Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 11:30 am on April 18, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
Allahpundit already covered this in part, but I want to draw a line between Barack Obama’s insistence on covering up a symbol of Jesus on the Georgetown dais with the speech he then delivered. Here’s the money quote, if you will (vid courtesy of Greg Hengler):
There is a parable at the end of the Sermon on the Mount that tells the story of two men. The first built his house on a pile of sand, and it was destroyed as soon as the storm hit. But the second is known as the wise man, for when “…the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house…it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
So Obama insists on covering up a symbol of Jesus on the stage, and then lifts his words to justify his own economic policies? Notice that Obama doesn’t mention Jesus’ name as the source of the parable, either.
When Obama speaks at Notre Dame and receives his honorary doctoral degree, CNS reports that he will be expected to wear the traditional doctoral robe:
The emblem on the robe features a cross and a book with a prayer inscribed in it, a star in the upper left-hand corner and two wavy lines at the bottom. “The open book is always emblematic of an institution of learning,” says a publication on the Notre Dame website. “The phrase ‘Vita, Dulcedo, Spes,’ taken from the ancient prayer to the Virgin, the ‘Salve Regina,’ means ‘our life, our sweetness, our hope’ the combination of these phrases with the symbol for the university indicates the dedication of all Notre Dame’s activities, intellectual, spiritual, athletic, and so on, to Our Lady.”
Will he quote Jesus and demand to wear a blank robe at the same time?
Got an Obamateurism of the Day? If you see a foul-up by Barack Obama, e-mail it to me at obamaisms@edmorrissey.com with the quote and the link to the Obamateurism. I’ll post the best Obamateurisms on a daily basis, depending on how many I receive. Include a link to your blog, and I’ll give some link love as well. And unlike Slate, I promise to end the feature when Barack Obama leaves office.
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Complete. Fraud.
maladapted on April 18, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Just a fraud. Empty suited one at that.
As Rush says, watch what he does, not what he says. If the Rock/Sand item is more blame of Bush, he is the elephant in the room throwing stones at the chihuahua.
Starlink on April 18, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Next Obamateurism ?
Hugo and Obama share book on America’s mistreatment of South America with laughs and handshakes.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 11:36 AM
It was founded upon IRAQ ????
singlemalt_18 on April 18, 2009 at 11:37 AM
The conspiracy, that he’s a secret muslim? Perhaps he’s not. But I question whether he’s a true Christian. No Christian would abstain from invoking Jesus name. Especially when referencing Him, from the Bible.
capejasmine on April 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM
It is disturbing the way be becomes whatever he needs to be for that particular moment in time. He’s a real chameleon. He did, however, get a lot of applause for his pandering and lip service. Three months into office and he still doesn’t have a clear plan for any of his ideas.
P.S. If you are going into a House of God, you have to expect religious symbols. Remember, we bow to God, not the other way around.
Tommy_G on April 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
– Matthew 7:15 – 7:20
TheBigOldDog on April 18, 2009 at 11:40 AM
The man is destroying the brand no less then those two low-lifes destroyed Domino’s.
Limerick on April 18, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I’m convinced he’s a closet atheist. And not extremely closeted either.
OneGyT on April 18, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Maybe not a parable, but there once were three little pigs that lived in absolute dread of the cunning fox…
ericdijon on April 18, 2009 at 11:42 AM
I question if “Obamateurism” is the right name. If it weren’t for his many gaffes and his reliance on the teleprompter to complete a sentence, I’d conclude without a doubt that his “amateur hour” moments are really calculated expressions of contempt.
Daggett on April 18, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Jesus, being a man of the people also, was in fact most likely talking -economy- when giving that sermon…/
Isn’t there also something in the bible about satan mixing the truth with the lie….
just sayin’
katy on April 18, 2009 at 11:45 AM
You question whether he’s a true Christian? He is definitely not. Question answered.
zeebeach on April 18, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Barry just has trouble hiding his deepseated hatrid of America. That is why he is dependant on the teleprompter to keep from making more gaffes than Joe Biden.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 11:47 AM
It is seriously a replay of “Being There”. This guy is a complete and utter moron.
Only idiots could look at the Bush deficits and Obama deficits and call the first “building on sand” and the second “building on rock”.
Plus, Obama thinks you can build an economy “from the bottom up”. Sure, at the bottom of the US economy lies a motley crew of high school dropouts, scam artists, drug addicts, prisoners and former prisoners, people with generally bad attitudes, etc. What a foundation for a powerhouse economy!! Forget the next generation of breakthroughs in energy, I doubt the bottom of our economy could discover fire.
venividivici on April 18, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Did he say, “founded upon a rock,” or “founded upon Barack”?
Ordinary American on April 18, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Maybe that is why Obama shouldnt speak at Notre Dame. Christ chased the money lenders from the temple.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I keep wondering if there will ever be one instance at one particular point in time where Ogabe will ever do something I approve of or can respect. Just by the laws of mathematical probabilities it will have to happen, right?
That he professes to be a Christian is one of his more damning lies. Among many.
DeweyWins on April 18, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I kinda thought this was obvious and everybody sorta knows it and is just too polite to bring it up. Or, it’s one of those things that, all the leftists know he’s an atheist and are fine with it, but if one of us brings it up, they would be full of their mock outrage about how dare we question the man’s sincere faith.
AdrianG on April 18, 2009 at 11:48 AM
It has been said that no one knows the bible better than Satan himself and no one uses it like he does to further evil in the world.
Obama does pretty much the same thing here. He uses the words of Christ as a way of empowering himself to manipulate the masses while simultaneously dismissing God – Christ as “divisive”. His kind has been foretold of in the bible so that we will be alert. He’s not the first to use the words of Christ to accumulate power for himself and he won’t be the last.
Guardian on April 18, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Marxists will do what Marxists do….
ThePrez on April 18, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Related: one of the absolute best photoshops I have ever seen.
AdrianG on April 18, 2009 at 11:51 AM
He never should of lied about being any sort of seriously religious person.
That said, its a shame it still matters in american politics, and i hope that i may vote in some election in my lifetime that includes someone who hasn’t sucked up to religious voters on that irrelevant basis. federal government doesnt exist to play to anyone’s feelings on Jesus. it exists to act as it was told by the constitution.
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Mr. Empty Suit.
GarandFan on April 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Ernesto, it’s relevant BECAUSE HE LIED ABOUT IT! Otherwise, there’s no issue.
zeebeach on April 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM
There’s also something about God will not be mocked….
And vengence is His….
Question…. Will Obama be at the end of that wrath or all of us?
katy on April 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Speaking of TOTUS…they seem to have moved it (him?) from the floor. Notice how he keeps looking high and to the side, then keeps speaking?
bikermailman on April 18, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Not exactly.
The sermon on the mount is Matthew 5: 1-12 and then the teaching of two foundations is Matthew 7: 24-27. In Luke it is 6: 20-28 then 6: 46-49.
Quite a bit between the end of the sermon and the two foundations teaching. Unless, of course, you are an astute practitioner of revisionism.
ericdijon on April 18, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Fixed.
DeweyWins on April 18, 2009 at 11:59 AM
They used the traditional Presidential back drop of American flags.
If they did not, you would whine about that too, spewing such nonsense as him being unpatriotic, blah, blah, blah.
Lets face it, he is doing a great job.
It is the cons that are not patriotic.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:00 PM
I get that. But somehow i think theres plenty of people who’d make it a real issue if an American president never mentioned their deep love of jesus christ.
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 12:01 PM
even you’ve gotta have a bit of trouble typing “great job”. theres gotta be something you’re upset about. maybe that he wont charge any Bush administration members with treason in his first 100 days? or maybe that he laughed off marijuana legalization?
great job? really?
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 12:03 PM
That’s true, but many of us understand the separation of church and state, as did our founders. We can’t do much about those that disagree, but right is right and wrong is wrong. Misrepresenting one’s beliefs is wrong. JIMHO
zeebeach on April 18, 2009 at 12:03 PM
And, BTW, I’m a Catholic believer.
zeebeach on April 18, 2009 at 12:04 PM
He doesn’t care who he offends or if he is consistent. He doesn’t have to be, he surrounds himself with an army of “getalife”s who think he can do no wrong. His real energies will go to the policies he cares about – undoing America’s wealth and power and enriching his cronies. He doesn’t need to put much effort into speeches because the media hides his gaffes for the most part.
zmdavid on April 18, 2009 at 12:11 PM
False Prophet…………
…………. indeed!
Seven Percent Solution on April 18, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Will Obama go further than his mention of 5 Pillars when he speaks at Notre Dame? Let’s listen for more Islamic imagery.
Greg Toombs on April 18, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Marxists are atheists. Speculating on what religion Obama is, is just silly. He can go anywhere and pretend he is what he is not. 20 years in Wright’s church doesn’t make him a Christian. He makes up everything as he goes along. That he has no core values is very evident. The only thing that is eveident is that he hates America.
BetseyRoss on April 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Actually, Obama started out talking about the parable from the Bible, but then he REPLACES it with his “Five Pillars” — a reference to the Five Pillars of Islamic Faith
This is what Muslim leaders always do: paying lip service to quotes from other religions – and then supplant them with Islamic references.
logis on April 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM
ernesto on April 18, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Lets see what he has done so far. I will probably miss some because the list is long.
Saved a depression.
Respect back from the world.
New strategy to crush obl and his thugs.
Science returns.
Working to solve long neglected problems.
Reforming broken government.
Actually fufilling most campaign promises.
Saved an American Captain from the pirates.
Here is a web site trying to keep up because he has a long ways to go:
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
Yes, he is doing a great job but you will have to leave all the negativity of RW blogs to see it.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Yes, that’s the real issue here.
zeebeach on April 18, 2009 at 12:14 PM
He’s a cult of personality!
dmann on April 18, 2009 at 12:15 PM
He’s not an atheist; he believes he is a god.
Dhuka on April 18, 2009 at 12:18 PM
There is no issue but negativity from the cons.
He used the traditional protocol of the American flag backdrop.Period.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Why would it bother the President of a nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles that a greek symbol for Jesus Christ was on a podium at a University founded by Jesuits?
I thought he attended a church for 20 years. Oh. I get it. He was just there to network. And besides that, it was a Black Liberation Theology Church. They don’t believe in the Resurrection.
kingsjester on April 18, 2009 at 12:19 PM
What I found troubling was his mention of “5 Pillars”. Where have I heard that term before? Hmmmmm!
Lummox on April 18, 2009 at 12:19 PM
At the risk of being branded a troll, I have a theory that the IHS “cover-up” is similar to GW’s “Mission Accomplished” banner – both were probably the work of some over-enthusiatic underling, and the prez, though blind-sided by it, didn’t speak of it so as not to blow it up any more than it already had. Another similarity between the two actions: In both cases, the sentiment lined up with the prez’s beliefs.
Just a theory. :-)
KS Rex on April 18, 2009 at 12:20 PM
The point of the parable is that Jesus is The Rock. Obama twisted this parable to mean that wealth redistribution is the rock. He blasphemed, making himself equal to Christ.
kcfrommt on April 18, 2009 at 12:21 PM
So you are basically admitting that you don’t see it, since you spend all your time on this negative RW blog.
carbon_footprint on April 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
This is a dangerous misunderstanding. Hillary Clinton is typical moonbat atheist. There is no reason to believe that Obama is. The Trinity Church that Obama went to is affiliated with the Chicago-based Nation of Islam.
All that “GOD DAMN AMERICA” stuff was no abberation. Whether this Black Liberation Theology takes on the trappings of Islam or the trappings of Christianity – it doesn’t matter.
Obama isn’t a closet Muslim, and he’s not an atheist who happens to hate America. Hating America IS his religion.
logis on April 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Are people still talking about the non-story about Obama covering up of something somewhere that has already been debunked as 100% false?
Yawn.
Dave Rywall on April 18, 2009 at 12:25 PM
The troll has a problem. That problem is his idol. Every day it gets more tarnished and worn. Soon the troll will be left with nothing but door stop because you won’t be able to tell the difference between the idol and a rock. The poor troll has put his life savings into the equivalent of GM stock.
Limerick on April 18, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Indeed! What a maroon!
OkieDoc on April 18, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Be careful
Saying the word “Subprime” and Obama together is racist !
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 12:32 PM
I agree completely. I crapped-out try to get beyond page 3 of the speech. The speech is putrid with falsities. I liken it to being told that the way to get somewhere on a bicycle is the face the rear wheel and lean back on the handlebars.
ericdijon on April 18, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Haha – without quick action by Obama we would have avoided a depression, so he “saved a depression”?
Saving a depression is not a good thing. We want depressions to end, not continue.
zmdavid on April 18, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I am everywhere.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:39 PM
We don’t want a depression and we will not have one thanls to both Presidents.
What kind of people want a depresion with food lines?
Sick in the head people.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:42 PM
You can’t polish a turd, Limerick.
HornetSting on April 18, 2009 at 12:43 PM
HornetSting on April 18, 2009 at 12:44 PM
‘A former top advisor’ to McCain just said the republicans are at risk of becoming the ‘religious party’. Uh oh.
HornetSting on April 18, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I know, it is very obvious.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:45 PM
You’re the one on a conservative blog when you should be out with your girlfriend, Jeneane Garbarfalo.
HornetSting on April 18, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Yes you are legion.
OkieDoc on April 18, 2009 at 12:48 PM
If there is anyone who believes that part of his economic plan, that is, to SPEND and SAVE then I have a great bridge, in fact 2 or 3, across the Mississippi at St Louis I will sell cheap. There is no way in hell an American is going to be able to save after this disaster known as Obama gets done spending.
Herb on April 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
So are germs.
William Amos on April 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
He should borrow one of Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s fancy robes!
eigafan on April 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Unfortunte that his legion is led by Publius Quinctilius Varus.
Limerick on April 18, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Answer this question, getalife. Why should an American President, the leader of a country founded on Judeo-Christian principles, ask for a banner with a Greek Symbol for Jesus Christ be removed at a University founded by Jesuits?
Don’t avoid the question. Just answer it.
kingsjester on April 18, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Well it’s not like he was at Rev Wright’s for the Christian values. More like he was just there to ingratiate himself into the community.
anniekc on April 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I thought you were at the Mallard Cove Senior Living facility in Sharonville, Ohio?
I suppose that was also a lie?
carbon_footprint on April 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Imagine if he did speak with the religious symbols in the backdrop.
Cons would be unhinged again screaming he thinks he is the messiah.
Lets face it, no matter what he does, the cons will whine.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
No, that banner was proclaiming the Real Messiah. It had nothing to do with Obama. It was part of the university.
What was his problem with it?
kingsjester on April 18, 2009 at 12:58 PM
No problem.
He went with Presidential protocol of the traditional American flag backdrop.
It’s manufactured outrage as usual.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 1:01 PM
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Wrong. That banner was hanging on the podium. It would not have been seen in the closeups. The American flags were in the background. What was the problem?
kingsjester on April 18, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Has Obama ever, in his campaign or after, spoke in a Black Christian church setting and asked them to remove Christian symbols?
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 1:05 PM
kingsjester on April 18, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Following protocol.
This story has been debunked.
Write the WH and ask them to change Presidential protocol.
Good luck with that.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Building your future economy on a trillion little pieces of dept sound a bit sandy to me
Gwillie on April 18, 2009 at 1:12 PM
I think the issue is simpler than some are making it out to be.
As a not-particularly-religious person who has, for business reasons, spent some time in churches, I know that while in a particular denomination’s place of worship, simple courtesy and respect demand that the visitor follow their established practices and customs.
Likewise, when one quotes anyone in a speech or in written words, it is a mark of respect and common courtesy to attribute the quote.
Osama Obama does not do these things. He is perhaps the most arrogant and insensitive person I have seen in American politics.
His “accomplishments” — I challenge getalife or Drywall to name one — do not justify his arrogance, if indeed any accomplishments justify such an attitude from anyone.
That people still buy the child-president’s sick self-centered act amazes me. I thought better of the average person.
MrScribbler on April 18, 2009 at 1:14 PM
Read up ^^^^ to answer your silly question.
You will ignore his accomplishments anyway.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Following protocol?
Bull.
Prove it. At least one link.
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Fixed.
Dee2008 on April 18, 2009 at 1:26 PM
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Google it.
Hint: ABC News.
Debunked.
getalife on April 18, 2009 at 1:28 PM
I believe you are calling The Beatitudes, the opening of Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount, with the entire sermon. Traditionally, the Sermon in Matthew is chapters 5 through 7. Just after the parable of the two builders, Matthew concludes: “When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
brambo_42 on April 18, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Why is it that every time I hear about this speech, I envision a cartoon with BO tossing a large rock tied to Uncle Sam(labeled US Economy) over the side of a boat.
The Caption wold has Same saying , “The Message was anchored ON a rock. Not TO one.”
OBQuiet on April 18, 2009 at 1:30 PM
Also, when he repeated the “founded upon a rock,” I half expected him to say “founded upon Barack.”
brambo_42 on April 18, 2009 at 1:31 PM
This is the perfect metaphor for his entire campaign and, thus far, his administration.
He says whatever he thinks will sway his audience but what he says has absolutely no connection with his actions or his actual beliefs.
29Victor on April 18, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Why is it that we are all supposed to respect and not question Obama because he is the pres. While at the same time Obama can’t show common respect for Georgetown U.
If He had even a speck of decency he wouldn’t even think of asking people to hide their beliefs while he was there.
Seems like it’s “His way or the highway”
oldernwiser on April 18, 2009 at 1:42 PM
logis on April 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
BetseyRoss on April 18, 2009 at 2:17 PM
This reminds me of Hillary misusing Scripture. Or Algore. Typical lib trick that impresses the MSM and infuriates the right.
Christian Conservative on April 18, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Double talk and lies. He talks of no borrowing and spending, while he spends the future children of America into the poor house.
-
Lying bastard.
-
RalphyBoy on April 18, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Yes. And, I agree. I was being simplistic.
I use the online version of The New American Bible.
We shouldn’t split hairs here. When you overlay Matthew – Sermon on the Mount, with with – Luke Sermon on the Plain, it is not as clear as tradition has us understand it to be. Luke 8: 9-11 implies a difference in venue between apostles and masses.
My simplicity, and haste, is because I cannot enjoy a single positive thought about the dolt leading the lib revolt. Any time I can distance him from all that I cherish I jump on it.
ericdijon on April 18, 2009 at 2:36 PM
That’s what I heard. /s
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 2:42 PM
I hope members of the audience point crucifixes towards him in outstretched hands as he speaks.
Basilsbest on April 18, 2009 at 2:47 PM
“See the cross of the Lord; begone, you hostile powers!”
(From the Roman Catholic Rite of Exorcism.)
coldwarrior on April 18, 2009 at 2:52 PM
ZERO is a very confused person, err uhh, teleprompter, who has had way too much seat time in rev Wright’s church.
tarpon on April 18, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Apparently, making the sun rise and set are only two of an infinite number of The One’s accomplishments.
Not content with merely handing out worthless bread and fish; Obama is magically creating trillions of dollars – and giving them out to those who show obescience.
Yet there are still those who doubt Him. Is it any wonder why the wrath of His followers is building so rapidly?
logis on April 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
I do not think this is about Obama. I think this about confusion in our society.
Seriously.
AnninCA on April 18, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Reminds me of Rev. Wright’s statement during the campaign, when he said that his and Obama’s idea of “Christian” is very different from that of most Americans.
No kidding.
AZCoyote on April 18, 2009 at 3:08 PM
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