Platner adjacent question: Why do so many men in public life try to look like Billy Bob Thornton?

[Wounded Bear]

Asking for a friend.

I mean, the scruffy look works well on those neo-retro westerns out there, but in Congress and especially the Senate? Fetterman has already done it and that ain't working out so well.

I know we're not supposed to criticize appearances, but when the appearance and the demeanor match so well in a rather decrepit way, it seems questionable.

[Srkdqltr]

1. I understand. I do think seeing them casually dressed makes them look more approachable. During votes and formal occ

Occasions suits and ties 👔 are best.

[maxsolomon]

2. Like rail thin and dressed in a western snap shirt?

[Wounded Bear]

3. More about the unshaven look with the rowdy hair and beard...

Miami Vice ushered in the two day stubble look. Now we're up to a 4-5 day stubble around an untrimmed beard of some sort, usually some kind of goatee, with hair looking like they've been out in a sand storm.

Throw in the dirty blue collar clothes to fake the 'I'm a working man' bullshit.

Meh.

[walkingman]

11. I have no idea what other people think....for myself, I think there are two possible reasons....

in my case I have been retired for 23 years now....I only shave every 3rd or 4th day...that is all I can stand. It is because I have always hated shaving and I did it every day for decades.

For the second reason, and this is just my suspicion....I think there seems to be a debate about masculinity these days - one group that thinks you should look like a tough guy (kind of like Hegseth) and also a there seems to be a trend in the Texas area of people taking Testosterone. I think it is a fad, but I don't really know, maybe there are clinical reasons?

As far as the hair - my wife a former hairdresser is always commenting on how people wear their hair these days, male and female. She says it looks like they woke up, shook their head, and then went to work? of course that is an exaggeration but styles do change over time. Which brings up another point....tattoos....it seems most people have ink these days. up and down arms, belly, legs, crotch (I think), and rings....ear, mouth, nose, belly button....I'm thinking it is just the style? I see it so ofteh it is just normal these days. I do wonder if it affects their employment or advancement opportunities?

I'm an old hippie from the 60s and have always likes long hair and have nothing against anyone letting their freak flag fly. I feel lucky to have married a hairdresser (48 years ago) so she always did my hair and beard for me. At 75, I am glad to still have hair, and to be here in any form. ☮❤

[Pinback]

4. Sen. Bulworth had the look down

Warren Beatty, 1998 - Bulworth

[BannonsLiver]

5. Beards are in, unfortunately.

I think they’re mostly disgusting and slovenly and I find males sporting Jet black beards are almost always MAGAts or part of the “masculinity is under attack” cult.

[MiHale]

8. I have had a beard for decades...before MAGA was born...

I ran 3 business sporting various amounts of facial hair. Most were sweat filled endeavors. A freshly shaved face with sweat rolling down is very uncomfortable, salt in the wound type of thing. I’d shave for the weekend and be showing that unruly hair through the week as I was working.
My beard is not black…but my brothers is …he is so progressive I think he’d beat out anyone here.
My mom had jet black hair into her 80’s. My dad had brown hair that went white early…thats the color of my beard…white.
What’s all that prove?

[BannonsLiver]

10. Well I wasn't talking about you. 😉

[Ars Longa]

19. Can we do a thread on Womens Looks??

Boy, imagine how that would go over here??!! ha ha

[Wednesdays]

6. Not so much Thornton, but I notice MAGAt men trying hard to look like

Confederate generals.

[Wounded Bear]

7. Speaking of which, Gettysburg is one of my favorite Civil War movies...

largely for the abundance of facial hair.

Actually, it's a fairly accurate rendition of how battles were fought back then. I really appreciate that historical accuracy.

[kairos12]

20. Cast their lot with traitorous losers. You are very right.

[sop]

9. Billy Bob's "look" must be working, the guy was married to Angelina Jolie.

He's a character actor with a distinctive persona who plays a lot of unusual roles, he doesn't always look like Sling Blade or Bad Santa.

Who knows why Fetterman does anything.

[democrank]

12. About the Billy Bobs......Some of the smartest, most capable men I know

wear denim work shirts, flannel shirts, tee shirts. They’re resourceful problem solvers and are just the kind of person folks call on if they need something fixed….or moved….or built. You might notice they have the start of a beard when you run into them around noon at the local Mom & Pop’s, but that’s because they’ve been up and working since 4:30 a.m.

I don’t care if they own a suit or have a goatee. They’re the ones we go to when someone is drowning in the flooded river or when someone’s barn is on fire or when you’re on a back road with a flat tire. In my world, these guys are worth their weight in gold. And….they know how to dress up and look good when it’s called for.

By the way….Trump has several blue suits. He’s still a creep.

[Pinback]

13. I heard an interview with Mike Judge

(the writer/director and actor) in which he talked about encountering some guys like this when he lived in Texas. One time when a tree fell on his fence, a couple of “good ole boys” in the neighborhood came over, unannounced and uninvited, and just cut up the tree, removed it, and fixed the fence. He said the earnest character of Hank Hill was based on guys like that, and he had enormous affection for that kind of people.

Growing up in the Southeast, I’ve encountered many a “salt of the earth” type myself. I had a similar experience to Judge’s when I lived in a rental house where as part of my deal with the landlady I was responsible for upkeep of her yard (she came out ahead on that one!). After a bad storm one cold winter night, a big tree limb fell down in her backyard, and I was out there early the next morning trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do about it. A scruffy-looking guy I didn’t even know just bounded into the yard with a chainsaw, quickly cut the tree limb into manageable segments, and took off before I’d had a chance to even properly thank him.

So, yeah, I don’t buy into the stereotype. Thanks for your post.

[Wounded Bear]

15. Wasn't really talking about people in rural America...

I was talking about people in urban/suburban America trying to look like the guys you're talking about, while operating in business/government. It is usually, in those cases, a put on. Plattner says he's a lobster man or something to do with maritime industry. Is he really, though? I hear somewhere that he's the son of a wealthy businessman.

Obviously, in his case, the people who vetted him dropped the ball, or maybe they had some BS dream that they've found the "Democratic trump," a sloppy dresser with questionable personality traits when it comes to how he treats others, especially women. Well, Dems didn't elect trump and seemingly wouldn't have, though we've had our share of questionable characters.

The scruffy look works for the people you described in rural and small town America. Not so much in national politics for me.

[Pinback]

16. The situation I described was in a densely populated Atlanta neighborhood

but I get your point. You’re unimpressed by posers. Fair enough. Me too.

[democrank]

18. I really appreciated your thoughtful response. Thank you.

Your words about the guy who bounded into your landlady’s yard with a chainsaw made me smile. Many of these good folks don’t hang around for the pats on the back, right?

Thanks again ~

[senseandsensibility]

14. My theory is that it's a way for men to show that they don't even have to care

how they look. They can look like they want and put no effort into it. But the wimmins....now that's another story. More "masculinity" BS.

[Blumancru]

17. Futile attempt to catch the eye of Angelina Jolie?

[luv2fly]

21. Please post your picture so we can comment

In fact, everyone who opts to pick on other people's looks should do the same.

[Wounded Bear]

22. Not running for office, nor do I have a job in corporate America...

but thanks for playing.

[luv2fly]

23. I didn't realize running for office made it okay.

Got it.