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You Know That Picture You’re Seeing Today of Obama With a Pirate? It’s From 2009

Sep. 20, 2012 8:10am

If you follow the presidential candidates on Twitter, you can learn a great deal about what is important to the individuals running for the highest office in the land. And a picture posted by the president yesterday has been getting a lot of buzz. But some things arrrrrn’t what they seem. We explain.

Yesterday, President Obama’s official Twitter account posted this tweet:

President Obama Picture With a Pirate Explained: Not New

Clicking on the link takes you to a White House photo of the President observing yesterday’s International ‘Talk Like A Pirate’ Day.

President Obama Picture With a Pirate Explained: Not New

(White House Photo/Peter Souza)

Many have raised questions about the appropriateness of President Obama spending his valuable time in this manner, especially during a week when Americans have been killed in attacks on our embassies in the Middle East. Multiple outlets have even made it a main story this morning, suggesting Obama took the picture, and time, yesterday to celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day. This morning, three times during the 8 o’clock hour, “Fox and Friends” suggested that the photo was from yesterday.

However, it appears to the astute observer this photograph is not new.

First, look at President Obama’s hair. We don’t see a speck of gray. And lately, we’ve been seeing a lot of gray hair on the President’s noggin.

President Obama Picture With a Pirate Explained: Not New

Photo: Carolyn Kaster - AP

And then there’s the fact that CBS reporter Mark Knoller reported on this story in May of 2009:

What kind of unexplained policy initiative was being played out in this photo, the historian might wonder, perhaps confusing it for something other than what it was: a gag – one of dozens – for the president’s remarks at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

The joke was the idea of three top presidential aides including senior advisor David Axelrod.

They would have Mr. Obama refer to his recent meetings with world leaders.

“There I am with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso,” he would say, followed by, “there I am with Gordon Brown.”

But the punch line was his assertion that he was living up to his campaign pledge that “we can’t just talk to our friends.” And with that, up would pop the photo of President Obama with a pirate.

This was no modern-day pirate of the type that hijacks ships off the horn of Africa. It was a buccaneer in full Captain Hook regalia: knee-high boots, a cut-away coat, an eye patch and even a parrot on his shoulder.

To get a Blackbeard, you just don’t look up “pirate” in the Yellow Pages, unless you’re in Somalia. And even there, pirates work in plain-clothes, except for their automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

The White House needed a pirate, and it turned to speechwriter Cody Keenan. It was a role not exactly in his job description.

Mystery solved.

UPDATE:

“Fox and Friends” has now issued a correction over the photo:

President Obama Picture With a Pirate Explained: Not New

This story has been updated.

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Comments (126)

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  • noslave
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:39am

    YOU MISTOOK THE PHOTO ITS HIS FINANCIAL ADVISOR??,a professional hi-jacker?? how to shake the last bit of money out of taxpayers to re-distribute it to my pals??

    Report this comment

    noslave  
  • tharrym1776
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:39am

    According to the official “what’s your pirate name” list – Obama’s pirate name would be “Dirty Jack Mcstinky”.

    Report this comment

    tharrym1776  
  • FormerLib
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:39am

    Here’s the other thing about it: the real pirate is on the right.

    Report this comment

    FormerLib  
  • rosecityken
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:30am

    ok so what if this was in 2009, probably after him and the democrats punted the “stimulus” football, a hail mary that they hoped “stimulated ” the economy…..look closely in the pic….you might not be able to see it but the president has a democratic congress…so if he was serious about doing things to help the economy, he would have no one that could block him…instead , when this picture was taken the democrats were busy #$%^&*g up the best health care system this world has ever seen. to replace it with a european model, that 62% of the american people DIDNT WANT. yes this is a picture of the “great uniter” who daily splits this nation into more and more classifications by race, pay, gender, sexual preference…. this chicago community organizing wealth distributing career campaigner hasnt listened to the group that holds his fate…the middle class taxpaying schlubs like me…we have been told for three and a half years how bad this country is , how unfair it is, all the while the government takes more and more, to give away more and more, and making it easier for more people to sit back and coast on my dime. I am actually glad that this assclown and his media have forgotten about the 2010 midterms….WE HAVEN’T!!!!!

    Report this comment

    rosecityken  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:30am

    What will Hussein use next to appeal to his feeble minded supporters? A talking Gecko? Maybe a device like “snapshot” only it plugs into their brains to make sure they never have a rational thought??

    Report this comment

    BeingThere  
  • TheLeftMadeMeRight
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:28am

    Reporter: Mr. President, world war 3 has just begun, what are you going to do next???

    Obama: Well, Michael, Monique, Unique and your prez (that’s Me) are going to Disneyland!

    Reporter: Really Mr. President?? Disneyland!??

    Obama: Well yes of course! It’s not very crowded down there anymore since folks can’t afford to go to Florida. Michael loves when the secret service lets us cut the lines.

    Report this comment

     
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 4:49pm

      Except that Disneyland is in California, Mister President.

      Of course, he’s a dolt from Chicago, so maybe he can’t tell the difference.

      Report this comment

      Redwood Elf  
  • floridareader
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:25am

    The time of the photo is not what matters. It’s the outfit; it’s all wrong. B. Hussein O. is the real pirate!!!!

    Report this comment

    floridareader  
  • ropati
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:16am

    Money has been pirated from Medicare to pay for Obamacare. Money has been pirated from NASA to help make Muslims feel better about themselves. The soul of America has been pirated in the attempt to make this amateur look like a President. Thats 0-3.

    Report this comment

    ropati  
    • H Beale
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:27am

      How quaint. Obummer is getting talking points from the parrot.

      Report this comment

      H Beale  
  • alpha2omega47
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:14am

    Obama is a fake. He has his **** dyed black when he lies to college students and he has his hairdresser show his gray when he lies to seniors.

    Report this comment

    alpha2omega47  
  • RaydocX
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:08am

    Fools not fact checking and decrying his doing this yesterday have obviously forgotten, the Presidentvwould not waste a second of time Campaigning… In point of fact, we don’t want him doing the work for which he was elected! Bring on the pirates!

    Report this comment

    RaydocX  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:05am

    Wasn’t the Muslim the 1st pirates ? & so what that this pic was taken in 2009 , Obama is still raiding our tax money.

    Report this comment

    Sirfoldallot  
    • walkintruth
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:04pm

      It is true that the first pirates were Muslims. That is why he loves them so much.

      Report this comment

      walkintruth  
  • 666Sucks
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:04am

    I believe that next Wed is Beck’s National Day of Fast & Prayer’,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I suggest wee make it a week!

    Report this comment

    666Sucks  
  • JerryNic
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:04am

    Ya know, I agree this photo is not current. But even in 2009 I would suggest this photo op was a waste of time. Obama could have doing presidential things, like out on the golf course, or planning a vacation; or maybe, just maybe, figuring out how to fix the economy and mend our position on the world stage. Hell, he could have been more productive just watching reruns of Amos and Andy or David Letterman.

    Report this comment

    JerryNic  
  • BacktotheFounders
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:02am

    I am furious with this fool who continuously makes a mockery of the highest office in our land. How does this look to the rest of the world? Like a child playing games.

    Report this comment

    BacktotheFounders  
  • mike551
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:01am

    And no time for Netanyahu? FREAKIN MUSLIM! IMPEACH THE MUSLIM OBAMA NOW!!! WAKE THE HELL UP AMERICA!!!

    Report this comment

    mike551  
    • Mutantone
      Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:01am

      For get Impeachment, takes too long and has his stacked deck to investigate, the crimes.
      I want to know why charges of treason have not been laid against the Obama administration for his inclusion of the Muslim Brotherhood inside our security network, the White House and the Office of the Secretary of State. Obama facilitated their expansion in the Middle East through the “Arab Spring” placing our troops at risk to expand the Brotherhoods reach in the region. And on 9/11 they showed us just what they intended to do. Obama did not stop there just as the Regime in Egypt was about to fall
      he pushed through the advance of 125 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Egypt and now two nuclear submarines. Just when will the Congress step up and declare these treasonous acts.

      “Article III Section 3 defines treason and its punishment.
      Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them,” or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attained.

      Report this comment

      Mutantone  
  • right-wing-waco
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:59am

    Why is the guy with the hook talking to the pirate?

    Report this comment

    right-wing-waco  
  • Altotcon
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:58am

    Somalia want a *******?

    Report this comment

    Altotcon  
  • MrButcher
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:55am

    Obama to the pirate: Mitt Romney wants your children to pay for their own peg-legs and eye patches. You didn’t build that boat. Lets redistribute your gold to poorer pirates. Johnny Depp is a shadowy character and his depiction of Jack Sparrow in no way represents our embassies view of pirates. In fact, Johnny Depp has been detained by the state department for questioning for his tasteless depiction of the Pirate/Prophet. Can you get me back to Kenya?

    Report this comment

    MrButcher  
  • auntmoxie.com
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:45am

    So, was it on his schedule or not? I’m confused.

    Report this comment

    auntmoxie.com  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:28am

    It could very well be a current picture. He might be using
    that new grey-away **** dye called – ‘Just for Commies’

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
  • Gary_K
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:25am

    Does barry mean to talk like a muslim pirate?

    Report this comment

    Gary_K  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:23am

    I think they are interested in each other’s booty. Arr.

    Report this comment

    Gonzo  
    • Gary_K
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:35am

      Lol

      Report this comment

      Gary_K  
    • gsplgtr
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:49am

      But who surrenders the booty first? LOL

      Report this comment

      gsplgtr  
    • Government_Goodies
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:59am

      lolz!!!

      Report this comment

      Government_Goodies  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 9:00am

      So much has been shown during these last 4 years but I sorta remember something about Halloween party several years ago and a pirate, but that picture just looks like something from the past..Hmmm
      P.S. I did not look at the video of our Ambass’s hours of torture but did see a picture of Steven (Stephen) with two people holding him up and holding “his bloody-garment” It is “beyond-comprehension” this “heart & soul” man could be raped and murdered. Oh The Humanity !!!

      Report this comment

      AmazingGrace8  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on September 20, 2012 at 12:57pm

      Amen to that, Amazing Grace.

      Report this comment

      JACKTHETOAD  
  • ladyonamishn
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:19am

    The man is a “joke”…….. Between his acting like his job is a “joke” and his incompetence is everything he does…….. we would be better off if he would just play golf until the election. God help us, we have to get this man out of office before he completely ruins this country and all of the people in it…….. and that is no joke!

    Report this comment

    ladyonamishn  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:19am

    I am sooo glad that the President took the time to remind me about “International talk like a pirate day”…I might have cried if I missed it.

    Report this comment

    KickinBack  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:13am

    Heck he is a Pirate steeling our tax dollars giving them to his muslims brothers countrys. His bow said it all for me.

    Report this comment

    AJAYW  
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