Imperial Presidency
Gunzrunner and Flagwaver sent us this video;
It’s been cloudy and sprinkling all day since sun-up here in the Metro DC area, you’d think someone would have thought to put a tarp up if the President and the Turkish Prime Minister were going to have a press conference outside today. But then, they had umbrellas ready for the Marines to hold, so I guess that was their plan all along. I don’t know about the Marine Corps, but when I left the Army, umbrellas weren’t authorized while a man was in uniform (I think women could carry an umbrella, though).
Regardless, it just doesn’t look good to me, but maybe that’s me and I’m sure someone is going to tell me I’m nitpicking, but this is an opinion blog and that’s my opinion.
ADDED: This is probably why he needs someone else to hold the umbrellas, it’s a pretty complicated operation, ya know;
Added again (From IowaHawk);
Obama vehemently denies abusing government power, while telling a US Marine to hold his umbrella. #CantMakeThisShitUp
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 16, 2013
Semper Umbrellis.
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) May 16, 2013
Category: Barack Obama/Joe Biden
Everyday I pinch myself hoping this will be the day I finally wake up from this nightmare.
I heard from a friend of mine in Taiwan yesterday. It’s all abuzz with the faux pas being made by this disgraceful person.
Just hang in there.
OWB, to be fair, there’s photos of Dubya resting his feet on that desk as well. Didn’t believe it until I saw them. :-/
As for the umbrella thing, all I can do is quote Louis XVI: “It’s good to be the king!”
Two points:
Piss poor optics due to piss poor planning. The contempt the Marines displayed in their body language toward the POTUS in holding those umbrellas is just priceless!
Nothing illegal about this. The Marines supported the POTUS.
I remember when I was in female Marines were allowed to carry umbrellas. The only exception to the “no umbrella” regulation for male Marines is if they were carrying it to cover another person ( IE escorting a female). Congrats Obama, you have are now that Marine’s “female”.
“You will kneel before Zod…”
@55: Priceless!!
@ #55: We have flashed a pic around the world of our prez claiming to be this Marine’s bitch?
Wonder if the Marine could claim sexual harassment.
This should take some of the sting out of the umbrella incident for you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR9OpCNzDnk
Watch it all the way through to the end.
Marines covering the more deserving:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/S-A-serviceman-finally-laid-to-rest-4520291.php
This one is just silly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tnDLHNLKHs
The kid is cute.
If I were the NCO in charge of the Marines, I’d escort them to a soundproof room and let them vent their hostilities for a good five minutes before dismissing them for the day.
One had to figure that the secret service had their hands full, holding their evil assault weapons…….
Pisses me off to no end….. “We’ll make you look good?” Bitch, please!
The comments that follow this YouTube version are colorful.
WTFO?
Check out the still pic that Nik posted in #28. Check out that Corporal’s eyes……if looks could kill….
If he had tried that with some of the Marines with whom I served, they would have inserted that umbrella in his ass before opening it.
Here is a Daily Caller wide version pic of Obama’s presser…check out the Marine on the left glancing over at the Imperious One.
http://dailycaller.com/2013/05/16/obama-evades-question-on-white-house-knowledge-of-irs-targeting/
Okay, I need a Marine to correct me if I am wrong, but…
When you are holding something that does not engage two hands, you are supposed to assume the position of parade rest with your free hand (unless the position of attention is more appropriate).
Rather than assume the position of parade rest, both Marines seem to cover the EGA on their belt buckles. Is this an act of shame or is this part of the USMC D&C?
#69,
It may be their version of “ceremonial at ease”. The Old Guard (TOG) uses this command prior to remarks during ceremonies. The Soldier assumes parade rest, then brings the M14 in front of his/her belt buckle. NCOs and officers place their swords and sabers in a similar position.
TOG usually has umbrella bearers on hand for high-profile missions. Usually the Soldiers tasked as door openers will draw umbrellas from the Flag Shop on Fort Myer to use in case of inclement weather. Not for themselves, but rather for VIPs and/or senior officers from the time they exit a vehicle to the time they are under cover. Then too, though, if it even appears possible that the weather might turn bad, ceremonies are moved from Summerall or Whipple Field to Conmy Hall. Arlington Escorts also have an umbrella on standby for the Arlington Lady–volunteers who attend every funeral inside the Cemetery.
Those missions are different. They are military personnel giving due respect to either senior and retired military personnel and their families, or providing some relief from the elements for an older lady who provides a vital and selfless service to Arlington National Cemetery. TOG umbrella bearers are not beckoned on camera by a prima donna looking to impress his guest.
Dictator Obama had to be kept dry. Shit melts in the rain.
That pompus prick. A disgrace to the country.
Try holding an umbrella at arms length for 4 minutes and 25 seconds.
If you want to get an idea of what Obama put those Marines through, try this simple experiment.
Take an open umbrella and hold it at arms length for as long as you can. Now I’m not a Marine, but I’m not a weak guy either. I only managed 3 minutes and 12 seconds before I was forced to lower the umbrella.
Here’s how it went for me.
After one minute: no problem
One minute 30 seconds: a very slight pain in my arm and shoulder (1 on a scale of 1 to 10)
Two minutes 15 seconds: the pain rose to a 2.
Three minutes: the pain rose to a 5, and my arm started to shake.
Three minutes 12 seconds: I was forced to lower the umbrella because the pain had become unbearable.
Now if I were in much better shape then I could have gone longer, but the point is that holding a weight at arms length tires one out very quickly and soon becomes agony. Try it yourself and see.
Imagine the agony of that Marine, not knowing how long he would be forced to stay in that position, with the alternative being dropping the umbrella on the presidents head!
If you want to time it yourself here is the source video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa3v-m3Kll0
The umbrella holding begins at 16:35, and ends at 21:00.
Did Obama know he was putting those Marines through humiliation and torture in front of the whole world? I think he did.
Please follow up with a posting of how long you are able to go. Can anyone here make it to 4:25? How did your arm feel by the end?
@73. Thanks, but I’m satified just taking your word for it. Whatever physical discomfort was caused is nothing to the emotional pain obamaman caused by using Marines as his boy servants.
@74. Understood, and agreed.
I do think it might be a nice gesture to try holding an umbrella for 4:25 as a sign of solidarity with those Marines.
How about this: Put out an empty chair, and hold an umbrella over it…
@73 – “Did Obama know he was putting those Marines through humiliation and torture in front of the whole world? I think he did.”
Yes, but I don’t think he cared. I don’t think he gives a damn about anything or anyone but himself.
There is no reason other than that jerk feeding his fucking ego to not move that entire thing inside, out of the rain.
And it’s not just the lack of respect for the Marines that bothers me. It’s the complete lack of respect for the prime minister of one of the few allies the US has in the Middle East. I can’t believe that shitass bastard made Minister Erdogan stand there in the rain, umbrella or not.
You’re right Ex-PH2. In spite of the weather around here, it can change rather drastically with scattered rain or thunderstorms, and they’ve gotten pretty good at predicting that. They should have kept the event indoors, as I’m fairly certain someone on the WH staff plans for rain.
It didn’t happen in this case, which is just one more embarassment for the WH.
@75. I’m going to figure out some way to make that umbrella/empty chair bit happen at my house. Brilliant! I like the way your mind works!
Thanks @Cindy.
Be sure to hold the umbrella as long as you can. Ignore the agony in your arm!
The chair must be kept dry…
Given that he is never on time for anything (yet another insult), what was going on later in the day that made it impossible for this presser to be delayed long enough to move everyone inside?
Let’s be clear about this: BO knew exactly what he was doing. With all the Benghazi scandal talk, about how he didn’t protect our guys, or come to their aid, the prez wanted to send a message about the chain of command: YOU WORK FOR ME, AND DON’T FORGET IT. And he humiliated those Marines in front of the whole world. On purpose.
I agree with everything all of you have said – well, most since I haven’t read every one of the responses. But, “what difference does it make anyway” when more than half the population thinks this POS POTUS does everything right. The good guys are losing to government give away programs. I wonder what I would have done in the Marine’s shoes, probably tilted the umbrella to have the water run onto his head.
Oh, I forgot to say that this is just another ‘change the subject from Benghazi and the IRS scandals.
YThe Obamas are clueless,classless oafs.who have never been schooled in protocol
@84, yes, that, and they care about nothing other than their image and their grip on power and luxury!
I am becoming immune to the stupidity shown by this president. He has demeaned and degraded the military since taking office. Those Marines are nothing but a prop to him. Even though in actuality, they are his betters in every way.
Hopefully the scandals that are erupting around him now will consume the rest of his presidency and we can limp to the finish of this gross experiment and maybe, just maybe in the next election, elect a president who cares about this country and its citizens. What a clown show.
Let’s not forget that this jackass also showed his utter contempt for the press by making them stay outside in the rain.
It’s a spiteful way of saying “up yours for not kissing my butt over the AP phone number seizures.”
I’m sure there are more such things to come, too.
For Memorial Day, I will do the umbrella/empty chair sitting beneath the flag.
“They’re gonna look good next to us.” Really Milhous? It’s the other way around. You look better standing next to a US Marine, but you’ll NEVER look good. A turd is a turd, no matter how polished. Arrogant A$$.
The umbrellas and Marines waiting in the wings, no canopy when rain/thunderstorm was expected, event not moved inside when it would have been prudent to do so, Obama’s rehearsed call for the marines to make him “look good”, this all smacks of a well orchestrated plan to humiliate and degrade ALL military members, Marines especially. This was a direct assault on the military and I hope none of you forget it when the time comes. I have the greatest respect for the two young Marines who demonstrated respect for the office of POTUS and Commander-in-Chief regardless of the two-bit egotistical narcasistic limp d*ck that currently occupies that office.
The guys a piece of shit, no question about it. This brought tears to my eyes. He just made himself look more of a fool than he has in the past. God bless those men having to endure that. It just makes them look stronger in my eyes for having to deal with that piece of garbage. I’ve always had the upmost respect for the men and women in our armed forces and this just pushed it up a notch.
The competitive part of me now wants to take up the Umbrella Challenge and see how long I can manage it. I’ll have to do that when I get home.
Nik, a bunch of guys in my platoon used to do that with our m-4s when we were bored. i think the record was somewhere around 16 min. that was the best 34 airborne infantrymen could come up with
Yah, I remember doing it in boot, holding the rifle at eyeball level for what seemed like a week and a half. Looking back on it, I’m quite certain it was less than 5 minutes.
[…] to get a taste of the reaction in the military community, go over to my favorite military blog, This Ain’t Hell (but you can see it from here) and read the comments. Warning: strong language. One of the commenters there included a link to the […]
this was our favorite pass time when not on patrol in Iraq back in 04
i figured it out,
ya have a picture of the benghazi embasy being attacked with a speach cloud saying “mr president, we need the marines!” or something to that extent. split screen to obama with the statement “no can do, someone has to hold my umbrella?”
@97
Sounds legit to me. Sure does rain a lot in the DC area.
Where’s the headline that reads “Marines on duty at White House used as manservants”?
I saw this yesterday and was left speechless, which is a rarity I must say….
It’s one thing for a civilian president to now know all the uniform regulations, but to assume that those young men in dress uniforms are there to hold a f#cking umbrella?
The 5th graders on my soccer team play in the pouring rain, in the snow, and every kind of weather except lightning without anyone holding protective gear over their heads, they get soaking wet and they don’t p1ss and moan they just keep performing as well as their rain soaked 10 or 11 year old bodies will let them.
The president who claims to be a grown man can’t get wet? Are you kidding me? The president of the United States doesn’t have the same intestinal fortitude as some children in Massachusetts? We are truly adrift with this administration of weak minded, and apparently weak bodied, fools….
OMG, Bama just went P. Diddy before the world. El Jefe turned a Marine into a butler, WTF!! Shouldn’t the Marines’ hands be free in case, like, they have to protect the president or something???
I instantly recalled the Puffy pix where he made his butler hold an umbrella on the beach. Turns out there was a whole thing about it on the fashion blogs. http://fashionbombdaily.com/2009/04/28/random-thought-to-hold-or-not-to-hold-your-own-umbrella/