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Political nicknames and el presidente

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Political nicknames and el presidente

from JoeUser Forums

Political nicknames are a popular pastime. Australians all know who Little Johnny, Mad Mark or Saint Kevin are. Americans are familiar with Clint-in and probably others I don't know straight away.

But what's behind these names?

I've recently noticed there seems to be a bit of a movement for opponents to refer to US presidential candidate Barack Obama as Hussein. In some ways it makes sense, as it is his middle name and lots of people are referred to by their middle name.

I guess what bugs me is that there seems to be the assumption this should be offensive. Little Johnny is offensive - it's blatantly referring to his physical size and generally weedy world view. Clint-in refers to his sexual exploits. Hussein is just a very common Arabic name. Is being Arab funny and offensive in modern America, or am I missing something?

Looking at Obama and his policies, there seems to be so many better options available, ranging from Obamaba (doop-doop-de-do-doop, Obamaba!) to Peacemonger Pete to the Bringer of Hope.

Why, Americanistas, do you go for the Hussein? Is there an element of humour in it I'm not picking up? Is there more to it than an attempt to attribute to Obama whatever loathsome qualities you seemingly attribute to Arabs?

obama nicknames politics obamaba insults
32,258 views 33 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top
I have to agree here. I think that is a local thing that the American press has kept from us. Maybe his majesty the right dishonorable Mr. Clinton was not as well loved around the world as we have been led to believe.
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I know the Irish gotta kick out of the nick Slick Willy.
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
I know the Irish gotta kick out of the nick Slick Willy.
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George H. Bush used that one, see where it got him.  :LOL: 
Siege of Centauri
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top

This is a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous post, and you, young man, have become quite the faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous political analyst.  Some might say you're superficial, and that hating on Yanks is beyond cliche, no matter how passive-aggressively phrased, but that of course is absurd.  Dripping with gravitas, you are.

Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
I just do it because it's funny to watch the Obamanations get their knickers all a'twist over it.

Oh, and yeah, I'm a sadist, too. (some of us swing both ways, you know.)
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Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top
This is a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous post, and you, young man, have become quite the faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabulous political analyst.
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And you've become vastly more camp since your last visit, Mr St Hubbins! (do I have it right?) But that's okay - the world has always had a liking for the outrageously effeminate, so I'm sure you'll slot right in somewhere!

Some might say you're superficial, and that hating on Yanks is beyond cliche, no matter how passive-aggressively phrased, but that of course is absurd.
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Yes, one must never forget that cliches are the building blocks of civilisation and the first resort of the fascinating.

Dripping with gravitas, you are.
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Since my apparent forum promotion, I think it's more my auctoritas than gravitas that makes people swoon.

I just do it because it's funny to watch the Obamanations get their knickers all a'twist over it.
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I like Obamanations, that's clever. Biblical, even. I'm surprised the religious right haven't seized upon it - I can just imagine some fiery Baptist preaching death, hellfire, eternal damnation and the coming of Obamanations of Satan.
Reply #31 from Stardock Forums Top

"And you've become vastly more camp since your last visit, Mr St Hubbins!"

That's the second time this month I've gotten that (khakis are camp now?  hrmph.).  So, have you earned a fucking private sector dollar yet, boy?  Managed to elucidate a coherent ideology beyond "fag"?  Anything?

 

Reply #32 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's the second time this month I've gotten that
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Well you might have noticed that the only people who elongate the vowels in the word fabulous are the effeminate - it's practically a standard of the genre!

So, have you earned a fucking private sector dollar yet, boy? Managed to elucidate a coherent ideology beyond "fag"? Anything?
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Yes, is that supposed to be an insult, no idea what you're aiming at with the third question.

Also, relax - the world is really quite awesome, there's no point wasting your time here by being a dickhead.
Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top
I like Obamanations, that's clever. Biblical, even.
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I like it too! Dont let the religious co-opt it! ;)