# Obama does his best to degrade a couple of Marines. Next episode: Wipers! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 16, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538 "2013-05-16T18:51:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/241 "2013-05-18T15:03:04Z")
> [@Sarah Palin](#): > > Mr. President, when it rains it pours, but most Americans hold their own umbrellas. [Sarah Palin is not ‘most people’](http://freakoutnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SarahPalin.jpg). 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/242 "2013-05-18T15:11:36Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Why do you say"black". Obama is 50% white or are you ashamed to call him half caste? Holy shit! I never realized that because nobody’s ever piped into a conversation to mention it before as if it made some kind of difference! This changes everything! …Thank you for picking up the torch of stupid. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/243 "2013-05-18T15:26:40Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Sarah Palin is not ‘most people’](http://freakoutnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SarahPalin.jpg). Sarah Palin is not “people” in _any_ sense of the word. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/244 "2013-05-18T16:00:59Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Why do you say"black". Obama is 50% white or are you ashamed to call him half caste? We don’t really use the term “caste” here to refer to ethnicity. And Obama codes as black in social interactions, meaning that when other people (especially white people) look at him, they see a black man. Therefore, his experience in American society is that of a black man. Therefore, even though he is, as you correctly point out, biracial, the only people who seem to be intent on constantly nitpicking that point are people who aren’t comfortable with a black man in the office of the Presidency. > [@Doggo](#): > > BTW, if I was American I’d probably be a Democrat, but I agree with the OP. Oh, good, then you’re a pusillanimous jackass, too. As other people have shown, this is not the first time military and other personnel have held umbrellas for the President or other high-ranking officials (or even daffy bints like a failed Alaskan governor). Therefore, the only reason you and other jackasses give a damn is because there’s something different about THIS President that makes this outrageous. Wonder what that could be? ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/245 "2013-05-18T16:45:04Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > Why do you say"black". Obama is 50% white or are you ashamed to call him half caste? > > BTW, if I was American I’d probably be a Democrat, but I agree with the OP. Your troll fu is weak. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/246 "2013-05-18T16:49:00Z")
I for one would like to thank the OP for exposing the most blatant coverup I have ever witnessed from government officials. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/247 "2013-05-18T16:50:57Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Sarah Palin is not ‘most people’](http://freakoutnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SarahPalin.jpg). > > 😛 Chris Matthews pointed out her recent tweet: > [@](#): > > Mr. President, when it rains it pours, but most Americans hold their own umbrellas. Then he showed that photo. Funny stuff, but what a stupid twat she is. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/248 "2013-05-18T16:53:11Z")
This whole line of reasoning that Obama is somehow not “black” because his mother is “white” is absurd. The overwhelming majority of African-Americans are of European ancestry which is why Obama is not dramatically lighter-skinned than most African-Americans. I’ve certainly never heard anyone suggest Colin Powell, Ice T, and Malcolm X weren’t blacks though all are or were(in the case of Malcolm) lighter-skinned. Hell, Jesse Jackson, Douglas Wilder, and David Dinkins were all as light if not lighter and never had to put up with such nonsense. If we were to apply such logic to people beyond Obama only about 10-15% of all African-Americans are “black.” ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/249 "2013-05-18T16:55:51Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Chris Matthews pointed out her recent tweet: Then he showed that photo. Funny stuff, but what a stupid twat she is. Yes, but she’s a lady. Men are supposed to hold umbrellas for ladies, particularly those who are white. Now, a President on the other hand, particularly one who’s black, well that’s something else. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/250 "2013-05-18T16:58:58Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > [4 Presidents, 4 Umbrellas, 1 Outrage - What’s the Difference?](http://imgur.com/6Ehz1cV) Not crazy about the red power tie, but I do remember sleeping more soundly back when we had a CinC courageous enough to rock a pastel blazer like that. ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/251 "2013-05-18T17:04:08Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Being tewwibwy afwaid of getting his hair wet, during a press conference President Obama summoned two Marines to hold umbrellas over himself and the Prime Minister of Turkey. > > Just looking at the [picture](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/marines-beckoned-shield-president-obama-turkish-prime-minister-erdogan-rain-press-conference-interupted-shower-article-1.1345980?localLinksEnabled=false) makes me want to kick…um…someone in the throat. > > Fuck you, you arrogant, condescending fucker. There’s _no_ reason that you couldn’t just suck it up like a score of press attendees are doing, and towel off and change your fucking suit later. Or move the goddamn thing indoors. Nope, you decided instead to look around and find a couple of what you must consider peon scum to trot over and hold your umbrella like fucking servants. > > This is about one step up from Obama stepping out of the shitter, and Biden clapping and calling for [wipers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ5rbPlsdHw)clad in dress uniform. Yeah, we know: he’s black. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/252 "2013-05-18T17:17:54Z")
It really is hard to shake the feeling that the true source of objection here (perhaps unconsciously) is a reaction against seeing a white man doing service for a black man. ---
**Author:** ![FuriousGeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecae2f/32.png) [@FuriousGeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FuriousGeorge)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/253 "2013-05-18T17:30:00Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > One has to ask why somebody wasn’t smart enough to bother to look at a weather report, see that it might rain, and hold the function indoors. Then one remembers that it is the Obama administration. No, one doesn’t. If one did have to ask, one would be fucking retarded. There are many things to be concerned about with this administration. This is not one of them. Jesus H. Fuckin’ Dub Stepping Christ, that this has to be said. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/254 "2013-05-18T18:00:53Z")
Then the headline would be “Obama flees from mild summer shower!” “You know, Steve, a lot of people are asking why the President is afraid of water.” “Not water, Nancy, but maybe being smote by lightning. Notice that the Marines are forced to hold the umbrella _above_ Obama’s head, so the lightning would strike the umbrella, and kill them instead. Otherwise, why hold it that high?” ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/255 "2013-05-18T18:12:19Z")
Would **Sicks Ate** himself step up to the plate and hold the umbrella for president Obama? ---
**Author:** ![Docta\_G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Docta\_G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Docta_G)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/256 "2013-05-18T18:16:22Z")
Sure, if he were 100% white. Then it would be an honor. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/257 "2013-05-18T18:23:16Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Yes, but she’s a lady. Prove it. ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/258 "2013-05-18T18:30:45Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > This whole line of reasoning that Obama is somehow not “black” because his mother is “white” is absurd. > > The overwhelming majority of African-Americans are of European ancestry which is why Obama is not dramatically lighter-skinned than most African-Americans. > > I’ve certainly never heard anyone suggest Colin Powell, Ice T, and Malcolm X weren’t blacks though all are or were(in the case of Malcolm) lighter-skinned. > > Hell, Jesse Jackson, Douglas Wilder, and David Dinkins were all as light if not lighter and never had to put up with such nonsense. > > If we were to apply such logic to people beyond Obama only about 10-15% of all African-Americans are “black.” At my niece’s HS graduation, two valedictorian speeches referred to the president. One called him the first Black president. The other called him the first bi-racial president. And the WH should hire Farnsworth Bentley. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/259 "2013-05-18T18:33:16Z")
> [@lisacurl](#): > > [4 Presidents, 4 Umbrellas, 1 Outrage - What’s the Difference?](http://imgur.com/6Ehz1cV) Thanks for that. I shared it on Facebook with the caption: > [@](#): > > I don’t normally post this sort of thing but umbrellagate is just so dumb. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/260 "2013-05-18T18:34:47Z")
Besides just a look at those Marines tells me: **this is something that has been drilled before**. They know exactly where to stand, where to place the umbrella relative to the dignatary, what stance to take and what to do with their other hand, so it all looked symmetrical. The Army guys and civilian staffers seen elsewhere seem to do their thing w/o adopting a heroic pose. So indeed they HAD seen the forecast of a possibility of rain and the contingency plan was not “everyone pile into the foyer if it starts raining” but that two Marines would quickly take their positions, smartly deploy the umbrellas and stand there holding them in a military manner until properly relieved, displaying proudly the Marine style. (Now I have this image in my mind of the Silent Umbrella Drill Team…) All this, while \ ***the press corps** \*got rained on. Hasn’t anyone thought the point may have been that the two leaders agreed to let the press corps take a good soaking? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=14)