Maybe someone from Canada can explain what it is about Stephen Harper that brings this out in Bieber. Also, too: this.
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Elizabelle
You made me laugh.
Isn’t Justin Bieber what you would get if you turned a puppy human? Does he remind tweens and young teens of the dolls and stuffed animals they recently left behind?
burnspbesq
I’d say that’s an appropriate level of respect for Harper.
Liverpool looking good so far, but have nothing to show for it.
Chelsea – Man City is like Steelers -Cowboys. You root for the earth to open and swallow both teams.
the Conster
That’s Stephen Harper? I thought it was Darrell Hammond with a wig. What it is it with conservatives and hair helmets?
NonyNony
@Elizabelle:
Oh man – is THAT why I feel so bad when people pick on this kid?
Seriously – I’ve never felt particularly bad at the sniping that celebrities get. I get annoyed at people who pick on kid celelbs, but Bieber is clearly making his own decisions. And yet it still seems like the amount of shit people pile on the kid is just mean – like kicking a puppy come to think of it…
dr. bloor
@the Conster:
If Mittster is any indication, they like to keep the cover to the hard drive and CPU well-hidden.
Linda Featheringill
Barack Obama is a superstar. People are honored to meet him. Folks might love that fact or hate it but they can’t make it go away.
If you don’t believe me, ask Romney’s grandson who was so determined to meet the President. :-)
red dog
What is a Bieber and why is it of any importance?
Schlemizel
I assume the picture with the PM was taken at the Sadie Hawkins day dance, nothing else explains the costume that kid is wearing.
Amir Khalid
One doesn’t wear overalls and ballcap to meet the PM unless it’s unavoidable, as Bieber’s handlers must know. So I’m guessing Bieber is dressed like that because he’s either been performing or is about to perform. And that it’s Harper’s suit that’s somewhat out of place. The pic wouldn’t look so bad if Harper were in something more casual.
Michael Bersin
Ah, yes, old school “grip and grin” photos.
@NonyNony:
Or clubbing a baby harp seal.
Maude
Bieber is in a performance costume. It is put together just so and not a wrinkle out of place.
Baud
Obama’s an elitist.
SATSQ
Warren Terra
I assume no offense to Harper was meant, that this was taken with Bieber in his (lamentable) stage costume, before or after he performed.
Still, from what Canadian news I follow (mostly the CBC’s As It Happens) the Harper government is truly awful, especially on issues of the environment and transparency/good-government/corruption.
Schlemizel
@Michael Bersin:
Sorry but that picture of him makes me want to club a baby seal. Repeatedly. If I could club the baby seal with Mr. Bieber that would be even better.
The problem is not the kids ‘art’ the problem is not the kids oh too cute face; the problem is the entire appearance is too contrived, too set-dressed, shop-window-dummy-made-up-too-clever crap than no human would ever wear. These ‘pre-fab four’ type clothes rack appear in every generation and once past 12 they all make me slightly ill to look at.
ruemara
I’m fairly certain the Biebs was in his hippetyhop costume. That being said, let’s be honest, wouldn’t you dress up more for Obama vs Harper?
Robert
Bieber was not in costume. This is what he chose to wear to receive the Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canadian society and culture.
Schlemizel
@ruemara:
No, I think the leader of any nation should be met with something a bit more formal than a clown costume. But not knowing the background story its hard to guess if he dressed like this knowing there would be a formal picture (the flags make it seem like a more formal occasion) or if he just got dragged into this.
dr. bloor
@ruemara: He looks more like he’s been spending time in the basement with his model trains.
hep kitty
Those clothes, first panel, are just awful. His typical style of dress is horribly unimaginative and ugly. He looks emaciated also. Is that really him?
I don’t think it’s presentable to a bag lady much less a PM.
He needs to be fed and sequestered from the public for a while.
hep kitty
In the future, all music stars will begin as youtube sensations and the real musicians of the world will be backing them up. There is no justice in the world.
(His outfits burn my retina)
Schlemizel
@Robert:
Aw man, now I want to club every baby seal in the northern hemisphere using Mr. B and his entire management team.
All that is missing in that picture is a red nose and a seltzer bottle
ruemara
@Robert: Now that, is super disappointing. I hoped it was a post-performance shot. And yes, the hat/overalls/tshirt combo is simply goofy and disrespectful.
PurpleGirl
Who are the people in the Obama picture in the second set? I don’t recognize them.
Maude
@hep kitty:
You’re right. Another unknown has more hits on youtube now than Beiber.
Amir Khalid
@burnspbesq:
Swansea-Liverpool looks like finishing nil-nil. Next transfer window, LFC (and the Fenway Sports Group) need to quit thinking about arbitrary notions of “value for money” and go for strikers and defenders who can help Liverpool win.
double nickel
@burnspbesq: Bingo.
PsiFighter37
@Robert: I think that says a lot about Bieber and his handlers, not as much about Harper (even if he’s a douchebag).
That said, goddamn does Beyonce look good in that picture with Jay-Z and the president.
the Conster
@PurpleGirl:
Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z. You need to get out more.
burnspbesq
@Amir Khalid:
In fairness to both sides, the weather and field conditions weren’t exactly conducive to attractive football.
Amir Khalid
@Robert:
Someone gave Justin Bieber a medal for his contribution to Canadian society and culture?
Schlemizel
@Amir Khalid:
Yes and they are now serving snow cones in Hades.
That meteor just can’t get here soon enough. I’d like to blame it on my old age but, seriously? There have been a few ‘life time achievement’ awards recently for kids in their 30’s. I forget the most egregious examples right now.
Alex S.
Oh wow! That Obama guy met JUSTIN FUCKING BIEBER??
NonyNony
@Robert:
Wait – they gave Justin Bieber a medal for contributions to Candian society and culture? Who decided to do that? That’s the person who deserves a good kicking.
And honestly? If they want to give the kid an award for his contributions to society and culture then the costume he’s wearing there is note perfect to underscore just what is going on.
PeakVT
@Amir Khalid: I wouldn’t think that Bieber deserved much more than a case of Labatt’s for his contributions to Canadian society, but they’re a bit odd up there.
hep kitty
I am soooo old. I can’t imagine finding this attractive. However, if finding this sort of thing appealing = being young, I guess I’m finally ready to be old.
Felonius Monk
As Red Dog said:
Or something like that.Suffern Ace
@burnspbesq: But maybe the weather and field conditions were perfect for some crop planting, and given Bieber’s choice of clothes, expect him to air drop in shortly for some major sod busting.
hep kitty
WARNING:
This picture could induce compulsive eye-stabbing.
hep kitty
Crusty old bitch asks, how long are we going to do the hip-hip, gangsta thing with the clothes?
Isn’t it a bit dated, like about 15 years? Can we move forward? So it’s supposed to be the latest thing just because a 13 yr old with spaghetti arms wears it?
Or something like that.Suffern Ace
@hep kitty: Nope. But to be posive about it, at least with the overalls, those extra droopy drawers won’t fall down.
hep kitty
@Or something like that.Suffern Ace: Normally, a skinny white kid in overalls is supposed to look like a complete dork. But if you have one strap off, it morphs into something cool, somehow. Did I mention I’m old?
Villago Delenda Est
OK, so next up, is Justin Bieber going to get a knighthood? I mean, he’s at least made as many contributions to Canadian culture as Sir Paul or Sir Mick have made to British culture, amirite?
PurpleGirl
@NonyNony:
I bet that the selection process for that Canadian award is similar to the one for the Kennedy Center Honors…..
From Wikipedia:
Selection process
Each year the Kennedy Center’s national artists committee and past honorees present recommendations for proposed Honorees to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The selection process is kept secret, though “certain criteria seem apparent: a mix of artistic disciplines, the inclusion of men and women, minority recognition.”
Wolfdaughter
I had a different reaction than the rest of you.
First, let me say that I feel kinda sorry for Bieber. He’s been so over-hyped in his young life, and all too soon he’ll be just another pretty face in the entertainment industry unless he has far more talent than is apparent on the surface. And the contrast for him will be painful.
But I looked at those two photos and what I saw is Harper with this constrained rictus of a smile, looking like he needs to find a bathroom real quick, and the de rigueur hand shake. No warmth, no feeling.
Whereas Obama is genuinely and warmly smiling, and in addition to the hand shake, is touching Bieber on the arm. I saw warmth and star power in Obama, and cardboard with Harper.
Maybe I’m wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time.
the Conster
@Wolfdaughter:
Obama has daughters in the Bieb’s demo, and probably knows every word to his songs. Harper looks like he’s in a hostage video.
PurpleGirl
@Wolfdaughter: Also, Harper probably doesn’t have young daughters at home to whom he can be kewl now that he’s shaken Beiber’s hand. I’ll bet Obama went home and the girls giggled over Daddy’s shaking hands with Bieber and he’s now kewler than he was a few hours earlier.
Maybe not but possible. No insult ment to the Obama girls, just recognition that they are American teenagers.
redshirt
So those pearls are a permanent part of the costume? Sweet.
Get off my cloud!
Anya
@Amir Khalid: Maybe Bieber was mocking that?
Still, I think people should respect the office the person holds. I hope someone took Bieber aside and put some sense into him.
Patricia Kayden
Beyonce looks gorgeous in that photo.
Have to laugh at all the Bieber hatred. I don’t know any of his songs, but he seems like a decent enough kid. I expect that in a couple of years, teenagers will be asking, “Justin who?”
My niece was crazy about Miley Cyrus a couple of years ago — absolutely obsessed. I gather now that Miley has grown up, my niece has moved on to other teen idols.
C’est la vie.
Citizen_X
@NonyNony:
This falls under the secret directive every Canadian receives: to subvert and destroy American society and culture. So Justin Bieber is doing an outstanding job. MUWAHAHA HA HA HA! Best since Celine Dion!
Robert
I really hoped it was a performance costume. I’m finding no record of a large ceremony ala the Kennedy Center Honors where he would have performed. These honors normally go to philanthropists and outstanding citizen volunteers, though celebrities with a large enough profile earn them, as well.
For example, Margaret Atwood was awarded the same medal as Justin Bieber this year for her contributions to Canadian culture. No word yet on whether or not she also dressed like a Dexys Midnight Runners cover band member.
Now the real slap in the face of the awards is that this is a special edition version of medal. It’s the Diamond Jubilee medal because of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.
Anya
@the Conster: @PurpleGirl: According to Wikipedia, Maila Obama is half a year older than Harper’s daughter.
master c
I love this kid. He has done pretty well for himself, and I saw him on an interview where someone asked him if he wanted to become an American and he said NO! and something about America being evil….and healthcare.
Bill Murray
with a little different hat (or worn right way around) and some stubble, Bieber could be a young Ed Gein
PurpleGirl
@Anya: Oh well, I thought Harper was older and I didn’t check to see if he had teenage kids.
Villago Delenda Est
@PurpleGirl:
Harper certainly looks older than Obama.
Ecks
@Amir Khalid: disagree. Am enjoying the scousers slide into obscurity immensely.
@Alex S.: lol. Give this person an Internet for their contribution to BJ culture. Someone get a black back cloth and a few tall flags stat. Alex, go prep your best faux-hayseed outfit stat.
Amir Khalid
@Ecks:
Eee! You horrible person, you!
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
@Wolfdaughter:
So the Bieb ends up another Frankie Avalon or David Cassidy- the difference being a childhood income about a thousand times greater. He’ll be able to hire an army of therapists and he’ll still live a long life of leisure.
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
@Amir Khalid:
Sign me up to that list. Mwuuhahahahahaha….
ETA: I do feel bad for Stevie G., though. But that’s it.
Jamey
Maybe Biebs drove a CN train to Ottawa.
Nerull
He’s an 18 year old that owns a 10000 sq.ft. mansion. A kid he isn’t, even if he pretends to be.
But then, many punk bands made a career out of being 16 forever. It’s just a little weirder when you’re a sex idol for 12 year olds.
Ash Can
Being the parent of an almost-teen boy who breaks out in hives at the sight of Justin Bieber and who has many girls in his class who react in quite the opposite fashion, I say who the fuck cares? Let the kids (including Bieber) have their fun. If the arts council in Bieber’s native country want to give him awards, it’s not his fault. And why should he give a crap if none of us old farts like his music and we all thInk hIs clothes are hIlarIous? We’re not his audience, and he’s doing just dandy without us. Granted, if I had a squealy daughter who played his junk constantly, I might feel differently. Or I’d just get her some headphones and chill out.
Brachiator
@Elizabelle:
One of the local tv stations ran an episode of The Partridge Family over the weekend. Makes me wonder how many snarky mature women (and men, for that matter) used to squeal with delight over David Cassidy.
@Villago Delenda Est:
Shit, I remember when the Beatles and the Stones were considered to be a felonious assault on the foundations of Western Civilization.
And the Beatles were especially mocked by “real music” fans because young girls squealed, yelled and hollered over them. And especially over Paul, the cute Beatle.
Bieber may be a flash in the pan. Or he may last long enough to become respectable. Meanwhile if he is making his fans happy and upsetting old farts and fartresses, he is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing.
Cassidy
GET OFF MY LAWN! I LISTEN TO TOM WAITS AND BANDS FROM THE 70’S AND HAVE BETTER TASTE!
I did I wrap it up right? You guys are a hoot.
pseudonymous in nc
@Villago Delenda Est:
Canada doesn’t do knighthoods any more; companion of the Order of Canada is as high as it gets these days. (Wayne Gretzky is one, and you know they’d make him Lord Grand Panjandram if they could.)
SiubhanDuinne
@PurpleGirl:
@the Conster:
I didn’t know who they were, either, PG.
Amir Khalid
Nobody considers the Biebster an existential threat to civilisation, Western or elsewhere, the way Elvis and the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were. That war was comprehensively won half a century ago — if only because the rock generation became the Establishment in their turn. There’s been plenty of empty and shallow music in every generation; Bieb’s just another pop star of the moment, who’s getting mocked for that.
redshirt
I love the idea of “Menudo”. It’s like Xerxes’ “Immortals”. 5 teenage crooners who never die, never age. They’re simply replaced at age 18 or when there’s a PR problem.
The Boy Band Eternal.
Suffern ACE
@Amir Khalid: while we like to say stuff about “children are our future” and other blather, we have never beeb particularly fond of the music choices if young girls. Cooties and all that.
Cassidy
Hey guys, just remember he’s being advised by Usher. He’s not going anywhere.
Mnemosyne
@Brachiator:
I, for one, never squealed over David Cassidy.
LD50
Actually, Bieber’s getup in the first pic instantly made me think of Hee Haw. He would have fit right in.
Suffern ACE
@Mnemosyne: with each generation, they actually get more talented. Even solja boy tellum had more raw talent than sean.
The Ancient Randonneur
Bieber lost the 5th grade girls when he broke up with Selena Gomez. At least my two 5th grade girls have told me this. My girls, and all of the other girls in their class put Bieber on the uncool list. He’s a has been.
different-church-lady
Maybe someone from Canada can explain what the hell this Bieber thing is.
Suffern ACE
@LD50: Junior Samples meet Junior Autotune.
Suffern ACE
@different-church-lady: I don’t think Canadians need to explain. The nexus if preteen superstardom runs through Ellen Degeneres and she’s from Louisiana, if I remember right. Have a viral YouTube hit, get in Ellen, become a phenomena. That’s got nothing to do with Canada.
redshirt
Canada punches way above her weight when it comes to exporting horrible musicians to America.
Just One More Canuck
The diamond jubilee medal was created to commemorate the Queen’s 60th anniversary, and Harper has been using it for give to his political acolytes (Canadian Taxpayers Foundation, a bunch of Conservative Party hacks and REAL Women, an anti-gay group that used to have a director whose husband was in the KKK). Giving Justin Bieber this award is far from the worst person to get this award.
Suffern ACE
@Just One More Canuck: it is possible that Justin may be one of the best things going on in Canada at the moment?
PurpleGirl
Via TalkLeft:
It’s official. You Tube says Psy’s “Gangnam Style” is the most-watched video of all time — 812 million views as of Saturday night. Pretty incredible considering it’s only been up four months. … (Justin Beiber is second with 804 million views for Baby ft. Ludacris, which has been out almost two years.)
ETA: Just thought people might be interested in this tidbit of trivia.
SRW1
@burnspbesq:
Chelsea – Man City is like Steelers -Cowboys. You root for the earth to open and swallow both teams.
Amen.
Judas Escargot, Bringer of Loaves and Fish Sandwiches
@red dog:
It’s sort of like a “John Tesh”.
Except younger, Canadian, and somewhat more likely to be wearing a silly hat.
Interrobang
The Biebs looks delighted to meet Harper, which I don’t find surprising considering that he’s a right-wing little snot. Some of the shit he’s said in the press up here would just curl your hair.
Just One More Canuck
@Suffern ACE: Well, we do have better beer
double nickel
The “Beebs” knows it’s always best to wear overalls when standing next to a pile of manure
Brachiator
@Amir Khalid:
No, but a lot of old farts with faulty memories see Bieber as some kind of special offense to some phony vision of the purity of pop music. Some of these people are 2 mp3s away from the folkie morons who screamed “Judas” at Bob Dylan when he went electric. And they are as bad as their parents.
@Mnemosyne:
Hah! Point taken.
spoonman
Harper is what passes for a right wing asshole politician in Canada. Since Canada is left leaning our right wing assholes are only slightly further right than someone like Obama. However, Obama is not a pompous asshole like Harper who is sort of like a Rmoney type of person who likes to fire people.
HobbesAI
From the description of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
“During the year of celebrations, 60000 deserving Canadians will be recognized.”
It may not be as difficult to receive this award as some here have imagined.
Brachiator
@redshirt:
Horrible musicians like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Oscar Peterson, or various members of The Band?
I think that Canada is on the plus side of the ledger.
But you were just snarking, eh?
BTW, I wonder how many American born musicians ever moved to Canada.
MacKenna
BJuice, I could KISS you for this.
Dear Leader Harper is the equivalent of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan combined. Only the village idiots of our nation defend him.
a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)
@Brachiator: Jesse Winchester comes to mind, though he came back.
Comrade Mary
Hey, guys! I just found this awesome new thing called The Google!
OMG the new “hobbies and emotional response” chip is doing A-OK in its beta testing. We’ll have the populace believing not just that Steve Harper loves cats! And singing Beatles songs! And meeting Justin Bieber! But they will also believe that …
Now I`m looking for the news story about Bieber’s meeting with Obama where they discussed their mutual love of n-dimensional chess.
handy
@Comrade Mary:
That’s how you get it done.
Suffern ACE
@HobbesAI: Jeebus. The award is about as hard to get as a first day cover of a postage stamp. Do you get one after eating seven sandwiches at Tim Hirtons?
PurpleGirl
@Comrade Mary: LOLed. You would think that here at BJ most of the commentariat would know how to use the Google.
(I, OTOH, was just lazy this morning.)
Irving
The Bieb seems fully aware of what his place in the media world is; I’ve seen him mock his own image a few times. I suspect he’ll be another Vanilla Ice someday (the man flips mansions for a very tidy profit these days.)
Mnemosyne
@Comrade Mary:
But we can still make fun of the hat, right? Because the best thing you can say about it is that it makes Bieber look pretty fly … for a white guy.
Mnemosyne
Here’s the other thing the Biebs reminds me of.
So, yeah, I’ve got no leg to stand on here when it comes to making fun of his fans. The best I can say is that I was never into groups like Backstreet Boys because I was beyond the target age when they were popular.
burnspbesq
@Brachiator:
Jesse Winchester,but not to advance his musical career.
Comrade Mary
@Brachiator:
Off the top of my head:
Oh Susanna / Suzie Ungerleider (OK, she was raised here)
Neko Case
Win Butler
Comrade Mary
Grr. Link limits. Re Brachiator on American born musicians moving to Canada: I can think of at least three.
@Brachiator:
Off the top of my head:
Oh Susanna / Suzie Ungerleider (OK, she was raised here)
Neko Case
Win Butler
Comrade Mary
Grr. Moderated due to too many links.
Re “How many American musicians moved to Canada?”.
Off the top of my head:
Oh Susanna / Suzie Ungerleider (OK, she was raised here)
Neko Case
Win Butler
master c
@Interrobang: disagree.
redshirt
Why would any American move to Canada?
Mnemosyne (iPhone)
@redshirt:
Healthcare and gay marriage are my first two guesses. Plus everyone seems very polite when I see them on teevee.
rea
@Mnemosyne: Here’s the other thing the Biebs reminds me of.
How we could, back in the day, look at that picture and not realize those two were sleeping together is now beyond me.
West of the Rockies (formerly Frank W.)
This is the second Bieber thread in about a week’s time… How about a Selena Gomez thread next time (along with pretty pictures, please).
Mnemosyne
@rea:
Actually, they weren’t — believe it or not, Andrew Ridgeley is very, very straight and has been with one of the Bananarama girls (Keren?) for almost 20 years.
On the other hand, Boy George and Jon Moss of Culture Club were sleeping together, and George even said that he stayed in the band way too long because he was trying to keep the relationship together.
RedKitten
All that I know is that the very idea of Justin Bieber receiving the same award as Margaret Freaking Atwood? It makes my brain explode, and not in a happy way.
We really DO have good musicians here, I’m serious (Arcade Fire? Yukon Blonde? Rufus Wainwright? Heck, Leonard Cohen makes up for 1000 Biebers, really). They just don’t tend to reach the same level of ubiquity as the bad ones.
PanurgeATL
@rea:
Speak for yourself. My gaydar went into full overdrive the first time I saw a photo of them.
Ramalama
I thought they were two different lesbians meeting the heads of state and that maybe this post was contrasting how gay friendly Obama looked.
Yutsano
@RedKitten: Why no love for Sarah McLachlan? Is it because she’s from BC?
Quaker in a Basement
I’ll have to wait for a complete analysis from Investor’s Business Daily before I can tell whether or not the Beebs is dissing Obummer.
different-church-lady
@Brachiator: *cough*Heart*cough*
Ramalama
@Brachiator: Also too Feist, kd lang, Martha Wainwright, Kathleen Edwards, Diana Krall, Ron Sexsmith.
So many good Canadian musicians despite their pipsqueak population – about 35 million peeps in population and the USA maybe 300 million?
youtube.com/watch?v=tNJzRKUk_VE
youtube.com/watch?v=cYF0qU5WSew
canuckistani
I am so hearing the voices of my parents sneering at the glam rockers I listened to in the mid 1970’s. They dressed badly too, by the standards of people who liked it when the Beatles wore suits and ties.
Let the kids have their crazy pop stars.
Paul in KY
@Schlemizel: I think that is Canadian casual, ay.
Mnemosyne
@Ramalama:
Lots more time to practice during those harsh Canadian winters. Kind of like how the Russians produced great novelists who wrote really, really long books.