The situation-room photo

[Lantern]

I am sure most of you have seen this photo (http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/jeffreygoldberg/assets_c/2011/05/sitroom%20photo-thumb-600x400-49711.jpg)which is likely to become one of the most famous in US history. The first thing that strikes you is how marginal Obama looks sitting over by the side. I think it reveals a lot of self-confidence on his part that this photo was released. He knows he is in charge and therefore doesn't have to show he in charge every single moment. The faces are equally interesting. There is a wide range of expressions but Obama's face looks different from the rest. He looks almost scarily intense and focused. It's the face of a person not to be messed with and someone who is utterly ruthless when he has to be.

[KneadToKnow]

I'm struck by how small that room seems.

[Leaffan]

I'm struck by the fact that you basically plagiarized Jeffrey Goldberg's accompanying article (http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/05/a-revealing-photo/238284/).

[Lantern]

Um not really. I read his post but the same thought had occurred to me when I saw the photo. It's hardly that original. David Brooks said exactly the same thing in the Times and I am sure many other people have too.

[Simplicio]

Yea, I was mainly struck by the fact that our half-trillion a year military industrial complex is apparently run out of an unremarkable conference room the size of a walk-in-closet.

I mean, I didn't expect it to be like the movies where theres a cavernous room with hundreds of computer stations and big 3D displays of the globe on the wall, but you think they could at least spring for some extra chairs.

[Marley23]

I agree it's a fascinating image. Based on some other threads on this site, though, I have to point out that they're not in the actual situation room, and despite the look on some of their faces, they are not actually watching the raid. The CIA director did have a live video feed and I assume he's describing it to them here. And I don't think any of them are thinking about the camera- it's almost a surprise the photographer is. There's a lot of tension in that room.

[Omar Little]

If you have had the opportunity to ever visit the West Wing of the White House, you would quickly realize it's really not that big. Pretty standard office digs.

[needscoffee]

Is that John Lithgow standing behind the chair in the blue shirt?

[lisacurl]

I'm struck by those oversized government-issue notebook computers.

[cmyk]

Is that John Lithgow standing behind the chair in the blue shirt?

It is, and he's... GORGEOUS!!!
Any Third Rock fans here?

[Simplicio]

I agree it's a fascinating image. Based on some other threads on this site, though, I have to point out that they're not in the actual situation room, and despite the look on some of their faces, they are not actually watching the raid. The CIA director did have a live video feed and I assume he's describing it to them here. And I don't think any of them are thinking about the camera- it's almost a surprise the photographer is. There's a lot of tension in that room.

According to the white house (http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/may-2011-photo-day), it is the situation room. The link also gives a "who's who" if your curious (John Lithgow is apparently playing National Security Advisor Tom Donilon).

They're apparently getting "an update" on the mission. Don't know if its from a video or live, but your right that it probably isn't a live feed.

[cmyk]

I'm struck that Hillary's yawning at a time like this!

Any guess as to what that printed image is on her laptop? It looks like it's been pixelated. I know I've seen a higher-resolution image of this photo a day or two ago. Agree that it's a striking photo.

[tumbleddown]

I'm struck that Hillary's yawning at a time like this!
She's not. Look again. Her mouth is pretty clearly closed.

[cmyk]

She's not. Look again. Her mouth is pretty clearly closed.

(whooosh) ;)

[Sierra Indigo]

I'm struck that Hillary's yawning at a time like this!


To me it looks more like a look of potential shock (are they seeing footage of the actual firefight?), but even if it's not, I know that in times of huge stress I tend to yawn a hell of a lot. Not sure why, but it happens.

[cmyk]

To me it looks more like a look of potential shock (are they seeing footage of the actual firefight?), but even if it's not, I know that in times of huge stress I tend to yawn a hell of a lot. Not sure why, but it happens.

Whooosh again? Sorry my sarcasm rarely translates well on the net. I thought it pretty clear that she was covering her mouth in shock/incredulity.

[KneadToKnow]

Any guess as to what that printed image is on her laptop?

The very first time I saw this image, the caption made a point of saying that it had been altered to blur out something classified. I took it to mean that part of the image.

[Cat Whisperer]

It's okay, cmyk - I get you (and chuckled out loud). :)

Would anyone care to speculate on what the picture is on the papers on Ms. Clinton's laptop? That...colour blob.

ETA: But apparently my other reading skills are sub-par. :(

[Sierra Indigo]

Whooosh again? Sorry my sarcasm rarely translates well on the net. I thought it pretty clear that she was covering her mouth in shock/incredulity.

Heh, not your fault. My sarcasm meter is broken at this time of the morning. Also, as I said, I tend to yawn in stressful situations so I could see how someone would be confused by someone yawning (or appearing to) in a very tense situation :D

[Bosstone]

I am sure most of you have seen this photo (http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/jeffreygoldberg/assets_c/2011/05/sitroom%20photo-thumb-600x400-49711.jpg)which is likely to become one of the most famous in US history.Well, a famous photo, certainly. There's no question it's going to show up in history books.

[Rhythmdvl]

The first thing that strikes you is how marginal Obama looks sitting over by the side. That's because he's Photoshopped in--don't you read blogs (http://boardstest.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=607127)?

[etv78]

Is there a "outline" pic where they ID the people in the picture?

[Ximenean]

Would anyone care to speculate on what the picture is on the papers on Ms. Clinton's laptop? That...colour blob.
Goatse? Maybe it was the first time she'd seen it.

[KneadToKnow]

Is there a "outline" pic where they ID the people in the picture?

Post 11 has a link you can follow to the pic with a list of those shown, but I haven't seen an "outline" key like the one I think you're describing.

[etv78]

Post 11 has a link you can follow to the pic with a list of those shown, but I haven't seen an "outline" key like the one I think you're describing.

What I meant by outline: A tracing of each person, with a # inside them, and a key at the bottom w/names. (You're probably thinking of this)

[Lakai]

And I don't think any of them are thinking about the camera- it's almost a surprise the photographer is. There's a lot of tension in that room.

The White House photographer is always there taking pictures. I would be surprised if anyone is ever conscious of him, especially since the White House has full control over what he can release.


I did not notice the stark contrast between Obama and everyone else before. Everyone has the same look of apprehension on their faces - except Obama. It's a good thing he's the one making all the decisions.

[Simplicio]

The White House photographer is always there taking pictures. I would be surprised if anyone is ever conscious of him, especially since the White House has full control over what he can release.

Have other whitehouses had dedicated photographers that just followed the Prez around snapping pictures? I'm not sure its the greatest use of public money, but flipping through the galleries I linked to above, its pretty cool.

[Peremensoe]

It is the Situation Room, it's just less than half the room visible in that shot.

[fiddlesticks]

There are lots of more detailed Sit Room pictures on the White House Flickr photostream, and they look different, more like what you'd expect the room to look like.

Like this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680161629/in/photostream).

Either the photo in question is everyone squeezed into a corner of the room or it is a different room, the Situation Closet. :)

The obscured photo near Clinton is a high-rez picture (and likely annotated) of Obama's hideout, I'm almost certain, either from a drone or satellite.

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

It is the Situation Room, it's just less than half the room visible in that shot.

No, it isn't. I've seen the real Sit Room on the NBC series The West Wing, and it's gigantic, and slightly darker than the Batcave, with very high-tech monitors on the walls and--well, it's just scary-looking, is all. What a pussy fake that photo is!!! They expect us to believe this weak shit?

[pseudotriton ruber ruber]

The obscured photo near Clinton is a high-rez picture (and likely annotated) of Obama's hideout, I'm almost certain, either from a drone or satellite.

Does he have a little treehouse in back of the White House or something?

[fiddlesticks]

Does he have a little treehouse in back of the White House or something?

D'oh, I pulled a Fox News. ;)

[pulykamell]

Have other whitehouses had dedicated photographers that just followed the Prez around snapping pictures? I'm not sure its the greatest use of public money, but flipping through the galleries I linked to above, its pretty cool.

Yes. In fact, Pete Souza was Reagan's White House photographer from 83 onward, too.

[rocking chair]

yes, there is always a photographer hanging around getting "historic" shots.

sometimes it is a good thing, but it would get on my nerves quite a bit.

[BlackKnight]

"Everyone was focused on General Webb's epic pwning of some newbs when, to Hillary's horror, the Playstation Network went down."

[Tom Tildrum]

I did not notice the stark contrast between Obama and everyone else before. Everyone has the same look of apprehension on their faces - except Obama. It's a good thing he's the one making all the decisions.

:confused:

Everyone in that picture has the same look on their faces as the president.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

No. Everybody else looks anxious and nervous. Obama looks dialed in, intensely focused, and resolved. I noticed that contrast on sunday night when the picture was released, and basically said the same thing as the OP.

[Farmer Jane]

Remember when people used paper maps (http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/situation-room.htm)?

Actually, I'm surprised no one has captioned Joe Biden. It looks like he has gas.

[Lantern]

Different people seem to interpret the faces differently which makes the photo even more fascinating. Like I said David Brooks (http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/category/the-conversation/) also made the same point about how the releasing the photo showed Obama's self-confidence. However his read of the faces is different from mine. He says:
On a human level I’m struck by the varied emotions etched on people’s faces. I can read nothing on Bob Gates’s face or even Joe Biden’s, whereas Obama, Denis McDonough and John Brennan look tense. Hilary Clinton’s face is the most riveting, a mixture of anxiety, dread and concern. I suspect most people will relate to her expression.

I had a careful look at the photo again and I really don't see tension in Obama's face: just complete and all-consuming focus.

[Lantern]

Remember when people used paper maps (http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/west-wing/situation-room.htm)?
Nice link. So basically there is more than one room and this was the smaller room. And I love the photos at the bottom with white tablecloths, flowers and breakfast. If you have to take decisions that could potentially destroy the world, you might as well do it in style.

[Koxinga]

I know I'm a minority of one here, but I think it was an incredible mistake for the White House to release that photo, much more so than OBL's death photo would have been. Obama will always have Secret Service protection, of course, but if I were any other government functionary pictured in that room, I'd be pretty nervous especially if my job required me to travel internationally.

Edit: hope I'm wrong, of course.

[Colophon]

The obscured photo near Clinton is a high-rez picture (and likely annotated) of Obama's hideout, I'm almost certain, either from a drone or satellite.
Or a pizza menu.

[Mops]

...
I had a careful look at the photo again and I really don't see tension in Obama's face: just complete and all-consuming focus.

That's because the picture was 'shopped before release. This (http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-210618-galleryV9-mqtk.jpg) is the original photograph.

[rocking chair]

No. Everybody else looks anxious and nervous. Obama looks dialed in, intensely focused, and resolved. I noticed that contrast on sunday night when the picture was released, and basically said the same thing as the OP.

it is unusual to see pres. obama looking intense, he does have that calm, laid back hawaii style.

his intense look may have only been seen by basketball opponents, now we have all seen it.

[Cat Whisperer]

That's because the picture was 'shopped before release. This (http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-210618-galleryV9-mqtk.jpg) is the original photograph.
Okay, I'm still chuckling over that. :D

So, what, is Hillary aghast at having her high score erased?

[cmyk]

That's because the picture was 'shopped before release. This (http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-210618-galleryV9-mqtk.jpg) is the original photograph.

It's new military technology, the Navy SEALS all have implants, essentially creating a live action version of Call of Duty.

Okay, I'm still chuckling over that. :D

So, what, is Hillary aghast at having her high score erased?

No, it's just that Obama is way better at FPSs. She just can't stand losing to him... I blame the 2008 Primaries.

[Marley23]

CNN has an entire article about the photo now. (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/05/05/iconic.photo/index.html?hpt=C1) It repeatedly veers into overanalysis but it makes some interesting points. One is that if you didn't already know Obama was president, you wouldn't pick it up from the photo- on top of whatever assumptions you might make about what a U.S. president looks like or what his posture might look like, Obama is also not front and center in any particular way.

And for the historical record, Sec. Clinton says she was trying to cover up a cough. Like a lot of people I thought she looked horrified.

[Hypno-Toad]

That's because the picture was 'shopped before release. This (http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-210618-galleryV9-mqtk.jpg) is the original photograph.

Yeah, got a laugh out of me on that one.

[Marley23]

The other interesting thing about the photo is that you can see what a Rorschach test it is for people. I said in another post that Obama looked "grim," and I'm sure my reading of his expression and Clinton's say plenty much about my view of the killing.

[Capitaine Zombie]

She's not. Look again. Her mouth is pretty clearly closed.

Would explain a lot about Bill Clinton's past behaviour.

[Euphonious Polemic]

Nice link. So basically there is more than one room and this was the smaller room. And I love the photos at the bottom with white tablecloths, flowers and breakfast. If you have to take decisions that could potentially destroy the world, you might as well do it in style.

I like the picture of one of the "privacy telephone booths". I guess the old cone of silence (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_of_Silence) kept screwing up.

[ryobserver]

It's worth viewing the photo at full size, if your computer can handle it (big file):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680724572/sizes/o/in/photostream/
At high resolution the "blurred" photo in front of Clinton is obviously pixelated, whatever it is. But what's really striking is the emotion you can see on the faces that simply isn't visible at smaller scales, where you can't discern facial lines, tight jaw muscles and such. Obama and Clinton in particular look a hell of a lot more worried than they have since let on.

[chacoguy]

[R. Lee Ermey] Lemme see your war face [\RLE]

[bucketybuck]

I find Obamas position interesting in the photo.

Its almost as if he has pulled up a chair, keeping quiet and just watching from the sidelines as the important guys around the table do their jobs. He is off to the side, sitting on a spare chair dragged in from the next room. No laptop for him, he is just a spectator at this point.

But to me this position doesnt say "shrinking violet", more that he is self-confident enough, and secure enough in himself to step back and let his staff do their jobs. No posturing, he has made the calls now he is letting the rest of the team go to work. I would imagine his staff appreciate that.

[fiddlesticks]

It's interesting that the obscured document is easier to make sense of in the medium and large versions of the photo vs. the "original" size. I'm guessing there is some sort of information theory thing about data compression and such going on there.

The obscured document is sitting on top of a non-obscured document, a picture of the compound that doesn't look too different than what you can get from Google...so my guess it is a higher-resolution view of the compound, as I said upthread (unless, that's what they want us to think! /cue dramatic music).

[Invisible Chimp]

Everybody's face is interesting, but Clinton and Obama, the two most famous people in the room, have the most memorable expressions as well. I know it's his job, but while everybody else is focused on the front of the room, the photographer turned away from what was obviously so captivating. If I was the photographer, I would have been distracted by whatever it was the others were listening or watching and missed this historic moment.

[gardentraveler]

Pete Souza is very good at capturing moments like those in this picture. If you haven't run through the White House flickr photo stream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/)lately, you should. Interesting to note that the 9 photos in the May photo set are well on their way to 800,000 views already, while April photos haven't even made it to 200,000 and March photos are under 70,000.

[Voyager]

Two interesting things I read in the Times. First, they canceled White House tours that day so that no tourists would run into top national security people going down the hall on Sunday. Two, a staffer made a CostCo run to get snacks and soda. They listed what he got, but I forget. Maybe they didn't want the White House cooks to know?

[Rilchiam]

I find Obamas position interesting in the photo.

Its almost as if he has pulled up a chair, keeping quiet and just watching from the sidelines as the important guys around the table do their jobs. He is off to the side, sitting on a spare chair dragged in from the next room. No laptop for him, he is just a spectator at this point.

But to me this position doesnt say "shrinking violet", more that he is self-confident enough, and secure enough in himself to step back and let his staff do their jobs. No posturing, he has made the calls now he is letting the rest of the team go to work. I would imagine his staff appreciate that.

Like a director watching his actors act, while knowing that his crew has done and will keep doing their thing.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

I find this photo fascinating, but I wonder why there is just one. Are more forthcoming?


mmm

[Jolly Roger]

Yea, I was mainly struck by the fact that our half-trillion a year military industrial complex is apparently run out of an unremarkable conference room the size of a walk-in-closet.

I mean, I didn't expect it to be like the movies where theres a cavernous room with hundreds of computer stations and big 3D displays of the globe on the wall, but you think they could at least spring for some extra chairs.

That'd be the Army operations Center in the Pentagon. It is fuckin' huge, like the movies. (I've been in it, but that was 15 years ago.)

[Hazle Weatherfield]

What's Ray Romano doing there? Seriously, I saw this photo earlier and it was part of a series in which various well-known people had been "inserted." It was pretty clever and I'll see if I can find it again.

[Taomist]

I just see the guy with all the chest decoration and think it's kind of sad that he has to prove who he is with all the decoration, rather than just be known as being good at <whatever he does>. I know, I know, it's military, blah blah blah. Why not just a suit and tie? Hell, why not just a polo shirt and khakis? It's not as if they're on parade.

[Jolly Roger]

I just see the guy with all the chest decoration and think it's kind of sad that he has to prove who he is with all the decoration, rather than just be known as being good at <whatever he does>. I know, I know, it's military, blah blah blah. Why not just a suit and tie? Hell, why not just a polo shirt and khakis? It's not as if they're on parade.

Because thats the uniform. Under the jacket he may or may not have on those ribbons on his shirt. (He can , but its not required. On the shirt I believe all thats required is your nametag and rank insignia, however individual commands can have different requirements.)

I wear my recruiter badge on my ACUs. I hated recruiting with a white hot hatred hotter than the sun. But I wear the badge and its not rquired. I also wear my c0ombat patch on my right shoulder. Its not required, but I put it on anyway. Why? Because I went through it, the hell of recruiting, the shittiness of combat. Ribbons are earned...and if you earn them, why not wear them?

Unless Air Force regs are drastically different, they are a part of his uniform. (Believe me, its no fun putting 'em on, though. I'm going through that right now, as my uniforms...including my class a's and dress blues...were destroyed in the tornado in Fayettevill 3 weeks ago...and I've got to get new ones and put 'em together again....and theres a certain order they have to be in (http://www.armyawards.com/awards.shtml).)

[RandMcnally]

Unless Air Force regs are drastically different, they are a part of his uniform. (Believe me, its no fun putting 'em on, though. I'm going through that right now, as my uniforms...including my class a's and dress blues...were destroyed in the tornado in Fayettevill 3 weeks ago...and I've got to get new ones and put 'em together again....and theres a certain order they have to be in (http://www.armyawards.com/awards.shtml).)

Yup, with the Air Force you're not allowed to leave your ribbons off.

[Northern Piper]

in the other branches, can you leave the ribbons off?

[Arrendajo]

There are lots of more detailed Sit Room pictures on the White House Flickr photostream, and they look different, more like what you'd expect the room to look like.

Like this one (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680161629/in/photostream).

Either the photo in question is everyone squeezed into a corner of the room or it is a different room, the Situation Closet. :)

The obscured photo near Clinton is a high-rez picture (and likely annotated) of Obama's hideout, I'm almost certain, either from a drone or satellite.

What the hell is Obama wearing in this shot? It looks like a cape or something. It reminds me of a hermit crab that chose a shell to big for its skinny little body.

[fiddlesticks]

What the hell is Obama wearing in this shot? It looks like a cape or something. It reminds me of a hermit crab that chose a shell to big for its skinny little body.

It's a windbreaker over a golf shirt. Obama had gone golfing earlier in the day. Since he's hunched over, its all kind of bunched up on him.

[Infovore]

Is it just me, or do parts of that photo have kind of a 'Shopped look to them? Particularly the folks standing behind the guy in the blue tie. They don't quite look like they fit in with the rest of the photo--it's like they're different degrees of sharp and blurry, even when they're roughly the same distance from the camera.

No conspiracy theory here--I'm sure it's not. But it still kind of looks like it is.

[pulykamell]

Is it just me, or do parts of that photo have kind of a 'Shopped look to them? Particularly the folks standing behind the guy in the blue tie. They don't quite look like they fit in with the rest of the photo--it's like they're different degrees of sharp and blurry, even when they're roughly the same distance from the camera.

No conspiracy theory here--I'm sure it's not. But it still kind of looks like it is.

I can sort of see what you're trying to convey here, but the full-rez shot on Flickr looks exactly like what you'd expect. Pete Souza's plane of focus in on Hillary Clinton, and everything else gets gradually blurrier as you go farther and farther back (or even moreso closer to the camera). Obama's not even tack sharp. Nothing looks Photoshopped with the full resolution photo, except for the pixillation about whatever is in front of Hillary Clinton.

[Capitaine Zombie]

What the hell is Obama wearing in this shot? It looks like a cape or something. It reminds me of a hermit crab that chose a shell to big for its skinny little body.

It's a superhero cape. Obama always insist on wearing it when he is in the situation room. He says it's good for morale.

[j666]

Isn't the perspective in that photo off? Isn't the depth compressed?

[Northern Piper]

=Arrendajo]
What the hell is Obama wearing in this shot? It looks like a cape or something. It reminds me of a hermit crab that chose a shell to big for its skinny little body.It's a superhero cape. Obama always insist on wearing it when he is in the situation room. He says it's good for morale.

Here's a better perspective on it:
Obama's cape (http://www.baynews9.com/static/news2011/obama-situation-room-0501_rdax_676x451.jpg).

[jtgain]

I know one thing. If I become Prez, I get to sit in the nice chair at the table and the general with the fruit salad can damned well sit on the fold-out chair. I'm not the CiC so I can sit at the kids table.

[(mostly) Harmless]

The first thing I thought when I saw this pic was: "Man, Obama looks PISSED about something!"
The next thing was that Biden looks mildly uninterested. Like he's thinking about an unfinished sudoku puzzle that is waiting back on his desk.
Clinton looks shocked and mortified.

John Lithgow looks good - as usual.

[cmyk]

Is it just me, or do parts of that photo have kind of a 'Shopped look to them? Particularly the folks standing behind the guy in the blue tie. They don't quite look like they fit in with the rest of the photo--it's like they're different degrees of sharp and blurry, even when they're roughly the same distance from the camera.

No conspiracy theory here--I'm sure it's not. But it still kind of looks like it is.

I'm not really seeing any inconsistencies in the focus, but perhaps these factors are contributing to the odd sense you're picking up:

2) The drastic/uneven light change from the table to the door. There's a harsh overhead light right above the dude in blue peeking around the guy in from of him, which makes him seem like he was composited in from another shot.

1) The wide camera lens intensifying the parallax.

3) some other third thing.

[Green Eyed Stranger]

This picture has fascinated me since I first saw it (clearly I'm not the only one). One thing about it is that the full size original on the flickr stream contains the EXIF data. If the photographer has the clock set right (this (http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/5680161629/sizes/o/in/photostream/) seems to indicate that he has - 20:03 Washington time is 2:03 Tripoli time), and I'm converting the time right, then 16:05 Washington is just after 1:00 am Abbottabad time, when the twitter guy started tweeting. So, the looks on the faces could be in response to the start of the raid, or quite possibly being informed that they're going to lose (or have lost) one of the helicopters.

Another thing I noticed with the full sized picture is that the papers on Biden's computer looks like a picture of the compound, with a red line coming from the south east. I thought that might have warranted redaction too.

Like I said, fascinating stuff.

[appleciders]

Frankly, I'm impressed that Pete Souza was allowed to be in the room, given how Top Secret the whole thing was. I suspect that he wasn't told what the stakes were on this mission until he was in the room, with the door shut, and possibly not even until after the whole shebang was over. Souza just might have taken the picture without knowing who the target of the strike was.

[Annie]

Another thing I noticed with the full sized picture is that the papers on Biden's computer looks like a picture of the compound, with a red line coming from the south east. I thought that might have warranted redaction too.



Or Hilary's binder: TOP SECRET CODE WORD NORFO (looks like 'Norfolk' with the last 2 letters fuzzed out a bit). Maybe there's a shot of the wireless router with the password written on a piece of tape somewhere :cool:

[Ruby]

I don't know anything about this website The Daily Beast (http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2878/1/) but this series of pictures was very interesting.

[rowrrbazzle]

Before I start, this is only about the photo, not what was really going on, which none of us know about.

I did not notice the stark contrast between Obama and everyone else before. Everyone has the same look of apprehension on their faces - except Obama. It's a good thing he's the one making all the decisions.He looks afraid to me, just like the rest.

But to me this position doesnt say "shrinking violet", more that he is self-confident enough, and secure enough in himself to step back and let his staff do their jobs. No posturing, he has made the calls now he is letting the rest of the team go to work. I would imagine his staff appreciate that.Of course there's no posturing there. He saved that for his speech, where he used "I" or other first person singular references 15 times.“Tonight, I can report . . . And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta . . . I was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden . . . I met repeatedly with my national security team . . . I determined that we had enough intelligence to take action. . . . Today, at my direction . . . I’ve made clear . . . Over the years, I’ve repeatedly made clear . . . Tonight, I called President Zardari . . . and my team has also spoken. . .These efforts weigh on me every time I, as Commander-in-Chief . . . Finally, let me say to the families . . . I know that it has, at times, frayed. . . .”I'm sure his staff appreciated that.

Contrast that with Bush's speech about the capture of Saddam where he used "I" only 4 times and in a completely different context: I have a message for the Iraqi people: You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again...

Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate 'em...

I also have a message for all Americans: The capture of Saddam Hussein does not mean the end of violence in Iraq... Our security is assured by our perseverance and by our sure belief in the success of liberty. And the United States of America will not relent until this war is won.

Sorry, his facial expression and hunched-over position don't say anything about intensity or confidence to me. It's saying, "I'm apprehensive and very unsure" which is not unreasonable. IMO saying he was focused or something else is just spin. And as noted, Hillary said she was probably covering a cough, so there's one data point of how people have read something into the photo that wasn't there.

[Rilchiam]

Or Hilary's binder: TOP SECRET CODE WORD NORFO (looks like 'Norfolk' with the last 2 letters fuzzed out a bit). Maybe there's a shot of the wireless router with the password written on a piece of tape somewhere :cool:

NOFORN. Not for Release to Foreign Nationals. Third photo in Ruby's link.

[voltaire]

Here's a better perspective on it:
Obama's cape (http://www.baynews9.com/static/news2011/obama-situation-room-0501_rdax_676x451.jpg).

It looks like he's wearing a trench-coat and he just opened it up to flash everybody. Some people are pretending not to notice, but others seem transfixed.

[pulykamell]

Isn't the perspective in that photo off? Isn't the depth compressed?

How so? Looks fine to me. It's a photo taken with a 35mm lens at f/3.5 on a full-frame camera. Nothing looks out of the ordinary to me about the perspective.

[FairyChatMom]

in the other branches, can you leave the ribbons off?Uniform regulations from all branches of the service specify when you do and don't wear ribbons or medals. Uniform of the day is always prescribed, and whether you're the newest recruit or the most senior officer, you dress accordingly.

In general, medals are worn only in the most formal of occasions. Neither ribbons nor medals are worn on working uniforms. I seem to recall that there are times when you don't have to wear every single ribbon if you don't want to, but I've been off active duty for almost 30 years, and I know uniforms have changed in that time.

In any event, the various devices on uniforms aren't just accessories or bits of flair - they have significance and there are regulations covering when and how they are worn. The uniforms themselves are also required most of the time when on duty. It's not an affectation - it's part of being in the service.

[Ruby]

<snip>Sorry, his facial expression and hunched-over position don't say anything about intensity or confidence to me. It's saying, "I'm apprehensive and very unsure" which is not unreasonable. IMO saying he was focused or something else is just spin. And as noted, Hillary said she was probably covering a cough, so there's one data point of how people have read something into the photo that wasn't there.Politics aside, I agree with this. His hunched over, small frame stuck back in the corner doesn't say, "I'm strong and in charge here."

[Capitaine Zombie]

Politics aside, I agree with this. His hunched over, small frame stuck back in the corner doesn't say, "I'm strong and in charge here."

Projecting an image of weakness and low resolve is the first thing they teach you in ninja schools. Remember that Obama was trained in Asia in his youth, just like Batman.

[Invisible Chimp]

Someone (not me) made this awesome picture slightly awesomer (http://i.imgur.com/VWuwQ.jpg). Did somebody something about a cape?

[pulykamell]

Someone (not me) made this awesome picture slightly awesomer (http://i.imgur.com/VWuwQ.jpg). Did somebody something about a cape?

Something about Joe Biden as The Flash is cracking me the fuck up....

[UncleRojelio]

Speaking of Photoshop. Apparently Hillary Clinton is considered so sexy by Hasidics (http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thecutline/20110509/ts_yblog_thecutline/wheres-hillary-hasidic-paper-breaks-the-rules-by-editing-her-out-of-white-house-photo) that they removed her from the photo to prevent incitement to commit various violations of the vice act.

[SpazCat]

(Believe me, its no fun putting 'em on, though. I'm going through that right now, as my uniforms...including my class a's and dress blues...were destroyed in the tornado in Fayettevill 3 weeks ago...and I've got to get new ones and put 'em together again....and theres a certain order they have to be in (http://www.armyawards.com/awards.shtml).)

I'm sure it's hell getting your dress uniform jacket cleaned--especially for high-ranking generals. I wouldn't take those ribbons off any more than I absolutely had to.

[Kozmik]

Politics aside, I agree with this. His hunched over, small frame stuck back in the corner doesn't say, "I'm strong and in charge here."No, it says, "All of you know who I am." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6zu8D05ECY)

[mlees]

Hillary's cup has the Presidential seal on it, so we know who was really in charge!

[mlees]

Jeez. General Webb's ribbons make for a bullet resistant shirts.

Just for fun, the ribbons on the one star General (Webb), seated center, from our left to right, top to bottom: (I can't make out the bronze tokens in the ribbons. Some will be for additional awards of the same medal.)

Row 1
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star

Row 2
Defense Meritorious Service
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal

Row 3
Aerial Achievement Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal

Row 4
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Air Force Gallant Unit Citation

Row 5
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Combat Readiness Medal

Row 6
Air Force Recognition Ribbon (?)
National Defense Service Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal

Row 7
Iraq Campaign Medal
*** Dunno ***
*** Dunno ***
Armed Forces Service Medal

Row 8
Humanitarian Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Row 9
Air Force Training Ribbon
*** Dunno ***
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Can someone fact-check my work, and provide the medals I missed?

[Kozmik]

Without knowing the background of the photograph, I'd say, General Webb was giving the President a PowerPoint presentation in the White House, important WH officials (Biden, Carney, Clinton, Gates) are sitting at the conference table, lesser WH officials are standing in the conference room door entrance trying to find out what's happening, and the President is in the corner - apart-between-beyond, isolated, yet, at the same time, very much present in the room.

[Baal Houtham]

Isn't the perspective in that photo off? Isn't the depth compressed?

As pulykamell mentioned, the camera info attached to the photo says a 35mm lens on a full frame digital camera. Some people say that a 35mm gives a field of view similar to normal human eye sight. Other people call it a mild wide angle lens. Lenses can't be accurately compared to human sight because we only have a tiny central area of visual acuity, surrounded by a hemisphere of fuzz (that's still useful for detecting motion or obstacles around us ).

That's all a peripheral though: the white haired guys on the left and right do seem a bit distorted.

Is it just me, or do parts of that photo have kind of a 'Shopped look to them? Particularly the folks standing behind the guy in the blue tie. They don't quite look like they fit in with the rest of the photo--it's like they're different degrees of sharp and blurry, even when they're roughly the same distance from the camera.


It's probably contrast making some people look sharper. The guy with thick hair (in front of the woman) has a light giving his head deep shadows and bright highlights. It makes him look sharper than the three guys to his right whose face are in vague shade. Actually though, the full size photo shows a subtle pattern on the blue shirt of the guy with folded arms. He's sharp enough, but is poorly lit.

[Leaper]

That's because the picture was 'shopped before release. This (http://www.spiegel.de/images/image-210618-galleryV9-mqtk.jpg) is the original photograph.

? I just got a page with a 1 pixel by 1 pixel image.

Or is that a function of my having scripts turned off by default?


Of course there's no posturing there. He saved that for his speech, where he used "I" or other first person singular references 15 times.I'm sure his staff appreciated that.

Contrast that with Bush's speech about the capture of Saddam where he used "I" only 4 times and in a completely different context:

Double ?

[sleestak]

The White House photographer is always there taking pictures. I would be surprised if anyone is ever conscious of him, especially since the White House has full control over what he can release.


I did not notice the stark contrast between Obama and everyone else before. Everyone has the same look of apprehension on their faces - except Obama. It's a good thing he's the one making all the decisions.

Odd, the first time I saw that pic I thought Obama looked scared shitless and tense as hell.

Of course, given the situation tense is understandable.

Note, I think Obama made a damned good decision and respect the hell out of him for it.

Slee

[Marley23]

Of course there's no posturing there. He saved that for his speech, where he used "I" or other first person singular references 15 times.
"President Obama, you're going to stay for detention and diagram every sentence in your speech!"
"Aww..."

[mlees]

Without knowing the background of the photograph, I'd say, General Webb was giving the President a PowerPoint presentation in the White House, important WH officials (Biden, Carney, Clinton, Gates) are sitting at the conference table, lesser WH officials are standing in the conference room door entrance trying to find out what's happening, and the President is in the corner - apart-between-beyond, isolated, yet, at the same time, very much present in the room.

Why give the Vice President a seat at the table, and access to a lap top, but not the President?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I assume he was sitting wherever the hell he wanted, and the whole room is his laptop.

[mlees]

I assume he was sitting wherever the hell he wanted, and the whole room is his laptop.

I am positive that if the President asked to have a seat at the table, someone would move. (Biden and Clinton direct their stares at Gates, who moves. :P )

What I eventually concluded was that the President came in last. The seats at the table had already been taken (I see Biden, Webb, Clinton, Gates), and Obama might have said "No no, stay where you are. I'll take this one."

But my first impulse (of the scene with Biden/Clinton/Gates) was to question why they would need lap top access, but the Prez does not.

[Peremensoe]

I don't think anyone there needs the laptop except Webb. I imagine he and the others seated were monitoring the operation for some time. Obama came in and grabbed a seat when somebody said, "Mr. President, we're almost there." Word got around that shit was about to go down, and the rest (those standing) crowded in to watch.

[Dangerosa]

I am positive that if the President asked to have a seat at the table, someone would move. (Biden and Clinton direct their stares at Gates, who moves. :P )

What I eventually concluded was that the President came in last. The seats at the table had already been taken (I see Biden, Webb, Clinton, Gates), and Obama might have said "No no, stay where you are. I'll take this one."

But my first impulse (of the scene with Biden/Clinton/Gates) was to question why they would need lap top access, but the Prez does not.

Because really Biden is the power behind the throne. Like Cheney was......

[mlees]

Woops! I missed naming Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough as being at the table (but with no laptop). (He's the dude between Webb and Clinton.)

If you read the Dope, please accept my apologies.

[mlees]

FYI, all of the faces in the photo have names attached to them in this web article:

http://hypervocal.com/news/2011/photos-national-security-team-in-white-house-situation-room/

Edit: Sorry. I see this has been covered in post #11. :smack:

[Kozmik]

What I eventually concluded was that the President came in last. The seats at the table had already been taken (I see Biden, Webb, Clinton, Gates), and Obama might have said "No no, stay where you are. I'll take this one."Which explains why The Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff and The White House Chief of Staff are standing.

[Lakai]

Was anyone sitting on the other side of the room? Was the photographer just lucky that all the famous people decided to stand or sit on one side of the room?

[lisacurl]

They all appear to be looking at a screen.

[Kozmik]

They all appear to be looking at a screen.Except General Webb.