# Stupid rhetorical questions regarding unversal healthcare and stuff like that. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 7, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204 "2009-09-07T22:15:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/21 "2009-09-08T19:40:25Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Has anyone given Jimmy Joe his Participation Ribbon? He’s posting the same dumb line in different places, maybe he feels left out? Suck it 'luci… two legs **BAD**! Every thread must be told that. Relevancy be damned. Screw context. Two legs **BAD**! There are a few other slogans to chant, too, slogans that simply _must_ be chanted lest there be silence. But all that doesn’t matter, because **TWO LEGS BAD!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/22 "2009-09-08T19:46:25Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > Ahhhhh… but have you pledged to _serve_ him? It is nice to see that posterbot technology has moved along reasonably well. Slightly better than Eliza. But, you guys who programmed the Jimmy bot - could you try some artificial intelligence the next time, not artificial stupidity? ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/23 "2009-09-08T19:52:22Z")
**Voyager** , can you elaborate on that? ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/24 "2009-09-08T19:52:33Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > **Superfluous Parentheses** , how have you pledged to serve Obama today? I don’t have to, I’m not a US citizen. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/25 "2009-09-08T20:26:46Z")
Maybe this is what you’re missing, **Jimmy**. I’m assuming that you got this whole “worshipping Obama” meme on your own and didn’t download it from the Axis of Anal. And assuming you’re not just being a dick for the sheer hell of it, and sincerely believe you’re making a point. A lot of us really, really like Obama. That’s a fact, I do too, I’ve even forgiven him for being smarter than me and having a wife who scorches footprints in the sidewalk when she barefoots. But he wasn’t my pick, I didn’t think he could do it, too many strikes against him before he even got to the plate. I underestimated my fellow citizens, I was alread gritting my teeth getting ready to vote for Hillary, who I cannot stand! But something has happened here, something pretty darn amazing, especially to a pessimist like myself. He won. Handily. We are, it appears, a much more open and intelligent people than I had thought! I’lll stop short of “Hallelujah!” but its definitely worth a “Yeeee-haw!” Its not even that he is so wonderful, but now I’m not waking up every morning like I have for loathe, these many years, worrying what the fuck that half-wit goober in the White House was gonna fuck up today! That’s huge! It feels real good when they stop hitting you in the head with a hammer every damn morning! _Real_ good! He’s just a man, and far too centrist for my taste. But he’s a smart man, and a decent man, and, Lord God, but that’s an improvement! Are you old enough to remember when Nixon bit the dust? Remember how Gerald Ford was widely appreciated and admired, just because of who he _wasn’t_? Its kinda like that. So maybe cut a little slack, OK, podnuh? And if you got something to actually bitch about, bitch away! But its pretty small to be bellyaching about how much people like him, don’t you think? Or don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/26 "2009-09-08T20:37:02Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > But, you guys who programmed the Jimmy bot - could you try some artificial intelligence the next time, not artificial stupidity? That’s ARTIFICIAL? Man, talk about realistic. ---
**Author:** ![LilShieste](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@LilShieste](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilShieste)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/27 "2009-09-08T20:38:00Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > I think he’s unqualified and I don’t agree with his agenda, but other than that I don’t really have anything against him. Ooopppss… I mean Him. Yeah, who does he think he is, running for president when he’d only been working in government for 11 years? ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/28 "2009-09-08T20:57:21Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > It is nice to see that posterbot technology has moved along reasonably well. Slightly better than Eliza. But, you guys who programmed the Jimmy bot - could you try some artificial intelligence the next time, not artificial stupidity? No matter what, he’s still going to fail the Turing Test. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/29 "2009-09-08T22:33:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Maybe this is what you’re missing, **Jimmy**. I’m assuming that you got this whole “worshipping Obama” meme on your own and didn’t download it from the Axis of Anal. And assuming you’re not just being a dick for the sheer hell of it, and sincerely believe you’re making a point. Yes, the what now?, no, and I do. And likewise I’ll assume you’re not being a dick for the sheer hell of it either. > [@](#): > > A lot of us really, really like Obama. Yes, that is apparent. > [@](#): > > But he wasn’t my pick, I didn’t think he could do it … I was already gritting my teeth getting ready to vote for Hillary, who I cannot stand! Yeah, I hear you. I didn’t vote for George W. Bush either. I voted Republican. I wish they had run someone else. > [@](#): > > … waking up every morning … worrying what the fuck that half-wit goober in the White House was gonna fuck up today! I’m there now! > [@](#): > > Remember how Gerald Ford was widely appreciated and admired, just because of who he _wasn’t_? Yes, I do. And how did that turn for us? When did “he’s not as bad as the last guy” become a reason to elect someone president? Oh, right… 2008. > [@](#): > > So maybe cut a little slack, OK, podnuh? OK, podnuh. > [@](#): > > But its pretty small to be bellyaching about how much people like him, don’t you think? I think you’re missing my point. I’m not bellyaching about how much people like him. I’m bellyaching because “he’s not as bad as the last guy” has morphed into “he’s the greatest thing since hot buttered toast! Fuck that, \*cinnamon \*toast!!!” If people around here were more along the lines of… > [@elucidator](#): > > A lot of us really, really like Obama… … or the semi-sarcastic > [@elucidator](#): > > I’ve even forgiven him for being smarter than me and having a wife who scorches footprints in the sidewalk when she barefoots … or qualified their support with > [@elucidator](#): > > But he wasn’t my pick… … or even > [@elucidator](#): > > Its not even that he is so wonderful… (note to \*\*elucidator \*\*– that’s heresy in some circles) … or > [@elucidator](#): > > He’s just a man, and far too centrist for my taste… … or even realistic praise that doesn’t rise to the level of fellating, like > [@elucidator](#): > > But he’s a smart man, and a decent man… then I’d have scarse few opportunities to point and call “worshiper”. It’s the fools and tools who get all bent out of shape at the slightest opposition whom I find mock-worthy. To be fair, when I see a Bush supporter getting bent up because someone called him “shrub” or “half-wit goober” I think they, too, have a little of the Captain… I mean the stupid in them. But the ratio of Obama-worshipers to Bush-worshipers on this board is approximately 823:1, so it’s a target-rich environment. > [@elucidator](#): > > … don’t you think? Or don’t you? You’re \*almost \*funny. And lastly… if anyone, _ **anyone** _, gets upset about anything, _ **anything** _, I have said here, then I have only one question for you: How have \*you \*pledged to serve Obama today? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/30 "2009-09-08T22:38:30Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > And lastly… if anyone, _ **anyone** _, gets upset about anything, _ **anything** _, I have said here, then I have only one question for you: > > How have \*you \*pledged to serve Obama today? Nobody has except some celebrities. Which kind of renders your rant moot. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/31 "2009-09-08T22:40:24Z")
I don’t think anybody’s getting upset. At least, I’m not. I just don’t think you’re funny. Or particularly bright. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/32 "2009-09-08T22:44:09Z")
Not upset either. Your perceptions are a bit off kilter though… Almost like you’re trying to manufacture some outrage where none actually exists. Now where have I seen that before… hmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/33 "2009-09-08T22:44:24Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > It’s the fools and tools who get all bent out of shape at the slightest opposition whom I find mock-worthy. For example, the OP. **Superfluous Parentheses** has no dog in this fight, yet still is able to get worked into a froth over our political environment and topic du jour. > [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > I don’t have to, I’m not a US citizen. You’re right, you don’t have to, but you did. You are a worshiper. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/34 "2009-09-08T22:44:35Z")
It’s pretty clear who pledged to troll the message boards today. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Joe_Meager)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/35 "2009-09-08T22:49:04Z")
So **Bosstone** , **woodstockbirdybird** , **Rhythmdvl** , and **Euphonious Polemic** , are you going on record as saying you have not pledged to serve Obama? Because they’re taking names you know. You won’t be let in when The One opens the gates to Utopia. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/36 "2009-09-08T22:50:33Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > It just _works_ in so many places!! It works at Fox. It is stupid any where else. Take a poll and you would find practically nobody who thinks Obama is great. Some of us are waiting to see what he accomplishes. He has barely started for crying out loud. Many of us think he is too middle of the road. I suspected he was fairly conservative and am sorry to see I may have been right. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/37 "2009-09-08T23:16:40Z")
It really makes no sense to ask rhetorical questions of people who get their opinions and slogans from Beck et al. Let’s face it, it’s the law of averages that _someone_ out there will make Sarah Palin seem erudite. Not by much, but there it is. It’s kind of like diarrhea leaking down some homeless person’s leg… she makes a few insinuations, it runs down to the echo chamber where it gets picked up, and then the emulation starts, people following their heroes by (and serving their ends) by trolling message boards or showing up at protest rallies to shout down The Enemy rather than engage in democracy. It’s a fantasy that some bullies grow out of it or gain perspective–whether today’s troll is fifteen and clueless or fifty and clueless, it’s still a troll. It’s unfortunate that there are a lot of legitimate concerns over health care legislation, but they are getting largely drowned by people who either truly don’t understand them or wallow in their ignorance. But sloganeering is fun, and I assume there’s some sort of masturbatory glee in thinking “hoo-boy did I sure give it to those libs nyuck nyuck nyuck.” You know… two legs bad and all that. It’s not like Orwell was describing a particular State at the time; he was describing a human proclivity. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/38 "2009-09-08T23:21:11Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > So **Bosstone** , **woodstockbirdybird** , **Rhythmdvl** , and **Euphonious Polemic** , are you going on record as saying you have not pledged to serve Obama? Because they’re taking names you know. You won’t be let in when The One opens the gates to Utopia. I’m taking names of people that I feel sorry for. \ ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/39 "2009-09-09T00:06:02Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > So **Bosstone** , **woodstockbirdybird** , **Rhythmdvl** , and **Euphonious Polemic** , are you going on record as saying you have not pledged to serve Obama? Because they’re taking names you know. You won’t be let in when The One opens the gates to Utopia. I have here in my hand a list of 205 . . . 75. . . 57. . .4! a list of 4 names that were made known to Jimmy Joe as being members of the Obama Love Party and who nevertheless are still posting as members with full posting privileges. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204/40 "2009-09-09T03:41:10Z")
> [@Jimmy\_Joe\_Meager](#): > > So **Bosstone** , **woodstockbirdybird** , **Rhythmdvl** , and **Euphonious Polemic** , are you going on record as saying you have not pledged to serve Obama? Because they’re taking names you know. You won’t be let in when The One opens the gates to Utopia. Hey, you fucking troll, you wanna take your act over to a message board where the so-called worship is actually happening? 'Cause, I, for one, am getting a little tired of your schtick. And, in case you are actually interested in sticking around and being a Doper, I was serious in my earlier post. In what respect do you believe Barack Obama is unqualified to be President? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-rhetorical-questions-regarding-unversal-healthcare-and-stuff-like-that/509204.md?page=3)