# Is President Obama giving up? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 19, 2011, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301 "2011-08-19T10:32:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/61 "2011-08-22T15:28:37Z")
Criticism over MV reasonable or not, I don’t appreciate the implication that I’m a racist. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/62 "2011-08-22T15:55:16Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > This is the first time I’ve ever seen somebody whoosh himself. Poe’s Law. When every single thing you say is off the scale ridiculous, nobody will ever assume you’re kidding. They will assume you’re wrong, though, unless you prove otherwise. That hasn’t happened yet. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/63 "2011-08-22T16:22:28Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Nice try. But as long as we have [Youtube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYjyU25bW3Y) it’s going to be hard to try to rewrite history. So _one celebrity_ called Obama “the one.” BFD. “ **Nixon’s The One** ” was _Nixon’s campaign slogan_ in 1968. [We have YouTube of that, too](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4mXfLSvKGY). Not that I need that; I was a Youth for Nixon volunteer in 1968. We had a little song they had us sing: _Nixon’s the one, Nixon’s the one, Nixon’s the one for me. We believe in Nixon, N-I-X-O-N, Nixon’s the one for me._ No, I’m not making this up. We actually sang that at public events, at the behest of the campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/64 "2011-08-22T16:39:22Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Jesus fucking Christ, **Lightnin’**! I don’t hate the guy! All I’m saying is what I think! What’s got a bee up your ass about that? > > Am I not allowed to have an opinion anymore??? Of course you are. I’m also allowed to have the opinion that your opinion doesn’t make a lick of sense. > [@Quasimodem](#): > > Next you’ll be accusing me of being racist, godammit. Nope, wasn’t planning on it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/65 "2011-08-22T16:44:38Z")
Has anyone in this thread mentioned race or racism, _other_ than the people saying “I’m not racist! Don’t call me racist!”? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/66 "2011-08-22T16:46:29Z")
See post #58. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/67 "2011-08-22T18:57:11Z")
Okay, I’lll play. What exactly do you mean by defiant? Who or what is he defying? Exactly what bold challenge is he making by going on vacation? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/68 "2011-08-22T19:18:14Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Am I not allowed to have an opinion anymore??? Sure you are allowed to have an opinion. It just better not be anything but worshipful respect for Obama (pbuh). Because anything else is racist. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/69 "2011-08-22T19:28:55Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Sorry, but even as an opinion this makes no sense whatsoever. The President and First Lady have busy but separate schedules and often travel independently of one another. This has been true for the last umpteen presidents and first ladies, as you should well know. Their travel has been well-publicized since the days of the Kennedys. > > The Obamas traveling separately or taking vacations in August, when Congress is in recess, isn’t an indicator of anything, because that’s exactly what every president and first lady does and has done for decades. It’s absolutely normal and you’re old enough that you should know it’s absolutely normal. That’s why you’re being called out on this, opinion or not. There are facts involved and the facts don’t support you in any way. Let me ask you something, **EM**. Whatever happened to “I don’t agree, Quasi and here’s why:” You don’t respect me? I couldn’t care less, but you could at least respect my age. The rules forbid me to call you names, but I do have some choice ones for you, if I could. You’re telling someone who’s fighting to keep a little sense that what he writes makes none. It’s a goddam opinion of what I think is going on and I will stand by what I wrote. You fucking wanna pile on me? Go ahead, I don’t give a flying fuck as that seems to be your method. Also, I don’t appreciate anyone insulting my intelligence with veiled accusations of hatred. So put that up your ass and smoke it. In my adult life, I have NEVER told anyone I hate them and at this time in my life, I don’t need that emotion, **Lightnin’**. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/70 "2011-08-22T21:56:36Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Let me ask you something, **EM**. Whatever happened to “I don’t agree, Quasi and here’s why:” You don’t respect me? I couldn’t care less, but you could at least respect my age. The rules forbid me to call you names, but I do have some choice ones for you, if I could. > > You’re telling someone who’s fighting to keep a little sense that what he writes makes none. It’s a goddam opinion of what I think is going on and I will stand by what I wrote. You fucking wanna pile on me? Go ahead, I don’t give a flying fuck as that seems to be your method. Also, I don’t appreciate anyone insulting my intelligence with veiled accusations of hatred. > > So put that up your ass and smoke it. > > In my adult life, I have NEVER told anyone I hate them and at this time in my life, I don’t need that emotion, **Lightnin’**. Please calm down. Please. I really mean that. “The facts do not support your opinion” is not an accusation of hatred, veiled or otherwise. And I’m about the same age as you. There’s nothing going on here except that we are disagreeing about something that’s pretty meaningless compared to what’s going on in our personal lives. So please, step back and calm down. We can disagree without hatred. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/71 "2011-08-22T23:42:07Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Let me ask you something, **EM**. Whatever happened to “I don’t agree, Quasi and here’s why:” You don’t respect me? I couldn’t care less, but you could at least respect my age. The rules forbid me to call you names, but I do have some choice ones for you, if I could. > > You’re telling someone who’s fighting to keep a little sense that what he writes makes none. It’s a goddam opinion of what I think is going on and I will stand by what I wrote. You fucking wanna pile on me? Go ahead, I don’t give a flying fuck as that seems to be your method. Also, I don’t appreciate anyone insulting my intelligence with veiled accusations of hatred. > > So put that up your ass and smoke it. > > In my adult life, I have NEVER told anyone I hate them and at this time in my life, I don’t need that emotion, **Lightnin’**. **Quasimodem** , please take a breather. I don’t think **Exapno Mapcase** or **Lightnin’**'s were accusing you of any kind of hatred and I don’t think their posts were out of line. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/72 "2011-08-23T01:09:02Z")
This is just another case of Republicans grasping for something to bitch about . It is always shiny and brown because they pull it out of their ass. Obama is not taking a lot of time off. He is not even close to what some others took. Congress is not in session for 3 weeks. Although Repubs are pretending it is to prevent recess appointments. Then most presidential vacations are working vacations because for many prezes, they take staff along and hold meetings with cabinet members. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/73 "2011-08-23T01:09:03Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Okay, I’lll play. > > What exactly do you mean by defiant? Who or what is he defying? Something like [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtmbzJNPsaQ) at 0:14 . . . “Computer, _pause recording_. YES?! :mad:” ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/74 "2011-08-23T01:18:32Z")
Sorry, **Marley** , but I resent the hell out of being “called out” in addition to what was written. It was my understanding that any “calling out” is to be done in the Pit, not in a normal thread. It also was my understanding we weren’t in Great Debates, were we? So the first time I stated that what I wrote was my opinion, that should have been the end of it. It was as far as I was concerned, since the OP asked for opinions? So that brings us to my final comment: I’m going to defend myself as I see fit, and won’t back down just because someone tells me that what I write isn’t making sense. If something I write doesn’t make sense, then goddamit use the ignore function and I’m out of your life! You don’t have to “call me out”, and if you do, then do it in the appropriate place where it doesn’t make a shit to me anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/75 "2011-08-23T01:18:34Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Something like [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtmbzJNPsaQ) at 0:14 . . . “Computer, _pause recording_. YES?! :mad:” Huh? That synopsis may be just a bit too synopsizised. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/76 "2011-08-23T01:22:59Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > It also was my understanding we weren’t in Great Debates, were we? You are in a forum that very closely follows Great Debates in style and in moderation. Quite frankly, **Quasimodem** , if you’re not prepared to be disagreed with, I can’t think of any forum on the SDMB that would suit you. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/77 "2011-08-23T01:25:33Z")
> [@](#): > > de·fi·ance > > noun /diˈfīəns/ > > 1. Open resistance; bold disobedience [defiance](http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&tbs=dfn:1&source=hp&q=defiance&pbx=1&oq=defiance&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=36802l37586l2l38047l3l3l0l1l1l0l170l338l0.2l2l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=43f06105fa1f2fb6&biw=1920&bih=876) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/78 "2011-08-23T01:26:21Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Sorry, **Marley** , but I resent the hell out of being “called out” in addition to what was written. It was my understanding that any “calling out” is to be done in the Pit, not in a normal thread. The Pit is where you can insult people. We don’t have a specific rule about “calling people out,” but they’re just telling you they think you’re wrong. That’s all. > [@](#): > > It also was my understanding we weren’t in Great Debates, were we? So the first time I stated that what I wrote was my opinion, that should have been the end of it. Elections works under the same rules as GD. > [@](#): > > I’m going to defend myself as I see fit, and won’t back down just because someone tells me that what I write isn’t making sense. If something I write doesn’t make sense, then goddamit use the ignore function and I’m out of your life! You don’t have to “call me out”, and if you do, then do it in the appropriate place where it doesn’t make a shit to me anyway. They’re just talking and disagreeing. It’s allowed in all places on this forum, and the rules about insults and other personal comments still apply. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/79 "2011-08-23T01:41:58Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Sorry, **Marley** , but I resent the hell out of being “called out” Hey **Quasi** I think it might be that “called out” means something different to you than it does to **Exapno**. It looks to me as though “calling you out” is, for you, a kind of throwing down of a gauntlet, a preparation for some kind of duel where a certain amount of honor or pride is at stake? Whereas I think that for **Exapno** what is meant is more like a “call” in Poker–as in, he means (I think) just that he thinks he’s found a point where you’re incorrect about something and he’s asking for evidence or explanation. Albeit the use of “call out” also implies a presumption that he’s in the right and you’re not–but then, it’s a debate, so of course he presumes that! I am certain he didn’t mean his words to be taken particularly personally and didn’t intend them as insulting. I think this was just a miscommunication, possibily due to dialectical differences. ---
**Author:** ![Rekd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Rekd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rekd)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301/80 "2011-08-23T01:51:40Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Is President Obama giving up? Gawd I hope so! He’s done more damage to this country in less than 3 years than just about all other Presidents. Combined. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-president-obama-giving-up/593301.md?page=5)