# President Barack Obama is a shameful hypocrite. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 18, 2012, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485 "2012-06-18T04:45:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/201 "2012-06-21T20:07:38Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Obama may have outed secret information for political gain? He wasn’t the first President to do so. The very nature of secrets makes it hard for ordinary citizens to form a sound opinion on specifics, but I’ll say this: I disapprove of such politics on principle but might accept it if it serves the greater good of keeping the White House in rationalist hands. For the sake of argument, assume that he did leak info for political gain. What could the public do to hold elected officials accountable? > [@septimus](#): > > Replying to such a question with another question is normal: One judges our leaders via comparisons. Thus, I ask you: _What do you think of the outing of Valerie Plame by the Bush Administration?_ Small potatoes compared to other things they did and what Obama is doing now. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/202 "2012-06-21T20:14:18Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Here; I even wrote your campaign song for you: /win ---
**Author:** ![Chessic\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7c8e57/32.png) [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/203 "2012-06-21T20:17:30Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > They’re voting for their preferred candidate out of two options. > [@Bosstone](#): > > We’ve got two candidates for Presidency. [Three.](http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/) > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > You are the blindest partisan on this board. Or maybe that’s the other guy that starts with L. **Liberal**. Or **Lobohan**. > [@Lemur866](#): > > Since either Obama or Romney will be the next president Sure, with that attitude. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/204 "2012-06-21T20:21:39Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Small potatoes compared to other things they did and what Obama is doing now. 😕 😕 :smack: The outing of Valerie Plame was part of a program of disinformation and prevarication which led America into a very foolish war: a war which killed perhaps half a million Iraqis and degraded the lives of millions more, and led the U.S. to waste more than a trillion dollars. “Small potatoes”? You, sir, are astonishingly misinformed. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/205 "2012-06-21T20:28:51Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Just checking back in on this thread and still nobody is willing to defend Obama’s actions. Fine, I’ll defend his actions. Obama’s action are justified and proper because they absolutlely drive nuts like you even further batshit insane. That’s all the defense they need. If it bugs the living shit out of you, then I’m good with it. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/206 "2012-06-21T21:48:13Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > 😕 😕 :smack: > The outing of Valerie Plame was part of a program of disinformation and prevarication which led America into a very foolish war: a war which killed perhaps half a million Iraqis and degraded the lives of millions more, and led the U.S. to waste more than a trillion dollars. > > “Small potatoes”? You, sir, are astonishingly misinformed. Correction: more than a trillion dollars _so far_… ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/207 "2012-06-21T22:46:46Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > “Small potatoes”? You, sir, are astonishingly misinformed. He comes from a land of giant potatoes. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/208 "2012-06-22T01:35:23Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Just checking back in on this thread and still nobody is willing to defend Obama’s actions. They’re good at comparing him to other people, and for that they get a smiley face sticker, but nobody is willing to defend his hypocrisy. Am I to assume that you all agree that he is a shameful hypocrite? > > Do you think deception of this level should go unpunished? Yes. > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > One of the major failures of President Obama’s administration is his failure to prosecute wrongdoers from the previous administration. The things you describe in the OP might be bad decisions or broken campaign promises – or not – but they do not rise to the level of “wrongdoing,” and you fucking know it. > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Do you think this is a good precedent to set? if so what recourse do I have as a concerned citizen against lies and lying liars in the executive branch? Voting. You did **not** vote for W in 2004, I hope? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/209 "2012-06-22T01:36:46Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > While in previous lives I voted for Lincoln and FDR, in 1912 I was a Debs man all the way. 😉 Me too! Now there was a real **American patriot!** 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/210 "2012-06-22T01:39:48Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > Obama may have outed secret information for political gain? He wasn’t the first President to do so. The very nature of secrets makes it hard for ordinary citizens to form a sound opinion on specifics, but I’ll say this: I disapprove of such politics on principle but might accept it if it serves the greater good of keeping the White House in rationalist hands. This. > [@septimus](#): > > Replying to such a question with another question is normal: One judges our leaders via comparisons. Thus, I ask you: _What do you think of the outing of Valerie Plame by the Bush Administration?_ And this. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/211 "2012-06-22T01:42:52Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > No, wait. I wanna be your Veep! > > Here; I even wrote your campaign song for you: > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by **Inigo Montoya’s campaign songwriter** > > > > Oompa Loompa doompity doo > > I have got a puzzle for you > > Oompa Loompa doompity dee > > If you are wise you’ll listen to me. > > > > What do you do when the Prez has been hit > > With charges that he is a big hypocrite? > > Pubbies and Dems are all in the same boat > > I’m **Inigo,** prepare to vote > > > > Fo-or me for President > > > > Oompa Loompa doompity dah > > If you are wise you’ll choose **Mon-to-ya** > > We can fix it, me and my crew > > Of the Oompa Loompa doompity doos! And [do not ask about the Secret Ingredient!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fry_and_the_Slurm_Factory#Slurm) :mad: ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/212 "2012-06-22T01:44:58Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > For the sake of argument, assume that he did leak info for political gain. What could the public do to hold elected officials accountable? Vote. That’s all. That kind of leaking is not an impeachable offense by any measure. > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Small potatoes compared to other things they did and what Obama is doing now. The Plame outing, OTOH, **was** an impeachable offense. If W had advance knowledge of it, that is, which he probably didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/213 "2012-06-22T01:46:50Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > [Three.](http://www.garyjohnson2012.com/) A Libertarian candidacy is always a bad joke, even compared to Ralph Nader’s. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/214 "2012-06-22T02:44:44Z")
When you look at Obama’s opponent, ®money,…how could you vote against Barack? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/215 "2012-06-22T02:47:24Z")
Well, once you go Barack, you can never go back. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/216 "2012-06-22T11:12:37Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Vote. That’s all. That kind of leaking is not an impeachable offense by any measure. I disagree, unless there were a candidate who promised not to do that. Romney certainly hasn’t, and I don’t think Johnson has either. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/217 "2012-06-22T13:24:05Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > I disagree, unless there were a candidate who promised not to do that. Romney certainly hasn’t, and I don’t think Johnson has either. 😕 What’s that got to do with this? Breaking a campaign promise, in and of itself, is never an impeachable offense. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/218 "2012-06-22T14:19:04Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😕 What’s that got to do with this? Breaking a campaign promise, in and of itself, is never an impeachable offense. Um, did I say it was? Voting against a candidate for engaging in particular behavior doesn’t accomplish anything if the other candidates are going to do the exact same thing. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/219 "2012-06-22T15:53:26Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > Um, did I say it was? That is what you appeared to be referring to – impeachment, not voting. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485/220 "2012-06-22T16:11:51Z")
I started a thread on “[When will people realize that Obama is not a die-hard liberal?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=604855)” a year ago. Apparently it’s taking longer than I thought. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-barack-obama-is-a-shameful-hypocrite/625485.md?page=12)