The "Obama....shadow government".

[underpants]

I'll get right to the point.
Am I reading too much into the use of "shadow" in connection with Obama?
It seems like a racist to the rightwing believers.


If you aren't familiar with this wild theory it goes that Obama is running a parallel sabotage operation controlling government workers to undermine Trump. Yeah.

This is all the rage on talk radio and now even on TV. Limbaugh actually mentioned it this morning on Chris Wallace's show. I first heard about it on Rush's show months ago when Obama announced that he was staying in DC (from on office in the World Wildlife Foundation building) while Sasha finishes school - like Melania is staying in NYC while Barron is in school - and perhaps beyond.

This week was the first I'd heard it referred to as a "shadow".

[ginnyinWI]

1. well, they've gotta have an enemy, don't they. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. A "shadow government" has nothing to do with race, so yes,

you are reading too much into it. It's a very common term for "a family of conspiracy theories based on the notion that real and actual political power resides not with publicly elected representatives." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_government_(conspiracy)

[Squinch]

3. I have to agree. This phrase has been around since long before we had an African America president.

[underpants]

4. I understand that

I'm really just asking that the new name change to this theory.

[Orrex]

6. Though the current administration will almost certainly be niggardly

when it comes to funding social programs and the like.

But if they're sparing Melania from her husband's presence, then money is no object!

[heaven05]

21. did that n word get used purposfully

or is it commonly used by you as it is with say someone like Clancy....????

[Orrex]

22. Who's Clancy?

[heaven05]

31. AN author I used to like

until I noticed his liberal use of the word I questioned you about....never mind...stingy??? Maybe...NIGGARDLY I don't have use of that word in any context since certain people created it out of hate for others....based on race only..yeah you have a good one....

[Orrex]

33. You're kidding, right?

Niggardly
It predates vile word "nigger" by centuries.

And, if it helps underscore the absurdity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_%22niggardly%22
Note: "Etymologically the two words are unrelated."


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[heaven05]

38. right on your slipping and sliding

nope not kidding. I don't give a damn what you found to excuse your use. Use it all you please...free speech..you know ...even the brietbart clown has free speech. No, I never kid about the seriousness of how people perpetuate, in any context, hate ....well you have an idea of what I mean. Fuck Wikipedia.

[Orrex]

39. IT'S NOT A HATE WORD, YOU BIG SILLY!

If it's a hate word, then I strongly encourage--no, I BEG you to Alert on my post so that a Jury can make a determination.

In fact, this is exactly why I posted it in the first place, to have a bit of fun at the expense of gullible people.


Thanks for your generous contribution--I couldn't have done it with out you!

[heaven05]

40. I don't alert, first

unless grievious beyond repair. Second, like I said you're entitled to use any word in the dictionary. Third I DO NOT LIKE to see that word in any context, period. The word is hateful and the last sound many heard before they died at the hands of hateful people...I hesitate to think how many times it has been used in the halls of the west wing of this WH administration. I JUST DON'T LIKE IT. Period. A jury would never change that whether they vote in your favor or not. I'm not trying to WIN against you, my point has been made. I have fun with clueless people also. Every day. It's one of those English sayings and well....I had fun with you too.

[Orrex]

41. The fact that you don't like the word means nothing to me

First, because by your own repeated assertion, you don't understand the word's meaning or etymology

Second, because you are an anonymous online rando

Third, because you STILL insist that the word I used is racist, when it 100% unambiguously is not. But don't take my word for it: see what Julian Bond had to say about it:

Julian Bond, then chairman of the NAACP, deplored the offense that had been taken at Howard's use of the word. "You hate to think you have to censor your language to meet other people's lack of understanding", he said. "David Howard should not have quit. Mayor Williams should bring him back—and order dictionaries issued to all staff who need them.

The only point that you've made is either that you're trolling me or that you are deliberately & willfully ignorant.

[heaven05]

42. your opinion

means NOTHING to me as well as your ability to remain willfully...don't care for your excuses...not trolling just said the word has NO place in the conversations of decent people.I am not here to censor, just my opinion as to my likes or dislikes concerning usage of words....hey, I HAVE THAT RIGHT!!!! Take your excuses elsewhere, I AM DONE WITH THIS inane conversation.....how's that? bye

[Orrex]

43. The actual definition and etymology are not "an excuse"

You certainly have the right to be outraged about nothing and grossly misinformed. Far be it from me to dissuade you.


The conversation, such as it is, is inane only because you're angry about your own deficient vocabulary.

[LanternWaste]

47. It's just like kicking back and smoking a fag.

It's just like kicking back and smoking a fag. Something the sincere will allege to voice daily for entertainment resulting from the discomfort of others, regardless of whether it's a right, a left, or mere petulance we rationalize.

Not that it's a term I value, use, or justify. But no doubts about it, many people do. And defend it. For little more than, as they admit, giggles. Quite the apex of rational thought. Quite impressive.

[Orrex]

48. There is nothing to justify or defend.

Let's be clear about this: heaven05 can't tell the difference between the vile epithet "nigger" and and the neutral word "niggardly." It would be like getting upset about the word "manatee" because it implies that men are all foppish tea-drinkers.

I have explicitly begged heaven05 to alert on my allegedly offensive use of that inoffensive word, and I now equally beg other readers to do the same. Please do so: let the jury weigh in on my scandalous racial insensitivity. If I'm shown to be in the wrong, then I will happily recant, as I have done many times over the years when my errors have been demonstrated to me.

[msanthrope]

49. you know there are days I read some posts on DU and I long

I long for your old red Sig line.

Be well, Orrex.

[Orrex]

50. LOL. Would that I could resurrect them!

Alas, that time has passed.

[heaven05]

52. I don't feel you would

be able to recant....like I said....you are using neutrality as a cover I think...but that's just me. Nice diversion on the manatee bit...you do have free speech rights and are able to say what you please about any subject you desire....please proceed...

[Orrex]

53. I like how you think that your ignorance is clever

And how you mistakenly think that an Obama/Romney allusion means that you know what you're talking about. Au contraire!

Further, I have many times admitted error; can you truthfully say the same of yourself? You certainly refuse to accept it here, insisting that etymology and definitions are somehow meaningless.

[heaven05]

54. get this straight in your mind

....slowly...use the words you please at anytime....slowly....I don't have to like your word usage....and I have nothing to admit as "error" in any respect concerning your word usage and my not liking it. I do have rights, you know, to not like any thing written by anyone, anywhere.

I know the excuses for using these type of descriptions of stingy people ect: I don't have to like or accept what you write or how you write it...period.

[Orrex]

55. No one disputes any of that

Last edited Tue Feb 21, 2017, 03:08 PM - Edit history (1)

As I aptly noted in reply #43:

You certainly have the right to be outraged about nothing and grossly misinformed. Far be it from me to dissuade you.

I have repeatedly demonstrated that you are incorrect, but I don't dispute your right to be outraged about it. Nor do I dispute your right to claim that you're not outraged.

I know the excuses for using these type of descriptions of stingy people ect:

What "excuses" are you talking about? The actual dictionary definition and factual etymology are not an "excuse." As noted previously, and as you've stubbornly opted to ignore, the word "niggardly" predates the vile epithet "nigger" by centuries. They are independent of each other, no matter how urgently you seem to wish otherwise.

That would be like claiming that the word "gypsum" is offensive to Roma.


Are there any other neutral words that you've decided to be offended by? Please tell me so that I don't accidentally write something to upset you.

[dalton99a]

5. I think it came from Bannon. He is promoting it through Alex Jones and gang.

[underpants]

13. I figured

I don't have easy access to Alex Jones and I'm certainly not going out of my way to find him.

Thanks.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

19. National Enquirer's issue last week mentioned it, too. Right on the front cover.

It's not a coincidence. Especially considering the owner of the Enquirer is a mega fan of the Tangeranus.

And it's positioned right at the checkout lane where people are waiting in line at the grocery store.

[wishstar]

27. Weeks ago, Natl Enquirer front cover said Obama had infiltrated CIA with Muslims

Since the right-wing conspiracy theory about Obama's martial law takeover didn't happen, they have replaced with infiltration of govt by Obama plants to not only keep the fear factor intact but provide even more focus for blaming Obama and not Trump for the Trump screwups

[cilla4progress]

7. Sure hope

He is!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

10. I only wish...

[C_U_L8R]

8. Lame excuse.

The Trump administration is falling apart at the seams.
They can't even come up with a good 'blame the other guy'.
Pathetic.

[TrekLuver]

12. They are also using the media..which is a good tactic I guess they think...I for one

hope that this tactic just backfires on them.

[GeorgeGist]

9. Thanks, Obama.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. Didn't think about the racial aspect to it

but Trump, et. al aren't the most racially sensitive bunch either- and are damn proud of it too. Former President Obama is a citizen with the same rights as Mitch McConnell to organize resistance and opposition against a sitting President. I honestly wouldn't be happier to know that President Obama is running a "shadow government" to oppose the Trumpublican agenda-if he were. Is there some law against this that I don't know about. And hey, President Trump started his 2020 re-election bid this weekend, so it's really open season as far as I'm concerned!

[mulsh]

14. We Soros and Cuban funded professional protesters welcome Obama's shadow government.

Of course yesterday I got wind of a different Obama initiative. It's called Organizing for Action I'm told by Brietbart.

I'm in negotiations for funding as a paid protester from them. Soon I'll have tax free payments funneled to my off shore accounts from three traitorous groups. Foolish libtards.


If you'd like to join the "shadow government" and maybe even effect some change check out their site

[link:https://www.ofa.us/|

[milestogo]

15. I could tell when I saw the kitesurfing photos that he was up to something.

[Afromania]

16. Illuminati

New World Order!!! whatever whatever blah blah. You know the drill.

[JHan]

36. Illuminati confirmed!!

[underpants]

25. From Richard Branson's private island

Yes it's almost like a evil genius's lair in a Bond movie.

Freakin lasers!!!

[smirkymonkey]

45. Wow, he looks so healthy and happy there!

Good for him!

[Missn-Hitch]

17. Good. Anything to keep their blood pressure up. Look at them.

Limbaugh, Bannon, the Executive Producer of The Apprentice.....you have to assume they all have heart disease and hypertension.

Obama is coming to get you. Shout it from the mountain tops.

[Volaris]

32. It works much better if it's only whispered in dark corners lol

Let the paranoia work its special kind of magic, just like it did with Nixon=)

[salin]

18. Wow for folks who spouted weak Obama... They sure think he is all powerful

He can plant false quotes into Trump and Conway's heads about Sweden and Bowling Green, he can whisper to Bannon.... 'don't bother having related Departments review Executive Orders - just write em up and ram em through', He even convinced Flynn to call the Russian ambassador 5 times on the day of his (Obama's) order of sanctions on Russia.

Don't the fevered RWnuts realize this makes Obama seem very effective and powerful, and Team Trump look like victim-weaklings getting sand kicked on them by the Beach bully?

Maroons!

[underpants]

24. The believers can't connect dots without it being expressly told to them

I mentioned that Obama is staying in DC for the same reason Melaniais staying in NYC. The dashboard believers don't even have this put in front of them so they have no clue.

Yes THE ALL POWERFUL and weak OBAMA!!!

[louis-t]

20. Yes, the "weak" Obama has so much power

he can obstruct the orange guy cuz he's so "weak".

[Hekate]

23. Oooga booga. Those traitors just HAVE To have an enemy or they can't function....

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are straight-up, and will be doing everything they can within the law to mitigate the coming damage and right this nation if humanly possible.

Anyone who wants to talk about a shadow government should look no further than Steve Bannon. Just follow the stench.

[Yavin4]

26. Okay. I'll play along. Why would government workers be loyal to Obama?

At this point, what can Obama do for their careers?

[underpants]

28. Uh

Remember, in rightwing world government workers are faceless homogenous autotrons who do nothing all day and don't pay taxes or own homes or eat lunch. Oh and they can't be fired.

There are several large leaps that have to be made to believe this.
The weak Obama is all powerful
Govt workers will blindly follow Obama - like these people blindly follow the voices from the dashboard
The all powerful manly Trump is helpless in this situation
All communications are somehow done without passing by one set of wrong eyes or ears

[Runningdawg]

29. It's a new twist on an old story

Throughout Obamas administration I was seeing similar claims from the right wingers. First it was his Muslim army, then it was his army of children, then the Black Panther army and of course the BLM army, the Rainbow army...

[Lucinda]

30. And Hillary. They are doing it together from what I hear.

[JHan]

34. Obama - shadow patriot!

[FSogol]

35. The guy w/ 3 wives and 6 bankruptcies seems to be proficient at f'ing things up on his own

No conspiracy theory required.

[Warren DeMontague]

37. is a Putin shadow government supposed to be preferable?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

44. I think you're probably overreading to that extent. But it is still a nutty theory.

Unless you think he's clearly hard at work here undermining the government:

[Dem2]

46. Not racist and in this case, we, the people, are the shadow government

Technically that anus-clown works for us anyway, so technically we aren't the "shadow" government, we ARE the majority and thus our power is real.

[JustAnotherGen]

51. It's not racist

I think (at least among the two people IRL that have spouted this nonsense) it's a coping mechanism for the mistake of voting for Trump.

It's their 'out'.