How do you feel about that Hillary Clinton laugh?

It was probably just a matter of time. But now it's here just in time.

The Hillary Clinton laughing pen. Or, more accurately, the Hillary Clinton cackling pen.

Brought to you by some clever folks who will send you one in exchange for only $14.95 plus S&H. Perfect for those Hillary fans who think it's a delightful belly laugh showing her good nature and don't want to be without her famous laugh, which usually explodes when she's asked some awkward question. See for yourself here.

Also perfect for those folks who think it sounds like the witch from Hansel and Gretel who want to carry with them a reminder of why they're voting the other way come Tuesday or later. Hear for yourself here.

And the mouth actually moves!

No doubt, next will be a Barack Obama cigarette lighter that says, "I'm fired up!"

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[athy]

I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS CONCERNING SEN. OBAMA’S VOTING RECORD & CHOICE OF BREZINSKI.
PRIMARIES FOR OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, TEXAS, VERMONT TAKE PLACE THIS TUESDAY.People need to know this info before they vote.***************************************************************
“Context of 'October 1997: Brzezinski Highlights the Importance of Central Asia to Achieving World Domination” Cooperative Research History Commons.
Description of book (The Grand Chessboard) written by Z. Brezinski- a policy advisor for Sen. Obama.Historians claim that it was Zbigniew Brzezinski’s misguided actions (during the 1960’s and ‘70’s in Afghanistan/Soviet Union conflict) that led to the present day military strength buildup of Osama Bin Ladin’s –including others- terrorist groups.
In book (see link below) , Brzezinski. wrote that we may soon have to get ourselves into a war with Iran if we want to maintain global primacy.

Why did the politically controversial former advisor to former president Jimmy Carter- Zbigniew Brzezinski -endorse Sen. Obama last summer, for president?

Why did Sen. Obama select Brzezinski to serve as a foreign policy advisor for him?

[dave]

whether or not somone says they're 'all gone up and ready to fire' (or was it 'all fired up and ready to go'?) does not seem to mean anything much.
nor does it if they keep cackling in a hensel-and-gretelesque way or pointing and clapping their hands in gestures reminiscent of certain shakespeare characters...unless perhaps you actually think about it.

[dee]

I think it's sad that all you can focus is on is her laugh. Why don't you do a poll on Barack's name, hair texture, or skin color. That would be racist. But it's okay to be chauvinist. That's the problem with the media, they have been giving Barack a free ride the whole election and picking on the women.

(Do only females laugh? See, that's why you should be reading this blog more regularly. You would have seen the many other aspects of Sen. Clinton that we've written about over these past months. But you just dip in today and draw an overreaching conclusion from one item. You're welcome back anytime.)

[Billy]

I think your guys are very very mean!

[duguyisheng]

To dee's comment: Why is it chauvanist to focus on a laugh? Is laughing a feminine characteristic?

[NinaK]

Who would want to listen to Hillary's horrible cackle? She sounds like a hyena and her behavior is similar to that of a hyena attacking its prey. She is predatory and attacks her oponents ruthlessly. Oh, yes, I asked who would want to hear Hillary's cackle? All those racists, bigots, and liars she seems to draw to her corner. Maybe they can all get together with Hillary have a Hillary cackle party. Sane people within hearing distance would take flight!

[Sally M. Thomas]

As someone blessed with perfect pitch, superior auditory skills, and much experience in recording studios, I KNOW beyond all reasonable doubt that the "cackling sounds" coming from this pen are not authentic recordings of Senator Clinton's laughter. I am willing to stake my considerable reputation on the fact that that the Neocons behind this hellish and defamatory product have used computer audio programs to alter Senator Clinton's laughter in an attempt to hold one of the most respected leaders in the free world up to ridicule. Well, nice try, but the product is a fraud and your efforts to discredit Senator Clinton will come to naught.

[Mark James]

I believe those who are against making fun of or expressing dislike of Hillary Clinton's cackle are right. There are so many other, more important things to dislike about Hillary Clinton. For example, the fact that she cannot control her husband's wandering eyes and hands, but presumes that she can control the most powerful nation in the free world. Or the fact that she despises the military but claims to 'understand' them in her ads and stump speeches. By the way, they despise her in return for the way draft-dodger Bill Clinton's administration gutted our military when they were in office and for her unspeakably rude and callow treatment of military advisors and attachees to the White House. Or we could dislike her for Whitewater, or her banking scandals, or the Travelgate fiasco, or for hectoring Vince Foster till he blew his brains out, or for surrounding herself with smarmy crooks and hangers-on. Or we could dislike her for her socialist views on medical care, and her insand desire to give us the same crappy medical system that is now failing miserably in the UK and Canada. But I especially dislike her for her total inability to ever take the blame for her own mistakes and errors of judgement, and the way she always blames, castigates and separates herself from staffers and longtime friends who take the fall for her screwups. Compared to these and other major character flaws, shady practices, and leadership by poll results, her hideous cackle is of no consequence whatsoever. In fact, if I never hear that cackle again, it will be too soon.

[Melissa Sweeney]

"Cackle?" This sort of blog posting is beneath the dignity of the Los Angeles Times. Mr. Malcolm's attempt at wit is better suited to the Rush Limbaugh program -- or a schoolyard -- than the Times' website. Free speech wonderful, but Mr. Macolm isn't exactly putting his best foot forward journalistically with this puerile blog item. Perhaps Mr. Malcolm should have his blog moderated in the same way readers' comments are. But I suppose petty, personal attacks have currency in election years where domestic and global crises are too hard for some people to face. By the way, Hillary Clinton's laugh is music to my middle-aged ears.

(Well, then, you'll want to buy several. Judging by the sudden volume of readers coming to this item, including you, some find it of interest. And since we're equal opportunity offenders, they'll find lots to get angry about THEIR favorite candidate. )

[NinaK]

think it's sad that all you can focus is on is her laugh. Why don't you do a poll on Barack's name, hair texture, or skin color. That would be racist. But it's okay to be chauvinist. That's the problem with the media, they have been giving Barack a free ride the whole election and picking on the women.

(Do only females laugh? See, that's why you should be reading this blog more regularly. You would have seen the many other aspects of Sen. Clinton that we've written about over these past months. But you just dip in today and draw an overreaching conclusion from one item. You're welcome back anytime.)

Posted by: dee | March 03, 2008 at 11:11 AM
------------------------------------------------------
Dee, what I think is even sadder is your racist, bigoted question about Mr. Obama's heredity! Shame on you and others who think the way you do! Interesting how Hillary seems to draw people of your ilk.

Hillary's cackle is similar to that of a hyena scavanging a carcus. It is ugly and irritating. You ask if women are the only ones that laugh. That's a dumb question. Everybody laughs, with the exception of Hillary. She cackles! Big difference!! The people I know have happy, pleasant laughs and their laugther reaches their eyes, making for sparkly eyes and their laughter is contagious.. Hillary does NOT laugh, she CACKLES. The cackle does NOT reach her eyes. Her eyes remain dull! Hillary's cackle makes people CRINGE! Don't believe me? Watch her!

[E. Gates]

HILLARY CLINTON IS A COMPLETE FAKE. SHE IS A LIER AND SAYS ANYTHING SHE WANTS AS LONG AS IT GETS HER WHERE SHE WANTS TO GO. SHE IS A PERVERT, A KNOWN BI-SEXUAL. SHE IS AN ADULTERER JUST LIKE HER HUSBAND. SHE IS A HATER WITH A FOUL MOUTH AND HAS A VIOLENT TEMPER. WHY IN GOD'S NAME WOULD ANYONE WANT HER TO BE OUR PRESIDENT?????

[Ray]

What does it say that she didn't use every trick-fair or foul (mostly foul) in her repertoire to go after the Bush administration the last 7+ years, but would use Right-wing talking points and fear mongering to attack those who would oppose Bush.

The door has to close on the Bush-Clinton years.

[Billie Snyder]

What possible difference can someone's laugh make. Pick on some of Obama's mannerisims for awhile. I'm sure he has some - Or does he really walk on water the way the media portrays him.

[Kevin P Nichols]

Why is this even a story on the LA Times' Web Site? It is pathetic and outrageous that we are being asked to survey these attributes of Hillary Clinton and not her record or her actions as a leader. Whether you hate her or love her, this is not productive dialogue in the political process. And it is fundamentally irresponsible for the members of the press, or any medium of the press to engage in and to propagate such garbage. If you truly cared about the future of this country, you would be debating over real issues and not how Hillary Clinton laughs, or what she wears, or how she looks on any given day. If she were a man, would we be asking such irrelevant and superficial questions?

(Oh, sure. We're equal opportunity offenders. Judging by the sudden surge in readers, many are interested in this item, even academics. Thanks for taking the time to join the conversation and denounce it.)

[Larry T]

While I think that either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama would make a fine president - light years beyond the Shrub, there is a difference. Once every generation or so a transcendent, although imperfect, leader comes upon the scene who energizes Americans to actually live up to their potential. My parents' generation had FDR. My generation had JFK. That leader for the next step into the future is Obama. With Senator Clinton, every day will be a battle between her and those whom the right-wing have programmed to hate and reject. Her accomplishments will be diminished by the visibility and publicity surrounding that effort. If she stays in the Senate, she will have a more enduring and meaningful legacy than Bill.

Obama can move beyond the partisan conflicts and really move us forward.

[K]

Awwww...

Poor little Hil haters. You just can't stand it. The laugh that was supposed to give you so much mileage in maligning her has become one of her most cherished characteristics. And you can't stand all the love she's getting because of it.

OK, Obamakans, I'm going to assume the hate is coming from the Republican bloggers. Surely you positive, idealistic, feel-good uniters wouldn't be spinning this kind of poison!That would certainly be a SHAME.

Keep on chuckling Hil. We LOVE it!!!

When we say MADAM, you say PRESIDENT. PRESIDENT HILLARY CLINTON.

[Todd Mechler]

Sean Hannity probably summed it up the best when discussing Hillary's decision to start "spontaneously" laughing a few weeks ago.
No doubt her handlers told her she needed to show voters that she had a sense of humor. The sad part was, she had no idea how demonstrate her sense of humor because she had none, so her handlers were forced to train her like a seal. And that's what she sounds like when laughing. She's hoping voters will toss her a sardine on election day. She's a social trainwreck and a political nightmare and hopefully Obama can put her out of her (and our) misery by the time the national elections roll around.
Todd

[Richard P. McDonough]

The Pen? Just thinking about that laugh gives me writer's cramp.
Why is it annoying? Insincere sometimes, mean others. I have been told a million times she is wonderful one on one, and the forced public jollity or authentic meanness is not in play.
Perhaps if she loses the nomination she can go into some nice one on one work that would play to her strengths.

[Iris Sweeney]

I think it is disgraceful, how many people are mocking Hillary Clinton, she is a very intellegent woman and is more than qualified to run our country. I think it is way over due for a woman to be president...... I believe this is just another underhanded way men are manipulating the system yet again to get their way. They don't care who is president as long as it is a man.

[stacey]

Seriously, do you really think a person's laugh has any bearing on whether they would make a good president? The not so subtle sexism going on this campaign and by the media including blogs such as these is completely unacceptable but where is the outrage?

[John axelson]

HILARY! THE GREAT COMPLAINER!

[John axelson]

HILARY: FEEL SORRY FOR ME AND VOTE FOR ME? PLEASE? OR... I'LL RIP YOUR HEAD OFF AND CRUCH YOU!

[John axelson]

hilary: "stop picking on me"... or i'll scream bloody murder!

[Fareed]

"The same that will make you laugh, will make you cry". A phony laugh is the same as a phony cry. Go figure. Barack Obama 08, Change we can believe in.

[Tom J]

Clinton's laugh definitely seems to affect most people like fingernails on a blackboard.

Not only does it sound like the stereotypical version of a witch's cackle, but it's similar in that it appears at inappropriate moments. Clinton doesn't laugh like that when she's talking about her family or friends, only when she's caught in an awkward situation (aka lie). I think that's the real reason people are so turned off by it.

[NinaK]

Athy, how much is Hillary paying you for your services of smear tactics? Why don't you ask Hillary about the Mena, Arkansas, cocaine trafficking; the money laundering of drug money; the many young women Bill drugged and raped? Why don't you ask her about her Futures inside trading, Whitewater, travelgate, Filegate, Monicagate, rental of the Lincoln bedroom for profit? Why don't you ask her about the Chinese donations of a million dollars a year to Bill's library? Why don't you ask her why she discredited an innocent 13 year old girl when she was raped? Why don't you ask her about Vince Foster's murder? Why don't you ask her about all the people who were testifying against Bill in the cocaine trafficking, who were murdered or died due to mysterious accidents. Why don't you ask her why these murders were ruled as suicides by the state coroner, a buddy of Bill's and Hillary's? Why don't you ask why she is not returning or donating the $!170,000K dontated to her campaign by a company and it's CEO and supervisors who have been chared with sexual harrassment and sexual abuse of its female employees? Why don't you ask her about all the other dirty money she has accepted from shady and criminal characters? Why don't you ask her why she chose to tarnish the reputation of the 100+ young women Bill sexually exploited? And on and on. Why don't you ask Hillary why she's lived a life of lies, distorations, and coverups?

[robinia]

I wonder if she would exert the same laughter when one talks about the freesome threesome known as Flowers-Clinton-Lewinsky?

[youthvote]

Why aren't there 'toys' mocking Obama? How about his obnoxious preachy voice, or his long bony finger shaking at people, or his big ears that stick out?

It's a sexist world and it's been a pathetic sexist double standard race.

It's ok to call Clinton a witch, but dare to call Obama anything and the cries of racism would be deafening.

As for voices, we cannot watch Chris Matthews due to his grating horrible voice, Rush Limbaugh's voice gives us a headache. They are both old, wrinkly, unattractive. Yet, no one criticizes them for these things.

[No More Double Standards]

Shame on you, LA Times for publishing this nonsense.

Look at how outraged the Obama followers get when one even makes the point that Obama isn't criticized for his name and skin color. They are so kneejerk outraged at the point even being made, imagine how they'd be if it were really mocked in the media,

Then this person (Nina K?) goes on to characterize Clinton's laugh and refers to it as cackling. What a hypocrite. These are clear witch references as well. Sexist.

Stop the double standard. Can't say anything about Obama, but Clinton is fair game on anything?

Women make your voice heard - this is not acceptable.

Shame on you, LA Times, for these stunts to boost readership. Are you that desperate to increase circulation>

[WitchHazel]

Dude. That is sickness.

I want a tickle-me-Anderson doll, but I'm really afraid what would happen if that got into the wrong hands.

[Beth]

I prefer Hillary's laugh to Obama's teleprompter poetry.

[robinia]

The Hillary Clinton laughing pen? Is that the follow-up from the toy company that gave us- the Bill Clinton talking cigars?

[Steve Glenn]

Regardless of what you think about Hillary Clinton, you have to admit the pen is a pretty funny idea. It seems like Lani Davis would be smart to throw up a quick trademark application for Hillary's cackle and then ask a judge for an injuction so they can pull all the pens out of Walmart before the November elections. I did find the pen on youtube. Pretty scary.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS6cxr6X7Vk

[Martin Thomas]

Hey people, let's relax here. There's way too much angst being self generated over a smeasly plastic novelty item.
It's just a laughing pen we're talking about, right?
This isnt' a Britney Spears custody battle.
Hillary Clinton will someday learn she who lives
by the inappropriate guffaw dies by the
inappropriate guffaw.

[Curtis]

I dont understand what the big deal is. Hillary's always had a hearty laugh. I love it!

GO HILLARY!

Angelenos for Hillary for President!