Pope Francis Named Time Person of the Year

[King]

Pope Francis is going to get it

[Eraserhead]

Pope Francis is going to get it

Yep. Pretty safe bet.

[Mr. Morden]

If the Obamacare Supreme Court decision had been made this year (same year as SSM, affirmative action, etc.), then I could also see the case for doing something like John Roberts / Anthony Kennedy as people of the year (they've given it jointly to two people before).  Would make more sense than including Miley Cyrus on the list, for example.

[Tender Branson]

Assad, Obama, Sebelius, Cruz should not be on that list.

It would be better if they put Kerry on that list instead.

[Platypus]

Francis or Snowden.  Probably Francis unless they feel like being edgy.

Precisely.

[morgieb]

Francis or Snowden.  Probably Francis unless they feel like being edgy.

[morgieb]

Also very bizarre that Cyrus got nominated.

[Zanas]

No idea who Windsor is. No idea why Miley Cyrus would be there. Is the person of the year supposed to be the person that was the most talked about in the US this year, or the one that actually had the most influence worldwide this year ?

If the latter, then Assad clearly has a shot (no pun intended), Francis also, and Rouhani as well. The talks presently running between Iran and the rest of the international community are clearly vergging on some breakthroughs.

Snowden has been discussed much, but I don't think he actually had that much influence in the grand course of things. Ted Cruz ? I only know his name.

So it's an Assad, Francis, Rouhani shortlist for me, and I hope they give it to Rouhani to further the imporvement of the situation in Iran.

[Cobbler]

Really, it should either be Pope Francis or Snowden. My vote would be for Snowden, since it started a more mainstream debate over the security state and has more of an impact on the world.

[Foucaulf]

Francis, since I don't think Time is part of the club that knows where Snowden is and can interview him. Even if they can't interview the pope, there's plenty of clergy available.

[Mr. Morden]

It would be better if they put Kerry on that list instead.

Kerry would also be an interesting choice, as he's had a big year as SoS.  Would be funny if people then saw it as an implicit jab at Hillary Clinton, for never having been named PotY while she was Secretary.

[Oswald Acted Alone, You Kook]

Francis, since I don't think Time is part of the club that knows where Snowden is and can interview him. Even if they can't interview the pope, there's plenty of clergy available.

Isn't he in Russia somewhere?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Ones who clearly don't belong:

Bashar Assad, President of Syria (Putin would belong on the list before him)
Jeff Bezos, Amazon Founder (In 2013? What did Amazon do so big now?)
Ted Cruz, Texas Senator (He did nothing but troll and didn't influence actual policy in any way.)
Miley Cyrus, Singer (LOL)
Hassan Rouhani, President of Iran (Also didn't do anything notable, getting elected is slightly notable but isn't going to change foreign policy any)
Edith Windsor, Gay rights activist (Winning that court case was good, but not even the most notable gay rights victory in the past decade.)

The President is always a safe bet, but Obama doesn't stand out as much this year, Sebelius would be a more likely pick for next year after Obamacare is actually rolled out. That leaves either Francis or Snowden. And yeah, it probably goes to Francis.

And really, Putin should've at least made the short list.

[Keystone Phil]

Reports claim Pope Francis has been officially named TIME's Person of the Year.

[Miles]

Reports claim Pope Francis has been officially named TIME's Person of the Year.

[Keystone Phil]

Habemus Person of the Year.

Pope Francis

[Miles]

I'm not sure I like the cover picture:

[7,052,770]

The obvious choice.  I expect Francis to be a nominee for Person of the Century in 87 years, barring an early surprise death or something.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Yeah, the painting falls squarely into uncanny valley territory.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Not a shocker, but Congrats, Phil!

[Lambsbread]

Happy with this choice.

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

Yeah, the painting falls squarely into uncanny valley territory.

Agreed. They should have either gone with a slightly less realistic style or just used a photograph.

[Cobbler]

Should have been Miley. She's a wrecking ball that isn't afraid to take on society.

Also, I feel Elon Musk should have made the list, but I guess it doesn't matter now.

[Lief 🗽]

Disgusting choice. Time will rue the day it snubbed Miley.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]