neither of us mention politics in any way.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by politeradical (October 31, 2011 1:33 pm ET)
      12  
      Obama: The sky is blue, the sun is shining. It's a beautiful day.

      Fox News headline: Obama describes lack of rain, drought conditions as 'beautiful'.

      Hey Rupert gimme a job! Think I'm getting the hang of this 'fair and balanced' thing.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Imbecile (October 31, 2011 2:15 pm ET)
        7  
        Remember, you must always place a question mark at the end of each headline.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by politeradical (October 31, 2011 2:31 pm ET)
          4  
          Great point imbecile!

          Just like how Becky always ended with the qualifier "now I'm not saying that Obama is Torquemada reborn, but don't they look alike?"
          Report Abuse
        • Author by MiG (October 31, 2011 2:33 pm ET)
          3  
          Just a reminder: A question mark at the end of a headline is called a Cavuto!
          Report Abuse
          • Author by PBVV (October 31, 2011 5:27 pm ET)
               
            Just a reminder: A question mark at the end of a headline is called a Cavuto!


            Thumbs Up MiG!

            ;D
            Report Abuse
        • Author by politeradical (October 31, 2011 2:38 pm ET)
          8  
          Okay let's give it a try.

          Real Headline "Obama cures cancer!"

          Fox News Healine "Obama singlehandedly destroys oncology industry?"
          Report Abuse
    • Author by 1949vet (October 31, 2011 1:46 pm ET)
         
      Short of handing out copies of Atlas Shrugged and The National Review to the children, there was nothing the Obamas could have done to prevent the deranged hatred.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by revcocoa (October 31, 2011 2:09 pm ET)
      11  
      I think the lip-reading at the 10th anniversary of 9/11 deserves to make the list. Classic.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by denholt (October 31, 2011 2:13 pm ET)
         
      Wait until tomorrow, when we'll have pictures of houses with signs saying "NO CANDY FOR CHILDREN OF OBAMA VOTERS" like there have been every year since 2008...
      Report Abuse
    • Author by captaincrunch (October 31, 2011 2:41 pm ET)
      7  
      Obama Derangement Syndrome: Osama Bin Laden's Death. In May, The Washington Times attacked Obama following the successful raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden, complaining that he golfed before the mission took place and that he "snub[bed] Bush" in his speech following bin Laden's death.

      Only because Bush had nothing to do with UBL's demise!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Nihilist (October 31, 2011 3:08 pm ET)
      4  
      lets no forget, no matter how bushy 'f'd up, there was always a base of around 24%, that always thought he was doing a 'heckova' job....
      if you can stomach it, read the comments section anytime drudge puts up one of these links, especially if it involves FLOTUS..... the kkk lives on....

      i want some white house m&m's!!!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by MsYellowDog (October 31, 2011 3:28 pm ET)
      2  
      What are the Obamas supposed to do,go shovel snow? If they did, they would match the life-saving heroics displayed by Shrub and his wife during Hurricane Katrina. Remember when the two of them rushed right down to New Orleans to help rescue drowning people,and then stayed to bring water and food to the refugees? Me neither.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by PBVV (October 31, 2011 5:36 pm ET)
        1  

        the life-saving heroics displayed by Shrub and his wife during Hurricane Katrina. Remember when the two of them rushed right down to New Orleans to help rescue drowning people,and then stayed to bring water and food to the refugees?


        No, bit I do remember them shoveling out some sh-it from the Whitehouse for media consumption.
        Does that count?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by epkklk851 (October 31, 2011 3:39 pm ET)
      4  
      It could be worse, if the Obamas passed out my favorite dried fruit, dates, they'd be screaming that it was a sign of his being a secret Muslim.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by o rly (October 31, 2011 5:08 pm ET)
      1  
      My favorite one is still the dijon mustard. lol
      Report Abuse
      • Author by phredicles (October 31, 2011 5:31 pm ET)
        1  
        And it turned out the dijon was made by Kraft Foods. Doesn't get much more American than that.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by peachtea (October 31, 2011 5:26 pm ET)
      1  
      Screw you, right-wing news guys. I love dried fruit.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by toobored54 (October 31, 2011 8:38 pm ET)
        2
      Fruit?? Who the heck wants fruit for halloween. Why does B.O. keep handing out stuff nobody wants??
      Report Abuse
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