NationStates Jolt Archive

At a Q&A session held in a New Hampshire high school, Obama admitted to using drugs as a teenager. He also admitted to being a goof-off and slacker. So are most teenagers. What I find interesting is the spin he put on it.

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.
...
"There was a whole stretch of time that I didn't really apply myself a lot. It wasn't until I got out of high school and went to college that I started realizing, 'Man, I wasted a lot of time.'"

Most kids have used some sort of drug, illegal, controlled, or alcoholic. That doesn't set Obama apart. What I see is a candidate trying to garner some support from his past. This is a bigger statement than just playing the sax on MTV.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?

I'm not about to vote for anyone who HASN'T used drugs at some point in their past, quite frankly. Those people tend to be way too uptight.

Good on Obama...no sense in hiding it, that just makes it a bigger issue.

And there goes a presidential hope??

"The rich have expensive yet fun hobbies for when they're bored shocker"

And there goes a presidential hope??
I don’t think so.

Some might be turned off, but in the current climate, a level-headed and honest approach to drugs can win you a lot of friends.

Actually, that sounds more inspiring than damaging. It's not like he's condoning the abuse of drugs and alcohol, but rather showing how he overcame that disadvantage to get where he is now.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?
I knew you'd spin this negatively.

That said, I actually agree with you on this one. Bad form, Mr. Obama.
I'm not about to vote for anyone who HASN'T used drugs at some point in their past, quite frankly. Those people tend to be way too uptight.


:(

I'm waiting to see the party of the guy that COULD AND DID afford cocaine in his youth and proceeded to rape two countries, kill their people and take their valuables attack Obama for being a former addict.

Yes, drug use clearly eliminates a presidential candidate.

Because George W. Bush never used any drugs well past his teenage years?

Give me a break, nobody will care about this. I certainly don't.

I don’t think so.

Some might be turned of, but in the current climate, a level-headed and honest approach to drugs can win you a lot of friends.

Indeed. And frankly, most Americans have far bigger things in their political sights than drug use this time around.

Everyone at least once in their life tries drugs, it just depends on if they like their discorvery or not which chooses if they will stay off it or become a drug attic. I myself think it is a great thing to be true about yourself so good for Obama.

The only difference between Obama and W. on their prior drug habits is Obama didn't have Daddy around to expunge his criminal misdeeds. :p

Everyone at least once in their life tries drugs, it just depends on if they like their discorvery or not which chooses if they will stay off it or become a drug attic. I myself think it is a great thing to be true about yourself so good for Obama.

You really shouldn't use absolutes like Everyone, No One, Never, and Always. It's poor form, there are almost always exceptions. Not everyone tries illegal drugs.

I read this as 'Obama admits to being Teen Pregnant'
Heh heh.

I read this as 'Obama admits to being Teen Pregnant'
Heh heh.

Which raises the question; What the hell are you on?

Actually, that sounds more inspiring than damaging. It's not like he's condoning the abuse of drugs and alcohol, but rather showing how he overcame that disadvantage to get where he is now.

Quite, as well as opening a discussion on the issues facing much of black America, those challenges and how to overcome them, besides handout programs and guilt trips for white folks.

I'm not voting for him so this is just my 2 cents. So he was a teenager and used drugs? Who gives a flying hwoopla? Why the hell should we care about that? Honestly, it's like these politicians believe that never people grow up or change. Addict? So what? With enough will power people overcome drug addiction.

Everyone at least once in their life tries drugs, it just depends on if they like their discorvery or not which chooses if they will stay off it or become a drug attic. I myself think it is a great thing to be true about yourself so good for Obama.

I never did, but that's not on account of my willpower (I'm fat, so that ship has sailed), only on account of my taste: I dislike the smell.

Which raises the question; What the hell are you on?

Nothing, unfortunately. It's been quite awhile.

:(

I said "tend to be"...there are always exceptions. :)

This is an issue...why?

I said "tend to be"...there are always exceptions. :)
Oh goodie.

At a Q&A session held in a New Hampshire high school, Obama admitted to using drugs as a teenager. He also admitted to being a goof-off and slacker. So are most teenagers. What I find interesting is the spin he put on it.

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.
...
"There was a whole stretch of time that I didn't really apply myself a lot. It wasn't until I got out of high school and went to college that I started realizing, 'Man, I wasted a lot of time.'"

Most kids have used some sort of drug, illegal, controlled, or alcoholic. That doesn't set Obama apart. What I see is a candidate trying to garner some support from his past. This is a bigger statement than just playing the sax on MTV.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?
:rolleyes:

...or become a drug attic.
Now that sounds like a place to be!

Now that sounds like a place to be!
Must be the room above the drug store.

Must be the room above the drug store.
An Americanism that has always filled me with glee. :p

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.

"the final fatal role of the young, would be, black man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would be black, man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would, be black man"?

I think he is still feeling the effects. :p

And there goes a presidential hope??

Bush admitted to snorting Cocaine, has a lot worse record than Obama before he even became President. I doubt a drug past will stop presidential aspirations in America just yet.

This is an issue...why?

Myrmi's implying that Obama is unfit to be president. Presumably because Obama didn't do as much coke as Bush did.

Being that Myrmidonisia is on ignore, and that it is him posting, and the title, I have to give my response - SO?

Myrmi's implying that Obama is unfit to be president. Presumably because Obama didn't do as much coke as Bush did.
Wrong-O there little Buckaroo! I'm stating that he's trying to these past errors into an advantage. Learned from his mistakes and all.

The real question, though, is this. After Obama succeeds in making this profiting from mistakes business a real advantage in the campaign, how long will it be before Ms "Me, too" starts to talk about her misguided days of drugs and alcohol?

You just need to double up on those meds and pay attention to that other personality.

"the final fatal role of the young, would be, black man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would be black, man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would, be black man"?

I think he is still feeling the effects. :p
Nah, he just hasn't had the benefit of a real grammar teacher. Must be that mispent, goof-off youth.

The real question, though, is this. After Obama succeeds in making this profiting from mistakes business a real advantage in the campaign, how long will it be before Ms "Me, too" starts to talk about her misguided days of drugs and alcohol?

Considering that she's pandering to the "coddle the children" and "ban video games" crowd (at last known update), unlikely. Both factions will see such an admission as permanently tainting the candidate, effectively alienating them.

At a Q&A session held in a New Hampshire high school, Obama admitted to using drugs as a teenager. He also admitted to being a goof-off and slacker. So are most teenagers. What I find interesting is the spin he put on it.

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.
...
"There was a whole stretch of time that I didn't really apply myself a lot. It wasn't until I got out of high school and went to college that I started realizing, 'Man, I wasted a lot of time.'"

Most kids have used some sort of drug, illegal, controlled, or alcoholic. That doesn't set Obama apart. What I see is a candidate trying to garner some support from his past. This is a bigger statement than just playing the sax on MTV.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?

This is not a new topic as this has been public knowledge for a while. What is the relevance at the current time?

The only difference between Obama and W. on their prior drug habits is Obama didn't have Daddy around to expunge his criminal misdeeds. :p

Come on now, that was in his youth (read 40's and before). You know, when you're a just a free wheelin hipster running drilling companies into the ground and requiring Saudi intervention. Ahh, the good ole days.

Considering that she's pandering to the "coddle the children" and "ban video games" crowd (at last known update), unlikely. Both factions will see such an admission as permanently tainting the candidate, effectively alienating them.

I would expect her to find a college audience -- maybe even a high school audience and make the same sorts of statements as Obama. Maybe in language that would allow her to deny it in other company, but then admit the use when, once again, trying to triangulate... Don't forget the fact that her 'husband' never inhaled. She may well take that kind of approach.

I would expect her to find a college audience -- maybe even a high school audience and make the same sorts of statements as Obama. Maybe in language that would allow her to deny it in other company, but then admit the use when, once again, trying to triangulate... Don't forget the fact that her 'husband' never inhaled. She may well take that kind of approach.

This is true. God damn does Hillary suck the life out of fun, happiness, and any other worthwhile pursuits.

I would expect her to find a college audience -- maybe even a high school audience and make the same sorts of statements as Obama. Maybe in language that would allow her to deny it in other company, but then admit the use when, once again, trying to triangulate... Don't forget the fact that her 'husband' never inhaled. She may well take that kind of approach.

Pfft, as if any politician with presidential aspirations ever made more than half hearted attempts at getting the non voting crowd. Besides, it's not like the college and high school group lacks parents who might be more than likely of her primary support base.

Being that Myrmidonisia is on ignore, and that it is him posting, and the title, I have to give my response - SO?
I think your "SO?" should be more of an, "Way to go, dredging up real old news. Obama mentioned this in his autobiography several years back, so it's hardly a revelation now. Sad, yet typical, of the republicans to drag up pointless and meaningless garbage in order to attack the other side. Still, it's slightly better than the 'Obama is an ebil muslim' emails doing the rounds."

I think your "SO?" should be more of an, "Way to go, dredging up real old news. Obama mentioned this in his autobiography several years back, so it's hardly a revelation now. Sad, yet typical, of the republicans to drag up pointless and meaningless garbage in order to attack the other side. Still, it's slightly better than the 'Obama is an ebil muslim' emails doing the rounds."

Obama is not an ebil Muslim?

Guess I'm voting for Nader, again.

Obama is not an ebil Muslim?

Guess I'm voting for Nader, again.

Pfft! You do that.
My vote is for William Jennings Bryan.
Free-Silver FTW.

This is not a new topic as this has been public knowledge for a while. What is the relevance at the current time?

I think your "SO?" should be more of an, "Way to go, dredging up real old news. Obama mentioned this in his autobiography several years back, so it's hardly a revelation now. Sad, yet typical, of the republicans to drag up pointless and meaningless garbage in order to attack the other side. Still, it's slightly better than the 'Obama is an ebil muslim' emails doing the rounds."

I was going to post "Welcome to several years ago..." or something like that...but you all beat me to it...

Pfft! You do that.
My vote is for William Jennings Bryan.
Free-Silver FTW.

Are we talking silver ingots or silver belt buckles? I like belt buckles.

Are we talking silver ingots or silver belt buckles? I like belt buckles.

I think we are talking about the right to mint coins out of silver actually...but I could be wrong, WJB hasn't spoken about his platform for a couple of decades or so.

I think we are talking about the right to mint coins out of silver actually...but I could be wrong, WJB hasn't spoken about his platform for a couple of decades or so.

I'm sure that he meant belt buckles shaped like monkey faces.

Wrong-O there little Buckaroo! I'm stating that he's trying to these past errors into an advantage. Learned from his mistakes and all.

The real question, though, is this. After Obama succeeds in making this profiting from mistakes business a real advantage in the campaign, how long will it be before Ms "Me, too" starts to talk about her misguided days of drugs and alcohol?


Sounds rather refreshing then the usual clap trap that is spewed by the political types.

It's a smart approach as well as it brings him closer to the younger voters as him admits to using versus the usual "I smoked but I didn't inhale" claims....

I doubt Hillary will go for it. But we will see.

"the final fatal role of the young, would be, black man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would be black, man"?
"the final fatal role of the young would, be black man"?

I think he is still feeling the effects. :p

Nope. he may need a better copyeditor to catch the missplaced hyphen that makes that make sense.

would-be /ˈwʊdˌbi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wood-bee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1. wishing or pretending to be: a would-be wit.
2. intended to be: a would-be kindness.
–noun
3. a person who wishes or pretends to be something: Opera singers and would-bes should practice at least four hours a day.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/would-be

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would-be black man"

He's saying he was a teenage boy desiring to appear manly or pretending to be a man by using drugs, a common, and often fatal, path among black males in the US.

Sounds rather refreshing then the usual clap trap that is spewed by the political types.

It's a smart approach as well as it brings him closer to the younger voters as him admits to using versus the usual "I smoked but I didn't inhale" claims....

I doubt Hillary will go for it. But we will see.

Indeed.

I also am wondering if this isn't part of Novak's "scandalous information"...

I don't give a rat's arse what he did when he was younger. If anything, my opinion is increased by his honesty about his life and the way he overcame things to be where he is now.

any bets there are more then one or two, if that many, out of the entire field of presidential hopefuls, who did NOT 'experiment' with recreationally consuming neurotropic substances of some sort at some time in thier lives?

so obama was a normal red blooded kid. this is big deal?

=^^=
.../\...

I think you have to have used drugs to be a politician these days.

Hm. He goes up in my estimation. I'm actually considering voting for him now.

At a Q&A session held in a New Hampshire high school, Obama admitted to using drugs as a teenager. He also admitted to being a goof-off and slacker. So are most teenagers. What I find interesting is the spin he put on it.

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.
...
"There was a whole stretch of time that I didn't really apply myself a lot. It wasn't until I got out of high school and went to college that I started realizing, 'Man, I wasted a lot of time.'"

Most kids have used some sort of drug, illegal, controlled, or alcoholic. That doesn't set Obama apart. What I see is a candidate trying to garner some support from his past. This is a bigger statement than just playing the sax on MTV.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?

Firstly, I want to know who would actually vote for a politician who uses the words "Man, I wasted a lot of time"? It strikes me as far too colloquial, and lacking in the decorum and maturity I would expect from a politician.

Secondly, this only confirms my distaste for the man. I've taken an obscene amount of drugs, and drunk myself silly, in 6 weeks at university, and am currently on for a first. The ascetism politcians such as Obama and Brown seem to revel in is disturbing; William Hague claimed to be able to drink 14 pints a day at university (I've tried a Hagueathon by the way, I got to 11:D), and yet he seems to have done bloody well for himself.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?
Frankly, I'm surprised that the pundits haven't already demanded that Hilary "set the record straight" on whether or not she was a virgin on her wedding night. I'm surprised that Faux News isn't already running extensive shocker segments about how Hilary slutted around in college, and how this is just further proof that liberal women are a bunch of dirty prostitutes.

Actually, that sounds more inspiring than damaging. It's not like he's condoning the abuse of drugs and alcohol, but rather showing how he overcame that disadvantage to get where he is now.
Exactly!!

Firstly, I want to know who would actually vote for a politician who uses the words "Man, I wasted a lot of time"? It strikes me as far too colloquial, and lacking in the decorum and maturity I would expect from a politician.

Secondly, this only confirms my distaste for the man. I've taken an obscene amount of drugs, and drunk myself silly, in 6 weeks at university, and am currently on for a first. The ascetism politcians such as Obama and Brown seem to revel in is disturbing; William Hague claimed to be able to drink 14 pints a day at university (I've tried a Hagueathon by the way, I got to 11:D), and yet he seems to have done bloody well for himself.

I'm a little confused. Him recognizing that he wasted time in his youth is a bad thing? I would think this would be a trend for most people in their youth as I'm sure we didn't spend all of our time studying chemistry and working for world peace. It just seems rational to recognize a mistake and I don't know how you would see it as immature.

This is a big "so what?"

When he admits to being a politician and, by extension, corrupt, you'll have something.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?I doubt my opinion of the Republican candidates would change if they admitted to it. Important would be if they'd taken drugs recently.

Frankly, I'm surprised that the pundits haven't already demanded that Hilary "set the record straight" on whether or not she was a virgin on her wedding night. I'm surprised that Faux News isn't already running extensive shocker segments about how Hilary slutted around in college, and how this is just further proof that liberal women are a bunch of dirty prostitutes.

They gotta save something for the actual race just in case she gets the nomination.

Pfft! You do that.
My vote is for William Jennings Bryan.
Free-Silver FTW.

You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.
-wjb

I always find it interesting that it takes a question to get the truth.. What else is Obama not telling us. Someone ask he all the questions quick.

Smoking dope?
Snorting cocaine?
Smoking pole?
Tripping on acid?
Cross dressing?

This explains his issues and that fact that why he thinks that American people need his leadership. Americans do not need another politician pied piper - American needs someone with the courage to let Americans decide whats best for themselves not what lobbists and PR firms and elitists think we will buy or buy into.

Land of the Free.. RON PAUL 2008!!!!!

I always find it interesting that it takes a question to get the truth..
So you expect the full life story of everyone who wants to run for office before you can ask for it?

Smoking dope?
Snorting cocaine?
Smoking pole?
Tripping on acid?
Cross dressing?
Why would you ask him such irrelevant questions?

This explains his issues and that fact that why he thinks that American people need his leadership.
Oh please.
Americans do not need another politician pied piper
America doesn't need someone to take away all the rats in exchange for money? Not much of a rat problem?
American needs someone with the courage to let Americans decide whats best for themselves not what lobbists and PR firms and elitists think we will buy or buy into.

Land of the Free.. RON PAUL 2008!!!!!

Is Ron Paul giving people blow jobs if they support him on the net or something?

Is Ron Paul giving people blow jobs if they support him on the net or something?

My theory is he's having his campaign staff frequent internet forums to make it look like he's got some sort of goundswell of grass-roots support.

I'm a little confused. Him recognizing that he wasted time in his youth is a bad thing? I would think this would be a trend for most people in their youth as I'm sure we didn't spend all of our time studying chemistry and working for world peace. It just seems rational to recognize a mistake and I don't know how you would see it as immature.

No. Him saying "Man, I wasted a lot of time" is a bad thing; not only is it self-evident that childhood involves mistakes, but it is also abominably poor style.

Is Ron Paul giving people blow jobs if they support him on the net or something?

If that were the case, he'd have more support than all the other candidates combined. :p

Is Ron Paul giving people blow jobs if they support him on the net or something?

Considering he is a politician; isn't that already a given?

Considering he is a politician; isn't that already a given?

You win the thread.

I always find it interesting that it takes a question to get the truth.. What else is Obama not telling us. Someone ask he all the questions quick.

Smoking dope?
Snorting cocaine?
Smoking pole?
Tripping on acid?
Cross dressing?

This explains his issues and that fact that why he thinks that American people need his leadership. Americans do not need another politician pied piper - American needs someone with the courage to let Americans decide whats best for themselves not what lobbists and PR firms and elitists think we will buy or buy into.

Land of the Free.. RON PAUL 2008!!!!!

You do realize it's impossible to have a completely free market right?

Study life in the 1800s especially the era of the Getty's, Rockefeller's, etc and see what the lack of ebil ebil goverment regulation was like.

I would suggest looking into how the SEC was founded too.....

You win the thread.

:D Thank you!

This explains his issues and that fact that why he thinks that American people need his leadership. Americans do not need another politician pied piper - American needs someone with the courage to let Americans decide whats best for themselves not what lobbists and PR firms and elitists think we will buy or buy into.

You mean someone who will refuse money from lobbyists so that no one - including them - can claim to have him in their pockets?

Like Obama?

Land of the Free.. RON PAUL 2008!!!!!

No matter how many people say stuff like this, I really don't consider, the "land where states infringe upon civil rights with impunity" to be the "land of the free."

:D Thank you!

My pleasure.

*gives TBF a large cookie*

No. Him saying "Man, I wasted a lot of time" is a bad thing; not only is it self-evident that childhood involves mistakes, but it is also abominably poor style.

I'm not so convinced. It has a certain colonial charm ;)

I'm not so convinced. It has a certain colonial charm ;)

Well, perhaps!:D

At a Q&A session held in a New Hampshire high school, Obama admitted to using drugs as a teenager. He also admitted to being a goof-off and slacker. So are most teenagers. What I find interesting is the spin he put on it.

"Junkie. Pothead. That's where I'd been headed: the final fatal role of the young would be black man," Obama wrote. Mostly he smoked marijuana and drank alcohol, Obama wrote, but occasionally he would snort cocaine when he could afford it.
...
"There was a whole stretch of time that I didn't really apply myself a lot. It wasn't until I got out of high school and went to college that I started realizing, 'Man, I wasted a lot of time.'"

Most kids have used some sort of drug, illegal, controlled, or alcoholic. That doesn't set Obama apart. What I see is a candidate trying to garner some support from his past. This is a bigger statement than just playing the sax on MTV.

And not wanting to be outdone, when will Hillary "admit" to using drugs in her youth?

I respect him for his honesty and candor. This is much better than the intelligence-insultig "I smoked but didn't inhale" BS we got from Mr. Clinton. (what's the point of lighting a joint if you're not going to inhale it?)

This was also a smart move strategically. If someone had come out with this information and he had denied it, it would be a big deal. This way, the story has nowhere to go.

I respect him for his honesty and candor. This is much better than the intelligence-insultig "I smoked but didn't inhale" BS we got from Mr. Clinton. (what's the point of lighting a joint if you're not going to inhale it?)

I always prefered Mo Mowlem's (Gawd bless 'er) version. "I smoked and did inhale."