Obama’s 'Jedi mind meld' reference ridiculed by sci-fi fans
By S.A. MILLER Post Correspondent
Last Updated: 8:36 AM, March 2, 2013
Posted: 1:31 AM, March 2, 2013
WASHINGTON — Now that’s illogical.
President Obama yesterday outraged nerds everywhere when he committed sci-fi heresy by mixing up “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” in remarks about budget cuts.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Obama joked that he couldn’t use a “Jedi mind meld” to get Republicans to agree to his budget plan.
“I know that this has been some of the conventional wisdom that’s been floating around Washington, that somehow, even though most people agree that I’m being reasonable . . . the fact that [Republicans] don’t take it means that I should somehow do a Jedi mind meld with these folks and convince them to do what’s right,” the president said.
Obama — a professed Trekkie — was conflating the “Jedi mind tricks” of “Star Wars” with the “Vulcan mind meld” of “Star Trek” lore.
The blunder set off a frenzy of ridicule across the Twitterverse.
“Obama just confused Star Trek and Star Wars by saying Jedi Mind Meld. I think it’s time to impeach,” tweeted one “Darth Vader” parody account, @DepressedDarth.
“Earth to Obama: Mind-melds are not about control, they are for greater understanding. Your desire to dictate is the prob,” tweeted Texas business owner Geary Hughes, a k a @TheNetGear.
The White House quickly maneuvered to turn the sci-fi slip-up to his advantage.
“We must bring balance to the Force. #Sequester #JediMindMeld,” it tweeted.
The tweet linked to a photograph of a Jedi-esque Obama reaching out, either mind-trick or mind-meld style.
Above it, a caption read, “These cuts aren’t the solutions Americans are looking for,” a play on an Obi-wan Kenobi line.
Below was the line, “To deny the facts would be illogical,” a reference to Mr. Spock.
smiller@nypost.com
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