Obamateurism of the Day
posted at 8:05 am on August 21, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
How hard is it to greet a group of rabbis when trying to sell health-care reform as a religious obligation? For one thing, you could just say, “Hello,” but that may not have the shmooze value of speaking Hebrew or Yiddish. Fortunately, the greeting “Shalom” pretty much works in every situation, but apparently Barack Obama decided to be a foigel — and wound up with egg on his punim:
The purpose of the call was for President Obama to enlist the rabbis to support his health-care reform efforts: “I am going to need your help in accomplishing necessary reform.” The reference to the “who shall live and who shall die” prayer was strange in two respects. First, as Paul Bedard noted, the Jewish New Year won’t take place until September 18th. In fact, today marks the beginning of the month of Elul, the last month before the New Year begins. And yet the president said “shanah tovah [happy new year] to all of you.” This is kind of like wishing people “Merry Christmas” on Thanksgiving.
Second, and more surprisingly, is this really the context in which he wishes to discuss health reform — a powerful and unseen being making determinations of life and death? One would think that he would want to avoid anything that could raise the specter of rationing, death panels, or the like.
Nor was that the only tone-deaf aspect of the call, as Washington Jewish Week reported:
Second, the hold music on the line, through no apparent fault of the White House or the Religious Action Center, which sponsored the call, was “Deutschland Über Alles.” A number of rabbis apparently expressed discomfort with this choice of music as well.
Next time, stick with Pachelbel’s Canon in D and a simple shalom, schmuck.
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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Cover-up !!!
gh on August 21, 2009 at 9:03 AM
LOL! I’m the birther (more of an ‘eligibler’) – and here I go actually looking at the evidence and drawing my own conclusions once again.
Mr Purple on August 21, 2009 at 9:13 AM
becki51758 on August 21, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Barry is trying to equate Socialism and Government control of our lives to the Story of “The Good Samaritan”. Epic Fail. As Christians, it is on our shoulders to reach out to those in need through our church benevolences and our individual service. Evidently, this is not part of Obama’s belief system.
kingsjester on August 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM
I wonder if O broke out into a Brooklyn accent. You know the way his cadence changes depending on what group he is talking to. He can do deep south, brother preacher, mid-westerner, remember according to him he “has a gift”.
HoustonRight on August 21, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Yeah, he only uses religion as a prop. Just like when uses capitalist notions like competition to try to sell the government option, which he knows will be nothing of the kind.
It’s the Alinsky idea of talking to people in the language they’re most comfortable even when you mean the opposite.
TXUS on August 21, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Obama: “Uh, I hope the 13 tribes of Israel weren’t offended by that, uh, music.”
Nichevo on August 21, 2009 at 9:17 AM
It’s almost as if Barry has in his pocket, a list of every major political group in the country. As he offends each group, he crosses them off of his list.
He should have the list finished by the end of the year.
MarkTheGreat on August 21, 2009 at 9:17 AM
He’s incredibly ignorant of Jewish and Christian tradition and theology, but he sure is good at Muslim/Islam.
Daggett on August 21, 2009 at 9:19 AM
Schlepping his way through the Presidency one day at a time.
hip shot on August 21, 2009 at 9:20 AM
O’bupkis.
profitsbeard on August 21, 2009 at 9:22 AM
While Obama did many things wrong in that meeting, wishing the rabbis a Happy New Year actually almost was not one of them.
Jewish custom is that if you do not anticipate seeing someone again, you can wish them a Happy New Year from the first day of the month of Elul – which happens to be today. I guess Obama doesn’t plan on talking to the rabbis again in the next month.
It is also customary that when you send someone a letter on or after the first day of the month of Elul, you should wish them a Happy New Year.
If the meeting had taken place late in the day on Thursday, there would have been no question that wishing people a Happy New Year would have been appropriate (the Jewish day starts the night before). That the meeting took place on Wednesday means that Obama appropriated a license for himself to use the expression early.
By the way, that was not the only bit of Jewish symbolism in the meeting – the 40 days was a lot more annoying.
Carl in Jerusalem on August 21, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Better.
csdeven on August 21, 2009 at 9:24 AM
Apparently when it comes to healthcare reform the buzz words are “choice” and “competition” because virtually every official throws those two words out to justify the proposed state seizure of healthcare (which of course will eliminate both choice and competition).
I guess the part that really irks me though is the fact that the filthy liar and his minions continually whine that they want a bipartisan bill but the GOP is being obstructionist. Well, the reality is that Nancy Pelosi blocked the GOP from being part of the process in the first place. HR3200 is a purely Democrat product because that’s the way they wanted it.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 9:24 AM
LOL. I love this part:
Let me rephrase this-
“Even though Obama and most democrats tend not to like Israel much, and they hardly ever have Jewish concerns in mind, we’ll all continue to stupidly vote blindly for them!”
TheBlueSite on August 21, 2009 at 9:30 AM
Funny how that keeps happening with that guy, isn’t it? But we’re not supposed to notice. His public life has been one long string of completely isolated incidents.
Jim Treacher on August 21, 2009 at 9:31 AM
You don’t remember the parable where Jesus taught that it’s ok to steal from people as long as you give a percentage of what you stole to other people?
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Doesn’t it appear that Obama is purposefully taunting just about anytime he is speaking to the public? He just cannot hide his ‘tude.
Yoop on August 21, 2009 at 9:32 AM
Very interesting. Thank you.
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 9:32 AM
“Moline later deleted the Twitter feed, saying that it was a “huge mistake.” The conference call, organized by the Reform movement but including about 1,000 rabbis of all denominations, was supposed to have been off the record.”
OK, so apparenlty Moline was ‘tweeting’ during the conference call and subsequently scrubbed his account of all tweets.
I’m back to believing.
Mr Purple on August 21, 2009 at 9:33 AM
I can understand the whole respect for the Jewish faith by following the customs thing. But, this president and his party have done much to drive all vestiges of Christianity out of public view. You can’t put a nativity scene or other Christian symbols on government property and don’t even think about mentioning Christ in a public school! It is more than a little offensive then that the filthy liar in the White House is pandering to the rabbis in this way when campaigning for a piece of legislation. If Christians cannot openly demonstrate their faith when performing official duties, why shouldn’t the President be held to the same standard.
As to the 40 days bit, such symbolism is absurd. Are they to pray and fast for a single-payer system and portability or are the prayers more along the line of asking God to smite the GOP and those mean people at town halls?
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 9:34 AM
S-M-A-R-T POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jukin on August 21, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Hey the Arabs play the same song when they put a bunch of Jews on hold!
Obamas just earning his bones.
Lonetown on August 21, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Is that the one right after Jesus threw the insurance companies out of the temple for denying claims based on pre-existing conditions?
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Itchee Dryback on August 21, 2009 at 9:37 AM
WEE Wee wee all the way home from the Pharmaceutical industry.
Too weird, Obama’s love affair with the Mexican President as Mexico legalizes drug possession while the drug lords murder masses. Rather than respond to crimes and murder, legalize drugs. Next, legalize murder. Practically speaking, murder in Mexico is legalized when the authorities do not pursue the murderers. Case in point: the murders of LeBarons for standing against the drug trade in their little community. The LeBarons had already suffered kidnapping, and the government “promised” to send a pseudo police-trainer to train a youth from the community to protect them from the drug lords. That’s responsibility like pass the peso /buck up. Mexican army patrols its US border because Mexican border agents were involved in the drug trade. More like Mexican Army wants control of the Mexican drug trade.
Where’s our FENCE?! Every time the Feds divert the tax funds for our FENCE into their own pockets.
Where are the additional US Border Agents?
These were funded PRIOR to Stimulus. All goes directly into Obama Inc. accounts, NEVER to improve national security or benefit the public comprised of American citizens. The more Obama taxes us and passes legislation, the less able we are to protect ourselves from any danger.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 9:38 AM
The perpetual Year Zero, evidently including all his statements said at any time. It’s the only conclusion I can come up with. Makes me crazy.
Mommypundit on August 21, 2009 at 9:40 AM
Slighty OT: MSNBC is running a poll on whether or not “In God We Trust” should be taken off our currency. So far 15M+ votes with 88% against. If you would like to vote do it here
HoustonRight on August 21, 2009 at 9:44 AM
You don’t remember the parable where Jesus taught that it’s ok to steal from people as long as you give a percentage of what you stole to other people?
BadgerHawk on August 21, 2009 at 9:31 AM
That was from 1st Babylonians, wasn’t it? Or 2nd Megalomaniacs, I can’t remember.
kingsjester on August 21, 2009 at 9:44 AM
GITMO + ACLU = TERRORISM/TREASON
Federal Courts ordering CA Prisons to expel 20+% of the inmates because the jails are overcrowded. Top that with closing GITMO, perfectly suited for our security needs, to bring the world’s worst terrorists into our national prison system, already overcrowded.
1. Increase terrorism stateside.
2. Permeate national prison system with radical Islam.
3. Expel MORE convicted felons preventing sentence completion.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 9:46 AM
It does seem coincidental, doesn’t it? Both Obama and the phone company, used to make the calls to the Rabbis, are either completely insensitive or intentionally taunting. And such unfortunate coincidences keep happening to the poor, innocent, defenseless baby.
I blame Bush or Fox News. Maybe both.
Loxodonta on August 21, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Oy gevalt!!!! What a pisher.
rockmom on August 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM
The widow’s mite, she gave all that she had to God.
Obama anointed himself co-partner with God to justify his divine right to not only dictate whether we live or die, but to take all we have for himself standing in for God.
When Obama Inc. gives up all that he has and follows the ascetic life like John the Baptist, then he can preach and call the world to repentance. Not before.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 9:52 AM
He’s happy to have Christians demonstrate their faith by giving sermons in church calling for Obamacare. Look at the list of organizations that are part of his ‘faith based initiative.’ The list includes Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations (mostly Christian by the way).
One of the organizations on the list is the Islamic Society of North America, which is a terror sponsor. To me, that’s the most egregious thing about this whole idea of enlisting clergy to support legislation, and I took him to task for it here.
Given that many of these rabbis with whom he met pray and fast for an end to the Israeli ‘blockade’ of Gaza (and therefore for the death of more Jews at the hands of Hamas), why shouldn’t they pray and fast for a single payer system?
Carl in Jerusalem on August 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Obama will never get past himself, even in sackcloth and ashes: “Locusts and honey for me, but not for thee.”
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Yikes.
Although, with respect to the music, it should be noted that the tune is actually a hymn composed by Joseph Haydn in the late 1700′s and appears in many American hymnals as “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” and the tune was adopted as the German national anthem by the Weimar Republic in 1922.
Its subsequent promotion as a nationalistic song by the Nazi Regime gives it its connotation now, and particularly to the ears of Jewish listeners.
I agree with whoever noted above that this is God showing His sense of humor, and perhaps as a warning about Obama.
Fallen Sparrow on August 21, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Deutschland Über Alles.
Really.
You know, not many people pick that for light listening purposes, or hold music. I don’t see any reason that would be in rotation at all.
I smell something fishy.
Too bad there’s no official email address I can report that to….
meep on August 21, 2009 at 9:56 AM
I’m thinking it’s time for a Manischewitz Summit.
Mr Purple on August 21, 2009 at 9:57 AM
Funny that comment would bring back such vivid memories of the last governor’s election in Michigan.
I remember Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm campaigning for reelection.
She actually said: “You ain’t seen nothing yet. The next four years will blow you away.”
Well, she was telling the truth there. She has blown Michigan all to h*ll.
Obama is pretty much running toward the same results. She kept her promise. He’s attempting to do the same.
Yoop on August 21, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Ah, ISNA began celebrating the 40 Days with the Libyan terrorist’s joyful homecoming.
Sick.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I’m thinking it’s time for a Manischewitz Summit.
Mr Purple on August 21, 2009 at 9:57 AM
TXUS on August 21, 2009 at 10:04 AM
She blew me all the way out of the state. You can’t find work where there are no jobs in the first place. I’m still pissed off about it because relocating has been an expensive process but what else do you do? The staying around Michigan and complaining about the economy thing just isn’t my personality.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 10:05 AM
I love these things (Obamaterism). obama seems like a total idiot. I thought he was the smartest guy evah :-)
Gotcha on August 21, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I can relate to guilt. (we Catholics are a distant second to our Jewish cousins on that score) But this self-loathing move to see the Holy Land crushed under Muslim oppression is just beyond me. American Jews know that Obama hates Israel and bows to his Muslim masters. What part of this obvious message don’t they understand?
Yes, I know a majority of Catholics voted for this creep. That is equally as distressing, but Obama is not supporting those who would destroy the Vatican (except Notre Dame).
SKYFOX on August 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM
People will believe almost anything it seems.
I’m sure a good percentage of the voting public actually believe that “free” health insurance is…..free.
That’s what we’re up against.
Goodeye_Closed on August 21, 2009 at 10:17 AM
The pledge at that site is ridiculous.
As a person of faith, I support health care reform, and I’m tired of shouting, disruptions and distortions preventing an honest debate.
Over the next 40 days, I commit to doing my part as a person of faith to promote health care reform. I commit to taking actions like writing my representatives, attending events, and telling my friends about our efforts to make the faith community a positive force for health care reform.
Yelling at a Congressman who is spewing lies is somehow un-Christian now? This isn’t a faith-based issue. Providing healthcare to illegals is not an inalienable right nor is it a moral imperitive.
I suppose that it is okay but that seems a bit too detail oriented for God’s consideration. The reality for Christians anyway is that they should be asking God what they can do to help their fellow man and leave the public policy to the legislators.
highhopes on August 21, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Fallen Sparrow on August 21, 2009 at 9:55 AM
Yes. And speaking of Haydn’s music without any historical reference, it emulates a reverent charm, reflecting the virtues of the Volk, nothing bombastic or ostentatious. Haydn’s classical presentation of Goethe’s text was stylized for amateurs to be able to perform and enjoy themselves.
The text was Goethe’s, composed to help bring a sense of unity amongst the many princes and populations in principalities where German was spoken. At the time, German had been considered the crudest of European languages. Germanic aristocrats spoke French and Italian amongst themselves at court and in the bedroom, but German only to their horses, as the saying went. In the movie Amadeus, the audience can recall how Mozart had to fight for approval to compose an opera in German. Another century expired before the nation began unification.
I have noted previously that of the major Western European races, it may indeed prove out that only the Germans resist the encroachment of Islamic domination/subjugation. Obviously, the British lost their backbone and the EU never had one.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Goodeye_Closed on August 21, 2009 at 10:17 AM
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
–why bother reading the legislation when you’ve heard all about it?
1. It’s so long and complicated.
2. Trust Obama. Trust Pelosi and Reid.
Though everyone wants something for nothing, if enabled, the sucker sponges will suck us all up into the mire.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Preach the gospel of Obama.
Enough to keep us from church.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 10:32 AM
EPIC FACEPALM!
CurtZHP on August 21, 2009 at 10:34 AM
jwolf on August 21, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Saw a vehicle the other day somewhere, maybe between Cleveland OH and Boston MA on I-90 or here in MA, with JWOLF plate. Was that you?
My daughter says – what’s a ja-wolf?
gopmom on August 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Is Obama promising the rabbis a kick back? Or using the promise not to threaten them later with taxes.
What’s in it for the rabbis or clergy?
Places of “worship” no longer require or champion blessings or charity.
Sick? Tell it to your congressman, not me.
Need help? Call your congressman, not me.
Dead? So what.
maverick muse on August 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I wonder if they change the music to Al Jolson’s Mammy when someone from the Congressional Black Caucus calls the White House? Sheesh!!!!
mizflame98 on August 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
gopmom on August 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Sorry, that wasn’t me. I live in Illinois, and haven’t driven out of state for weeks.
On topic: I’m really getting fed up with Obama, who knows nothing about any group’s faith, telling them that their God, prophet, teacher, or holy scriptures command them to support ObamaCare.
jwolf on August 21, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Hey, maybe when Barry gets around to having a conference calls with Muslims he can have “Onward Christian Soldiers” play in the background.
Anyhoo, I loved this comment to the article:
Posted: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Article comment by: Susie
I hoped Obama would have also met with their wives, maybe they would’ve asked, “How will your wonderful Health Care Reform, that is going to save the nation, affect my son, “the doctor?”
Buy Danish on August 21, 2009 at 11:19 AM
LMAOROTF!!!!!!!
GarandFan on August 21, 2009 at 11:22 AM
One of the commenters in one of the links had this to say
Everything that the former administration did they thought was so “wrong” then is being done now and it is ok. The hypocracy sickens me. These people have no conscience and no ethics.
mph on August 21, 2009 at 11:40 AM
What a schmuck. Deutschland uber alles? I can’t imagine why any Jew could possibly be offended. LOL
simkeith on August 21, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Found it!
wee-wee’d up 4 up, 8 down
Getting wound up or riled up over an unimportant issue.
Dude 1: Man that guy just cut me off, I’m gonna kill the mother focker!
Dude 2: Bro, relax, don’t get all wee-wee’d up over nothing.
get this def on a mug
wee-weed wee weed up weed up riled wound up
Hey POC CIC, when you gonna send an Urban Dictionary to every mailbox in the nation and call it, community education!
Coastal Paradise on August 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Awesome. That is a SNL skit that wrote itself.
Mallard T. Drake on August 21, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Oh.My.God.
Haydn’s piece – of all his great stuff – that piece?!?
What a F*in’ Moron!!!
Lockstein13 on August 21, 2009 at 12:32 PM
I still don’t get the term. Is it ghetto lingo that’s been around for awhile? Really, what does it mean to be “wee-weed
up?”
betsyz on August 21, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Thanks Coastal Paradise. You must have posted definition while I was typing question.
betsyz on August 21, 2009 at 12:35 PM
betsyz on August 21, 2009 at 12:35 PM
The part that got me was “an unimportant issue”.
WTH is he?
Coastal Paradise on August 21, 2009 at 12:42 PM
No class!
No clue!
NoBama!
faol on August 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM
I think Barry’s confusing “Jesus” with “Robin Hood”…
jana on August 21, 2009 at 1:13 PM
Don’t worry – when The Won decrees his face to be put on the dollar, you can bet the motto will return, in big bold letters.
Blacksmith on August 21, 2009 at 2:04 PM
I am glad you don’t think he is capable of such a thing. Me… I’m not so sure.
kg598301 on August 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I kind of thought that part was a refreshing bit of honesty.
malclave on August 21, 2009 at 4:09 PM
our president is a dip sh*t. we all know what that means.
Yep it means we are in deep shit.
Everyday brings more disgust for this man.
skeedro on August 21, 2009 at 5:18 PM
What a putz! I’m pretty sure God doesn’t want His children to have a health care system that works like the post office.
fenryys on August 21, 2009 at 5:53 PM
“Deutschland Über Alles.”???
How incredibly stupid and insulting can you possibly get?
His ignorance and that of his staff know no bounds.
He’s like a child of nine attempting to integrate in to a group of college students. He can’t grasp what’s going on but wants to be part of the crowd and as a result keeps saying and doing really stupid things…when he’s not purposefully destroying the economy or emboldening/supporting some tyrant or dictator.
Obama is a liar and Truth
is killing his Marxist agenda.
Army Brat on August 21, 2009 at 6:24 PM
Many Christians today are busily going about “doing social justice”. Their idea of social justice is to take your money and use it where they think it does the most good for the poor. Think “the great society” and all the havoc that has wreaked on the poor of our nation. Out of wedlock births sky rocketing, families disintegrating and other ills. Social Justice is for the –individual to do. It’s not for you to tell others what to do. God tells folks what to do.
Herb on August 21, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Oh, give me a God-damned break. The chances that an anti-semite would ACCIDENTALLY use “Deutschland Über Alles” as HOLD MUSIC when conferencing a group of Rabbis is ZERO.
I spend my LIFE on hold, and I have NEVER heard that as hold music. Not ONCE.
This administration are nothing but disgusting thugs and bigots.
The fact that anyone supports the jackasses makes me think the weasel Europeans may be right that Americans are stupid. Maybe not as stupid as Europeans, but stupid nonetheless.
I don’t think I can take any more “news” for a while, damnit.
Merovign on August 22, 2009 at 1:41 AM
“Deutschland Über Alles?”
Seriously?
Wow.
Just….wow.
Mistahtibbs on August 22, 2009 at 3:15 AM
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