The Painfully Unwatchable White House Christmas Video

Given this week's events, I did not think it was possible to find a video more excruciating to watch or more embarrassing to the United States than the footage of an Iraqi journalist shot putting his shoes at George W. Bush.   Oh...wait...I found one:  The 2008 Barney Christmas Video from the White House.

My question:  How much of this White House Christmas video mit Hund can you watch before your fight-or-flight reflex kicks in and have to stand up and run--not walk, but run?  I made it through about 30 seconds.

OK, here we go:

Be honest: How long did you last?

Summing up: In the same week that a reporter calls George W. Bush a dog ( ! ) the aforementioned head of state issues a holiday greeting in which he and his family converse openly with (ehem...) a dog.  

When the going gets tough, the tough talk to the dog.

The existential issue that emerges here should be obvious to everyone. Maybe we were all wrong about the shoe throwing incident in Iraq.  Maybe it was not a protest so much as an announcement--an inter-species human rights declaration of sorts. Rather than insulting George W. Bush by calling him a dog, maybe the reporter was loudly and proudly stating his acceptance of the fact that George W. Bush is a man who talks to dogs.  "You are a dog--whisperer!" Maybe the Iraqi reporter was not throwing the shoe at Bush, but throwing the shoe to Bush so he could in turn throw it for Barney to fetch?

Meanwhile, working communities collapse with layoffs not seen in almost a century. 

Meanwhile, the United States military descends deeper into the Iraqi meat grinder. 

Meanwhile, 2008 Yuletide retail sales sink like a gingersnap in bowl of sour eggnog.

Meanwhile, parents across the country stare at their bank statements and wonder how they are going to weave the few pennies that remain into a season of joy for their children.

While America descends into the morass of fear and uncertainty caused by our current  President, the White House invites us to steal away with a few warm and fuzzy dog-cam shots taken from the eye-level of America's Presidential pup--a canine, who, while not fantasizing about winning golf tournaments and Olympic medals, proposes and carries out a jingoistic holiday interior decorating scheme as a final tribute to the George W. Bush era of government.  The blend of shock, incredulity, and stomach cramps I felt when I watched the first 30 seconds of the Barney Christmas video I will not soon forget.

By comparison, come to think of it, that sour eggnog is sounding better and better.

(cross posted from Frameshop)

Follow Jeffrey Feldman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeffreyFeldman

Comments

[clausnitzer]

Holy Criznap that was bad. I would like those 4 minutes of my life back please as well as all of my tax dollars that funded an illegal war.

It was smart to put Barney as the lead character though, after all he is the only person currently residing in the whitehouse that americans still like.

Truth is, he's probably a better leader too.

[bdaved]

No, no, no, no--- now they're trying to set us up for the "It's all the dog's fault." "The dog ate my policy." "The dog ate the Constitution." A dog show is Laura Bush's idea of a fitting tribute to our nation?

[Kikaida1]

Sweet jeezis . . . . No WAY! This CAN'T be real . . . . it's a parody of some kind, right? I watched every demented second, and may do so again. Now I'm SURE I've been dreaming for the past eight years.

[Project4NuBostonTeaParty]

Two questions:

Did hard-earned taxpayer dollars pay for this trivia year after year?

Does this prove beyond a doubt that Bush thinks government (and his presiduncy) is just a joke?

[shanitonyc]

Didn't Bush once make the comment that he would 'Stay the Course' even if it was only Laura and Barney that agreed with him?

[TheIndependenceParty]

I made it to 1:15, but I have to admit that I looked away a few times.

[kenn]

This video needs to lobby for TARP!

[bulfinch]

OMG, they truly do think we are morons. But why wouldn't they?

[Goliadkin]

Perfect example of "fiddling while Rome burns."

[brooklyncitizen]

Why???????­??????????­??

[Hare]

I Just wish Barney and Bush would nap until Jan moving out of the WH day.

[NTBoss]

Their staff is out to get them... who ever proposed this blundering idea of a holiday greeting didn't see them as persons but as actors...i mean they're the First Family, can't they write down each of their thoughts on the last Christmas at the White House and deliver it in a simple address with carolers in the background? Or maybe focus on the highlights of their White House stay? It sounded like a bad casting audition or better yet more apt for the audiences of the purple Barney...
I found it obviously scripted ... too bad because I know the Bush girls are down to Earth...

[parrotheadinnh]

Bush looks like he has a great career as a used car salesman.

[ObjectiveRealist]

Heh, I'd love to ask him about the comparative suitability of different chassises for conversion to electric motors and drive trains. That would be some true humor.

[birchtree3]

Don't insult used car salemen....at least they're working for their paycheck.

[quasar]

A mind melting experience.

[jimsteele2008]

Lighten up folks. It was corny, but fun.

Barney is adorable.

[Goliadkin]

Yeah. But I'd rather have a pre-frontal lobotomy.

[bdaved]

I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me.

[TheIndependenceParty]

Barney is a snarky but handsome terrier. They were bred to catch rats, but the rats caught him instead!