# What in the world possessed Obama to do this? \[Early Hannukah\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 9, 2011, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581 "2011-12-09T02:34:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/41 "2011-12-09T19:34:30Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > Re the OP: I’ve tried to fathom what is so heinous about Obama’s action that **Terr** felt compelled to share his/her outrage with the world (or at least the SDMB), I’m sure there’s a reason. If I think about it long enough, perhaps it’ll come to me. It’s probably something right in front of my eyes… ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/42 "2011-12-09T19:46:42Z")
> [@MEBuckner](#): > > So–hypothetically–the U.S. starts bombing Iran during the middle of Hannukah. I don’t know…when we celebrated Bomadon a decade or so back it seemed pretty festive and well received. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/43 "2011-12-10T00:56:54Z")
What amazes me is that we have two equally ridiculous threads about this. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/44 "2011-12-10T01:06:58Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I hear in Russia that Christmas is celebrated on JANUARY 6th!!! FUCKING COMMIES!!! naaaahhhh, that would be christmas eve. christmas is the 7th. i bet obama celebrates christmas 13 days early as well!! ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/45 "2011-12-10T01:24:01Z")
Yeah this one seals it for me. Obama is definitely going down next election. Count on the GOP to continually bring this one up in all their ads and in the debates. I’m really thankful for this topic being brought up. And to think I almost voted for the bastard again… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/46 "2011-12-10T04:13:30Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > What amazes me is that we have two equally ridiculous threads about this. It was probably a topic on some conservative talk show this week. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/47 "2011-12-10T04:52:24Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > naaaahhhh, that would be christmas eve. christmas is the 7th. > > i bet obama celebrates christmas 13 days early as well!! Damn, that’s even more messed up. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/48 "2011-12-10T13:16:19Z")
just wait 'till it slides another a day sometime this century and goes to jan. 8th! ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/49 "2011-12-10T13:30:28Z")
Somehow or another, Daylight Savings Time is involved in the kerfuffle. \ ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/50 "2011-12-10T15:05:55Z")
nm. I was whooshed. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/51 "2011-12-10T15:15:26Z")
Why is he celebrating Hannukah in the first place? Why are Jews expecting a Christian to join in their celebration? I’m surprised the anti-multi-culturalists haven’t used this as an example of PC-ness run amok. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/52 "2011-12-10T17:48:59Z")
Back when I considered myself Jewish, I would have seen this as: 1. He’s too busy to celebrate the holiday when he’s supposed to. 2. He’s too busy to celebrate the holiday the WAY he’s supposed to. You don’t light the candles all at once. They specifically symbolize that the oil lasted eight days…that’s why you do them over eight days. I’m actually mildly insulted by his attempt to “squeeze in” the holiday. It’s not his holiday…don’t try to fake it. There are plenty of Christians who complain if there isn’t a Christmas tree in certain public places…why wouldn’t we expect Jews to complain about this? -D/a ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/53 "2011-12-10T18:57:53Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > There are plenty of Christians who complain if there isn’t a Christmas tree in certain public places..why wouldn’t we expect Jews to complain about this? If the president were Jewish, I wouldn’t expect him to celebrate Christmas or even pay lip service to it. And I’d consider anyone who would expect otherwise to be a profound idiot. Someone can be respectful of someone else’s traditions without trying to create the image that they are theirs as well. Holidays are supposed to mean something special to those who believe or practice. I rolled my eyes when he did the Passover seder thing as well. Attend one that you’ve been invited to? Sure, go ahead. But don’t throw one yourself and then the following Sunday go to Easter service. I’ve heard of being ecumenical, but that’s a little ridiculous to me. Of course, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/54 "2011-12-10T20:05:29Z")
> [@Anchuldigs](#): > > Title pretty much says it all. Can’t celebrate Hannukah while Israel or America is bombing Iran without being seen as being controlled by teh Joos. > > Anyone have any other idea why [they celebrated Hannukah 2 weeks early](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_HANUKKAH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-12-08-18-44-18)? The photo in the article made me smile - they’re celebrating Hanukkah in front of Christmas trees. He’s not Jewish? What’s the point? Jews are 2 per cent of America - why have a Jewish holiday festival at the White House (while making sure to drive home your dedication to the Jewish homeland\*)? \*Which is entirely optional as most of us are firmly planted in the US of A. ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/55 "2011-12-10T20:10:02Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > If the president were Jewish, I wouldn’t expect him to celebrate Christmas or even pay lip service to it. And I’d consider anyone who would expect otherwise to be a profound idiot. > > Someone can be respectful of someone else’s traditions without trying to create the image that they are theirs as well. Holidays are supposed to mean something special to those who believe or practice. I rolled my eyes when he did the Passover seder thing as well. Attend one that you’ve been invited to? Sure, go ahead. But don’t throw one yourself and then the following Sunday go to Easter service. I’ve heard of being ecumenical, but that’s a little ridiculous to me. > > Of course, IMHO. He had Ramadan at the White House, too. No Kwanzaa, though. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/56 "2011-12-11T02:38:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_OBAMA\_HANUKKAH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-12-08-18-44-18](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_HANUKKAH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-12-08-18-44-18) > > \*\*Obama celebrates Hanukkah at White House \*\* > > Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden convened a Hanukkah celebration at the White House Thursday in an early celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights. > > ======================================== > > Hanukkah is on Dec. 20th. This is a WTF moment for me - what’s next - Obama is going to celebrate Passover in February? > > And this is apart from the fact that I don’t think Obama knows what Hanukkah celebrates. Because it basically celebrates the victory of religious fundamentalism over the religious reformists/assimilationists. But that’s ok - few non-Jews (hell, few non-religious Jews) know that. But the timing is just bizarre. It is the victory of religious freedom and monotheism over paganism. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/57 "2011-12-11T02:48:20Z")
For example the king Antiochus had the temple defiled and set up an altar to Zeus there. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581/58 "2011-12-11T03:22:20Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > That’s possible. But given that Jews have a long, long history of other peoples attacking them, and very, very little history of attacking each other, I’m inclined to think the Maccabee incident was just a reaction to the same old story of being pissed on by another group. Funny you should mention that. In this case, it’s completely wrong. The Jews were slaughtering each other right and left in an intense bid for the vacant office of high priest. A high priest of the Jews named Jason, appointed by Antiochus, purged Jersusalem. He murdered the supporters of his rival Menelaus, who also happened to be the priest’s own brother. Antiochus probably didn’t want to get deeply involved in Judea: he was in the middle of an invasion of Egypt (the Sixth Syrian War) and later had all his armies on the eastern frontier fighting off an existential threat from Persia. He cracked down on Jerusalem because the Jews were ungovernable and were killing each other in the streets. That’s when Antiochus lost his patience in 167 and effectively suppressed the Jews. Three years later, yet another rival for the priesthood, Mattathias, started slaughtering Jews in his own bid for power. This isn’t revisionist history or anything: you can read it all in Maccabees I and II or even in Josephus. When a Jew was willing to sacrifice in the imperial rites, Mattathias killed him on the spot. The Jews didn’t get along with each other any better than any other ethnic group in antiquity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-in-the-world-possessed-obama-to-do-this-early-hannukah/605581.md?page=2)