# Mitt, get that fucking smirk off of your face and try to show a modicum of respect. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653 "2012-10-04T01:54:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/41 "2012-10-04T14:31:32Z")
Look, I have nothing good to say about Mitt Romney, but I don’t think this is a valid criticism. 1. I don’t think his facial expression was a sign of disrespect – that’s just what he looks like, and 2. I don’t think an elected official in a democratic system needs to be “shown respect” anywhere near that degree that you should worry about what your face looks like when you’re in his or her vicinity. So long as you’re not literally spitting in his face or kicking his shins, that’s as far as respect should go. Romney came off well in this debate, far better than he deserved to considering the lying, unprincipled asshole that he is. He gets credit for that. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/42 "2012-10-04T15:27:25Z")
Not much for this sort of thing, but I’m gonna prognosticate like a motherfuck. Romney will open his mouth sometime within the next two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/43 "2012-10-04T15:35:56Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Obama had over 4 minutes more talking time than Romney. And still lost. The facts are complicated, Obama tried to construct an argument by explaining the facts and why it lead him to the conclusion he’s made and subsequently the actions he took. It doesn’t make for good tv, but it _is_ how adults persuade adults. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/44 "2012-10-04T15:48:33Z")
Clinton had the same sort of smirk, it really got on my nerves. It looked like he was thinking “Goddamn, look at all this shit I’m getting away with!” ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/45 "2012-10-04T16:01:08Z")
> [@Phatzo](#): > > He wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if he went there, 47% of SFA is still SFA You think those 47% of Americans don’t vote, or just don’t count? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/46 "2012-10-04T16:38:27Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Not much for this sort of thing, but I’m gonna prognosticate like a motherfuck. Romney will open his mouth sometime within the next two weeks. You really like to live life on the edge, don’t you? 😉 I think that it would be interesting to put each candidate in a soundproof room. Each of them has a mike which would be active for X number of minutes. They get to choose when to push the button that activates the mike. If the moderator is talking, or the other candidate is talking, the mike won’t activate, but they use up their time anyway. It’s fun to think about, no? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/47 "2012-10-04T16:47:38Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > You think those 47% of Americans don’t vote, or just don’t count? I think a significant number of them weren’t even aware that 47% of Americans have been let off the hook for federal income tax and don’t approve. Most people have no idea this is the case and a recent [Fox News poll](http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/28/Poll-Nearly-80-Think-All-Should-Pay-Some-Income-Tax) shows most think everyone, including 71% of Democrats, should pay something. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/48 "2012-10-04T16:54:57Z")
71% of Americans are blithering idiots? Seems about right. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/49 "2012-10-04T17:06:53Z")
A Fox News poll? Well, that certainly settles that! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/50 "2012-10-04T17:10:05Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > 71% of Americans are blithering idiots? Seems about right. Well, the 71% were your guys, so, uh, yeah, whatever you say. ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/51 "2012-10-04T17:27:45Z")
Booo hooo. Obama lost the debate because Romney was such a meanie and didn’t properly respect the Messiah. Get over it. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/52 "2012-10-04T17:39:08Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Well, the 71% were your guys, so, uh, yeah, whatever you say. I assume the figure is higher for your guys. Are you among those who think every single American should pay federal taxes? Because that is an indefensible position you’re defending. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/53 "2012-10-04T17:44:25Z")
> [@Anduril](#): > > Booo hooo. Obama lost the debate because Romney was such a meanie and didn’t properly respect the Messiah. Get over it. As [I said.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15555410&postcount=43) ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/54 "2012-10-04T17:57:37Z")
Coincidentally the RNC just put out a new election ad entitled [The Smirk](http://washingtonexaminer.com/the-smirk-rnc-plays-up-obamas-body-language/article/2509830#.UG3NmK6z5EK). Of course it’s Obama’s constant smirk during the debate they they’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/55 "2012-10-04T18:13:28Z")
The OP is pitting a smirk? Seriously? That’s a weak ass pitting right there. This thread might as well be in "_mindless stuff…_. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/56 "2012-10-04T18:16:12Z")
What sort of expression do you wear when the other guy is lying his ass off? Did Romney even so much as mention the policies that drove our economy into the ditch? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/57 "2012-10-04T18:30:51Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > What sort of expression do you wear when the other guy is lying his ass off? A grimace is no better, and I’m pretty sure a skilled lip-reader could make out even a silent “bull-fuckin’-_SHIT_”… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/58 "2012-10-04T18:38:53Z")
Perhaps this is the essential weakness of the whole “debate” format, the necessity that both participants argue in good faith? Romney is either a lying sack of shit, or utterly clueless. The distinction is too trivial for me to care about. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/59 "2012-10-04T18:56:38Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > A grimace is no better, and I’m pretty sure a skilled lip-reader could make out even a silent “bull-fuckin’-_SHIT_”… I think in the next debate, the candidate not speaking should be in the background, doing the jerk-off hand motion or that pretend blowjob thing people do, while viciously rolling his eyes. I mean, that’s basically the level American politics is at. Might as well embrace it wholeheartedly. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653/60 "2012-10-04T19:26:27Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > I assume the figure is higher for your guys. I assume you are best friends with Sandusky and raped many little boys. I will concede though that both our assumptions are probably right. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitt-get-that-fucking-smirk-off-of-your-face-and-try-to-show-a-modicum-of-respect/636653.md?page=4)