Spin-off to Time Mag/Man of the Year thread...

Keeping in mind that this is the criteria:

TIME's choices for Person of the Year are often controversial. Editors are asked to choose the person or thing that had the greatest impact on the news, for good or ill—guidelines that leave them no choice but to select a newsworthy—not necessarily praiseworthy—cover subject.

I would still have picked our President.

ETA: I'd like to know why people think he doesn't fit that criteria, whether you like him or not.

i would say it should have been a threeway tie

bush/kerry/michael moore

for obvious reasons

Being in the media industry I'd say either Janet Jackson's (her Boob at least) or Howard Stern ... they both set the stage for a lot of debate and front page news over the past 11 months.

They have made companies rethink their policies and have made companies change the way they do business. The have made the FCC & government get waaaay too involved in policy setting ... UGH, I could go on

does it have to be a living person?

i say Laci Peterson.

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Posted by MrsTC

does it have to be a living person?

i say Laci Peterson.

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really? why?

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Posted by Jan05Bride

Being in the media industry I'd say either Janet Jackson's (her Boob at least) or Howard Stern ... they both set the stage for a lot of debate and front page news over the past 11 months.

They have made companies rethink their policies and have made companies change the way they do business. The have made the FCC & government get waaaay too involved in policy setting ... UGH, I could go on

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This is a great answer, and I totally agree

Not only Howard Stern's battle with the FCC, but all that has transpired in corporate America as a result of what happened at the SuperBowl is , to me, really one of the huge stories of the year.

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Posted by BMD'sPeanut

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Posted by MrsTC

does it have to be a living person?

i say Laci Peterson.

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really? why?

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significant impact on the news.

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Posted by eogara

Keeping in mind that this is the criteria:

TIME's choices for Person of the Year are often controversial. Editors are asked to choose the person or thing that had the greatest impact on the news, for good or ill—guidelines that leave them no choice but to select a newsworthy—not necessarily praiseworthy—cover subject.

I would still have picked our President.

ETA: I'd like to know why people think he doesn't fit that criteria, whether you like him or not.

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I posted this in your other post, but I'll put it here also.

I think that the reasons that they picked Bush are actually Rove's doing. I think that to say that Bush has changed the face of our political system is short sighted. Rove was the mastermind behind Bush's reelection. Cheny would have been my second choice ,if you were going with the political angle, because I believe that Cheny is the power behind this Presidency.

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Posted by eogara

Keeping in mind that this is the criteria:

TIME's choices for Person of the Year are often controversial. Editors are asked to choose the person or thing that had the greatest impact on the news, for good or ill—guidelines that leave them no choice but to select a newsworthy—not necessarily praiseworthy—cover subject.

I would still have picked our President.

ETA: I'd like to know why people think he doesn't fit that criteria, whether you like him or not.

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Yes -he's newsworthy - but 'greatest impact' also means (to me) a positive thing - as certainly the title 'Person of the Year' does - that, IMO, is definitely a positive term.
IMO there are too many people in this country, and around the the workd, who are unhappy with Bush and decisions that he has made and that's why TIME naming him Person of the Year is an insult too many - especially since so many people did NOT cast their vote for him as their President. JMO!

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Posted by BMD'sPeanut

Hitler was named Man of the Year once...I don't think they necessarily choose a person who represents a positive significance.

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That's obvious - but the point that I was making is that a lot of people think of that title as a positive title and that's why they are insulted by it. Think of different companies and organizations - 'Employee of the Year,' 'teacher of the year', etc. - we all think of this as a positive 'honorary' title.
I can tell you that if I was around when Hitler was named Man of the Year that would have been the last time that I supported TIME in any way, shape, or form!!