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(18,115 posts)NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Where you been?
Cha
(297,187 posts)President Obama checks to see if he still needs the umbrella held by a U.S. Marine during a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 16
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/16/this-and-that-75/
MADem
(135,425 posts)What's the difference between a Marine doing it or a soldier? Or a Sailor? Or an airman? Or some aide?
Who gives a shit? Why should anyone give a shit?
The 'principal' (in this case the POTUS) needs his paws on his speech, and he needs them free to shake a hand or ten. He also needs dry microphones on the podium.
This is how a thing called "Protocol" works.
But then, the wingnuts have no couth--why would they know about these things that are SOP for civilized people?
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)That's what really sticks in their craws, despite the fact* that they're totally not racist.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)We chose that white marine just for the head-exploding fun of it!
Repugs have been freaking out over a Marine holding an umbrella for Obama as he appeared with the Turkish president.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)Boomerproud
(7,952 posts)or so they say.
niyad
(113,279 posts)Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)An umbrella is not a "uniform item" for the USMC. The whiners are inferring that Obama has caused the Marines to violate their uniform regulations.
However, these Marines are not "wearing" the umbrellas as uniform items--they are using them to cover the heads of the principals for whom they are responsible.
This isn't a new thing--I've seen Marines do this in other settings. It's a protocol courtesy to a DV.
Anyone who wants to see a GOP President's travesty when it comes to White House uniform matters should check out Nixon's personal "Palace Guard" design for his WH uniformed Secret Service. Hideous!!!!
Does this not look like something out of Prussia in Clausewitz's era?
wercal
(1,370 posts)Kablooie
(18,631 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)Logical
(22,457 posts)Cha
(297,187 posts)President Obama checks to see if he still needs the umbrella held by a U.S. Marine during a joint news conference with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Rose Garden of the White House, May 16
http://theobamadiary.com/2013/05/16/this-and-that-75/
thanks kskiska for putting it all in perspective.
Lordquinton
(7,886 posts)I can't stop giggling... so perfect.
sad-cafe
(1,277 posts)thank you!
Turn CO Blue
(4,221 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)However, that Marine is not using the umbrella as a uniform item--he is deploying it as a tool to cover the head of (and podium, and microphone) his Commander in Chief.
There's a difference there, that stupid Republicans (who likely washed out of boot camp, IF they ever got that far) just don't appreciate.
tofuandbeer
(1,314 posts)Hating this world more with each passing day.
When can we move to the moon?
JI7
(89,248 posts)protection . every presidential family gets secret service and it's never an issue. but suddenly they complain when this family gets it.
...and a white young serviceman holding an umbrella over a black man's head...I bet that just gets the best of them.
I just can't fathom having that kind of hate for skin color in my heart.
MADem
(135,425 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Republican presidents love GOLF umbrellas...
This is what happens when you let a GOP president hold his own umbrella....
You'll put your eye out, maybe?
But here's the appropriate response to the GOP Umbrella Poutragers....
xxqqqzme
(14,887 posts)It says everything about that failure as a human being you can imagine. I mean, come on, the clown can't even get out of the rain.
napkinz
(17,199 posts)CatWoman
(79,301 posts)Coyotl
(15,262 posts)I needed some ammo to fire back, so I logged in and sure enough!!! you can rely on DU every time
Ter
(4,281 posts)He might, but there's like a 70%+ chance he doesn't. The percentage of white male Marine who voted against a President committed to getting them out of harm's way (well, not really, but at least more than Romney) is mind boggling.
MADem
(135,425 posts)You do know his next promotion is guaranteed? And his next assignment will place him optimally to move on up?
Colin Powell was an O-4--a field grade officer--when he went to the White House.
Having the WH on your record, as an enlisted service member or an officer, is a Golden Ticket.
I think your statistics are off, too. I'd like to see a cite for that rather bold and unsourced assertion.
Ter
(4,281 posts)And I bet he's glad he got picked to stand near Obama, it looks great on his resume. But I also bet he doesn't give the credit to Obama, and likely didn't vote for him. I know several white Marines, and not only do they all dislike the President, they flat out hate him. Marines are very Republican, despite Pukes putting them in harms way. I'll find you a link.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Those aren't questions.
If you did serve in the military--and the USMC, specifically--you'd understand what the term "unit cohesion" means and you wouldn't be--without even a shred of evidence-- accusing that young Marine of having nefarious thoughts about his Commander in Chief. I daresay you wouldn't be very quick to say that kind of accusatory stuff to his face, either--his reaction just might catch you by an unpleasant surprise.
That's all I'm going to say on this topic.
And that 70% figure cited above likely comes not from a legitimate poll, but from a Military Times survey of its subscribers--who skew whiter, older, and more senior than the force as a whole.
MADem
(135,425 posts)have their own subscription, too! They're accessing the website using their department's dozen or so subscriptions, from their comfy chairs in the Pentagon and other installation and HQ locales! Beats pushing that paper, and believe me, I've been stuck in that environment of much fuss and so-little-real-importance, so I know of what I speak!
I don't even think Military Times skews that far over, either--I think that was "imagination" talking.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)The presser was set up, the flags were there, the venue is a photo op for the ages (particularly for foreign dignitaries) and it wasn't raining that bad.
It would have taken a while to redeploy the entire WH press corps and guests to...where? The Brady press room? They'd have to march over there in the rain, they'd be wetter by the time they arrived. None of the formal rooms would have been set up for the event.
The best thing to do was what they did--press on through the drizzle. A little rain and cloud make for better pictures, anyway--no squinting/angry looks.
R B Garr
(16,950 posts)Why do they go after such inane things like umbrellas and telepromptors that all Presidents use? Oh, and I don't see a flagpin on Reagan or either of the Bushes!! (*did I pluralize that correctly?). And Reagan and Bush I are wearing khaki! The pettiness is truly stunning.
npk
(3,660 posts)He was prevented from holding his own umbrella after his little mishap.
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)...on accidental self-assassination by umbrella.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I LOVE that movie!
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)malaise
(268,967 posts)Rec