# You have GOT to be Kidding Me **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [November 25, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057 "2018-11-25T15:23:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/41 "2018-11-25T19:17:45Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Regardless of how it is interpreted, I am at a loss to understand how “giving America a First Lady who doesn’t have a penis” can be construed by anyone as reasonable political discourse. IT WAS A JOKE! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/42 "2018-11-25T19:19:04Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > … a silly way to describe what happened when someone said "“Giving America a First Lady who doesn’t have a penis.” You need to think ahead a few steps. That is not the point - FAR from it. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/43 "2018-11-25T19:22:59Z")
> [@Wolf333](#): > > There’s a right wing meme that Michelle Obama is a man. Fair enough, if it’s really such a well known meme on the right, then I withdraw my comments. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/44 "2018-11-25T19:26:23Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > IT WAS A JOKE! :smack: You claimed it was “squelching discourse.” You claim that this is a conservative-liberal issue, and the post was moderated because of political bias. Could you please detail to me the conservative position whether or not on the First Lady should have a penis? ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/45 "2018-11-25T19:30:06Z")
Tim apologized for the very poor joke. The matter was handled exactly correct. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/46 "2018-11-25T19:32:51Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > This would be a bizarre interpretation, imo. It seems obvious to me that the joke is targeted at Bill Clinton in the traditional “First Lady” role. > > With all due respect, this seems to me to be extreme over-interpretation and offense-seeking over a silly joke. No. It’s profoundly dumb (and racist. and transphobic.) but Alex Jones and his ilk has been calling Michelle Obama a man for years. He claims he has proof. Also, in a separate development, Joan Rivers once made a joke about Barack being gay (another Jones hobbyhorse, btw) and Michelle being transgendered, only she was just making a dumb and racist and transphobic joke, and Alex Jones claims that the Obamas had her killed for it. Given that background, and Jones’ rising influence in the last few years, it’s not at all a stretch to believe that this was what Tim Mortiss, Trump Supporter, was referencing. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/47 "2018-11-25T19:37:15Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > You claimed it was “squelching discourse.” You claim that this is a conservative-liberal issue, and the post was moderated because of political bias. Could you please detail to me the conservative position whether or not on the First Lady should have a penis? No, because your question overlooks the whole point of this thread. Political bias was the motive for moderation. Everybody knows Bill Clinton has a penis. It was detailed in all it’s glory, remember? The jab was Bill for being the 1st lady. We’ve never had a 1st “man.” This is not getting derailed - even by the mods. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/48 "2018-11-25T19:38:18Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Tim apologized for the very poor joke. The matter was handled exactly correct. I disagree, as has been clearly explained through the thread. Time to circle the wagons? I understand this might set a dangerous SDMB precedent. Sometimes you just have to admit you are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/49 "2018-11-25T19:40:54Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > My “opinion” is irrelevant. This should be a sticky ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/50 "2018-11-25T19:43:58Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > …Alex Jones and his ilk has been calling Michelle. Another derail attempt not working. The only people considering Alex Jones in any fashion are simply placing off-topic information on the table. That goes for Ms. Denizen as well. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/51 "2018-11-25T19:46:42Z")
Am going to be called out for not knowing if she is married or not? ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/52 "2018-11-25T19:50:46Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Am going to be called out for not knowing if she is married or not? It’s doctor. Thanks. Also, Ms has no period since it is not an abbreviation. Plus, my marital state is not indicated by Ms, which was exactly why the title Ms was created, so no calling out needed, since no marital state is implied. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/53 "2018-11-25T19:52:44Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > IT WAS A JOKE! :smack: So what if it was? Do you really think it’s okay to say (or post) something insulting and insensitive and not be held accountable because “it’s only a joke”? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/54 "2018-11-25T19:53:54Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > I … censorship. … > [@BeenJammin](#): > > … to censor the material … > [@BeenJammin](#): > > … censorship.… > [@BeenJammin](#): > > … censorship. I am not sure what your definition of “censorship” is, but this does not seem to match mine. A censor would have stricken the text or deleted the post entirely, but it remains to be viewed. Telling people to refrain from jerkishness (outside the Pit) is a long way from censoring content. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/55 "2018-11-25T19:56:51Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Time to circle the wagons? Playing the “circle the wagons” card is pretty much an admission that you have no legitimate rebuttal. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/56 "2018-11-25T19:58:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I am not sure what your definition of “censorship” is,. In this context they are censoring people. Censorship: The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security. I believe the last 2 items cover it. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/57 "2018-11-25T19:59:29Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Another derail attempt not working. The only people considering Alex Jones in any fashion are simply placing off-topic information on the table. > > That goes for Ms. Denizen as well. It’s not offtopic to point out that a lie about Michelle Obama being transgender has been circulating for years among the Right-wing crowd while we discuss a “joke” from a Right-winger about a First Lady being transgender. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/58 "2018-11-25T20:00:27Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Playing the “circle the wagons” card is pretty much an admission that you have no legitimate rebuttal. To what? You can’t be oblivious to the fact that a half dozen mods have chimed in here. This not an opinion poll. It’s really quite clear. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/59 "2018-11-25T20:01:48Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > It’s not offtopic to point out that a lie about Michelle Obama being transgender has been circulating for years among the Right-wing crowd while we discuss a “joke” from a Right-winger about a First Lady being transgender. Michelle was 1st lady was 2 years ago. Please catch up. We’re talking about the CURRENT state of affairs. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057/60 "2018-11-25T20:12:51Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > No. It’s profoundly dumb (and racist. and transphobic.) but Alex Jones and his ilk has been calling Michelle Obama a man for years. He claims he has proof. Also, in a separate development, Joan Rivers once made a joke about Barack being gay (another Jones hobbyhorse, btw) and Michelle being transgendered, only she was just making a dumb and racist and transphobic joke, and Alex Jones claims that the Obamas had her killed for it. > > Given that background, and Jones’ rising influence in the last few years, it’s not at all a stretch to believe that this was what Tim Mortiss, Trump Supporter, was referencing. I wasn’t aware of this, but after Googling a bit I can see that it definitely is/was out there. I was thinking more along the lines of the meme that Hillary was a lesbian and that this somehow equated to her having a penis. Michelle looks like the more likely target. As for whether it was aimed at Bill… maybe. Had he posted “First Spouse” instead of “First Lady”, I’d say yeah, he might have been talking about Bill. Or it could have been a jab at both. But again, if you absolutely must post edgy stuff, don’t leave it up to the mods to be mind readers about what your meaning is. Not that **Tim** (the guy who posted it) is even making that argument, but the OP of this thread is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me/825057.md?page=4)