There is a semi-big kerfuffle about President Obama reciting the Gettysburg address for a PBS special, and yet in the Obama version he left out the “under God” phrase from the …”that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom“…. part.
White House spokesman Jay Carney on Tuesday gave a simple explanation for the reading.
“He [Obama] read the version of the address that Ken Burns provided,” he said, noting that Burns is a “noted Civil War scholar.” (link)
Only there’s something weird about that Carney explanation. Something that totally does not make sense.
What Carney is saying would require Producer Ken Burns to have given Obama a different version of the speech than he gave to all of the participants in his production.
Because “under God” was only omitted in Obama’s recitation – NOT in Jimmy Carter’s, George HW Bush’s, Bill Clinton’s or George W. Bush’s version; all of whom participated in the production by reading the exact same address.
So is it believable the guy putting the production together, Ken Burns, would give every President a copy, the same copy; …… except, for some reason, give President Obama a different copy – a totally different copy – the only copy that omits “God”?
Occam’s Razor !
On a semi-related note some people are filled with anxiety about why President Obama snubbed the 150th anniversary of Gettysburg by not going to PA for a memorial honor….. My RETORT: cut him some slack, why should he go ?
Would you expect Milli Vanilli to show up at an award ceremony for renowned vocalists?
Think about it.