About the alleged hollowness of Obama's 'Yes we can' slogan...Am I the only one who sees an intentional resonance with the famous Rosie the Riveter poster: 'We can do it'. For one, both contain 'we can'. For another, both are meant to rally those at home in a context of war. The rallying cries are different, of course, but still the gesture is similar -- bring people together to make an extraordinary effort to address an important problem. If I am right, the slogan evokes feminist struggles, equal opportunity, and labor. It is not mere pablum

"Yes, we can!" is directly translated to English from the Spanish "Si, se puede!" Evidently, legacy of the liberation theology Obama learned form his Pastor Jeremiah Wright.

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When it is added up "Si se puede" was rather impotent. It can be associated with good change but definitely not with overwhelmingly sweeping change.

Its more basic than that. One of the fairly commonly read children's books is "The Little Engine That Could". It is so pervasive that if you restrict the google query to EXACTLY that phrase, you still get 251,000 hits, the least significant one being American University's student newspaper's sex advice column.

Its rather a brilliant rhetorical device, alluding to the "I think I can" to "I know I can" transformation that the Little Engine undergoes. And of course Disney has deified this little engine. Mix in some "Shining Time Station" and the lever arm of PBS, and you pretty much have most of the US Population pre-programmed to respond positively to this phrase.

Very very brilliant

An earlier cultural reference might be Sammy Davis Jr.'s autobiography "Yes I Can" -- which was really all about breaking the racial barriers of American society. I think it's quite an intentional hook on Obama's part. If Hillary had done something so evocative of another, the press and XX women would be all over her.

Gender is still the characteristic that most defines each of us. If'ts the first question asked at our births. It shapes how the world sees us and how we see ourselves. Second-geneeration feminist like Robin Morgan may sound over-the-top to those enjoying options hard won by us "shrill" and "mean-spirited" extremists, but those options are still at risk from the Right and from those who claim victory too soon.

Who was it who said those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it? Tyranny in all its forms hates to give up. Look at the fragility of women's right across the world and you'll see why many of still bang the drum for Feminsm.

The small-minded criticisms of Hillary Clinton as a woman, not as just a candidate, echo the more subtle double-standard women face in all walks of life. Surely some of the relentless criticism isn't warranted. Surely the minute examination of her history and her flaws should be extended to the other candidates in the race. Would any of them come off better under the intense scrutiny she's faced?

I'll readily conceed "resonates", and even "damn clever"! "Brilliant", on the other hand, has an aura of substance that this drum beat lacks. Louder is not truer. I cringe at the thought of the electorate being swept along in a giddy state of semiconscious verve. Bring on the boring details.

1) We are in the minority.

2) I'm dying for the details on the issues just like you. Since the devil is in the details.

3) It is the first time I've lived through the cult of personality.

Ishape,

Nike says "Just do it"

Slogans should be judged (as brilliant or otherwise) on the basis of whether they accomplish their objectives. They are not a substitute for policies and programs and the lack of substance is irrelevant.

Obama has policies, and I would like to hear him talk more about them, and hear the pundits discuss them more than is the case, but face it, this is marketing.

Nike doesn't drag out some bio-engineer to explain why their shoes are better than Addidas, they show inspirational shots of athletes, known and unknown, and use slogans like "Just Do It."

Something tells me that they know something about marketing, as does Obama's staff.

Bob the Builder; with his catchphrase;

" CAN WE FIX IT?

YES WE CAN!"

Bob the builder's finest moment came when his novelty song stopped M &M from scoring a UK No.1 .

As you can see belowthe lyrics are certainly inspirational to any politican, especially with respect to New Orleans.

Bob the Builder

"aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
aaaaaaaaaaaaah!
(Take your places)
aaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Can we fix it?
Yes we can!

(chorus)
Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Scoop, Muck and Dizzy
and Roley too.
Lofty and Wendy
join the crew.
Bob and the gang
have so much fun.
Working together,
they get the job done!

(chorus)
Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Time to get busy.
Such a lot to do!
Building and fixing
'til it's good as new.
Bob and the gang
make a really good sound.
Working all day
till the sun goes down.

(chorus)
Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Can you fix it?
Right.
Left a bit.
Right a little.
Ok, straight down.

We can tackle any situation
Look out, here we come

Can we dig it? Yes!!!!!!
Can we build it? Yes!!!!!!!
Can we fix it? Yes!!!!!!

(chorus)
Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

Digging and mixing
Having so much fun
Working together
They get the job done

Can we dig it? Yes
Can we build it? Yes
Can we fix it? Yes

Bob the builder! Hey!!!
Bob the builder! Altogether now

Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes, yes we can!

Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
oooooooh!!

(chorus)
Bob the builder
Can we fix it?
Bob the builder
Yes we can!

We'd better get some work done!"

Is it fair to say that you're pissed off because Obama give it brand new meaning, this time for something damn important!

You have too much time on your hands

"if you have built your castles in the air, your work need not be lost. That is whre they should be. Now put the foundations under them.+

I can't remember who said this, but it applies