# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/61 "2013-05-16T20:27:43Z")
What? Did it turn out that Marines are water-soluble or something? ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/62 "2013-05-16T20:27:44Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Also degrading and shameful, and makes that Marine look just as awkward as they ones holding the umbrellas. The chair should have been pushed by someone else. Marines just aren’t qualified to do menial labor in your book? No digging trenches or shoveling shit for those guys? If this trend continues we’ll have them standing around the tomb of some nameless soldier. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/63 "2013-05-16T20:30:26Z")
You know what it looks like when a couple of Marines hold umbrellas over the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Turkey? A couple of Marines holding umbrellas over two world leaders. That’s all. There’s no degradation, no humiliation, nothing that anyone but you frothing neanderthals could possibly see as anything other than a simple situation. Christ almighty, this is the stupidest fucking thing I’ve seen today and I haven’t even started to read the actual goddamn news. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/64 "2013-05-16T20:33:48Z")
Has anyone bothered to ask the Marines in question how they felt about it? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/65 "2013-05-16T20:34:32Z")
And who _else_ is famous for an umbrella! That English guy, the one with the good teeth, knuckling under to Hitler at Munich! So, Obama is sending a clear signal that we are willing to appease Hitler! Wake up, America! ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/66 "2013-05-16T20:35:22Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > How about when you have an actual outrage to scream about you come back with a new thread? > > Because Kimstu just made you look like a Class 3 Dipshit. Nope, sorry. Two similar situations, and it’s my opinion that in bothcases the Marine was put in a put situation. > [@Marley23](#): > > Would you mind posting a link to your Pitting of that fucker Bush for degrading the Marine he obviously views as peon scum? There is no such thread, obviously. And while the incidents are similar there are differences. In the Bush case, there had to have been deliberation and a conscious decision by somebody to use the Marine to push the wheelchair. In Obama case, what bothers me is that his first instinct was to grab a couple of Marines who are, yes, largely there to stand and bee looked at. A poly sci puke intern would have been much more appropriate.. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/67 "2013-05-16T20:35:31Z")
> [@drew870mitchell](#): > > We’re in the Pit so exact accuracy is welcome as always but unnecessary. If I want to say “fucking Pitcairn Islanders and their rape scandals,” this is the place to do it, and it doesn’t mean I’m implying everyone on the island is a rapist. > > Anyone with an IQ above room temperature understands that. I know you’re not too stupid to know which Republicans he’s referring to. But go ahead and pat yourself on the back for thinking you got him in a trap. Thank you for fighting my ignorance of the pit “rules”. Neither I nor **Chimera** were striving for accuracy. You’ve jumped in and mucked up our fantastically beautiful love/hate/love relationship. (two parts hate/ one part admiration - stirred not shaken) It will take us years or two solid hours of internet stalking to re forge our delicate relationship. I hope you’re happy with yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/68 "2013-05-16T20:38:48Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > . A poly sci puke intern would have been much more appropriate.. Why? ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/69 "2013-05-16T20:40:19Z")
As little outrage as I feel, and as much as I don’t want all the sputum aimed at me, I agree that the president set up a bad looking photo. He might have explicitly ordered the Marines to \*hand \*him and umbrella, and to \*cover \*the Turkish PM with an umbrella. I agree that astroturf-ed reactions around the web indicate how little there is to really complain about. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/70 "2013-05-16T20:41:09Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Why? Because it actually \* is\* their job to run around doing petty shit like that. ---
**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 16, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/71 "2013-05-16T20:42:30Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > In Obama case, what bothers me is that his first instinct was to grab a couple of Marines who are, yes, largely there to stand and bee looked at. A poly sci puke intern would have been much more appropriate.. Bullshit. His first instinct was to look around for somebody who would respond instantly to keep the president of Turkey dry. Calling on any “poly sci puke intern” would just get an argument and wasted time and effort while they figured out how to operate an umbrella. Ordering a Marine to do it gets the job done instantly, without argument, and efficiently. Look at those two corporals. They are dignified, at attention and do not detract from the press conference in the slightest manner. No intern could do it half as well. Marines are there for a reason, not just as lawn ornaments. This is part of their job description. Demeaning it wasn’t, except to hot-headed morons. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/72 "2013-05-16T20:43:22Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Because Kimstu just made you look like a Class 3 Dipshit. To be fair, though, the OP had already done most of the work for me. ---
**Author:** ![Foggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foggy/32/1082_2.png) [@Foggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foggy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/73 "2013-05-16T20:43:35Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Something about seeing a white man perform anything resembling a menial service for a more powerful black man still gets a lot of people choking with visceral rage. Sounds like some gay porn I’ve seen, only they weren’t choking on rage, visceral or otherwise. ---
**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 16, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/74 "2013-05-16T20:45:16Z")
As if that were the silliest or most pointless assignment those Marines ever got. Enlisted people in the military deal with that sort of thing day in and day out. Hope the OP did not strain himself trying to muster outrage over it. Besides I’d rather hold an umbrella for the CinC or push the wheelchair of an infirm old ex-CinC than sit in some foxhole… ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/75 "2013-05-16T20:45:41Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > To be fair, though, the OP had already done most of the work for me. What can I say; I’m a “giver”. ---
**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:** [May 16, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/76 "2013-05-16T20:45:51Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Because it actually \* is\* their job to run around doing petty shit like that. It’s the Marine’s job to hold umbrellas when asked. Or push a wheelchair when asked. Or kill Charlie with a spoon when asked. The only reason to see holding an umbrella for the leader of the strongest nation on Earth as demeaning is because you think the leader isn’t worthy of respect. Whatever, just be honest that you think Obama should fly coach and cook his own meals, don’t dress it up in starry-eyed wonder at the perfection that is _Marine_. ---
**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 16, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/77 "2013-05-16T20:48:04Z")
“For it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Chuck him out, the brute!” But it’s “Saviour of 'is country” when we need a bumbershoot!” ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/78 "2013-05-16T20:48:09Z")
> [@Mr.Miskatonic](#): > > What? Did it turn out that Marines are water-soluble or something? Good thing that in the ordinary course of their duties they never have to go near wat—oops, wait a minute. ---
**Author:** ![R3d\_Anonymous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/aeb1de/32.png) [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/79 "2013-05-16T20:49:11Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > When you’ve been a part of something bigger than the school orchestra, come out and play. How about you actually respond to my post in addition to merely posting a personal dig? ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/80 "2013-05-16T20:50:33Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > As if that were the silliest or most pointless assignment those Marines ever got. The silliest and most pointless assignment those Marines ever got was to stand there and do nothing. “Stand there and hold an umbrella” is a step up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=5)