# Obama's 50 Lies and Counting **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 22, 2008, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213 "2008-05-22T05:45:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2008, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/61 "2008-05-22T22:30:40Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Just for S&G I just did one on “McCain.” [/QUOTE] Just for Simon & Garfunkel? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/62 "2008-05-22T22:49:24Z")
[QUOTE=Biffy the Elephant Shrew] Just for Simon & Garfunkel? [/QUOTE] Shits & giggles. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/63 "2008-05-22T23:01:02Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Just for S&G I just did one on “McCain.” Not nearly so much there. I was expecting something about the “Manchurian candidate brainwashed by the Vietnamese” meme, but apparently it’s not prominent enough (yet) to merit the attention. [/QUOTE] We should try to get a ridiculous meme started to see how far it goes. How about… during his captivity John McCain was actually tortured and interrogated by muslim Indonesian agents who had infiltrated the NVA and they programmed him to be a Manchurian candidate… yes, it turns out it’s actually John McCain who is the secret muslim! ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/64 "2008-05-22T23:32:21Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] We should try to get a ridiculous meme started to see how far it goes. How about… during his captivity John McCain was actually tortured and interrogated by muslim Indonesian agents who had infiltrated the NVA and they programmed him to be a Manchurian candidate… yes, it turns out it’s actually John McCain who is the secret muslim! [/QUOTE] Needs subtlety methinks. But then again, what do I know bitter elitist that I am… ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/65 "2008-05-22T23:36:58Z")
BTW, is this the 7th grade debate thread? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/66 "2008-05-23T00:37:36Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] The question is not whether the accusations in that e-mail have any merit, but whether they will turn into memes that sway a significant number of fence-sitting voters against Obama. [/QUOTE] I don’t think so. I think the present administration has so damaged the credibility of the GOP that this type of hate and fear mongering BS politics will be rejected by enough people to mean a win for Obama. There are still voters who may be easily swayed by rumor but many more people who as sick of the BS and paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/67 "2008-05-23T02:40:41Z")
> [@](#): > > 48.) I Am As Patriotic As Anyone - LIAR, you won’t wear a Flag pin and you don’t put your hand over your heart during the National Anthem. Until now, I did not realize that one’s patiotism can be measured by whether or not they wear a flag pin on their lapel. I guess this makes me a stinkin’ Commie pervert, because I have never worn a flag pin on my lapel in my entire life. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/68 "2008-05-23T02:43:33Z")
[QUOTE=SenorBeef] We should try to get a ridiculous meme started to see how far it goes. How about… during his captivity John McCain was actually tortured and interrogated by muslim Indonesian agents who had infiltrated the NVA and they programmed him to be a Manchurian candidate… yes, it turns out it’s actually John McCain who is the secret muslim! [/QUOTE] LIAR! McCain is actually a closet Buddhist. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/69 "2008-05-23T02:46:29Z")
[QUOTE=Frostillicus] Until now, I did not realize that one’s patiotism can be measured by whether or not they wear a flag pin on their lapel. I guess this makes me a stinkin’ Commie pervert, because I have never worn a flag pin on my lapel in my entire life. [/QUOTE] It’s ok comrade - you’re in good company. ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/70 "2008-05-23T03:00:50Z")
All this repetition of “LIAR!” reminds me of “The Santaland Diaries” Tell your brother that Barack Obama no longer traffics in coal. Instead, tell him, “if you’re bad, he comes to your house and steals things.” ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/71 "2008-05-23T03:32:29Z")
[QUOTE=Frostillicus] Until now, I did not realize that one’s patiotism can be measured by whether or not they wear a flag pin on their lapel. I guess this makes me a stinkin’ Commie pervert, because I have never worn a flag pin on my lapel in my entire life. [/QUOTE] I’m with you, but Obama is not. He now wears a flag pin. p-a-n-d-e-r. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/72 "2008-05-23T05:07:51Z")
[QUOTE=kevja] I’m with you, but Obama is not. He now wears a flag pin. p-a-n-d-e-r. [/QUOTE] [Which was given to him by a disabled veteran at a speech to veterans.](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/15/obama-dons-flag-pin-once-again/) > [@](#): > > For the first time since a mini dust-up back in October, Democrat Barack Obama wore an American flag pin Tuesday at a town hall meeting with veterans in Pennsylvania. > > But he didn’t show up wearing the pin–instead, a Vietnam era veteran presented it to him on the ropeline as Obama made his way to the podium at the start of the event. > > “I was just handed this,” Obama said. “It’s a flag pin. I think I’ll go ahead and put that on.” > > He then did just that. > > “I appreciate your service,” Obama told Philip Fiumara, Jr., a Vietnam era veteran and undecided voter, according to the campaign. > > “Thank you so much. It means a lot coming from you, and we are grateful to you.” ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/73 "2008-05-23T05:12:25Z")
[QUOTE=kevja] I’m with you, but Obama is not. He now wears a flag pin. p-a-n-d-e-r. [/QUOTE] Please allow me to be the first to welcome you to our country. [BTW, are you a hot chick? Because I’m always on the lookout for gullible hot chicks.] ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/74 "2008-05-23T06:33:13Z")
[QUOTE=MrDibble] Regarding No. 5. - Many African blacks who consider themselves Christian still practice polygamy - look at Jacob Zuma, our ex-VP. Or the king of Swaziland. It was practiced here before they even heard of monotheism, let alone Islam. Polygamy’s perfectly legal here in South Africa. [/QUOTE] Not to mention that without the context or cite for the quote, there’s not even any proof that he was talking about his _African_ grandmother (who is actually a step-grandmother, the biological one having died long ago). His American grandmother has most certainly always been from a Christian family. Of course Number 4, the one about his alleged cousin in Africa, is one I find hysterical. I have two first cousins that I assume are still alive but I haven’t seen them in 30 years and have absolutely no idea where they are or what their politics/religion/etc. are and I’m not referencing them when I mention that “my family does so-n’-so”. These are my first cousins and they’re from the same state and I have _NO_ connection to them, and this guy’s not even Obama’s _first_ cousin if he’s a cousin at all and he’s from a different _continent_. Hell, if they found definitive proof that Obama’s great-uncle was James Earl Ray and his great-grandmother was Lizzie Borden’s lovechild I couldn’t care less; they’re not him. When you get into the realm of the 2nd and 3rd cousins and the “removed” and all, there’s probably nobody on the Dope who doesn’t have a murderer and a junkie and a Mary Kay salesperson and a nuclear physicist in there, but it just doesn’t really reflect on them one way or the other for most reasonable people. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/75 "2008-05-23T06:41:16Z")
[QUOTE=Frostillicus] Until now, I did not realize that one’s patiotism can be measured by whether or not they wear a flag pin on their lapel. I guess this makes me a stinkin’ Commie pervert, because I have never worn a flag pin on my lapel in my entire life. [/QUOTE] Oh I agree completely. And I don’t for a minute think that Obama is not dedicated to the United States, and wants what he thinks is best for it. However, the flag pin is one of a series of minor, inconsequential things that add up to having me wondering where exactly he is coming from. He didn’t wear a flag pin on his lapel. Who cares? Big deal, it’s just a meaningless symbol of dedication to America and what it stands for. Wearing or not wearing a pin is meaningless. His wife made the unthinking “never been really proud of America” quote. So what? She’s not a professional speaker, it was a slip of the tongue. His pastor denigrates America in his fiery sermons. Obama distanced himself from Wright, very quickly and properly, but his claim that in twenty years he never heard that rhetoric from Wright is weak and unbelievable. He doesn’t put his hand over his heart for the national anthem. His grandfather taught him to only put his hand over his heart for the pledge, not the anthem. Weak. I suppose he never noticed everyone else doing it? Individually, all of these things are trite, meaningless, stupid or just his opponents making a mountain out of a molehill. Together, however, they start to add up to the picture of a man who may not believe wholeheartedly in America and what it stands for. The president’s biggest job is to be a cheerleader for America. S/he needs to stand strong for America, even if s/he thinks that we have strayed from the correct path and seeks to return us to the proper course. Love, dedication and commitment to America HAS to be at the core of a president’s being, and all of these meaningless, trite, inconsequential things raise the tiniest specter of doubt in my mind that that’s where Obama is coming from. Are any of them by them self cause for concern? Certainly not. Are all of them together an indication of how he thinks? Maybe. Just maybe. I have no intention of voting for the man because I think his politics would be a disaster for the US, but I have always respected him as a person and admired his integrity. I don’t like his politics, but I have never doubted that he is eminently capable of being president. All of these things together have raised a tiny specter of doubt in my mind on that, however. I dunno, it’s probably nothing, but it’s gotten me thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Rosewater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/898d66/32.png) [@Mr.Rosewater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Rosewater)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/76 "2008-05-23T06:53:56Z")
[QUOTE=glee] These are the same people who told us [McCain has a black baby](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisper_campaign), right? [/QUOTE] I realize this was posted some time ago, but I just wanted to mention that it is a FACT that Obama has not one but TWO black babies. [Cite!](http://www.barackobama.com/learn/meet.php) 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/77 "2008-05-23T07:04:59Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Rosewater] I realize this was posted some time ago, but I just wanted to mention that it is a FACT that Obama has not one but TWO black babies. [Cite!](http://www.barackobama.com/learn/meet.php) 😛 [/QUOTE] Holy crap! Obama’s wife cheated on him with John McCain!? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/78 "2008-05-23T11:35:13Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] However, the flag pin is one of a series of minor, inconsequential things that add up to having me wondering where exactly he is coming from. He didn’t wear a flag pin on his lapel. Who cares? Big deal, it’s just a meaningless symbol of dedication to America and what it stands for. Wearing or not wearing a pin is meaningless. His wife made the unthinking “never been really proud of America” quote. So what? She’s not a professional speaker, it was a slip of the tongue. His pastor denigrates America in his fiery sermons. Obama distanced himself from Wright, very quickly and properly, but his claim that in twenty years he never heard that rhetoric from Wright is weak and unbelievable. He doesn’t put his hand over his heart for the national anthem. His grandfather taught him to only put his hand over his heart for the pledge, not the anthem. Weak. I suppose he never noticed everyone else doing it? [/QUOTE] These things would “add up” only if they were not completely stupid. I am less likely to believe someone is truly patriotic if they have to make an issue of wearing lapel pins. Who are they tryinmg to impress? His wife’s comment only needs defense from people who are knee-jerk “love it or leave it” types. I suspect that a large number of blacks, Indians, Nisei Japanese, Hmong, and others have never been “proud” of this country. It is a perspective one develops when one has seen how much damage this country inflicts on its own and others. I will grant that I suspect that Obama heard some of Wright’s more outlandish statements over the years and I think he was weaseling when he denied it. On the other hand, given the nature of sermons and their delivery in front of an interactive crowd, I would not be surprised to find that Obama thought Wright was speaking for effect and was genuinely surprised that Wright held some of those positions at heart. Unfortunately, not even Obama has the rhetorical skill to explain that nuanced position in sound bites and so I suspect that he initially tried to blow it off and then got caught with being held to his initial comment. (And, of course, a number of Wright’s initially reported scandalous comments–such as his sermon on the WTC/Pentagon attack–are not really even that outlandish in the way that his HIV comments are, (certainly not as malicious as the comments of Falwell and Robertson), yet those were the ones that were first cited as being anti-American.) I’m curious where you live that “everyone” places their hands over their hearts at the playing of the Star Spangled Banner. It might be a local tradition, because I do not recall seeing it. The PoA, yes, but not the anthem. (Heck, on most occasions the crowd around me is still sorting out their first beers and barely stop talking during the anthem.) ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/79 "2008-05-23T12:05:09Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] Individually, all of these things are trite, meaningless, stupid or just his opponents making a mountain out of a molehill. Together, however, they start to add up to the picture of a man who may not believe wholeheartedly in America and what it stands for. [/QUOTE] No, together they’re still trite, meaningless and stupid. I really hope you’re joking with this nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2008, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213/80 "2008-05-23T13:03:43Z")
[QUOTE=Weirddave] He doesn’t put his hand over his heart for the national anthem. His grandfather taught him to only put his hand over his heart for the pledge, not the anthem. Weak. I suppose he never noticed everyone else doing it? [/quote] **Nobody** else does it. I was an Air Force brat and we sometimes went to the movies on-base; the national anthem was always played before the movie started and everybody stood up for it, but nobody put hand to heart – that’s for the Pledge of Allegiance. (Actually the original “Flag Salute” was the right arm held straight out, but Hitler put that gesture in bad odor and it was dropped.) [QUOTE=Weirddave] The president’s biggest job is to be a cheerleader for America. [/quote] :dubious: No, it isn’t. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-50-lies-and-counting/450213.md?page=5)