# Are You "Obamaed-Out"? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 11, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795 "2009-01-11T13:08:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/61 "2009-01-12T01:24:58Z")
> [@Captain\_Carrot](#): > > Nitpick: oldest at first inauguration. Reagan was 73 in 1984, and McCain is 72. And at least Bush (the First) was ready to become president, had anything happened to Reagan. I am not a fan of his, but he WAS capable, experienced, and at least intelligent, unlike Palin (and his son, for that matter). ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/62 "2009-01-12T01:47:31Z")
> [@smiling\_bandit](#): > > She was perfectly fine as a _Vice_ President who _might_ become _President_ some day. Wow. You’re actually stupider than Palin. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/63 "2009-01-12T02:11:14Z")
I thought this was going to be a thread about being sick of listening to people gripe and moan about the President before he’s even, well, President. Or being tired, on the other hand, of people who can’t stop squealing with the delight of a thousand crazed teenage Twilight fangirls. Much as I love my local movie theater and their special events like free showings of Lost and Longhorn games, I cringed a bit today when I saw the painfully self-congratulatory announcement that they would be holding one for the Inauguration, too. I mean, I’d probably go if I wasn’t at work, but it just seemed… I don’t know. And I voted for him in the primaries and the general election! Then there was the absolutely charming fellow I encountered Tuesday night. A bunch of people had gathered for our usual weekly thing, maybe forty or fifty people all told, and one guy came ambling in apologizing for being late – “but I had to go get gas. Can you believe it? Two weeks before he’s in office and the gas prices are going right back up. But everyone thinks they’re soooo smart. You know he’s not even really black?” I regret to admit I did not have the intestinal fortitude to say anything other than “I… have to go talk to someone. Over there.” and hurry off, accompanied by a friend of mine. I’m semi-liberal, he’s libertarian. “I’m _so_ sorry,” he said. Obama wasn’t his guy, but he knew how I’d voted. “Of all the things he could dislike the guy for,” I muttered, “it’s that? Really?” Ugh. The loyal opposition my Aunt Nellie’s sagging tit, for the most part. They do exist, but they mostly spend their time actually paying attention to current events and following their consciences. Others just put the lie to their own convictions with this claptrap. I could have laid money on how soon it would be before the first person who’d said “At least have some respect for the position of President” followed up with “But not for that terrorist bastard Obama”, except the duration of time cannot be measured with even our best instruments. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/64 "2009-01-12T02:36:00Z")
\*\*Originally Posted by pkbites \*\* _I posted a cite showing that he’s bailing on a pledge he made._ > [@Q.E.D](#): > > Sorry, but no, you didn’t. Yes, yes I did. 1. Obama pledged he would close Gitmo during his first 100 days 2. He has come out stating he did not expect to honor that pledge 3. I provided a cite reporting this. [Heres another.](http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24900407-5013948,00.html) Part of his pledge includes the time frame he pledged to do it in. > [@Liberal](#): > > Not every aspiration voiced during a campaign is a pledge. Every article I’ve read about it refers to his first 100 days promise to close it refers to it as a pledge. > [@Liberal](#): > > bash a man who hasn’t even been inaugurated yet. Which is far less nefarious than an elected official that announces he’s breaking a campaign promise even before he’s inaugurated! > [@Liberal](#): > > It is just amazing to me that the racists, bigots, and contrarians are already crawling out of the woodwork. \*\* AND HERE WE GO, FOLKS!!!\*\* Get ready for 4 years of this horseshit! The moment you disagree with, or point out anything even remotely negative about Obama the only defense will be to caste you as a racist and a bigot!:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/65 "2009-01-12T03:14:48Z")
Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t assume you’re a racist or a bigot. **I just think you’re kind of an asshole.** ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/66 "2009-01-12T03:17:19Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Well, for what it’s worth, I don’t assume you’re a racist or a bigot. I just think you’re kind of an asshole. That’s the best response you can come up with? Wow. What an intellect you must have. If you people get this upset over someone who points out that Obama is already backing out of pledges he made, how your blood must be boiling at him for already starting to break them. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/67 "2009-01-12T03:18:38Z")
But hey, I have REALLY BIG FONT!!! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/68 "2009-01-12T03:23:48Z")
Well, you have to be kind of an asshole to call it “breaking” or “backing out of” a pledge, rather than “amending” it. To be sure, the former are more technically accurate in keeping with the letter of the pledge but the latter is truer to its spirit. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/69 "2009-01-12T03:37:28Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Well, you have to be kind of an asshole to call it “breaking” or “backing out of” a pledge, rather than “amending” it. To be sure, the former are more technically accurate in keeping with the letter of the pledge but the latter is truer to its spirit. Oh, I like that. I really do. He’s not going back on some of the bullshit he babbled about on the campaign trail. He’s “amending it”. How many of these “amendments” will he be allowed before you stop being a apologist for him? He hasn’t even been sworn in yet, for chripes sake! ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/70 "2009-01-12T03:41:34Z")
He hasn’t even taken office yet. How’s about we give him a _little_ time before we claim he’s failed to make good on his promises, hmmm? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/71 "2009-01-12T03:52:16Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > He hasn’t even taken office yet. How’s about we give him a _little_ time before we claim he’s failed to make good on his promises, hmmm? He’s already claiming he won’t honor the pledge within the first 100 days as promised. But if he does, remind me of this thread and I will boisterously acknowledge that he kept his pledge, and point out my foibles of expecting him to keep his word about breaking a pledge that he promised to keep within the first 100 days. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/72 "2009-01-12T03:55:21Z")
But, if he does it on the 101st day instead, he’s just evil scum, is that it? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/73 "2009-01-12T04:08:24Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > But, if he does it on the 101st day instead, he’s just evil scum, is that it? I’d rather he not do it at all. But this is not about agree with him. It’s about pointing out the sliminess of backing out of pledges before he’s even sworn in. So I’ll tell you what: One year, same as 100 days. If he does it with the first year, I’ll pretend he did it within 100 days. Same concessions as I’d of made had he actually done it with 100 days. But if he doesn’t do it within one year, will you have some honor and open a thread blasting him? Or does it have to be 2 years? Or 4? Or never, as just the symbolism of promising to close Gitmo is good enough? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/74 "2009-01-12T04:12:10Z")
Not really, no. I just don’t care that much one way or the other. I just thought your accusation was a bit disingenuous. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/75 "2009-01-12T04:12:21Z")
If he doesn’t do it within a year, I’m going to need a _damn_ good explanation. And **pkbites** , will you please answer my question about wanting to keep Gitmo open? Why? How is that facility at all helpful? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/76 "2009-01-12T04:13:02Z")
By then, there will be only 4 months left before the Iraq withdrawal is complete, too. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/77 "2009-01-12T04:18:11Z")
but seriously, the criticism shouldn’t go to a politician for doing what politicians do, and doing it very well too, but to all the folks who believed every word the politician said at face value and more. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/78 "2009-01-12T04:25:27Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > but seriously, the criticism shouldn’t go to a politician for doing what politicians do, and doing it very well too, but to all the folks who believed every word the politician said at face value and more. Can I assume you’re referring to folks like **glee** , who thinks BHO is going to do all this shit he promised? ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/79 "2009-01-12T04:26:30Z")
> [@Q.E.D](#): > > Well, you have to be kind of an asshole to call it “breaking” or “backing out of” a pledge, rather than “amending” it. To be sure, the former are more technically accurate in keeping with the letter of the pledge but the latter is truer to its spirit. I’m sorry, you don’t get to amend pledges several months after the fact. I mean, if you can go around amending pledges whenever it suits your fancy, that kind of defeats the purpose of a pledge. Pledge is defined as: > [@](#): > > A solemn binding promise to do, give, or refrain from doing something Obama pledged, i.e. gave us a binding promise, to close Gitmo in his first 100 days. The fact that he doesn’t plan on doing so anymore is breaking that pledge in every meaningful definition of the word. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795/80 "2009-01-12T04:29:07Z")
Ok, so you’re an asshole, too. Noted. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-obamaed-out/480795.md?page=5)