Today I'd like to weigh in on memes that have actually been around for about 2 weeks now. I apologize, I've been remiss in reporting on it. There's just been so much to talk about!
The two memes both have to do with the drastic response by some Americans to President Obama's reelection. What I am referring to are proclamations by Americans, almost exclusively from southern states, to secede from America, and the actions by conservative CEOs to cut employees and benefits due to the financial burden they will suffer with Obama in office for four more years. The Daily Show weighed in on the situation soon after.
Well done John Stewart. Great job, as per usual.
Needless to say, this news brought about some well done memes. For the petitioning secessionists, most of them harkened back to classic memes, like Push It Somewhere Else Patrick.
This whole movement also led to an interesting development in geographical political imagery in the city of Austin, TX, which is liberally minded when compared to most of the rest of the state and who was slightly embarrassed that Texas seemed to be leading the secessionist movement with 117,000 signatures, almost three times as much as second place Louisiana. This is because citizens of Austin responded with a petition to secede from Texas if the Lone Star State is successful in its bid to leave the Union.
Other, less whimsical responses have included petitions to deport anyone who has signed a petition for secession, or to strip them of their citizenship.
*Note: I also just want to recognize that these secessionists represent a minuscule part of the conservative electorate in these states, and that the top brass from all of them have voiced their disapproval. These petitions don't actually have any political clout as far as movements go. Still, this does not mean that they haven't affected the imagery for these states, or conservative America as a whole. It just goes to show that it doesn't take many people to create political consequences, especially when imagery is involved.
As for the second meme from this week, well, you can't be too surprised. If there are three things that can get the internet riled up, they're criticizing pretentious rich people, advertisement stock photos, and sub-par pizza.
If we've learned anything from 2012, it seems to be that nothing gets people fired up quite like the political climate around fast food chains. First the controversy over banning giant sodas in New York City. Then the whole Chick-fil-a/same-sex marriage fiasco. Now Papa Johns. I wonder what lies in store. Honestly, if you want my opinion (Ooo! A straight-up opinion from Kyle! How exciting!), I stand with Captain Picard.
The two memes both have to do with the drastic response by some Americans to President Obama's reelection. What I am referring to are proclamations by Americans, almost exclusively from southern states, to secede from America, and the actions by conservative CEOs to cut employees and benefits due to the financial burden they will suffer with Obama in office for four more years. The Daily Show weighed in on the situation soon after.
Well done John Stewart. Great job, as per usual.
Needless to say, this news brought about some well done memes. For the petitioning secessionists, most of them harkened back to classic memes, like Push It Somewhere Else Patrick.
This whole movement also led to an interesting development in geographical political imagery in the city of Austin, TX, which is liberally minded when compared to most of the rest of the state and who was slightly embarrassed that Texas seemed to be leading the secessionist movement with 117,000 signatures, almost three times as much as second place Louisiana. This is because citizens of Austin responded with a petition to secede from Texas if the Lone Star State is successful in its bid to leave the Union.
Other, less whimsical responses have included petitions to deport anyone who has signed a petition for secession, or to strip them of their citizenship.
*Note: I also just want to recognize that these secessionists represent a minuscule part of the conservative electorate in these states, and that the top brass from all of them have voiced their disapproval. These petitions don't actually have any political clout as far as movements go. Still, this does not mean that they haven't affected the imagery for these states, or conservative America as a whole. It just goes to show that it doesn't take many people to create political consequences, especially when imagery is involved.
As for the second meme from this week, well, you can't be too surprised. If there are three things that can get the internet riled up, they're criticizing pretentious rich people, advertisement stock photos, and sub-par pizza.
If we've learned anything from 2012, it seems to be that nothing gets people fired up quite like the political climate around fast food chains. First the controversy over banning giant sodas in New York City. Then the whole Chick-fil-a/same-sex marriage fiasco. Now Papa Johns. I wonder what lies in store. Honestly, if you want my opinion (Ooo! A straight-up opinion from Kyle! How exciting!), I stand with Captain Picard.
or really any other political issue for that matter. Do your business. Change with the times. That's what I'd like to see more of.
Sorry if I offended anyone by including obscenities in today's blog. Edgy, right?
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