# 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:** 6
**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, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/101 "2013-05-16T21:37:43Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > You’re not the first one to say it in this thread, but you’re the first one I’ll tell to suck it. The definition of “what’s wrong with America” always seems to be strangely similar to “people who don’t worship the President like I do.” How about, “People who go to insane lengths to bleat out a histrionic, sky-is-falling-esqe armflailing condemnation of stuff that is perfectly normal and not at all unusual”? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/102 "2013-05-16T21:38:51Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > How about, “People who go to insane lengths to bleat out a histrionic, sky-is-falling-esqe armflailing condemnation of stuff that is perfectly normal and not at all unusual”? “…And most importantly, not in any way wrong or any kind of problem?” ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/103 "2013-05-16T21:56:22Z")
Post 9/11 military worshipping bullshit. Now the sacred warriors are too exalted to simply lend a hand? The marines should ne honored to do it, and honored to help out a former president with his wheelchair too. ---
**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, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/104 "2013-05-16T22:01:35Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > You’re not the first one to say it in this thread, but you’re the first one I’ll tell to suck it. The definition of “what’s wrong with America” always seems to be strangely similar to “people who don’t worship the President like I do.” Seeing nothing wrong with Marines holding umbrellas is not “worship[ing] the President,” you pusillanimous jackass. People like you are what’s wrong with America because there’s quite literally not a thing to be outraged about in this particular instance, but by god and by damn, you and your ignorant troglodyte brethren are going to make sure to bleat about it anyway. Because Og knows that the President of the United States should never ask a Marine to do anything for him, right? Especially THIS president, right? That’s why you’re what’s wrong with America. Because you’re a pathetic, low-life smirking imbecile. ---
**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 16, 2013, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/105 "2013-05-16T22:07:47Z")
> [@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. You’re a fucking moron. The Marines are under strict protocol orders from their superiors. Probably something like: When it rains, hold an umbrella over the president with your hand placed horizontally over your belt line. They drill on this stuff; it ain’t spontaneous, and you’re a fucking tool for being outraged over it. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/106 "2013-05-16T22:10:08Z")
Maybe “holding an umbrella for someone” is the social equivalent of “wiping someone’s ass” as we just haven’t been informed yet. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/107 "2013-05-16T22:13:47Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > You’re a fucking moron. The Marines are under strict protocol orders from their superiors. Probably something like: When it rains, hold an umbrella over the president with your hand placed horizontally over your belt line. They drill on this stuff; it ain’t spontaneous, and you’re a fucking tool for being outraged over it. I doubt the umbrellas just magically appeared. Someone had to prepare for the situation. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/108 "2013-05-16T22:15:42Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > 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. Nitpick: We got the Army for that. [nitpick cite](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomb_of_unknowns#Tomb_Guards) ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/109 "2013-05-16T22:21:31Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I doubt the umbrellas just magically appeared. Someone had to prepare for the situation. Yeah, I watched the clip, and after the President asked for umbrellas, it took all of 17 seconds for the two Marines to show up with identical pristine umbrellas. One might be tempted to think that they had them at the ready for just such an occassion. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/110 "2013-05-16T22:23:28Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > 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. > [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > The Marines are there for ceremonial purposes . . . Exactly. The WH Marines **are** there as **servants.** (Not as guards, that’s the Secret Service’s job.) ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/111 "2013-05-16T22:26:33Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > You’re not the first one to say it in this thread, but you’re the first one I’ll tell to suck it. The definition of “what’s wrong with America” always seems to be strangely similar to “people who don’t worship the President like I do.” No, it’s about the opinion that this level of bile and bullshit becomes toxic to the body politic. Why do you hate America that you attempt to damage her so? Or are you trying to be part of the solution, and we just don’t get it? ---
**Author:** ![LouLou7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a87d85/32.png) [@LouLou7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouLou7)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/112 "2013-05-16T22:33:12Z")
I have a friend whose 22 year old son is a Marine. His current assignment is to stand and guard an empty field for an eight hour tour. If he was told to hold an umbrella over the Commander in Chief, he would probably piss his pants with excitement. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/113 "2013-05-16T22:33:48Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Nope. True patriotism only comes in the shape of a flag pin. It’s always [Prine time](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgRVNjsuycQ) . . . ---
**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 16, 2013, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/114 "2013-05-16T22:37:56Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Yeah, I watched the clip, and after the President asked for umbrellas, it took all of 17 seconds for the two Marines to show up with identical pristine umbrellas. One might be tempted to think that they had them at the ready for just such an occassion. I’m sure it was for the benefit of the visiting dignitary. How the OP and the dipshits he worships would squeal if the President was so rude as to not provide rain protection. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/115 "2013-05-16T22:38:51Z")
Wan’t there a scene in the movie _Patton_ that shows some low level naval ensign or something tending to Patton’s dog on a leash while Patton was inside for a disciplinary hearing? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/116 "2013-05-16T22:47:11Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > You’re not the first one to say it in this thread, but you’re the first one I’ll tell to suck it. The definition of “what’s wrong with America” always seems to be strangely similar to “people who don’t worship the President like I do.” That your thinking immediately jumps to the opposite extreme only reinforces that you are what’s wrong with America. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/117 "2013-05-16T22:48:51Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Wan’t there a scene in the movie _Patton_ that shows some low level naval ensign or something tending to Patton’s dog on a leash while Patton was inside for a disciplinary hearing? That happened with Gene Hackman’s dog in _Crimson Tide_. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/118 "2013-05-16T22:49:13Z")
> [@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. Class 4 - didn’t you see the number of stripes? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/119 "2013-05-16T22:49:37Z")
This Pit thread is all wet. Can someone get a Marine to step in and hold an umbrella over it? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538/120 "2013-05-16T23:02:24Z")
Heck with that, this thread deserved to be strapped down and waterboarded by the CIA. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-does-his-best-to-degrade-a-couple-of-marines-next-episode-wipers/658538.md?page=7)