# Well at least our VP has a big pair. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 4, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437 "2014-09-04T03:31:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/101 "2014-09-05T15:22:10Z")
Anyone else notice that being President is so stressful that golfing is considered relaxing? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/102 "2014-09-05T15:27:16Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Does the fact that that idiot started those fucking wars figure into this discussion at all? Just wondering. Not to mention that GWB was breaking vacation records in the 8 months prior to 9/11. I remember watching Bill O’Reilly give a speech at a professional conference about a week before 9/11 (back when O’Reilly was relatively respectable) and he went on for 20 minutes about how the new president was constantly on vacation. He actually used the word “lazy” to describe Bush. Not too good for a president to be stupid and lazy. Obama is neither of those things, plus is well into his 2nd term and can perform his duties without having to skimp on sleep or leisure. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/103 "2014-09-05T16:11:27Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > . . . Why rely on such pathetic things to criticize the President about? It makes it seem like you have something personal against this guy, when the criticism is this silly. These are the guys who are all cheesed because Obama wore a tan-colored suit. “He spends too much time golfing” is a big-seller in right-wing hate radio right now. President Bush (the lesser) took longer vacations, but with Obama, it’s all different. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/104 "2014-09-05T16:41:27Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > A couple of years ago - I think it was during the BS story about how a presidential trip to India was supposedly costing hundreds of millions of dollars a day - there was some interesting discussion of how some Obama opponents just hate that he’s able to exercise any of the trappings that come with his office. They don’t think he’s entitled to do the things presidents do. That appears to include playing golf, too, even though he’s sometimes golfed with members of Congress and in the past he was bashed a lot for not doing things like reaching out to Congress. I don’t know why anyone wants to play non-mini-golf at all, ever, but it’s not my problem. It sounds like he’s golfing about twice a month for a couple of hours a day. I can’t imagine having the energy to give a shit about this. They use other words, but the one they’re trying not to use is “uppity”. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/105 "2014-09-05T16:43:35Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > These are the guys who are all cheesed because Obama wore a tan-colored suit. Yeah, his _ **suit** _ is the wrong color. That’s it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/106 "2014-09-05T17:48:52Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course, Obama has since “evolved” on this kind of thing. So then, is it actually your opinion that the president should _not_ ever engage in any sort of leisure activities? The president is not allowed to put his feet up, watch the game, get some exercise, clear some brush, have dinner, with his family, sleep? Is the only appropriate ‘downtime’ activity for the president, as I suggested above, to sit staring at the wall in a state of catlike readiness in case something happens so that he can immediately leap in front of cameras to Show Leadership and Act Presidential? Or is it more important to you that Obama be wrong than that common sense be followed? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/107 "2014-09-05T18:14:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So then, is it actually your opinion that the president should _not_ ever engage in any sort of leisure activities? Of course it isn’t my opinion. But it was (according to the video and to the quote) Obama’s. Before he evolved. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/108 "2014-09-05T18:20:54Z")
If you think he was vowing to never take a vacation as president, sure. Maybe we can get back to Biden and ISIS now? I’m discovering that arguing about strangers playing golf is even more boring than golf itself. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/109 "2014-09-05T18:36:10Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course it isn’t my opinion. But it was (according to the video and to the quote) Obama’s. Before he evolved. So you honestly believe Obama was saying that he would never, ever sleep or spend time with his family? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/110 "2014-09-05T18:38:02Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So you honestly believe Obama was saying that he would never, ever sleep or spend time with his family? As I said, I honestly believe that he is a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd. Then he relies on sycophants to explain what he “really” meant. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/111 "2014-09-05T18:49:43Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > As I said, I honestly believe that he is a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd. Then he relies on sycophants to explain what he “really” meant. This directly conflicts with your last post. First you say it really is his opinion that he should never engage in any leisure activities (including sleep and family time). Then you say he only said it because it “sounds good”. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/112 "2014-09-05T18:59:47Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > As I said, I honestly believe that he is a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd. Then he relies on sycophants to explain what he “really” meant. Which describes every politician ever spawned. Including Saint Ronnie and The Chimp. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/113 "2014-09-05T19:01:48Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This directly conflicts with your last post. First you say it really is his opinion that he should never engage in any leisure activities (including sleep and family time). Then you say he only said it because it “sounds good”. I will rephrase it then. It can be taken as Obama’s opinion if you take what he is saying in interviews seriously. Since I consider him a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd, no, he was just fibbing. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/114 "2014-09-05T19:10:41Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I will rephrase it then. It can be taken as Obama’s opinion if you take what he is saying in interviews seriously. Since I consider him a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd, no, he was just fibbing. Okay. Do you find it reasonable that some people might, objectively, see nuance and metaphor in those statements? Or is the only reasonable interpretation that Obama was literally saying (and lying) that he planned to never sleep or see his family? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/115 "2014-09-05T19:16:09Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Okay. Do you find it reasonable that some people might, objectively, see nuance and metaphor in those statements? Of course. Every side interprets what they see and hear through partisan filters. I suspect that if Obama urinated on you you would think it was raining. “Metaphorically” of course. With “nuance”. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/116 "2014-09-05T19:17:39Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course. Every side interprets what they see through partisan glasses. I suspect that if Obama urinated on you you would think it was raining. I put the word “objectively” in my question to stave this off. But this makes me sad. I don’t think of all Republicans and conservatives, and even those who strongly oppose Obama, as either evil or colossal saps. It makes me a little sad that you, AFAIU, believe that all Obama supporters are either evil or colossal saps. And it bewilders me, a little, that someone could honestly believe Obama was saying that he literally was planning to stay awake for his entire presidency. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/117 "2014-09-05T19:26:47Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > As I said, I honestly believe that he is a preening blabbermouth who would say anything that sounds good no matter how absurd. Then he relies on sycophants to explain what he “really” meant. Most people, I imagine you among them, at some point in their lives get married or make a similar commitment. In doing so, they take vows. The standard ones include the words, “Love, Honor & Obey”, what’s mine is yours, until death, etc… And like most people I know, fail to live up to those vows on a regular basis. So would you also characterize most people as “preening blabbermouths”, etc… for failing to live up to the letter of their promise? Or, are you the one person in this world who has without fail lived up to every exaggerated overture and overzealous promise stated to emphasize your earnestness to a desired goal? To put it a different way, you can’t seriously expect anyone to believe that you aren’t deliberately refusing to understand this president’s metaphorical expression simply because you have it in for the guy. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/118 "2014-09-05T19:28:18Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Most people, I imagine you among them, at some point in their lives get married or make a similar commitment. In doing so, they take vows. The standard ones include the words, “Love, Honor & Obey”, what’s mine is yours, until death, etc… And like most people I know, fail to live up to those vows on a regular basis. I’m not sure if this is the right comparison – it seems blindingly obvious to me that Obama was not _literally_ saying he was planning to stay awake for his entire Presidency, and spend zero time with his family. During a wedding, at least ostensibly, you’re actually planning to live up to those vows. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/119 "2014-09-05T19:30:38Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Most people, I imagine you among them, at some point in their lives get married or make a similar commitment. In doing so, they take vows. The standard ones include the words, “Love, Honor & Obey”, what’s mine is yours, until death, etc… And like most people I know, fail to live up to those vows on a regular basis. > > So would you also characterize most people as “preening blabbermouths”, etc… for failing to live up to the letter of their promise? Not “preening blabbermouths” since they don’t do that for personal aggrandizement like Obama does, but yes, I would blame them for failing to live up to their commitment. Your bringing up that comparison - does it mean you think that Obama failed to live up to his commitment? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437/120 "2014-09-05T19:31:46Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course. Every side interprets what they see and hear through partisan filters. Just as every thief and liar assumes everyone else will cheat or lie to him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-at-least-our-vp-has-a-big-pair/697437.md?page=7)