A Marine's response to the Presidential umbrella umbrage; (Edit)

[A HERETIC I AM]

Last edited Sun May 19, 2013, 12:13 PM - Edit history (1)

I thought the reaction to this photo was interesting:



Yes, the President of the United States of America had a boot Corporal hold an umbrella for him while he gave a speech.

The reactions were interesting because people let their political butthurtedness flow into their opinions on the matter. People seem to forget that we’re Marines, and this is exactly the kind of shit that Marines do. Somehow, holding an umbrella for the President and the Turkish Prime Minister is seen as demeaning, while all of the other bullshit that Marines do every day is not. I find it entertaining to see Marines on my Facebook page saying things like, “I would have told him to fuck off and hold his own umbrella.”

No you wouldn’t.

Shut up.

We’re Marines, if the President of the fucking United States asks you to hold a fucking umbrella, you hold a fucking umbrella. As well, the day I give a shit about a boot Corporal holding an umbrella is the day I’ve forgotten what the Marine Corps is. Honestly, holding an umbrella for the President is probably the least demeaning thing I could imagine doing as a Marine, as opposed to the other bullshit I had to do every day. No one would think twice about asking a boot to police call cigarette butts across the entire base at 5am, but the minute this boot has to hold an umbrella for the Commander in Chief, people get upset.

He’s the President, he rates an umbrella.

Get over it.

Found Here



Edit to add this video from the White House web site. A You Tube link, but I found it on whitehouse.gov

The point, for the few that aren't aware, is that these positions are ones of high honor, going to only 4 individuals in the entire Marine Corps.

[silverweb]

1. I salute this Marine.

[pinboy3niner]

4. This is a non sequitur, off-topic post in this thread context

Suggest you delete. This is not the place.

[NYC_SKP]

8. +1

What a bullshit move.

[cliffordu]

9. Yep, exactly.

[Bay Boy]

14. Sorry but sexual assaults in the military is...

... a much bigger deal than this whole bullshit umbrella-gate story.
Women should have the right to serve in the military without the threat of sexual assault by the people that are supposed to 'have their back'.

[pinboy3niner]

19. I agree with you on that--but post it in an APPROPRIATE place

Putting it here is not classy and makes no sense.

Again, you should self-delete your post and pursue discussion of the issue elsewhere.

[AtheistCrusader]

51. Yes it is a bigger deal.

That is the Marine in the OP's point: this umbrella bullshit isn't a big deal, and is a distraction.

[MiddleFingerMom]

15. Go ahead, Internet Tough Guy... tell "a Marine" to quit sexually assaulting women.

[Bay Boy]

23. Well that comes off a little weird...

...almost as if your saying there is no way they could be told to do that.

[MiddleFingerMom]

27. There is no way you would say that broadbrush crap about Marines in general to one's face.

.
.
.
Though you're certainly welcome to pick one at random and tell him or her that.
.
.
.

[Bay Boy]

29. To an individual Marine?

No. Because I would have no idea if that individual Marine was disrespecting fellow female Marines. As a group I would love to be able to tell them to knock it off. Unfortunately, not being in a position of authority over them, it wouldn't carry much weight.

[MiddleFingerMom]

33. And I quote (caps mine) "If I tell A MARINE to quit..."

.
.
.
It doesn't seem like much thought has gone into your posts.
.
.
.

[Bay Boy]

26. If someone wants to report my post...

...that's fine, and if it gets deleted, that's fine too. But I truly feel that sexual assaults of women in the military is much bigger deal than this media fabricated umbrella gate story.

[pinboy3niner]

31. Do you even get that you pissed on a thread COUNTERING the 'Umbrellagate story'?

If you wannabe the hero spokesman on another issue, take it somewhere else.

I didn't alert your post. If you had any shame, you'd self-alert--or better, self-delete.

[Bay Boy]

32. I spoke my peace...

...and I thank you for at least acknowledging it. I'm done on this topic, at least on this thread.

[pinboy3niner]

35. Thank God for small favors!

And no need to thank me--I think DUers overwhelmingly support reforms to more effectively prevent, mitigate and prosecute military rape and sexual abuse. So you're just preaching to the choir here.

We'll be with you all the way--when you speak your "peace" in the appropriate discussion threads...

[Cha]

54. Exactly!

[Logical]

63. Done and hidden! n-t

[Cha]

53. Thanks pinboy.. poster trying to

hijack a thread about a Marine doing his job.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

5. +1 for pinboy3niner answering post.

It is Post #4

[Logical]

60. What a stupid response and out of line in this post. Most would self delete. I assume not you. n-t

[pinboy3niner]

3. Semper Fi, Marine!

Well said!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. You know, for all the people throught a fit over this, did/do they stop to think?

Many soldiers in general can't tell their young kids much about what they did in the service. Many can't tell their family much at all either.

This Marine has a story he can tell his young grandkids about.

[pinboy3niner]

12. He can show them the pics

Which the WH probably has reproduced and framed for him.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

16. I don't doubt it!

[TxGrandpa]

30. And no doubt autographed by his Commander-in-Chief!

He exhibited professionalism!! Many critics hasn't. [Meant to be a reply to pinboy3niner..I'm trying to get the hang of this posting format!]

[A HERETIC I AM]

58. Welcome to DU!

Welcome, TxGrandpa.

Glad you're here!

[pinboy3niner]

61. Good point, TxGrandpa!

That Marine will have some very special souvenirs from his service.

And welcome to DU!

[Victor_c3]

84. That is a hugely valid point to me personally

One of the things that bothers me and scares the crap out of me about my children and my military service is them finding out and/or figuring out what I likely did when I was in the Army. To them, I am a harmless and loving person and the world is incapable of being crue and I don't want that to change.

[janlyn]

7. ooooh freakin' raaaah!! n/t

[Tx4obama]

10. Another NSFW Marine response

Here: http://wonkette.com/516692/guest-post-from-a-u-s-marine-about-barack-obamas-shocking-and-disgusting-use-of-an-umbrella

[Poll_Blind]

25. "Shut your cockholster, you civilian sack of shit." OMG!

Oh, everything. Thumbs up to every motherfucking thing*!



Real marines have had the most hilariously true responses. That shit about the Joint Chief of Staff. PRICELESS!

PB

* Except all the stuff with asterisks by it in the article. (smirk)

[hootinholler]

105. The Ass ta risks are the best part

*Nope.
**Not that either.
***What the fuck, dude?
****That’s fine.
*****This one’s okay too, because “hyperbole.”

[riqster]

43. Brilliant! nt

[bluedigger]

44. That was fucking hilarious.

[Cha]

55. I saw that one.. whew! glad to read of

another!

[A HERETIC I AM]

59. LOL !! Love it!

Thanks!

[tavalon]

70. That was well worth the read

Fucking Hilarious.

[Buns_of_Fire]

83. "Subhuman motile turd" -- I'm going to have to remember that one!

I can hear Sgt. Carter screaming at Gomer Pyle right now...

[Half-Century Man]

98. A tear to my eye

Every once in awhile, I run into someone who's command of the English language is superb (Oddly enough, a fairly large number of them have been ex-drill instructors). Here is a master; weaving syntax, adjectives, adverbs, and the righteous misappropriation of words into a tantalizing stew of direct written communication. The much respected Eric Steinberg might be the H.W. Longfellow of ass-chewings, the E.A. Poe of put downs, the J. Steinbeck of stuff it. An American master plying his craft for us all to enjoy.
Thank you Mr. Steinberg.

[Brigid]

100. OMG, I'm dying here!

I have been out for nearly 30 years--it's good to know that my beloved Corps is still in good hands.

[newmember]

11. Who is the Marine who wrote that?

[A HERETIC I AM]

34. I have no idea other than the link I provided in the OP. n/t

[John2]

13. Anybody in the Armed Forces know those marines wouldn't have told

the President that or they could get court martialed. That is like telling your commanding officer to fuck off. The President is the commander in chief. He out ranks them all.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

28. But it is not to the President.

It is to those saying that they would say that to the president.

[Curmudgeoness]

17. "No you wouldn't. Shut up."

That is the most truthful thing he said. I cannot imagine a Marine telling the president to "hold your own fucking umbrella". It would not happen.

[tavalon]

71. Only if he was itching for a court martial

[jmowreader]

74. Forget this court-martial idea

Marines do what they're told, and in this case what they were told is to hold an umbrella for the president.

[msongs]

18. a president is the commander in chief. he has full authority to order marines to hold umbrellas nt

[Brother Buzz]

41. And that Marine has taken an oath to obey the orders of the President of the United States

Oaths of Enlistment:

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.



I've always found it interesting, The Officers Oath omits the 'obey the orders of the President' bit:

"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."

[bluedigger]

42. I suspect it may be because officers are commissioned by Congress.

Somebody here can probably illuminate the nuances.

[pinboy3niner]

48. It really doesn't matter

The authority of the Commander-in-Chief (the President) supercedes that of the Marine Corps Commandant, on whose guidebook and service regs the yahoos are relying.

I served in the Army in both enlisted and commissioned ranks, and I say, nuances, schmuances! Everybody in every service branch knows the President and CiC is the ultimate authority.

I think we could tell them where to shove their umbrella, couldn't we?

[bluedigger]

50. I was just referring to the question of the different oaths.

Obviously you STFU and do what the CinC tells you to.

[newmember]

65. Just want to add this in

As long as it is lawful whether it's your Commander and Chief or your CO in charge.

Marines are not robots

[bluedigger]

67. Well, yeah.

But short of "Kill that guy, he stole my ice cream" most boot corporals are just going to do what the President says, and nobody is going to blame them.

[newmember]

68. lol

agreed

[MADem]

75. Officers are sworn to uphold the Constitution, the oath is pretty much the same as the President's.

Which is why Ollie Frigging North should have known better...!

[Poll_Blind]

20. Chris Hayes referenced this awesome response but said they couldn't put it on TV.

Excellent response!



PB

[Aviation Pro]

21. Terminal Lance...

...rocks.

[sheshe2]

22. K&R!

[Bobbie Jo]

24. K&R!

[southernyankeebelle]

36. All this outrage is because of the black man in the white house. They can't stand it.

[Moonwalk]

57. Exactly my thought. If that Marine was holding an umbrella over the head of any white man...

...president from the past, we would not have heard a peep. I mean even if the marine was holding that umbrella over, say Bill Clinton, no matter if people hated him or questioned his lack of military service, I bet you money no one would have said a word about it. But have the white marine holding an umbrella over the black man's head and we're back to "Birth of a Nation" and the idea of civilization being turned upside down

(And, irony of ironies, if that had been a woman president, they would have seen it as gallantry!)

Of course, it's especially outrageous for military men (or women) to object as they should know by now that you salute the uniform not the man in it. And that includes the civilian suit of the Commander-in-chief even if you didn't vote for him, even if you hate his politics or him personally, and, yes, even if you don't like his race.

[reformist2]

37. To be honest, I think the imagery is a bit ridiculous. I wish it hadn't happened.

[riqster]

46. The Prexy had three options:

Number A: Let the Turkish head of state get soaked along with him in a rainstorm;
Letter 2: Get an umbrella just for the PM and stand there getting soaked all by himself;
Thirdly : what he did.

President Obama would have gotten shat upon no matter what he did.

[newmember]

47. You do realize he did this more for the prime minister than himself

And it would have looked foolish to have one only over the prime minister.


He made the right call

[spooky3]

89. Geez, pro tennis players get umbrellas held for them

To shade them from the sun's heat.

I think the Pres and heads of other nations are entitled to at least as good of treatment.

[lobodons]

38. Visual: White man holding umbrella for a N

Damn, they are way to obvious in their Obama Derangement syndrome.

[Incitatus]

39. OMG. That poor Marine

He's at the White House next to the President when he could be in Afghanistan.

[Rhiannon12866]

45. +1!

This has to be one of the most coveted jobs!

[JI7]

40. those outraged are probably same ones who have no problem with sending them off to war

over lies and having them die . and then to continue the war with the "so they did not die in vain" crap.

[Skeeter Barnes]

49. 4 Umbrellas, 4 Presidents, 1 Outrage

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[progressoid]

66. Yup.

[tavalon]

72. One of these things is not like the other

That's right. One's a Democrat.

[spooky3]

90. Perfect!

[SleeplessinSoCal]

52. fake Umbrage is nothing more than the same old racist rants. Who are they fooling?

Nobody. And no mention of how much has been done by Obama to try to help vets get jobs. Wonder if they even know.

[pinboy3niner]

56. Fake umbrellage, lol

And as far as everything the President and First Lady (not to mention the Bidens) have done for the troops, vets and military families, they are blind to it all.

President Obama's first budget gave the VA its biggest increase in 30 years--but conservatives still insist "he's not funding the VA!1!!"

[Thor_MN]

62. I seem to recall the previous resident of the White House

on a rare visit to a hospital to see one of the soldiers he maimed, saluted the young Marine. If I recall correctly, the Marine, wounded in the shoulder, held his salute, as appropriate, waiting for the president to drop his. Dumbass decided to hold a staring contest and forced the wounded Marine to hold his salute until he no longer could. I believe there was no media outrage... Now, if Obama had forced a wounded soldier to hold his umbrella, outrage would be appropriate.

[MADem]

76. Awww geez, don't tell me this...

The asshole was commissioned in the reserves. He may have been AWOL, but the dumb fuck should have known better.

Now I'm even more disgusted with him than I have been up to this point. Talk about Beyond Stupid...

[sarge43]

78. Air National Guard

Before Poppy scored him that 'commission' he had the standard enlisted basic training at Lackland Training Circus. He did know or at least was vigorously informed. Just another drunken frat boy stunt, bullying someone who couldn't fight back.

[MADem]

79. If they are like other branches, surely they spend a good hour or so on the old "hand salute."

Unbelievably stupid man.

I didn't think I could have less respect for him, but I've managed!

[sarge43]

80. Many hours, MADem, both in and out of the class room.

Former AF recruit wrangler here.

Stupid I kinda can forgive; mean, vicious bullying, no way. He has been and always will be a tiny fraction.

[Thor_MN]

81. It was portrayed by the media as shrub honoring the soldier...

I saw it as a sick, twisted man without a hint of compassion putting someone in pain. I doubt he had the capability to understand why what he did was wrong.

[MADem]

82. The way you "honor" someone with grievous wounds is to say "AT EASE" and then have an

honest conversation with the person, assuring them that they will be cared for, restored to health to the extent possible, that their family will be taken care of, that their sacrifice is appreciated and will not be forgotten...that kind of thing.

Playing an "I can out-salute you" game is just dumb. Childish.

FWIW, Navy has it right--no saluting indoors/uncovered! Makes life much easier.

[treestar]

86. You know it reminds me

There was some faux outrage on the right one time where President Obama saluted a serviceperson. The right went into a mode of how the CIC never salutes anybody.

[sarge43]

97. They thought it was kool when Ronnie Raygun did it. He started it.

God forgive me; I agree with the rightwing nuts on that one. A civilian shouldn't salute.

However, if President Obama didn't return the salutes, the right wing would go to Defcon One about it. If he walked on water, the nuts would pitch a hizz about an elitist not swimming like a real 'murikin.

[rocktivity]

64. How soon we forget

rocktivity

[LiberalAndProud]

69. Skeeter beat me to this.

http://zandarvts.blogspot.com/2013/05/more-products-from-umbrella-poutrage.html

[rightsideout]

73. Argghhh

I kind of wish the Marines would have taken the initiative to get the umbrellas before being asked to.

I'm not sure how the Marine detail works at the White House and what their responsibilities are. Maybe they just stand at attention and only respond to requested orders instead of going at-ease at their own accord to fetch an umbrella.

I imagine it may be the same thing as helping a guest into the Presidential helicopter if they loose their footing or something.

It just would be nice for just one week if something would go right. Actually, not go "Right," I mean work out without any controversy. This stuff just gives more fodder for the other side.

[thelordofhell]

77. So let me get this straight.......Getting a Marine to hold an umbrella = bad

Getting a Marine to illegally broker weapons to Iran and the Contras, then attempt to destroy all evidence of the crime = good

Conservative "logic".............

[treestar]

85. Great marine

He gets the point. The bottom feeders going on about this probably never served.

Why was the marine there in the first place? Righties go on about how the butler should have done it and not a marine - why is the marine there? Maybe not to hold umbrellas, but there must have been some reason.

[TBF]

87. As long as it is done for any president (and it is) it is a non-issue.

Palin needs to crawl back under her rock ...

[AllyCat]

88. Holding an umbrella for someone is a civil courtesy.

I don't begrudge the man holding Sarah Palin's umbrella or her having one held for her either.

EXCEPT, that she slams the President for it after having them held for her. She is a hypocrite.

This Marine is speaking truth.

[DirtyDawg]

91. What those other Marines...

...meant was that in all the other images of military guys holding umbrellas for, say, Reagan and/or the two Bushes, they were all Army grunts. So just let the Marines - in dress unis - should just continue to be accoutrements standing at the side of the speakers platform.

[gussmith]

92. Great Writing

Do all those curses make you a better marine or are they the reason you are a marine?

[A HERETIC I AM]

94. Since you replied to my OP.... (Edited)

Last edited Sun May 19, 2013, 12:05 PM - Edit history (1)

and your question seems to be directed AT ME, let me tell you that I am not the author. The link to the page where I found the original is at the bottom of my post at the top. On it you can find the name of the Marine and his picture.


It is not me.

On edit to add the following;


After thinking about this for a little while, it occurs to me that you have a problem with the language used by this particular individual in expressing his opinion.

Well, isn't that too fucking bad.

[deurbano]

93. http://www.onemarinesview.com/one_marines_view/2012/06/respect-enough-said-semper-fidelis.html

Obviously, there is precedent for a Marine to hold an umbrella for someone else...


This is just another fabricated "scandal" from the scandal (and hate) mongers. It's all about their knee-jerk loathing of a president from a party (and race) they hold in contempt. (It has nothing to do with concern for Marine uniform protocol.)

[icarusxat]

95. Jesus would have finished by washing the President's feet...

makes one wonder about the incredible bigotry of some people...

[Joey Liberal]

96. They also open doors for the President and other visitors

It's all a part of their daily duties. Probably a great assignment for any young Marine.

[Rex]

99. I am glad a marine spoke out about this and he is right

his tough as nail friends would all shut up and say, "yes sir!" and hold that umbrella as still as a statue.

[heaven05]

101. what

Last edited Sun May 19, 2013, 05:26 PM - Edit history (1)

asinine bullshit. For any amerikkkan to "take umbrage" at the POTUS having an umbrella held for him, during remarks, in the open, in the rain, shows me how petty and stupid amerikkkans are when it comes to a AA head of state. No other POTUS caused such an uproar and a lot have had an umbrella held over their heads. Amerikkkans are sick!!!! The amerikkkan populace gets dumber and because of an AA head of state, more RACIST, every day. Shame!

[cynatnite]

102. Exactly right! n/t

[hootinholler]

103. Ooo fuckin RAH! Gunny.

This squid approves this message.

Love the choreography at the turnover.

[Lifelong Protester]

104. Thank you to the Marine for his/her response

(sorry, I have to run and don't have time for link, so I don't know if it is a him/her).

To me, this whole fiasco shows just how dumb and dimwitted these RWNJs are. I certainly was no fan of Bush, but never would it occur to me, NEVER, to make a fuss over the fact that a soldier doing his/her job was holding an umbrella over his head. That is just kookie talk.

[2ndAmForComputers]

106. Could I hope this incident just earned the Dems some votes?

Particularly among pissed-off Marines?

I could see a formerly Republican-voting Marine looking at this assholity and just switching votes.

[Bahutsauvage]

107. Imagine a british soldier having to hold an umbrella for the queen

So there's a professional soldier holding an umbrella during a speech on an official state visit and you discuss that for weeks and with vigorous intensity?

Pardon me for asking, but how do you guys expect the rest of the world should take you seriously and not think you're all perfectly qualified for the funny farm?! Is that your new kind of precicion warfare, making people to knock themselves out by heavy facepalming or even simply die laughing?

You could invent a new corps - the US first Umbrellators (fighting for rain freedom and dryokracy) - "others may consider the Umbrella as shamefull for us it is a badge of honour by bringing some basic politeness and etiquette to the guests of our state....."

[ornotna]

108. Only when she's killing commies

You guys can be pretty funny too.

[maddezmom]

109. LOL

Perfect.

[hrmjustin]

110. Welcome to DU my friend!