Almost a science fiction reference

[ianrandalstrock]

Listening to President Obama's news conference right now. He teased me, a moment ago, with what was almost a science fiction reference.

The topic is health care reform, and he started the point by saying "If we have a red pill and a blue pill," and I was waiting for a reference to The Matrix's "show you the truth or let you continue living the lie

Comments

[kitteridge]

I wonder if because he realized red and blue are often used to reference states, not just pills, and it was becoming partisan?

[ianrandalstrock]

Well, if you're not going to use black and white to denote diametrically opposite positions, and red and green sounds kinda Christmasy, I suppose red and blue are therefore naturally opposite colors (especially when your next line is to say they're identical but for the color). And yeah, the speechwriter probably did get the Matrix reference.

Almost a science fiction reference - Obama's Speech

[ext_195060]

The reference to red pill and the blue pill not only could be considered the red and blue states, but also a movie reference. The hero in the movie must decide whether to cut the red wire or blue wire. If he cuts the wrong wire, BOOM! He's blown to pieces! Another fictional item(s) in Obama's speech was how many times he blamed the Bush administration for the economy; as if he didn't bail out auto companies and waste taxpayer's money as if it's a bottomless pit full of money.