# 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:** 22
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/421 "2015-01-14T20:45:02Z")
Is there another reason he would involve himself in such a small issue, while remaining more aloof from a bigger one? It’s not exactly a stretch to figure that he only involves himself in the things that matter to him, and his advisors don’t really keep him focused on what’s really important. Then the media goes into a furor and he blames it on a staff member. There’s a reason even many of his supporters are saying he’s getting too insulated these days. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/422 "2015-01-14T20:52:52Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Oh, c’mon! Tell me you didn’t roll your eyes when Earnest said it wasn’t the President’s decision. Eye-rolling is not hyperbolic nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/423 "2015-01-14T21:02:59Z")
When did republicans become such pussies? We’re the United States of America, motherfuckers. Our president has to go make some symbolic appearance, just to show our commitment to fighting terrorism? Our fucking commitment? The tens of thousands dead and wounded in our military and the trillions of dollars don’t speak to our commitment? Oh no say the wepublicans. The pwesident has to go hold hands and pose for a phony march. Jesus, whatever happened to rock-ribbed? Ted Cruz just outed himself as a weak-kneed, finger-in-the-wind appeaser, so he’s out. Let’s hope Christie or Bush have a little more backbone. Anyone remember Bin Laden? Yeah, guess not. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/424 "2015-01-14T21:34:46Z")
It’s my personal opinion that Shotgun Joe Biden could have made the trip to France and show that the U.S.A. stood shoulder to shoulder with the 40+ other governments who publically denounce these idiotic terrorist attacks (yes, I said terrorist attacks) against freedom of speech. It’s not like Shotgun Joe has anything else to do. There is no reason for Obama to make the trip. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/425 "2015-01-14T21:43:34Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It’s my personal opinion that Shotgun Joe Biden could have made the trip to France and show that the U.S.A. stood shoulder to shoulder with the 40+ other governments who publically denounce these idiotic terrorist attacks (yes, I said terrorist attacks) against freedom of speech. It’s not like Shotgun Joe has anything else to do. > > There is no reason for Obama to make the trip. That’s a reasonable position to hold. (even if you fail to show appropriate respect to the Vice President) ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/426 "2015-01-14T21:44:55Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It’s my personal opinion that Shotgun Joe Biden could have made the trip to France and show that the U.S.A. stood shoulder to shoulder with the 40+ other governments who publically denounce these idiotic terrorist attacks (yes, I said terrorist attacks) against freedom of speech. It’s not like Shotgun Joe has anything else to do. > > There is no reason for Obama to make the trip. And we would have had the entertainment of seeing how Joe “Oh dear lord, what have I done” Biden would have shown his goofy side. Love him to death, I think he is genuinely a great guy and a true patriot…but he scares me a little bit when he is out in public. ---
**Author:** ![camille](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/22d042/32.png) [@camille](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/camille)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/427 "2015-01-14T21:51:44Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > The only argument for Obama (or anyone not French) to be there was in the broader implied meanings. [Even the French have a more nuanced view of the broader meanings.](https://twitter.com/FrancoisF24/status/554309559305904128/photo/1) I wasn’t expecting Obama to be there, but I thought this was a no-brainer job for John Kerry. And yes, it was cringe-worthy to hear the excuse afterward. But this in no way mitigates l’horreur that is **Terr** : > [@Terr](#): > > As for “most Jews”: > > Joel Margi, president of the Consistoire, the umbrella organization of Jewish congregations in France, said the support from other Jewish communities gives French Jewry strength. > > “We are in a difficult situation, and it is hard to describe how afraid our children are to go to Jewish schools in France,” he said. “In the past, we said we don’t need Israel’s help. The opposite was true; we supported Israel. The situation changed and today the Jews of France need the State of Israel’s help.” LOL, as if “most Jews” would agree about anything. [What you left out of your uncited quote:](http://www.jpost.com/landedpages/printarticle.aspx?id=387646) > [@](#): > > Not everyone present, however, agreed with Israel’s approach to the French community since last week’s tragic events. > > Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for French Jews to immigrate to Israel has proved divisive among European Jewish leaders. > > Eli Ringer, the immediate past president of Belgium’s Forum der Joodse Organisaties and a member of the European Jewish delegation organized by the Israeli Jewish Congress, said he believed statements describing France as dangerous to Jews and calls for mass immigration to Israel could have negative repercussions. > > Speaking with the Post from the cemetery in Jerusalem following the funeral of Yohan Cohen, Philippe Braham, François-Michel Saada and Yoav Hattab, Ringer said he feared statements warning Jews to flee the Diaspora could conceivably embolden Islamic extremists and even lead to further violence. > > “We are, of course, very thankful for Israel’s solidarity with all of the Jewish communities all over the world,” he said. “But I think if they would like to be more efficient they should change their message a little bit.” [The head of Europe’s largest association of Jewish organisations has condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for Jews to emigrate to Israel after the Paris terror attacks:](http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/european-jewish-leader-attacks-netanyahus-call-french-jews-move-israel-1482905) > [@](#): > > Rabbi Menachem Margolin, director of the European Jewish Association (EJA), told news website NRG that he regretted that “after every anti-Semitic attack in Europe, the Israeli government issues the same statements about the importance of aliyah [immigration to Israel], rather than employ every diplomatic and informational means at its disposal to strengthen the safety of Jewish life in Europe,” reports Haaretz… > > … Margolin said that Israel’s government “must cease this Pavlovian reaction every time Jews in Europe are attacked,” and called for measures to be introduced allowing Jews to defend their communities. ---
**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, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/428 "2015-01-14T21:52:26Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > It’s my personal opinion that Shotgun Joe Biden could have made the trip to France and show that the U.S.A. stood shoulder to shoulder with the 40+ other governments who publically denounce these idiotic terrorist attacks (yes, I said terrorist attacks) against freedom of speech. Who doesn’t think they were terrorist attacks? Other than brain-dead conspiracy theorists, I mean. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/429 "2015-01-14T22:01:38Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Who doesn’t think they were terrorist attacks? Other than brain-dead conspiracy theorists, I mean. I repeated the term so there would be no question of how I felt about the terrorist attacks. ---
**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, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/430 "2015-01-14T22:05:13Z")
Ah. Thanks, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/431 "2015-01-14T22:08:37Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > That’s a reasonable position to hold. (even if you fail to show appropriate respect to the Vice President) Just for future reference, and my own amusement, what, specifically, do you consider to be the appropriate amount of respect that should be shown to Joseph Robinette “Joe” Biden, Jr., 47th Vice President of the United States, if I were to mention him in the future, while posting in the SDMB BBQ Pit? ---
**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:** [January 14, 2015, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/432 "2015-01-14T22:11:21Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Just for future reference, and my own amusement, what, specifically, do you consider to be the appropriate amount of respect that should be shown to Joseph Robinette “Joe” Biden, Jr., 47th Vice President of the United States, if I were to mention him in the future, while posting in the SDMB BBQ Pit? His Excellency Sir Joe is good. In fact anything without a shotgun reference would be nice. ---
**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, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/433 "2015-01-14T22:18:21Z")
[QUOTE=doorhinge] (yes, I said terrorist attacks) [/QUOTE] Oh, NO, you DIH-UHNT! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/434 "2015-01-14T22:27:04Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Just for future reference, and my own amusement, what, specifically, do you consider to be the appropriate amount of respect that should be shown to Joseph Robinette “Joe” Biden, Jr., 47th Vice President of the United States, if I were to mention him in the future, while posting in the SDMB BBQ Pit? You’re right, that _is_ a tough question. Here are some quick easy options for you off the top of my head: “Vice President Biden” “Mr. Biden” “Biden” “Veep” “V.P.” “Our Pal Joey” “Joe” ---
**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, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/435 "2015-01-14T22:34:14Z")
In his defense, at least Biden’s shotgun gaffe didn’t involve an old man’s face. ---
**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, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/436 "2015-01-14T22:53:34Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > {…} (yes, I said terrorist attacks) {…} [Sorry, you didn’t say the magic word(s) “radical” “Islamic” terrorist attack!](http://www.google.com/search?num=100&newwindow=1&q=obama+doesn%27t+say+islamic+terrorism&oq=obama+doesn%27t+say+islamic+terr&gs_l=serp.1.0.33i21.145782.150126.0.151455.7.7.0.0.0.0.483.1789.2-2j1j2.5.0.ckpsr...0...1.1.60.serp..4.3.857.9Uk1nfc3gQc) CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/437 "2015-01-14T23:10:00Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > His Excellency Sir Joe is good. In fact anything without a shotgun reference would be nice. But almost impossible for me to remember. Shotgun Joe Biden just seems to go so well together. And isn’t he Obama’s point man on the guns and terrorist? ---
**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, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/438 "2015-01-14T23:30:08Z")
These things are not done in a straightforward and direct fashion, that makes room for too many crude mistakes. My nickel says the obvious, that appropriate American diplomats had utterly informal and non-binding discussions with the French, discussions that were more like a series of nods, winks and shrugs. Would the French like the President to be there? we ask. That would be great, they answered, love it to pieces _but_…we are naturally concerned with his safety and security. We quite understand your concern, we answer, but want to be clear that we take the whole matter with the utmost gravity, we would hate anyone to think we have slighted you in any way. Perhaps you could have a ceremony of your own? they suggest. A gesture of solidarity is, after all, the entire point, geography is not pertinent. By which point in the conversation, our diplomats get the message that the French are not thrilled about worrying over Obama’s security. (_Mon Dieu_! What if something should happen to him on our soil and under our watch! \* Merde!!\*) Perhaps the American ambassador would be appropriate, we suggest. Perfectly suitable, they answer, she is, after all, the ambassador… Plus, nobody knows who she is, she would not make an inviting target. Nobody said that in so many words, one simply doesn’t suggest that the American ambassador is a minor figure. Gestures and shrugs, nothing explicit, it isn’t done that way. There was a minor fumble, a higher ranking official would have been more appropriate. But we give a shit, they _know_ we give a shit, and that’s all that matters… So the WH freely acknowledges a minor mistake, and the French politely decline to be insulted. Sentiment is expressed, dignity is preserved, faces are saved. ---
**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, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/439 "2015-01-14T23:36:16Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > {…} So the WH freely acknowledges a minor mistake, and the French politely decline to be insulted. Sentiment is expressed, dignity is preserved, faces are saved. And [DEL][COLOR=“Black”]penis[/DEL][/COLOR] WHARRGARBL ensues! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/440 "2015-01-14T23:53:28Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > When did republicans become such pussies? We’re the United States of America, motherfuckers. Our president has to go make some symbolic appearance, just to show our commitment to fighting terrorism? Our fucking commitment? The tens of thousands dead and wounded in our military and the trillions of dollars don’t speak to our commitment? > > Oh no say the wepublicans. The pwesident has to go hold hands and pose for a phony march. > > Jesus, whatever happened to rock-ribbed? Ted Cruz just outed himself as a weak-kneed, finger-in-the-wind appeaser, so he’s out. Let’s hope Christie or Bush have a little more backbone. > > Anyone remember Bin Laden? Yeah, guess not. Exactly. Also, wasn’t it just a decade or so ago that Conservatives were calling the French pussies for not supporting the war in Iraq, and doing shit like renaming French fries Freedom fries and criticizing John Kerry for being “too French.” Didn’t Bill O’Reilly at one point call for a boycott of all things French? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=23)