Obama Still Smokes But He’s Doing a Terrific Job
[Guest post by DRJ]
Sunday on Meet The Press with Tom Brokaw, Barack Obama finally admitted he still smokes now and then. Beldar addressed this topic in March and April, and I’m still not impressed with Obama’s chronic evasiveness on this issue.
Nevertheless, America has had Presidents with similar inclinations – both smoking and evasiveness – and Obama won’t be the last President who portrays himself and his actions in the best light possible. But I hope he’s the last President who tries to sell us on the idea that even his flaws are positives:
“Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, interviewer Tom Brokaw told Obama he had ducked answering the question during an interview last month with ABC’s Barbara Walters.
Noting that the White House was a no-smoking zone, Brokaw asked Obama, “Have you stopped smoking?”
“I have,” Obama replied, smiling broadly. “What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon.”
“Wait a minute,” Brokaw interjected, “that means you haven’t stopped.”
“Fair enough,” Obama said. “What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. You will not see any violations of these rules in the White House.”
Brace yourself for 4 years of Clintonian-like spin and parsing. First Obama says he’s quit smoking, then he says he hasn’t. When he’s forced to admit he hasn’t stopped smoking, he replies “Fair enough” — like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar who “smiles broadly” and admits “Okay, you caught me” — and then he redirected the conversation to how “terrific” he is because he’s healthier and trying to stop smoking.
Oh, and need I add that saying we “won’t see” Obama smoke in the White House isn’t the same as saying he won’t smoke?
How ironic that one of the chief complaints Obama supporters have about President Bush is that he won’t admit a mistake. Now we learn Obama is so insecure he can’t even admit he has a flaw.
— DRJ
You will not see any violations of these rules in the White House.”
So we won’t see any violations. The only ones who might “see” him smoking would be the Secret Service. But even they don’t go into the presidential bathroom just off from the Oval Office. Obama just needs to make sure that that bathroom has a good vent with a strong fan blowing out, decent air-freshener and soap to wash his hands and some breath mints or gum. He can send out SS agents to get him smokes and they will never tell anybody and he’s smokin home free! No one will “see” me violate the rules. ROTFLMAO This guy is a hoot!
J. Raymond Wright (d83ab3) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:28 pmBut, in the Liberal mind, wanting to do something is just as good (if not better) than actually doing something.
Intentions are everything; and good intentions are (like cleanliness) next to Godliness!
He intends to stop smoking, just like he intends to withdraw “combat” forces from Iraq, and he intends to hunt down OBL in the wilds of Waziristan.
Just look for The One’s intentions, and you won’t need Tom-Tom to find the Road To Hell!
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:28 pmThis is sooooooooooooo racist.
FWIW, I had an easier time kicking druges and booze than I have cigarettes.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:35 pmDoes he smoke New Testament brand?
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:36 pmI didn’t see the word “tobacco” anywhere here; that is what we’re talking about…isn’t it?
Old Coot (a8acc7) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:39 pm[…] not quit smoking. The real story is however how the truth came out. Patterco has it covered Obama Still Smokes But He’s Doing a Terrific Job and here is the exchange: “Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press” program, interviewer Tom […]
The Smoking Presidents | Surviving Socialism (a534b4) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:39 pmJed Bartlett smoked a cigarette every once in a while and he did okay.
I mean, c’mon … if Barack Obama is half the hawk that Josiah Bartlett was, we’ll be okay with situations like Iraq and Afghanistan. If Barack Obama is 3/8ths the pro-Israel supporter as President Bartlett, we’ll be fine. If Barack is 2/11ths the risk-taker that Jed was, some terrorist-enabling member of a foreign government will be killed in a secret mission and the events covered up, and we’ll be okay.
I take Barack’s smoking of cigarettes, then, as a good sign.
–
not to mention that it’ll make a good question for whomever Barack nominates for Surgeon General.
BumperStickerist (b05ea6) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:42 pmMy question is:
ML (14488c) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:46 pmWill the liberals treat the smoking Obama with the same contempt as they treat smoking me?
It’s a rhetorical question.
Jake Tapper was one of the first to mention he was bothered by this evasiveness.
By itself, it wouldn’t be such a big deal. Except it wasn’t the Rush Limbaughs of the world that got the cigarette airbrushed out of Clement Hurd’s hand. It isn’t the conservatives that are trying to get every city in the world to be smoke-free. I hate cigarette smoke, but I didn’t turn it into a big political boogieman. Obama’s friends did that. They’re creating a nanny state and then lying to nanny.
I wonder what Rob Reiner has to say about this.
MayBee (d82a30) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:51 pmAs a smoker trying to quit, I have to say that I don’t expect him to quit while Pres. WAY too much stress.
If he keeps it to a pack a day, I’ll be impressed.
Scott Jacobs (a1c284) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:53 pmPeople don’t smoke, it is the cigarette that smokes.
Do you smoke after sex?
Don’t know, I never looked.
Huey (c2b194) — 12/8/2008 @ 12:58 pmThat sounds like a crappy job interview answer.
[What do you feel is a negative about you?
“Well, I’m probably too hard of a worker. All my associates say I’m just going all the time”]
Techie (07c8ee) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:08 pmIt took me about twenty years, and I don’t know how many attempts — sometimes two or three a day — to quit cigarettes. It was not easy, and I only made it by treating myself like a lab rat, training to extinguish the learned response to light up when stressed. Beer, wine, booze, even single malt, those I just walked away from.
He can find a lot of support if he’s serious about quitting, there are going to be lots of people around him who will be able to provide Nicorette gum, carrots, … as substitute stress relievers or distractions, instead of cigarettes. If he’s not serious about quitting, though, he will not be able to.
I still — and it’s been twenty years or more — have occasional cravings for a cigarette.
htom (412a17) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:12 pmI wonder if Obama, Community Organizer is still doing a line or two to cut back on the stress of being the President of the Office of the President-Elect?
Typical White Person (9f4d2e) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:19 pmYahoo titled an article about this “Obama doesn’t give straight answers about smoking”. That is as close as they will ever come to them saying Teh One is being dishonest.
Scott – A pack a day, given their schedule, would be pretty hard to keep from the public eye.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:28 pm“I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier.”
The voters were able to see this through the detailed medical records Obama released during the campaign. Wait. Didn’t Obama release detailed medical records during the campaign? McCain sure as hell did. Did Obama skate on another disclosure issue here?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:31 pmdaley – It is racist and evidence of wingnuttia to even ask for disclosure.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:34 pmWhy can’t he just say, “I wish I didn’t smoke, but I sometimes do. I’m trying not to talk about it because I don’t want to set a bad example (for the children).”?
MayBee (d82a30) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:42 pmJD – It’s not like I’m askin’ for something as absurd as a real birth certificate or something.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:49 pmI couldn’t care less whether or not Obama smokes and/or how much he does. That said, if he’s saying he’s going to quit while President he’s either lying to me or lying to himself, because if he couldn’t handle stress w/o smoking before he became President, no way is he going to stop now.
Sean P (e57269) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:50 pmI don’t care whether he smokes or not – but please, no more breathless pics along with raptured prose extolling Obama’s awesome physical prowess, whether it’s strolling along the beach, riding a bike a few blocks, shooting hoops, or flinging around some handweights (that got some empty – headed German journo all hot and bothered a few months ago). It’s all BS from now on – because the man smokes, that negates anything else you claim to be doing to “make yourself healthier.” Jeez, this is the same psychology that some obese people use when going to McDonald’s every week – they get a quarter pounder with large fries, but also a huge Diet Coke (because they’re doing something healthy for themselves!).
Dmac (e30284) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:54 pmMayBee – That would require honesty, an admission that he is a human, and flawed. Teh One will have none of that.
daleyrocks – Now that is absurb. Crazy talk, I tell you.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:55 pmdaleyrocks- Obama will release his medical records to Kos, and Kos will post a little .jpg of them on his website. If you find that odd behavior, you are a Vince Foster-level truther.
MayBee (d82a30) — 12/8/2008 @ 1:57 pmHoly Jeebus and Good Allah. You guys have tinfoil hats on today.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:00 pmComment by JD — 12/8/2008 @ 2:00 pm
If you see this as a continuing trend, I need to call my broker and stock-up on Aluminium futures.
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:11 pmHe’s just another African-American hooked on deadly tobacco by racist corporate ghouls.
Kevin Murphy (805c5b) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:20 pmComment by Kevin Murphy — 12/8/2008 @ 2:20 pm
Do you think he smokes menthol?
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:27 pmTrying to stop smoking is hell, and once someone actually quits, they announce it to the world and make a point of telling everyone exactly when they quit. Now, if a smoker doesn’t do that, you know they are cheating. That’s the way it is…I know, I “quit” for two weeks before I finally was able to go 24 hours without a smoke. I waited a week after that before I was sure. So, despite the fact that I did not vote for the man, I understand his predicament and wish him success.
Yossarian (2c2fd4) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:34 pmBrace yourself for 4 years of Clintonian-like spin and parsing.
?????
On the contrary DRJ, I’m bracing myself for 4 to 8 years of Republican spin and parsing.
Is the kind of spin and parsing that made a sexual indulgence by Bill Clinton into a national crisis, what we can expect again?
Obama lying about smoking you say? Give me a break. Call Linda Tripp. Perhaps she can be the “smoking gun” again.
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:38 pmOiram – It was lying under oath that got Bill in trouble. Some of us still think that’s a bad thing to do, whether you’re Martha Stewart, a crackhead, or the President.
Yossarian (2c2fd4) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:44 pmI think the Secret Service should sue him for endangering their lives with secondhand smoke.
luagha (5cbe06) — 12/8/2008 @ 2:49 pmKools.
Official Internet Data Office (86d667) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:01 pmOiram -Are you suggesting that Obama is going to use hummers as a stress reliever instead of smokes?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:03 pmComment by luagha — 12/8/2008 @ 2:49 pm
You might not be very far from the truth on this.
Do SS agents assigned to Presidential Protection get Hazardous Duty Pay?
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:03 pm#30 I know what got Bill in trouble Yossarian.
But what did he lie about? SEX (Who hasn’t?)
And how did he get his back against the wall that led him to having to lie about something that countless presidents did before him? hmmmmmmmmm………… Republicans maybe???
Anyone reading just this comment of mine, please refrain from accusing me of hijacking the thread.
I’m replying to #30 and of course DRJ did say in the original post:
“Brace yourself for 4 years of Clintonian-like spin and parsing.
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:05 pm“
Well, that’s the usual LW spin:
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:08 pmIt’s all right to lie to a Grand Jury if the lie is about sex!
A man must have some vices. Would you rather he drank, gambled or beat his wife?
nk (5a0e72) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:08 pmYes,I agree it’s hard to quit in th WH.On the other hand,Chantix-and before that Wellbutrin(Zyban) have been on the market for some time and have cessation rates of 44% and 33% respectively.So,it ain’t as hard as it used to be.
Corwin (72d640) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:09 pm(Actually,few things are.)
“daleyrocks- Obama will release his medical records to Kos, and Kos will post a little .jpg of them on his website. If you find that odd behavior, you are a Vince Foster-level truther.”
MayBee – I think I’ve seen this play before. I want to know why Baracky had that AIDs test on his trip to Africa. Had he been stepping out on Michelle? Were the results of the test announced th the public? I’m surprised Andrew Sullivan hasn’t been asking about this.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:09 pm“Would you rather he drank, gambled or beat his wife?”
nk – The first two are fine with me, but preferably not in the White House.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:11 pm“And how did he get his back against the wall that led him to having to lie about something that countless presidents did before him? hmmmmmmmmm………… Republicans maybe???”
Oiram – Could you name some of those countless presidents please?
The lies might be due to the sexual harassment suit that was filed before he was elected President that he tried to have delayed until he left office, but the Judge refused. The deposition was trying to establish a pattern of conduct with women. Surely you are aware of this Oiram?
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:15 pmThis is a really silly thing to bother posting. Oh my god, he might sneak a few cigarettes in the White House! There are smarter ways for us to attack the Obama admin.
Paul Johnson (4e97ba) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:21 pm#35.let’s see.
Corwin (72d640) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:21 pm1)I have no evidence abouit my assertion.
2)I gives no specifics.
3)The very term ‘countless’ is easily disproved,i.e.no of Pres who are Repub is the maximum.
The evidence is overwhelming,Watson.A liberal Arts major.Probably Humanities and currently working as a shift supervisor for a fast food franchise.
“Holmes,you’re amazing.”
Comment by daleyrocks — 12/8/2008 @ 3:15 pm
You are truly asking for an extraordinary level of lucidity at this point.
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:22 pmI guess that I can’t get too excited about this one. Our incoming president has a habit, an addiction, that is perfectly legal. Perhaps it interferes with his Messiah image — if he dropped his cigarette in the Reflecting Pool as he walked across it, would the cigarette go out? — but if that’s the worst we can say about Barack Obama, then he’ll have smooth sailing in 2012.
The realistic Dana (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:29 pmContrast all of the media attention to BHO’s cigarette habit, to the wailing that went on for months over Arnold’s cigars.
It is not his smoking habit that drives this, but the media/leftist/luminati hypocrisy.
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:33 pm“You are truly asking for an extraordinary level of lucidity at this point.”
AD – Or he’s too young to be aware of the actual facts.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 3:41 pmI really am tried of this cigarette smoker racist discrimination, Bill Clinton smoked cigars, but I guess that makes you cooool, cigarette smokers are just trash and worthy of scorn.
I smoke both so I am trashy and cooool.
I got a good word for Teh One:
healthy cigarettes = Non-filtered Natural American Spirit 100% Organic Tobacco.
Try smoking a pack a day of those and you will cough up a lung.
ML (14488c) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:07 pmThe supreme court threw out the lawsuit pertaining to Obama’s birth certificate without comment. That’s right, kids, the court didn’t even feel the need to respond other than to shoot it down. I am settled into my arm chair and cozily waiting your apologies and/or admittances of error….
truthnjustice (c313be) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:08 pm#36 It’s all right to lie to a Grand Jury if the lie is about sex!
When that lie was spurned by a crusade to keep a man from becoming a great president, and it had nothing to do with running the country ……. I’m o.k. with it.
Monica Lewinsky never filed a harassment suit did she?
Anyone remember Linda Tripp (Republican)?
Well, that’s the usual LW spin:
Call it a spin if you like Another……..
I call it a big waste of American tax payers money and the presidents time.
Paul #42 and Dana #45 have it right.
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:09 pmI find it amazing that Obama chooses to indulge in a completely legal drug is a source of major discussion among all the nation’s issues. Did Bush drink coffee?!?! Oh nooooo!!!!!!
truthnjustice (c313be) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:11 pm“Bill Clinton smoked cigars”
ML – Hand dipped apparently.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:12 pm#48 A good Republican friend of mine actually tried to convince me that American Spirits are “Addictive” free.
He even showed me the pack……. which of course said “Additive” free.
(he didn’t make that mistake because he’s a republican, I just thought it was funny)(He’s actually quite a smart guy).
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:14 pmGreat Blogger too.
#49 “Apology”???
Truthnjustice, don’t you know how Republicans work?
They’ve already moved onto the next anti Obama Issue.
Cigarette Smoking is it?
Too funny.
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:16 pmOiram – It was lying under oath that got Bill in trouble.
What bothered me was the TV interview prior, replete with his angry BS face and shaking of accusatory finger directly at us. What a jackass.
Dmac (e30284) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:19 pmThe supreme court threw out the lawsuit pertaining to Obama’s birth certificate without comment.
That’s because they found out from the CIA that the tumor which is pressing on Obama’s seventh cranial nerve and giving him the hemifacial spasm is inoperable.
nk (5a0e72) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:21 pmI think you’re still angry that he ran circles around the Keystone Cops who were attempting to incriminate him. It still brings a fond tear to my eye….
truthnjustice (c313be) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:22 pmGood one, nk. I appreciate your apology and admission of error. 🙂
truthnjustice (c313be) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:23 pmComment by Oiram — 12/8/2008 @ 4:09 pm
Actually, the harassment suit was filed by Paula Jones.
The GJ testimony was in relation to that suit, and it is what caused WJC’s disbarment, and the payment of damages in a Federal District Court.
Look it up!
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:30 pmHey, I never bought into the birth certificate nonsense as you can see from the other threads. As for smoking, I’m a two-pack a day man, Marlboro red, and I just wish he’d say “I’ll stop smoking when you health-nazis make the trains run on time”. Instead of being embarassed about it like a little kid caught behind the barn playing with himself.
nk (5a0e72) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:30 pmAn important part of Oiram being convinced about things is evidently staying ignorant of the details.
SPQR (72771e) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:33 pmOiram
That’s funny, I read the pack that way the first time also.
So does that mean the evil cigarette corporations don’t put additives into the cigarettes that are purposely addictive?
daleyrocks
ML (14488c) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:35 pmI wont even go there about the hand dipped cigars, LOL.
Every office building has a knot of smokers hanging outside the door to grab a nicotine fix. If Obama had the balls to go outside to smoke – “It isn’t my house, I am just honored to be here, so I won’t pollute it” – I might vote for him in 2012.
TomHynes (c43c0a) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:37 pm#59 Another, we knew about the Paula Jones case when we elected him in 2002. Look that up my friend.
Sure it was related to that suit. Of course you needed to tie it all up in a nice package for the G.O.P. Once again, Lewinsky never filed harassment.
Got it dude.
How are you going to get Obama to lie about smoking in front of a GJ?
Maybe Hillary Clinton could file a harassment suit (smoking in the white house).
Then you (G.O.P.) could waste millions on top of millions of dollars and time, like in the 90’s, and then get president Obama to lie about smoking (as millions of Americans do) in front of a GJ.
That might work, try that 🙂
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:40 pmOiram, you want me to look up Bill Clinton’s election in 2002?
well … OK … if you insist.
SPQR (72771e) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:42 pmComment by Oiram — 12/8/2008 @ 4:40 pm
Have you over-medicated again?
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:44 pmDude, you’ve got to be more careful!
and another thing…
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:45 pmWho got elected in 2002?
Oiram
Boy wouldn’t that be cool if we could impeach Obama also, man I like that idea.
ML (14488c) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:47 pmYeah, too much “whacky” “tobacky” I guess 😉
Sorry, 1992!
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:52 pmAnother, I may be high as kite…….. but I was joking about getting Obama to lie in front of a GJ for smoking (although anything is possible with the G.O.P.). Just trying to tie in how ridiculous this post is along with Clinton’s escapades in the 90’s stated on the original post.
Hey I’m not hijacking……………. read original.
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:57 pmOiram wrote:
Unfortunately for your statement, a harassment lawsuit was filed against our 42nd President, by Paula Jones. Under the Federal Rules of Evidence, which President Clinton had signed into effect himself, it was permissible — and admissible — to ask questions about his previous sexual encounters. Our 42nd President, the chief federal law enforcement officer in the land, chose to violate his oath of office and lie about it, under oath.
But, perhaps you believe that the president is above the law?
The law-abiding Dana (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:57 pmOiram is scratching his head.
How could I have forgotten the 1992 election? That was the beginning of a brief window of peace and prosperity for America 😉
Oiram (983921) — 12/8/2008 @ 4:59 pmOiram wrote:
[Snort!] 🙂
The amused Dana (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:01 pmRewriting history again, I see. This became a big deal when a sitting President perjured himself during a deposition in a sexual harassment lawsuit. There is no caveat in the law that allows one to tell the truth while under oath about everything except for sex.
He sexually harassed Paula Jones.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:04 pmtmj – The Democratic Clinton supporter that filed that lawsuit must be crushed.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:04 pmOiram also wrote:
Oh, this is too much! 🙂
We found out about the Paula Jones story in 1994.
The thoroughly amused Dana (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:04 pmComment by Oiram — 12/8/2008 @ 4:40 pm
#59 Another, we knew about the Paula Jones case when we elected him in
20021992. Look that up my friend.Actually, I did, and what I found is this….
“…January 1994 issue of The American Spectator included an article by David Brock entitled “Living With the Clintons” which broke the Troopergate scandal. It reported that Clinton had screwed some woman in 1991…”
So, we did not know about Paula Jones at the time of the 1992 election (you might have been “thinking” about Gennifer Flowers) since no one had heard her story in public before it was revealed by David Brock in Jan, ’94.
And, I am still not “your friend”, and doubt if I ever will.
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:05 pmI do have some standards, after all.
Few, but some!
what do you do if you don’t want to smoke after sex?
slow down, and use a lubricant.
redc1c4 (27fd3e) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:07 pm“That was the beginning of a brief window of peace and prosperity for America”
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:08 pmAh yes the peace of Mogadishu, the Kenya and Tanzania embassies, the World Trade Center, the USS Cole
nk told us that he smokes two packs a day. Well, I never smoked, so I can’t really appreciate what people who’ve tried to quit have to endure; it’s easy for someone like me to say that our incoming president should quit smoking, when I don’t have to face such a task myself.
But if there are federal regulations about smoking inside of public federal buildings, then Mr Obama, who will become the chief federal law enforcement officer in the country, at his own request, should have to obey them.
The somewhat sympathetic Dana (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:08 pmAnd that is relevant to his lying under oath in what way? Even if you had meant 1992, how is it relevant to his lying under oath?
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:09 pm…and don’t forget the peace and prosperity that Bubba brought to Rwanda and Burundi.
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:11 pmDana (the hot one, amused one, sympathetic one, etal.) – Trying to quit smoking is one of the most difficult things I have even attempted. And, I am sure the next time I try to quit, it will be even more difficult.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:11 pmWe sure see enough photos of O! going to the gym or shooting hoops. How about a few of the president elect lightin’ one up.
PC14 (82e46c) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:24 pmPC14 – That ain’t gonna’ happen. No sir. No way. No how.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:27 pm“That was the beginning of a brief window of peace and prosperity for America”
…not to mention Kosovo, Haite, Iraq’s no-fly zones….
Clinton, Dec. 19, 1998: “Earlier today, I ordered America’s armed forces to strike military and security targets in Iraq. … Their mission is to attack Iraq’s nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and its military capacity to threaten its neighbors. … Saddam Hussein must not be allowed to threaten his neighbors or the world with nuclear arms, poison gas or biological weapons.”
Pious Agnostic (b2c3ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:37 pmObama will light up a fag,
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:40 pmHis ratings still will not sag,
Oiram will say
Smoke he still may
It will not cause me to gag.
The Messiah will continue to smoke,
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:43 pmAnd the left will continue to toke,
Joe Biden just might
Give him a light
And hope it’ll cause him to croak!
Will Barack go outside to smoke,
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:46 pmOr are all the regs just a joke?
The libs will all say,
Y’all go away,
The regs don’t apply to this bloke!
Oiram will say, “Y’all are sad,
The Limerick Avenger (556f76) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:49 pmYou lost and now you’re all mad
It’s fine with me
If he smokes packs three
He’s prez and I’m still so glad!
When Mario has a narrative to pursue, there is no distracting him.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 5:59 pmLike Slick, I’m sure O! doesn’t inhale…therefore, adding to this whole global warming thing. Al!!!
PC14 (82e46c) — 12/8/2008 @ 6:52 pmI agree with my Realistic counterpart in #45. Not a big deal but certainly unfortunate for him as I’m sure he wants to set a better example for his girls. But that’s how parenting is, you just keep pressing on trying your hardest.
Its a good thing he’s meeting with Algore tomorrow in Chicago because he’ll be able to impress upon Obama the bigger picture of one man’s contribution to global warming.
btw, JD @ 83, that was the adjective-laden Dana that made the comment re not having smoked, not me. I smoked for about six months in my early 20’s. I just knew I looked coolsville.
Dana (79a78b) — 12/8/2008 @ 7:57 pm__________________________________
A lot of the left has become neurotic about stamping out cigarette smoking. A lot of the left has become neurotic about stopping global warming. A lot of the left has become neurotic about sexual harrassment at the workplace (eg, California’s Democratic-dominated legislature a few years ago passed a law that mandates most larger employers in the state enroll their workers in sensitivity-training — including anti-sexual-harrassment — classes).
So quite fitting — and hardly surprising — that one of their major figureheads is a butthead (ie, “butt” as in ciggie butt) who’s also has been quoted as saying he loves driving around SUVs. And another one of their figureheads (aka, Mr. Meaning-of-is-is) is the epitome of a sexual harrasser.
Again, the left (aka “progressives”) ain’t worth a damn.
Mark (411533) — 12/8/2008 @ 7:58 pm__________________________________
“Well, I never smoked”
The somewhat sympathetic Dana – Then you’re not doing it right.
daleyrocks (5d22c0) — 12/8/2008 @ 8:06 pmDana @ #93. I truly did not know that there is more than one Dana posting here. I thought the adjectives were simply used at times where you felt more descriptive.
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 8:13 pm“A lot of the left has become neurotic…”
Do we need to say more?
As to Global Warming:
Since the EPA has identified CO-2 as a pollutant that causes global warming,
it is not the “inhaling” that does the damage, it is the “exhaling”.
If BHO wishes to lead by example, he should stop exhaling!
Another Drew (e451ab) — 12/8/2008 @ 8:27 pmThere is no longer Global Warming !!!!!!
It is now called Global Climate Change, otherwise known as “weather”. Actually, didn’t I read somewhere recently that the earth appears to be cooling? How funny is that?!
JD (059bab) — 12/8/2008 @ 8:33 pmWell, I’m certainly looking forward to everyone being able to light up anywhere they want to. If the President-elect can do it in the White House, why can’t Joe Six Pack do it in Applebee’s?
Anyway, how do you square this if you’re an anti-tobacco left-winger (and, I guess, right-winger, too?
Is it OK for the President-elect to smoke, but no one else? I thought we were going to outlaw this kind of health hazard (as part of the national health care program). Just asking.
Ag80 (8afd3f) — 12/8/2008 @ 8:50 pmGoreBal warming, what a joke.
Lets save the planet buy using ethanol that way we can produce equal amounts of CO2 to fuel and get really bad mpg. So we can create more CO2 and then we can buy more tax credits because we produce too much CO2 and now really don’t get good mpg and all because governments finance GoreBal warming research delirium and did so even before Gore.
Its all about the money.
ML (14488c) — 12/8/2008 @ 9:08 pmcomment 75-Junior detective: just like a republican to champion a cause until it crashes and burns, then attempt to extricate himself from the burning rubble and claim he wasn’t in the plane to begin with.
truthnjustice (c313be) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:57 amDRJ writes:
Brace yourself for 4 years of Clintonian-like spin and parsing.
How ironic that one of the chief complaints Obama supporters have about President Bush is that he won’t admit a mistake. Now we learn Obama is so insecure he can’t even admit he has a flaw.
Oh DRJ, DRJ…why oh why oh why do you stoop to these absurb comparisons? It’s just to get me to comment isn’t it? Admit it. You miss me that much, so that you need to provoke me out of my work schedule imposed silence. You wascally wabbit.
Oh, and as a smoker, I don’t think it’s a flaw, unhealthy maybe but not a flaw. Also it is ironic that those that would rail against the so-called nanny state, turn out to be such over-weening pansies when it comes to Obama having an occasional smoke and having the forthrightness of admitting in fact (DRJ listen up) that he’s not perfect and might occasional give in to needing a smoke.
Jeezus, who cares? Call out the National Guard!! stop the presses!! raise the threat level to defcon 1!!!!! Hide the white womens!!
OBAMA’S TRYING TO QUIT SMOKING!!! AAHHHHHH!!!! COLLECTIVE SOUND OF RIGHT WING RADIO AND ATTENDANT BLOGS (MALKIN, DRUDGE, HOT AIR etc) HAVING ANOTHER PHONY SCHADENFREUDE MOMENT!!!
*Rolls eyes*
(Oh, I can’t come back here to field the usual blizzard of inanities from the usual supsects. so, Yeah same to you, buddy. You know who you are. ~wink~ ~wink~)
Peter (e70d1c) — 12/9/2008 @ 10:09 amWhere is there one word in the post judging Obama for smoking?
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 10:22 amYet another Troll writes:
Oh yes. It’s all about you, champ. You found us all out.
Sheesh. The very definition of self-absorption.
For the record: it’s about lying to people. We all had to listen to almost a decade of criticism of GW Bush that revolved around Left-perceived character flaws. My favorite? He wouldn’t admit to a mistake (in front of a hostile press).
Now the shoe is on the other foot. And every day folks on the Left (and that includes the MSM) reveal their partisanship. Just as you just did, though it wasn’t exactly a news bulletin.
Either cut all politicians some slack, or judge them all with your jeweler’s loupe. Don’t change your yardstick because of a “D” or “R.”
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 10:35 am“It’s just to get me to comment isn’t it? Admit it. You miss me that much, so that you need to provoke me out of my work schedule imposed silence.”
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 10:39 amAt the risk of sounding like a fourth-grader on a playground, “What a dork.”
Or, as our Brit cousins would say:
What a wanker!
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 10:59 amJack- ain’t it a gas that bits and pieces about O! are being revealed?
Great timing on the Ill. governor’s scandals…and now grand jury subpoenas on Rezko-Obama land deal?
Does O! limit himself to tobacco or perhaps a wee bit of ganja or crack? Is there any truth to those salacious rumors that O goes went ways in Wright’s church? I mean McCain might have been banging that blonde lobbyist according to the vaunted NY Times and the Breck Grrl gets a pass on his sex scandal and paternity.
Let’s hope that Barry dumps that pesky fed prosecutor and grants pardons to his asshole buddies, although in ill. guv case, the guv is calling Barry Hussein and mothereffer.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:00 amEric: Either cut all politicians some slack, or judge them all with your jeweler’s loupe. Don’t change your yardstick because of a “D” or “R.”
As usual, the right-wing mistakes Apples and Oranges as being morally, ideologically and administratively equivalent.
Example circa 2003 at one of the debates w/ Kerry (and I’m paraphrasing):
Q: President Bush, was there any flaw to your Iraq policy that you wish you could’ve done differently with the benefit of hindsight?
A. No.
Q: Do you feel you have made any mistakes as president?
A. No.
President-elect Barack Obama on MTP (Again paraphrasing cos you can look up the damned transcript yourself):
Q: Have you quit smoking?
A: “I have,” Obama replied, smiling broadly. “What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon.”
A: “Wait a minute,” Brokaw interjected, “that means you haven’t stopped.”
Q: “Fair enough,” Obama said. “What I would say is that I have done a terrific job under the circumstances of making myself much healthier. You will not see any violations of these rules in the White House.”
Hmmmm….yeah right. That’s ethically and morally equivalent and carry’s a similar weight to the proper governance and wise leadership of the country. One man can’t be straight on a subject effecting millions of people in their daily lives monetarily and as an issue of life and death and the other has to do with a person admitting he’s got a little vice he enjoy’s occasionally and is doing his best to cut it out completely even though he’s already in excellent health and it’s impact is ZERO on anyone, but himself and perhaps if it helps him to think or blow off steam (as it does me) there’s even an up side to it.
Eric, aren’t you supposed to be a professor in a medical school? Don’t you know your Aristolian or Kantian Ethics?
Okay, this is really the final comment. And Jack why’d you get yourself a sense of humor okay buddy?
Peter (e70d1c) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:06 amStill a Wanker!
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:08 amStill a wanker is not really an excuse, another drew. And peter… these people have no grounded ethics. It is simply a question of whether or not they agree with the letter after the person’s name. Moral relativism would be the official term for it, but they like to save that term for their political enemies. Their level of self perception is not comically low, it is tragically low.
truthnjustice (3d65f9) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:19 amWho’s Aristol?
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:20 am“It is simply a question of whether or not they agree with the letter after the person’s name.”
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:23 amWill the Master of Projection produce those handy statistics that supposedly always clearly vindicate your view?
Comment by liesntyranny — 12/9/2008 @ 11:19 am
Incorrect.
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:25 amWe do argue from an ethical basis. One grounded in the morality of the Judeo-Christian tradition of Right, and Wrong.
You seem to forget that all that is legal, is not Right.
And, that all that is Wrong, is not illegal.
Oh, Peter, I do teach university science.
Even though I don’t teach philosophy (quite a different discipline), I am betting I more familiar with both Greek and European schools of philosophy than you are.
And I ain’t complementing myself with that statement.
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:28 am“Jack why’d you get yourself a sense of humor okay buddy?”
Why DID I get a sense of humor? Hmm…well I already had one frankly. It was quite tickled by reading things like:
“he’s already in excellent health and it’s impact is ZERO on anyone, but himself and perhaps if it helps him to think or blow off steam (as it does me) there’s even an up side to it.”
I love Obama so f’n much I’m going to rewrite the book on the effects of cigarette smoking on his behalf! LOL.
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:29 amI am center-left, and I am a Christian. I carefully consider all of my opinions and weight them against my faith. Not all of those who happen to share my opinions about what should be done in government share my faith, but I can argue that all of conservatives are Christians either. Karl Rove, for example, has on more than one occassion admitted that he is an atheist (or at least an agnostic). So, another drew, that argument is completely and totally incorrect on many levels. Are more evangelicals conservative? Perhaps those who are more visible, sure. But for every Jerry Falwell there is a Jim Wallis.
truthnjustice (3d65f9) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:33 amSomebody never read the EPA report on “2nd hand smoke”,
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:37 amthat was universally adopted by the nanny-ninnies as gospel, and is the reason why we,
Free Citizens in a Republic, are prevented from smoking in office-buildings, restaurants, bars, etc.
I wasn’t talking about Karl Rove, I was talking about me.
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:38 amhahahahahahha! So now you’re arguing that second hand smoke is safe? Good luck on that, Drew. I would entertain the argument that we in a free society should be able to set the rules in our private businesses looonnnnggg before I would even bother to listen to the ‘second hand smoke is not bad for you’ argument.
truthnjustice (3d65f9) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:39 amPlease explain where in the above exchanges, I ever said (or implied) that second-hand smoke was safe?
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:42 amYou, on the other hand, stated that smoking (as it relates to the President-Elect) is only a danger to the smoker themself, and has ZERO impact on others.
What say you now?
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:45 am““he’s already in excellent health and it’s impact is ZERO on anyone”
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:45 amI believe it was Peter who crafted this gem in defense of Obama’s smoking habit.
My Bad!
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:52 amBut then, why hasn’t our friend who is so devout in his affirmation of his Center-Left Christian politics, corrected Peter on the errors of his ways, instead of extending his support to him?
Peter’s defense is not only brilliant, it carries the trademark mis-use of apostrophe in it’s. I salute his argument and it’s ZERO impact on this topic. 😉
carlitos (52fcd8) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:53 amPerhaps we have found the new street-name for Peter?
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:55 amZERO!
Apparently smoking also helps you think and blow off steam so I hearby call for the elimination of physical education and the implementation of mandatory smoke breaks in all elementary schools. They can start in those new schools that have already been named for Obama. It’s for the children, people!
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 11:57 am117 does exactly that, another drew.
truthnjustice (d99227) — 12/9/2008 @ 12:15 pmPeter:
I bet you’ve given this speech to a family member or your physician in support of your own smoking. I’m curious, what was their response?
FWIW I don’t oppose smoking. I grew up in a time when everyone smoked, including my parents, and that may be why I don’t smoke and I don’t like the smell of cigarette smoke (although I like the smell of a good cigar). It may also be why I avoid establishments where smoking is pervasive. I support restrictions on smoking in public places but rather than outlaw smoking for individuals and businesses, I prefer to let them decide for themselves.
My bottom line is that I don’t care if you or Obama smoke, but that doesn’t change the fact that Obama has been evasive and hypocritical about admitting his smoking. Obama is the one who thinks smoking is a flaw and he proves it by being unwilling to own up to it. In my view, his willing evasiveness and ego are the bigger flaws.
DRJ (b4db3a) — 12/9/2008 @ 12:38 pmDRJ, I’m rolling my eyes over the fact that you even have to clarify the intent of your post. I think Peter might need a couple extra packs of those thought-enhancing cigarettes.
Jack Klompus (cf3660) — 12/9/2008 @ 12:40 pmComment by truthnjustice — 12/9/2008 @ 12:15 pm
No! I dispute the accuracy of the report, not whether or not smoking is safe, and whether or not “second hand smoke” is dangerous.
Another Drew (0c4ac4) — 12/9/2008 @ 12:46 pmThe methodology of the report, like the reasoning behind “Roe”, is defective.
And, since I am a recovering smoker, I have particular experience in this matter.
However, I do feel that we are Free Citizens, in a Free Republic, and that we are endowed by our Creator with Free Will, which enables us to make decisions about our personal conduct re others, and makes us responsible for that conduct, without the handy excuse that someone else caused whatever damage to us that we actually did ourselves.
You, on the other hand, are a useless POS, who is unable to mount a coherent, intelligent argument without resorting to the convenient, unsubstantiated talking-points found on the Left.
DRJ: I bet you’ve given this speech to a family member or your physician in support of your own smoking. I’m curious, what was their response?
So wait. We’re discussing health issues now?
Well, okay. I’ll tell you exactly what they say. I have a family member who’s a Cardiologist and to him cigarettes are an abomination. Period. He sees what they do to people on a daily basis. Cigarette smoking and the tobacco industry are his mortal enemy. And what he says is NO SMOKING. EVER. PERIOD.
But that’s him.
I think a festive smoke every once in a while or to mark a celebration is not so bad provided you’re exercising, eating right and able to have show some discipline. (That’s the big problem for, of course.)
Obama is the one who thinks smoking is a flaw and he proves it by being unwilling to own up to it. In my view, his willing evasiveness and ego are the bigger flaws.
That’s a huge jump there. He could’ve flat out lied and said “No, I never smoke. I have totally quit.”
There’s a big difference between someone who smokes a half or whole pack a day and someone who caves in every once in a while for whatever reason.
There’s a big difference between a person trying to quit and occasionally losing the battle and someone who can be judged as a corrupt untrustworthy individual because he’s completely lying.
Who doesn’t have a small vice of some sort? Fast food, or chocolate or cakes or cookies or a nip (or a bender) of the ole XXX sauce.
I say let the he or she, who has never had a moment of temptation, and failed, be the first to cast a stone.
Don’t all talk at once you shining exemplars of clean living and corporeal purity.
Jack Mohammed Saheed Malcom X Klompus:
DRJ, I’m rolling my eyes over the fact that you even have to clarify the intent of your post.
Jack, you’re just jealous that DRJ responded to my comment.
Peter (e70d1c) — 12/9/2008 @ 2:08 pmHey ZERO, just to clarify – It’s not the smoking. It’s the hypocrisy and evasiveness. You may have read that somewhere on this page. DRJ clarifying is more than you deserve.
carlitos (52fcd8) — 12/9/2008 @ 2:16 pmPeter:
There’s evidence that’s exactly what he did.
DRJ (8b9d41) — 12/9/2008 @ 2:18 pmPeter:You may have killed her when you shoved that dollar bill down her throat, you may have killed her when you hit her over the head with the chair, I don’t know, I’m not a doctor, but I’ll tell you what didn’t kill her – smoking.
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/9/2008 @ 2:30 pmDRJ, these characters just like to argue. You remain unfailingly polite. I don’t see how you manage it, but I tip my hat to you.
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:00 pmDear DRJ: is there a count of how many times of these TdJs claim that something is true, you prove them wrong with evidence, and they run away…or claim that they never made their claim in the first place?
To be sure, Peter will claim that Obama never claimed to have totally quit; his staff did.
Please. A single hair is not infinitely divisible. Sort of a Xeno’s Paradox for our Philosopher Trolls.
Is it important that Obama is lying to folks about addictive weed? Maybe, maybe not. But the saying that if folks are willing to lie about small things, they are willing to lie about large things, remains true.
He ought to tell the truth. Especially since the meme from the MSM is how dishonest Republicans are, inside and outside of their personal lives.
Speaking of lying, what about the claims that Obama has made that he had no meeting with the currently arrested Governor Blagojevich.
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/granju/2008/12/note-to-presidentelect-obama-j.html
Whoops. More of the most honest and ethical government in history, right? Apples and oranges, I’m sure!
Nothing to see here. Move along.
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:07 pmI like to talk to people, Eric, and I think it’s important to try to be fair and polite in life. That’s why it would be a comfort to parents like me if more colleges had professors like you.
DRJ (8b9d41) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:11 pmIcy Texan,
Your name fits today. It’s cold here in Texas.
DRJ (8b9d41) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:13 pmJust like a blog, DRJ, we tend to remember the academic characters who say outrageous things. My guess is that you have raised your children to have effective BS detectors, and a sense of when to pick their battles.
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:14 pmFortunately, Eric, there are competent and fair professors on both sides of the political spectrum, plus I think college is a good time to seek out and talk to those you don’t normally agree with. But I’m not averse to sending emails that point out my favorites.
DRJ (8b9d41) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:20 pm79705 on the zip code, DRJ.
Icy Texan (b7d162) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:29 pm78704 in da house!
Jack Klompus (b0e238) — 12/9/2008 @ 3:36 pmIt’s funny you brought this up, DRJ. I teach freshmen in the sciences so I am evil. Oh, well.
Anyway, last Spring, we had a visit from a certain female Presidential candidate on campus. We had very little warning.
Many professors just up and canceled classes. I think that is wrong. So I told students that my job was to be EVERYONE’s professor: I would be in class, teaching to the students who attended. There would be no penalty for students who elected to go to the rally.
On the day of the rally, half of my large freshman class showed up (which I took as a compliment). Many thought that I would approve of bashing of the visiting candidate during that period. I stepped gently but firmly onto that idea, and began the day’s topic.
My attitude: my politics are not relevant from 8AM to 5PM on campus. MANY professors don’t agree with me, and that is fine.
My classroom, my rules. And I don’t tolerate partisanship in class, period. I tell the students that life isn’t fair. But my classroom can be a reasonable facsimile of fairness.
Sorry for the speech. But there is a battle going on in the Ivory Tower right now—do we preach or do we teach?
Eric Blair (c8876d) — 12/9/2008 @ 4:14 pm[…] Obama Still Smokes But He’s Doing a Terrific Job Filed under: Obama — DRJ @ 12:16 pm […]
nobama: Failure, Impotence is “Terrific” « Combating Moonbat News (d9a4c0) — 12/10/2008 @ 2:07 amAnother Drew: WWJD? Do you think He went from the sermon on the mount to calling one of the onlookers a POS? Tsk Tsk Tsk…. someone hasn’t been paying enough attention at church.
truthnjustice (d99227) — 12/10/2008 @ 3:20 am