# Where was Barack Obama, to stand for Democracy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 12, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597 "2015-01-12T03:49:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/381 "2015-01-14T17:42:27Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The lying little bitches are the ones who said that diplomacy was so important and that we needed someone more sensitive and is okay with the President giving our allies the brush off time and time again. > > It’s actually much more profitable in this world to be an enemy of Barack Obama than a friend, and that goes for domestic politics too. Ah, so it’s your business plan. Getting the returns you expected? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/382 "2015-01-14T17:46:44Z")
So far, hell yeah. What has being a friend of Obama ever gotten anyone? HEck, it’s really perilous to be on his staff, you get thrown under the bus whenever he screws up. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/383 "2015-01-14T17:50:53Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The lying little bitches are the ones who said that diplomacy was so important and that we needed someone more sensitive and is okay with the President giving our allies the brush off time and time again. So when did France become our allies and stop being freedom-hating socialist terrorist-sympathizing cowards? Exactly when between March 2003 and now did that transition occur? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/384 "2015-01-14T17:53:57Z")
The French are our allies, although they can be problematic at times, so there’s nothing wrong with having a public tiff with them now and then. You should read Wes Clark’s book for some good examples of how unnecessarily difficult they can be. But not standing with them when 40 other nations did does make us look like assholes. Bush wouldn’t have done that. At the very least, Colin Powell would have been there. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/385 "2015-01-14T18:00:54Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The French are our allies, although they can be problematic at times, so there’s nothing wrong with having a public tiff with them now and then. You should read Wes Clark’s book for some good examples of how unnecessarily difficult they can be. > > But not standing with them when 40 other nations did does make us look like assholes. Bush wouldn’t have done that. At the very least, Colin Powell would have been there. Are you as simplistic and stupid in real life as you are here? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/386 "2015-01-14T18:07:04Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Guess you can add [Hollande](http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/14/dieudonne-arrest-facebook-post-charlie-coulibaly-paris-gunman?CMP=share_btn_tw). So, there are things that you just can’t make fun of? CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/387 "2015-01-14T18:21:31Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Are you as simplistic and stupid in real life as you are here? Just curious. I admit it takes a rather sophisticated mind to disagree with everyone, including the President, about whether a high ranking official should have been sent. Your obstinance would do GWB proud. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/388 "2015-01-14T18:34:26Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I admit it takes a rather sophisticated mind to disagree with everyone, including the President, about whether a high ranking official should have been sent. So now you’re saying you _agree_ with Obama? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/389 "2015-01-14T18:47:39Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Where was the march for the 2,000 killed in Nigeria? Barack Obama doesn’t care about black people. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/390 "2015-01-14T18:57:24Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The French are our allies, although they can be problematic at times, so there’s nothing wrong with having a public tiff with them now and then. You should read Wes Clark’s book for some good examples of how unnecessarily difficult they can be. > > But not standing with them when 40 other nations did does make us look like assholes. Bush wouldn’t have done that. At the very least, Colin Powell would have been there. You don’t have the slightest fucking idea what Bush would have done, and neither does anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/391 "2015-01-14T19:00:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Barack Obama doesn’t care about black people. They weren’t Kenyans. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/392 "2015-01-14T19:07:44Z")
I can only quote myself as it seems there is no shame among the americans who want to hijack these events for their low and vulgar partisan politics. it is most unconvincing Terr and adaher have any concern in reality at all, as of course it is clear neither truly care about or for the France, and only care to make stupid and adolescent partisan commentaries which in fact insult the entire idea. > [@Ramira](#): > > When the French and the europeans start complaining then there is a snub, but if there is not such, then it is not. it is quite simple, I think the sdmb term is the Offenderati always seeking offense. > > But I do not believe any of this is honest, it is your stupid american politics that is making yourselves more important than the actual event, which is itself disgusting. Not that you would have any sense of shame. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/393 "2015-01-14T19:16:08Z")
To be honest, I first heard this concern, or lament, about the insufficiently high-level American representation in Paris, not from the reflexive critics of Obama. Nor from any Europeans. But from liberal-minded Americans who saw the Paris demonstration as one of profound import, relative to (not only) American ideals… and I think they wanted to _be_ represented. Not for domestic partisan purposes at all. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/394 "2015-01-14T19:24:18Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > To be honest, I first heard this concern, or lament, about the insufficiently high-level American representation in Paris, not from the reflexive critics of Obama. Nor from any Europeans. But from liberal-minded Americans who saw the Paris demonstration as one of profound import, relative to (not only) American ideals… and I think they wanted to _be_ represented. Not for domestic partisan purposes at all. [Jack Tapper, Andrea Mitchell, and Aaron David Miller](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18046814&postcount=99) are not “reflexive critics of Obama”. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/395 "2015-01-14T19:26:45Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > I can only quote myself as it seems there is no shame among the americans who want to hijack these events for their low and vulgar partisan politics. it is most unconvincing Terr and adaher have any concern in reality at all, as of course it is clear neither truly care about or for the France, and only care to make stupid and adolescent partisan commentaries which in fact insult the entire idea. Ramira, where are you? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/396 "2015-01-14T19:27:26Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > I can only quote myself as it seems there is no shame among the americans who want to hijack these events for their low and vulgar partisan politics. it is most unconvincing Terr and adaher have any concern in reality at all, as of course it is clear neither truly care about or for the France, and only care to make stupid and adolescent partisan commentaries which in fact insult the entire idea. **Terr** & **adaher** do not stand for all Americans. They stand for the Right Wingers who hate our President. The echo chamber makes them very loud. Here’s another shot of the [photo op](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html) that President Obama did not attend. I believe he handled the sad situation properly. If he _had_ attended, I guarantee that the Right Wing Dittoheads would have been complaining about the unnecessary expense. (These same people said some extremely rude things about the French when they wisely declined to accompany Bush & Blair into Iraq.) ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/397 "2015-01-14T19:28:41Z")
In other words, the “snub” perceived wasn’t from Obama to the French, but from Obama to _us_, to those Americans who felt our (shared) values attacked, and who would have gone into the Paris streets in answer too, if we could. We might have liked our President to make that gesture for us. Again, not a “pity fest” at all. An element of mourning, to be sure, but above all, a demonstration of solidarity and resolve. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/398 "2015-01-14T19:29:11Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Right Wingers who hate our President. Are [these people](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18046814&postcount=99) “Right Wingers who hate our President”? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/399 "2015-01-14T19:29:38Z")
Terr any myself represent the majority of Americans here in this bastion of Obama dead-enderism. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/400 "2015-01-14T19:29:48Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [Jack Tapper, Andrea Mitchell, and Aaron David Miller](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=18046814&postcount=99) are not “reflexive critics of Obama”. Yes. Not sure what your point is, relative to mine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=21)