University of Johannesburg gives Barack Obama honorary doctorate

[James]

The University of Johannesburg conferred United States President Barack Hussein Obama with an honorary doctorate of laws degree on Thursday.

"President Obama has demonstrated distinguished social and intellectual achievement related to the university's vision, mission, values and strategic goals and is thus a worthy recipient of the degree Doctor Legum (Doctor of Laws), honoris causa," UJ Vice Chancellor Professor Ihron Rensburg said in a statement.

US ambassador...read more here: University of Johannesburg gives Barack Obama honorary doctorate

[Mister 44]

<rant>

OK, I have an issue with this. I have nothing against Obama (he's a better Prez than the little troll before him) but I have a problem with universities doing this.

What is wrong with this (and similar situations at other universities):

1. It's nothing more than a publicity stunt. They knew from the start that Barry O won't come and get it himself but it gets UJ in the papers, on the radio and on TV and that's the real reason for it.
2. It's naive. Do they think Barry O will hang this piece of paper from a hick university in South Africa in a special place in the oval office? It reminds me of a teenage girl throwing her panties at a rock star, believing that he will keep it, cherish it and sleep with it under his pillow instead of dropping it in the nearest rubbish bin once he's out of range of the cameras.
3. It's meaningless. It's an honorary doctorate. It's not worth the paper it's printed on. Barry O achieves bigger things before breakfast most mornings than this crap.
4. He's a foreigner. You want to hand out honorary doctorates? Great, pick a South African or at least a South African born person. Give an artsy one to Neill Blomkamp, give an engineering one to Elon Musk, give a computery on to Mark Shuttleworth. Hell, give one in woodwork to Julius Malema, but at least keep it to people that have some sort of link to this country.

So, UJ, next time don't forget the juggling clowns.

</rant>

[matt]

<rant>

OK, I have an issue with this. I have nothing against Obama (he's a better Prez than the little troll before him) but I have a problem with universities doing this.

What is wrong with this (and similar situations at other universities):

1. It's nothing more than a publicity stunt. They knew from the start that Barry O won't come and get it himself but it gets UJ in the papers, on the radio and on TV and that's the real reason for it.
2. It's naive. Do they think Barry O will hang this piece of paper from a hick university in South Africa in a special place in the oval office? It reminds me of a teenage girl throwing her panties at a rock star, believing that he will keep it, cherish it and sleep with it under his pillow instead of dropping it in the nearest rubbish bin once he's out of range of the cameras.
3. It's meaningless. It's an honorary doctorate. It's not worth the paper it's printed on. Barry O achieves bigger things before breakfast most mornings than this crap.
4. He's a foreigner. You want to hand out honorary doctorates? Great, pick a South African or at least a South African born person. Give an artsy one to Neill Blomkamp, give an engineering one to Elon Musk, give a computery on to Mark Shuttleworth. Hell, give one in woodwork to Julius Malema, but at least keep it to people that have some sort of link to this country.

So, UJ, next time don't forget the juggling clowns.

</rant>

I agree, there is no point aside from getting UJ in the news. What's he supposed to do with an honorary from a country on the other side of the world...

[to0kenZA]

<rant>

OK, I have an issue with this. I have nothing against Obama (he's a better Prez than the little troll before him) but I have a problem with universities doing this.

What is wrong with this (and similar situations at other universities):

1. It's nothing more than a publicity stunt. They knew from the start that Barry O won't come and get it himself but it gets UJ in the papers, on the radio and on TV and that's the real reason for it.
2. It's naive. Do they think Barry O will hang this piece of paper from a hick university in South Africa in a special place in the oval office? It reminds me of a teenage girl throwing her panties at a rock star, believing that he will keep it, cherish it and sleep with it under his pillow instead of dropping it in the nearest rubbish bin once he's out of range of the cameras.
3. It's meaningless. It's an honorary doctorate. It's not worth the paper it's printed on. Barry O achieves bigger things before breakfast most mornings than this crap.
4. He's a foreigner. You want to hand out honorary doctorates? Great, pick a South African or at least a South African born person. Give an artsy one to Neill Blomkamp, give an engineering one to Elon Musk, give a computery on to Mark Shuttleworth. Hell, give one in woodwork to Julius Malema, but at least keep it to people that have some sort of link to this country.

So, UJ, next time don't forget the juggling clowns.

</rant>

I strongly agree with your sentiment. Only thing I'll have to slap you with a papsnoek for is your statement about giving Jules an honorary in woodwork. :P

No. NO! If anything, give him a roll of toilet paper and tell him to wipe his achievements off with that.