Ace of Spades HQ

October 29, 2012

No, Obama Wasn't Affected By the Altitude in the Mile High Massacre
— Ace

I was listening to a BloggingHeads debate between Ann Althouse and the man who I think may be, pound per pound, the most annoying man alive, Robert Wright.

Wright renewed the "altitude" theory of Obama's Denver Debacle. Althouse makes a point I hadn't previously heard: near the end of the segment, she notes that Obama's in planes all the time. Planes have thin air, too. So why is he so sensitive to thin air?

Wright countered that planes were pressurized (of course) but Althouse rejoined that she didn't think that planes were pressurized to sea-level pressure.

Althouse is right: high-flying planes are typically pressurized to the pressure you'd find at 7,000 feet. So Denver's 5,000 foot elevation isn't anything that the average person doesn't experience on a semi-regular basis. The President, of course, experiences it two or four times a week. (Or, often: six or eight or ten times a week.)

Thinking about it, this should have been obvious: If the plane maintained sea-level pressure throughout its flight, your ears should never pop. But of course they do.

Or Even Lower: Spongebob says they often keep the pressure at even lower levels, simulating 8,000 feet or higher.

Posted by: Ace at 12:26 PM | Comments (151)
Post contains 221 words, total size 1 kb.

1 First again?

Posted by: Countrysquire at October 29, 2012 12:27 PM (1hLHC)

2 FACTS goddammit!!!!!

HOW.DO.THEY.WORK?

Posted by: © Sponge at October 29, 2012 12:27 PM (UK9cE)

3 Thin air isn't his problem. Thin skin is.

Posted by: Roy at October 29, 2012 12:27 PM (VndSC)

4 Could his performance be blamed on the fact that he's pretty much a fucked up malcontent?

Posted by: Countrysquire at October 29, 2012 12:28 PM (1hLHC)

5 If things go as it is seeming with the election, we're going to hear even crazier theories.

Posted by: eureka! at October 29, 2012 12:28 PM (cTjRR)

6 But the pressure in the airplane would crush your head, and Obama being in airplanes all the time puts extra pressure on his brain. I recommend Obama travel by hot air balloon.

Posted by: Rep. Hank Johnson at October 29, 2012 12:28 PM (vjyZP)

7 the average person doesn't experience on a semi-regular bases.

It's 'basis,' and for fuck's sake stop linking to Asshouse.

Posted by: weft cut-loop [/i] [/b] at October 29, 2012 12:28 PM (DKxu1)

8 Oh, I think he was experiencing a "Colorado Rocky Mountain High" alright. IYKWIM.

Posted by: ThePresidentialBong at October 29, 2012 12:29 PM (BS7Eq)

9 Air Force One is always pressurized to sea level. I should know, I give out enough BJs in there.

Posted by: The Greginator at October 29, 2012 12:29 PM (a0nis)

10 And another thing. How can they fit 7,000 feet inside an airplane, and where do all those feet come from? You can't just go around chopping off people's feet. This is an outrage!

Posted by: Rep. Hank Johnson at October 29, 2012 12:29 PM (vjyZP)

11 The fact that anyone even bothers bringing up the altitude bullshit just screams panic.

Posted by: AndrewsDad at October 29, 2012 12:29 PM (C2//T)

12 Bigotry of low expectations and you're a raaaaaaaaaacist too if you thought Obama should be able to perform as well as Romney did.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at October 29, 2012 12:30 PM (I7UGD)

13 Incidentally, I have been telling you guys all year that Colorado would go to Romney. The state tends to vote the person, and Romney has simply shown himself to be superior in every way.

Posted by: ObjectionSustained at October 29, 2012 12:30 PM (BS7Eq)

14 That's the reason one drink will hit the white knuckle flyer who rarely imbibes.

Posted by: Ed Anger at October 29, 2012 12:30 PM (tOkJB)

15 But what if the air in Colorado is racist?

Posted by: TheQuietMan at October 29, 2012 12:30 PM (1Jaio)

16 Could his performance be blamed on the fact that he's pretty much a fucked up malcontent?

That fails to factor in that he just isn't that bright.

Posted by: fluffy at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (z9HTb)

17 Air... *gasp* Give me air... And choom...

Posted by: Obama at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (a0nis)

18 FFS, altitude doesn't affect you when you're standing around and talking.

And it's true about the 7,000 feet pressurization thing...that's why your ears pop when you fly. This is done for two reasons; 1) pressurizing for sea level makes the craft more likely to rip apart if a breach occurs (explosive outward force, etc.) and 2) in the case of that breach, many passengers would simply die going instantly from sea level to 35,000 feet of pressurization.

Posted by: Sgt. York at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (FL9pc)

19 Also, he didn't seem to be affected by the altitude at the DNC convention in 2008. Do Dems even know when they're lying?

Posted by: unf'ingbelievable at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (EXsuU)

Occam's Razor: Obama looked unprepared, lacked coherent arguments, and acted like a petulant douchebag in Denver, because

a) He was unprepared.

(b) He lacks coherent arguments.

It ain't the altitude. He'd be a douchebag anywhere from the top of Mt. Everest to the bottom of Death Valley.

Posted by: The Regular Guy at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (qHCyt)

21 People are actually having this argument?

Posted by: Dr Spank at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (4cRnj)

22 Pressurizing to 7000 ft brings put the contrails. It is science.

Posted by: CUS at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (84pE9)

And another thing. How can they fit 7,000 feet inside an airplane, and where do all those feet come from? You can't just go around chopping off people's feet. This is an outrage!

Posted by: Rep. Hank Johnson at October 29, 2012 04:29 PM (vjyZP)

These are the feet needlessly amputated by greedy doctors. We keep them on the plane so I can hand them out to needy children in swing states.

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (ggRof)

24 OK gonna go eat and inspect the house and area- be back later if power holds

Posted by: Nevergiveup at October 29, 2012 12:31 PM (j1gX1)

25 Who cares? The whole thing is just stupid. Not worth debunking the stupid.

Posted by: maddogg at October 29, 2012 12:32 PM (OlN4e)

They never seem to bring up the question: why then wasn't Romney affected by the altitude as well?

Posted by: benjaminthomas at October 29, 2012 12:32 PM (ytpAl)

27 Changes in latitude, changes in attitude.
Changes in altitude, changes in tatitude.
Think about it.

Posted by: Jimmy Buffet at October 29, 2012 12:32 PM (vjyZP)

28 I'd check the smoke detectors in AF-1's lavatories to make sure they weren't disconnected...and check the trash bins for burned down spliff remains.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:32 PM (m2MP0)

29 Yes but what is the effect of the altitude on coming down from a coke binge?

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at October 29, 2012 12:32 PM (r4wIV)

30 @26 Because Romney's full of hot air lololololololcwutididthar?

Posted by: The Greginator at October 29, 2012 12:33 PM (a0nis)

"Althouse is right"

This statement is less expected than seeing sumdood running around half-nekked in a storm while wearing a horsehead.

It's been a helluva day.

Posted by: Jaws at October 29, 2012 12:33 PM (4I3Uo)

32 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a malignant traitor.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channelling Breitbart at October 29, 2012 12:33 PM (8y9MW)

33 Altitude is raaaaaaacist.

Posted by: Lady in Black at October 29, 2012 12:33 PM (lTVJy)

34 This is why you winger bloggers aren't taken seriously. A debate about pressurized air?

Posted by: Axelturf@BigBird.com at October 29, 2012 12:33 PM (AzwZn)

35
Ha. Pokeeestahn has some pretty high altitude and that didn't prevent him from becoming a moooslim.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (PHb2k)

36 I could understand if he was running a marathon,

but debating?

Posted by: Bruce at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (z4eur)

37 Breathing, thinking and talking: Too difficult for the SCOAMF? Discuss.

Posted by: LASue at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (gjIQF)

38 Frankenstorm Sandy now raining down Tarantulas on the East Coast!! Tarantulas!!

Posted by: Shep Smith at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (4cRnj)

39 Yes but what is the effect of the altitude on coming down from a coke binge?

About the same as two good hits of ether.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (m2MP0)

Ace, the other argument...was that your blood is more oxygenated, coming from a lower altitude where the oxygen level is higher.

So actually...the odds were more in TFG's favor, moreso than Romney, who'd been there in Denver for a couple of days.

Posted by: wheatie at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (ipkPX)

All those pictures all the conservative blogs keep posting of the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier are NOT from hurricane Sandy. They are OOLLLDDDD.

You can clearly see the bayonets in both pictures.

Posted by: levi at October 29, 2012 12:34 PM (5V/0T)

42 Fuckin' airplanes. How do they work?

Posted by: Insane Brown Pussy at October 29, 2012 12:35 PM (vjyZP)

43 It wasn't the altitude, it was the attitude.

Posted by: rd does not believe the MSM at October 29, 2012 12:35 PM (zLp5I)

44 and check the trash bins for burned down spliff remains.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 04:32 PM (m2MP0)

Ahhhhhh .... roaches.

Posted by: eastvalleyphx at October 29, 2012 12:35 PM (GRvW4)

45 he wasn't affected by the altitude of colorado...he was affected by the altitude of his head

Posted by: phoenixgirl, Wearing her GIANTS jersey,team dagny at October 29, 2012 12:36 PM (Ho2rs)

46 Althouse...pfft.

She's a liberal idiot...just pretends otherwise

Posted by: rukiddingme? at October 29, 2012 12:36 PM (MbeEN)

47 OT: @iowahawkblog

Pass the word: big #Occupy rally scheduled for 3pm in Battery Park #OWS

Posted by: Tami at October 29, 2012 12:37 PM (X6akg)

48 Cannibalism now being reported in the Bowery! Bums stumbling away in fear for their lives from hoards of kill crazed iPhone wielding hipsters.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:37 PM (m2MP0)

49 Baraka Husseina Obama isn't capable of see level.

Posted by: LC LaWedgie at October 29, 2012 12:37 PM (0It32)

50 7,000? I think not. One of our very obese and unhealthy coworkers takes a barometer when he flies and he frequently has to nag them to get the cabin to 8,000.

Posted by: SpongeBob Saget at October 29, 2012 12:37 PM (SDkq3)

51 So what happened to him in the next two debates?

Posted by: Hello, it's me Donna not greg/gerg at October 29, 2012 12:37 PM (9+ccr)

52
The campaigns spend millions doing correct polling much better than anybody we hear about. What do those internal polls say?

Well, Barry Oflustercluck is going out to campaign in Boulder. Yep, super duper far far left Boulder. They know they are way behind and are just trying to get their base out.

CO is going Romney.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at October 29, 2012 12:38 PM (PHb2k)

53 51

Just his usual fukcupidness

Posted by: Bruce at October 29, 2012 12:38 PM (z4eur)

54 it's just a stupid claim all around. *athletic* performance may be affected by altitude shifts, but as someone pointed out, standing around talking is not athletic. Your body does not go into oxygen debt simply by talking, whatever the altitude level. If the air is thin, your lungs just compensate by expanding more. Come on. Jeeze Louise, I never felt any altitude-related effects there because I wasn't doing anything that would tax the lungs and blood.

Posted by: ace at October 29, 2012 12:38 PM (LCRYB)

55 So... they were really using that as an excuse? I thought it was a joke. Of course, I also thought that about the president.

Posted by: JollyRoger at October 29, 2012 12:38 PM (t06LC)

56 Oh for shit's sake. A plane is a temporary environment. The thinner air of Colorado is a constant.

Posted by: tasker at October 29, 2012 12:38 PM (r2PLg)

57 Obama sucked at the first debate because he wasn't prepared.

He wasn't prepared because he didn't take it seriously.

He didn't take it seriously because he knew the media had his back and he didn't expect there to be any content that Romney could use.

He was better prepared for the next 2 debates, but still had to discuss his record in both debates, which is bad, so he sucks.

Posted by: © Sponge at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (UK9cE)

58 Maybe they can do the next debate on one of those ships that goes under the sea. No pressure problems cause it's under sea level.

Posted by: JackStraw at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (TMB3S)

59 Did Althouse get to wax poetic about racist Republicans showing an undoctored video of Obama from 2007?

Posted by: lorien1973 at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (mcWHD)

60 Has TFG sent out a request that donations for Hurricqne Sandy be sent to his campaign yet?

Posted by: RWC at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (t+Sdx)

61 Speaking of altitude, CBSNews.com (I know, I know) has a live webcam pointed at the partially collapsed crane in NYC. They must be betting that at least part of it is going to come down. From 70 floors up.

Posted by: johnd01 at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (ukNFU)

62 Don't try to confuse me with the facts!

Posted by: Bill McNeil at October 29, 2012 12:39 PM (GBY9g)

63 For any future debates Obama will need a teleprompter and an iron lung.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (QKKT0)

64 One of our very obese and unhealthy coworkers takes a barometer when he flies and he frequently has to nag them to get the cabin to 8,000.

I believe the FAA says extended exposure above 10,000' warrants oxygen.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (m2MP0)

65 Frankenstorm Sandy now raining down Tarantulas on the East Coast!! Tarantulas!! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I wish Andrea Tarantula would rain down on my face. Wait, that didn't come out right.

Posted by: Countrysquire at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (1hLHC)

66 Plus, teh One was in lasvegas prepping the 3 days prior and Vegas is at about 2500 ft. Not a whole lotta difference. Maybe he was on his period that day. Works for my teen daughter.

Posted by: Fartist at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (61D/Q)

67 Of course he wasn't affected by alititude. What you saw was the normal response from someone of sub-par intelligence when they meet a situation where thinking is required.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (xtvQl)

68 Cannibalism now being reported in the Bowery! Bums stumbling away in fear for their lives from hoards of kill crazed iPhone wielding hipsters.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 04:37 PM (m2MP0)

Huntz Hall hit hardest!

Posted by: TheQuietMan at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (1Jaio)

69 I wish Andrea Tarantula would rain down on my face. Wait, that didn't come out right. --- That material's golden.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at October 29, 2012 12:40 PM (e0xKF)

70 51 So what happened to him in the next two debates?
Posted by: Hello, it's me Donna not greg/gerg at October 29, 2012 04:37 PM (9+ccr)

GOP operatives stole most of the presidential oxygen from the halls before Obama entered. Everyone knows that Mormons are acclimated to high altitudes because Utah mountains. :-)

Posted by: Mætenloch at October 29, 2012 12:41 PM (pAlYe)

71 The fact that we are surrounded and outnumbered will be of little comfort to the Sioux this day.

Posted by: Axelturf@LittleBigHorn at October 29, 2012 12:41 PM (AzwZn)

72 66 Plus, teh One was in lasvegas prepping the 3 days prior and Vegas is at about 2500 ft. Not a whole lotta difference. Maybe he was on his period that day. Works for my teen daughter. --- Not if he was suffering from "mentalpause", as Kelly Bundy would put it.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at October 29, 2012 12:41 PM (e0xKF)

73 Don't they inject oxygen in-flight? or is that just for the masks in case of emergency?

The oxygen levels are pretty darn thin at 34,000 feet.

Posted by: © Sponge at October 29, 2012 12:41 PM (UK9cE)

74 @BretBaier

Vice President Joe Biden cancels events in OH and PA citing "local preparation and response efforts" due to Hurricane #Sandy.

Posted by: Tami at October 29, 2012 12:41 PM (X6akg)

75 60 Has TFG sent out a request that donations for Hurricqne Sandy be sent to his campaign secretly diverted yet?

FIFY

Posted by: Tony253 at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (PryWG)

76

The real reason is that Barry is just not that smart. And he's lazy.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (PHb2k)

77 In science-- the concept of establishing equilibrium...it applies here. Honest to gawd--never go full Althouse.

Posted by: tasker at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (r2PLg)

78 It's ELEVATION, not altitude.

If you are standing on the 50-yard line at Invesco Field, your altitude is zero.

Posted by: Jones in CO at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (8sCoq)

79 Vice President Joe Biden cancels events in OH and PA citing "local preparation and response efforts" due to Hurricane #Sandy. --- Any truth to the rumor that Biden's planning a hurricane party down on the Delaware shore?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (e0xKF)

80 So, even though obama is a fool without oxygen deprivation, Althouse will vote for him.

Posted by: Redd at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (Lom3Z)

81 Maybe they can do the next debate on one of those ships that goes under the sea.

The Titanic was already booked for Obama's campaign this year.

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (m2MP0)

82 Hey Craig...........Time to suck me again !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Obama's Commie Rod at October 29, 2012 12:42 PM (48wze)

83 "Thinking about it, this should have been obvious: If the plane maintained sea-level pressure throughout its flight, your ears should never pop. But of course they do."

What should be even more obvious is that this whole conversation is too stupid to believe. 5,000 ft elevation doesn't affect squat. Anyone who blames Obama's debate performance on this should be laughed out of town.

Posted by: Cornfed at October 29, 2012 12:43 PM (Hoy9u)

84 The BIG secret to Obama's piss poor performance-- his RECORD.

Posted by: tasker at October 29, 2012 12:43 PM (r2PLg)

85 The oxygen levels are pretty darn thin at 34,000 feet.

Posted by: Â© Sponge at October 29, 2012 04:41 PM (UK9cE)

Oh, quit complaining.

Posted by: Josef Mengele at October 29, 2012 12:43 PM (QKKT0)

86 I can't believe this is even a discussion topic.

Posted by: chique d'afrique on her phone at October 29, 2012 12:43 PM (6zgse)

87 Has TFG sent out a request that donations for Hurricqne Sandy be sent to his campaign yet?

Dear Supporter:

Have you considered looting your neighbors house to help Barack get re-elected?

Posted by: Michelle O at October 29, 2012 12:43 PM (z9HTb)

88 Obama was using corbogen therapy to combat the effects of altitude. If you look it up you'll finally understand what Dennis Hopper was doing in Blue Velvet.

Posted by: Ed Anger at October 29, 2012 12:44 PM (tOkJB)

89 Robert Wright is F-ing annoying as all get out. He takes smugness to an art form.

Posted by: Dude, where's my Nobel Prize? at October 29, 2012 12:44 PM (VuyjF)

90 Romney wasn't affected by the altitude because he is more machine than man.

Posted by: Tom at October 29, 2012 12:44 PM (SnvOn)

91 I spent a week in the Himalayas above 15,000 feet and I was no more of an idiot than usual.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (QKKT0)

92 Jonah Goldberg used the hashtag #numbersmartyr for Nate Silver. Haha

Posted by: TD, one of the proud 53% at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (DQMcq)

93 Has TFG sent out a request that donations for Hurricqne Sandy be sent to his campaign yet?

Posted by: RWC at October 29, 2012 04:39 PM (t+Sdx)

-----------------------------------------------

SCOAMT ad: The northeast's hurricane victims have been victims all their lives, they can wait. I need your money now.

Posted by: Soona at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (5zBCN)

94 I know people who are 6 ft. below ground level who are more coherent than O'Bumbles at 5,000 ft. above sea level.

Posted by: dfbaskwill at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (ndlFj)

95 Rather than fixing that tree poking through your roof, perhaps you'd consider a blue tarp and sending the difference to help Barak?

Posted by: @PurpAv at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (m2MP0)

96 Holy crap.

The GOP state senate campaign staffer who got beat up in WI was getting obscene and threatening texts from the Dem candidate's "husband."

http://is.gd/epsXuY

They're pretty vile. I wish I could be surprised.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™, predenounced for your convenience at October 29, 2012 12:45 PM (ZKzrr)

97 Altitude is racist!

Posted by: dfbaskwill at October 29, 2012 12:46 PM (ndlFj)

98 It's the "altitude" of his arrogance that led to his massacre.

Posted by: marcus at October 29, 2012 12:46 PM (GGCsk)

I'm high so often that I can breathe in outer space.

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at October 29, 2012 12:46 PM (ggRof)

100 >The thinner air of Colorado is a constant.

Posted by: tasker at October 29, 2012 04:38 PM (r2PLg)

One mile in elevation has about 60% of the oxygen at sea level. You get used to it.

Me and a friend recently rode our motorcycles to the summit of Pike's Peak (14,110'). I was a little out of breath, and the guy laughed at me when I lit a cigarette. It actually made me feel better- as if my lungs then had something to chew on.

Posted by: Jones in CO at October 29, 2012 12:46 PM (8sCoq)

101 61 Speaking of altitude, CBSNews.com (I know, I know) has a live webcam pointed at the partially collapsed crane in NYC. They must be betting that at least part of it is going to come down. From 70 floors up.

Posted by: johnd01 at October 29, 2012 04:39 PM (ukNFU)

Hopefully, it lands on Geraldo Rivera, intrepid cub reporter.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at October 29, 2012 12:47 PM (BuSM8)

102 We are all aware that there is a devastating hurricane heading for the north east coastal US region. If you live in this area and expect to be impacted by the storm, I would like to ask you the following:

Instead of using your savings to repair your home and replace your belongings, take that money and send it to the Obama Re-election campaign. I can guarantee that your donation will go to get me re-elected. Once I'm back in the White House, I will return the favor by using billions in tax payer funds to rebuild your house and replace all of your belongings. I promise.

Get out and vote and remember, rebuilding your life is not the biggest priority right now.

Thanks,

Your bud, Barack

Posted by: © Sponge at October 29, 2012 12:48 PM (UK9cE)

103 If Althouse would get out of those communist cafes she frequents in Madison, maybe out to more rarefied air like in Denver or Salt Lake or Jackson Hole, her double chin would deflate a little, and she would look more like that jaw-line profile pic she sports at her blog site.

Posted by: The littl shyning man at October 29, 2012 12:48 PM (PH+2B)

104 96 Holy crap. The GOP state senate campaign staffer who got beat up in WI was getting obscene and threatening texts from the Dem candidate's "husband." http://is.gd/epsXuY They're pretty vile. I wish I could be surprised. --- If the violence is gay on gay, is it a hate crime*? * - Yes, I know the answer is "If the victim is a Republican, it's NEVER a hate crime."

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at October 29, 2012 12:48 PM (e0xKF)

105

When I reported for my first duty assignment at Ft. Carson, CO, I didn't even notice the altitude.

Until I had to hump my dufflebag up 3 flights of stairs to the barracks.

Standing around? No difference. Running PT? Hacking lung oysters.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at October 29, 2012 12:48 PM (TSo9A)

106 PATHETIC EXCUSES for your PUNY GOD!!!

POTUS is for CLOSERS!!

FINISH HIM, MITT!!!

Posted by: Tex Lovera at October 29, 2012 12:48 PM (wtvvX)

107 Heh, just checked my mail and had one from OfA. Thankfully, they didn't ask for campaign donations.

Posted by: RWC at October 29, 2012 12:49 PM (t+Sdx)

108 39 Yes but what is the effect of the altitude on coming down froma coke binge? About the same as two good hits of ether. 'scuse me. Does this rag smell like ether?

Posted by: rickb223 at October 29, 2012 12:49 PM (GFM2b)

109 Boarded up storefront - 'we will beat Sandy and Obama.'

Posted by: RWC at October 29, 2012 12:49 PM (t+Sdx)

110 Not if [Obama] was suffering from "mentalpause", as Kelly Bundy would put it.
*
*
Kelly Bundy for President!

Hey, she wouldn't be any worse than the SCOAMF, or Biden . . . and a helluva lot more decorative.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at October 29, 2012 12:50 PM (BDU/a)

111 Obama's probably a better pilot than his Air Force One pilots.

Posted by: SH at October 29, 2012 12:50 PM (gmeXX)

112 Air Force One might be different, but a pilot told me that regular planes deliberately have less than optimal oxygen (which is what we're talking about with thin air, not pressure, as far as affecting the brain) because it makes passengers slightly drowsy. No need keeping them hyper when they're in a confined space.

Obama's problem was not oxygen deprivation. Romney was very good, and Obama thought showing up was enough.

His other two debate performances were not substantively better. I didn't see the second, but it appears from what I've read he was losing until Crowley screwed Mitt over. In any case, the format was bound to help him improve.

In the third, which I did see, he was on a subject that should have favored him greatly. Romney dialed it back, and played conservatively. Obama had learned to be very aggressive, especially in his death-like staring, rather than doodling and looking down.

It's not as though in the first debate Obama pulled any Rick Perry's. Romney was very good, and Obama was indifferent. When Obama did better in the next two, it was from a change of style, not content--just as Obama was aggressive with Hillary because, like Romney, she started taking it to him. He was laid back with McCain because McCain never challenged (at least not until it was too late, if at all). His intent was to do the same thing with Romney and coast to victory, but in the first debate Romney caught him flat-footed.

Lefties always have to have some bizarre explanation for failure other than personal responsibility.

Posted by: Nicholas Kronos at October 29, 2012 12:51 PM (vouc9)

113 Spongebob is correct--8K is sorta std. The 787 has 6k, I believe, but its composite airframe is just hitting airline fleets. Besides, Barry's been high enough in his life that a little altitude shouldn't phase him.

Posted by: A. at October 29, 2012 12:51 PM (NiDDt)

114

That anyone would still be trying to argue that the altitude affected Obama is hilarious in and of itself. Of course, nothing is Obama's fault. I'm suprised they didn't find a way to blame it on Bush.

Posted by: polynikes at October 29, 2012 12:52 PM (m2CN7)

115

Didn't read any of the previous comments, but I did read the post (a Reverse Breitbart, if you will). I don't think Obama had a problem with the altitude, but I do believe he had a Rocky Mountain High going on...

Posted by: runningrn at October 29, 2012 12:53 PM (Uw091)

116 Obama's probably a better pilot than his Air Force One pilots.

Posted by: SH at October 29, 2012 04:50 PM (gmeXX)

-------------------------------------------

Sssshhhhhh. Baraka promised Mooch that he'd be flying her plane back to Hawaii. It's a big surprise.

Posted by: Soona at October 29, 2012 12:54 PM (5zBCN)

117 OK, they have a collapsed crane dangling from 70 stooreys up in downtown NYC.

How do you get that down?

Build another crane next to it???

Posted by: Tex Lovera at October 29, 2012 12:54 PM (wtvvX)

118 Being named after Sir Edmund Hillary. I can speak to the effects of elevation and altitude sickness. And Obama had it.

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at October 29, 2012 12:55 PM (tf9Ne)

119 @47: Meet under the crane on west 57th...

Posted by: Tex Lovera at October 29, 2012 12:55 PM (wtvvX)

120 The altitude had nothing to do with his piss poor performance.
It simply was the result of an Affirmative Action Hire being forced to actually attempt to perform at a normal level of effectiveness.

If you ever get stuck on a deserted island with Choom boy,and you're counting on him to fish or cut bait.....you better have a secret stash of MRE's handy, and just wait for nature to take it's course.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at October 29, 2012 12:56 PM (Hu+oM)

121

Seriously, Obama didn't take the first debate very seriously because he didn't take Romney seriously. He saw that debate as a petty annoyance--I think he was pissed he had to stoop so low as to debate idiot Mitt. Mitt who is so beneath Obama's superior intellect, Mitt who is a stupid bitter clinging Morman, for crying out loud. Evil, stupid, rich Mitt wasn't worth any kind of debate prep. (Remember, Obama was seen hobnobbing with supporters/campaign workers and visiting the Hoover Dam). I think he thought the debate would be a cake walk, and he didn't want to waste any time prepping for it.

I also think he was surprised when he found out he lost. Remember, he thought he won. He is just that arrogant and just that stupid.

Posted by: runningrn at October 29, 2012 12:56 PM (Uw091)

122
So the claim is President Barry Ben Ghazi debate performance was affected by air pressure/altitude? People who are in shape won't really notice the difference.
However people with severe cardio pulmonary issues could have cause to be concern. So which is it? Cardio pulmonary issues or stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure?

Posted by: Greg spokesman at October 29, 2012 12:57 PM (PlCer)

123 It was the altitude that caused Obama's problem? So what altitude was Romney at?

Posted by: truthfairy at October 29, 2012 12:58 PM (ue2Nm)

124 And another thing. How can they fit 7,000 feet inside an airplane, and where do all those feet come from? You can't just go around chopping off people's feet. This is an outrage!

Posted by: Rep. Hank Johnson at October 29, 2012 04:29 PM (vjyZP)

Seven millipedes in the cargo hold.

Posted by: Oldcat at October 29, 2012 12:58 PM (z1N6a)

125

It is amazing to me that NOTHING is ever this completely unqualified, lazyass, AA all the way, community organizing douchebag's fault!!!

Posted by: runningrn at October 29, 2012 01:01 PM (Uw091)

126 Wright Obama couldn't handle the thin air.

The counter should have been: "So, what's your excuse?"

Posted by: Al at October 29, 2012 01:01 PM (MzQOZ)

127 5 PM NOHC update on Sandy;

SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...38.8N 74.4W
ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM ESE OF CAPE MAY NEW JERSEY
ABOUT 40 MI...65 KM S OF ATLANTIC CITY NEW JERSEY
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 28 MPH...44 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...940 MB...27.76 INCHES

Posted by: gergie at October 29, 2012 01:02 PM (wwsoB)

128 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at October 29, 2012 01:03 PM (6o4Fb)

129 127 5 PM NOHC update on Sandy; SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...38.8N 74.4W ABOUT 30 MI...45 KM ESE OF CAPE MAY NEW JERSEY ABOUT 40 MI...65 KM S OF ATLANTIC CITY NEW JERSEY MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...90 MPH...150 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 28 MPH...44 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...940 MB...27.76 INCHES --- Distilled version - "You still on the Eastern Seaboard? ARE YOU FUCKING RETARDED?!?"

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at October 29, 2012 01:04 PM (e0xKF)

130 I like how it had absolutely nothing to do with Obama being a SCOAMF. Oh no, it musta been the altitude... which never once affected him in all of his sorties over enemy territory (flyover country).

Posted by: sans_sheriff at October 29, 2012 01:05 PM (OQHM+)

131 Newer planes have better structure, can pressurize air better.
But yeah, obvious that Obama was too lazy to prepare.
Still hasn't bothered to lay out a second term aside from teachers.

Posted by: joeindc44 is still above water level at October 29, 2012 01:05 PM (Z3ckx)

132 2 dumbasses went swimming in the Hudson. They're out, but WTF.

Posted by: RWC at October 29, 2012 01:06 PM (t+Sdx)

133 Anybody know if people with HIV infection or full-blown AIDS are uniquely sensitive to oxygen deprivation? Bammy is reputed to have the slims, according to rumor.

Agreed a normal healthy person would not suffer from Denver's air pressure in anything other than strong physical exertion.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 29, 2012 01:14 PM (pFqpP)

134 i don't know if she realizes how her implication looks to independents. it looks _ugly_. i'm all through worrying what ann thinks if she's undecided but still as accusative and hypersensitive as she has been.

Posted by: Morgan at October 29, 2012 01:15 PM (L1pDQ)

135 It was Obama's time of the month, to be fair.

Posted by: Beagle at October 29, 2012 01:16 PM (sOtz/)

136 I must admit, to my shame, that my intrinsic coolness overcame me at that altitude, standing there exchanging words with a lesser being.

Posted by: #OccupyResoluteDesk at October 29, 2012 01:20 PM (7QU6R)

137

As I recall from my USAF navigator training, aircraft cabins are pressurized to about 8000 feet. One reason is that above ten thousand feet, you'll become disoriented from lack of oxygen, ie hypoxia. You may fall asleep eventually. The higher you go, the faster you fall asleep, maybe forever. At 30,000 feet, where the airliners fly, you have a Time of Useful Consciousness of about two minutes. Before you pass out, you will be disabled as if you are drunk.

They do not pressurize the cabin to sea level because that would create too much stress on the cabin, like blowing a balloon up too far.

The effect of flying is like being hoisted up to the top of a mountain a mile and a half high. The air is thin up there, so you can not physically fill your lungs with as much oxygen as you can at seal level, where the air is thicker. Consequently, your body labors a bit more because it is slightly starved of oxygen. That's why many people feel a bit blue after a long flight, even though they sat through the whole thing. You may have been sitting, but all your organs down to every one of your cells has been working overtime with an oxygen deficit.

This affects people in poor physical condition more than the fit. Obama is a fit man for his age, a golfer and basketball player, so the altitude will not affect him as much

Posted by: Tantor at October 29, 2012 01:22 PM (hNC60)

138 He may have been a mile high but not from altitude.

Posted by: harleycowboy at October 29, 2012 01:33 PM (wSTfB)

139 Could it be that Obama was shell-shocked from all of the popping goin' on in his ears? Them's some big ears!

Posted by: Fritz at October 29, 2012 01:33 PM (vm7ot)

140 Pound for pound, I'd think Robert Reich would be the most annoying man alive.

Posted by: Andrew S. at October 29, 2012 01:46 PM (9L8gm)

141 Plus, the pressure on planes is even lower when you open the windows.

Posted by: Mitt Romney at October 29, 2012 01:57 PM (2jQGY)

142

41
All those pictures all the conservative blogs keep posting of the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier are NOT from hurricane Sandy. They are OOLLLDDDD.

You can clearly see the bayonets in both pictures.

Posted by: levi

Also they are the regular sized bayons, not the miniature bayons or 'bayonets' they had in the olden times. Fun fact.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn at October 29, 2012 02:05 PM (Rrc6j)

143

I would be surprised if Air Force One wasn't pressurized more than regualr planes. That thing is designed to be a command center for f-ing nuclear war, for cryin' out loud.

But yeah, that excuse is crap.

In debate one, Obama literally went crying to the moderator for help.

In debate two, big sister (and I do mean BIG) jumped in to help him out, when the going got tough.

In debate three, he whined like a little girl. YOU LIE, Mitt Romney!! NO FAIR!!!! I'm telling my MFM on you!!!

Posted by: Optimizer at October 29, 2012 02:14 PM (4bPbZ)

144 The easiest way to combat this altitude nonsense is to point out where Obama made his acceptance speech in 2008.

Posted by: Bea Arthur's Dick at October 29, 2012 02:23 PM (dM1NM)

145 I must say that Ann can be pretty annoying herself at times.

Posted by: Esau's Message at October 29, 2012 04:16 PM (6c62F)

146 Soooo, you want a guy super-sensitive to any altitude above sea-level in command of the biggest, most powerful country in the world?
AND, you want to put him on a plane, pressurized to higher than Denver's altitude, on a regular basis where he may...will have to make important decisions?

What kind of bad-inner-ear pussy did you Yanks vote in?

Phuk!

een

Posted by: een at October 29, 2012 04:19 PM (gm7DU)

147 Whatever happened to Michael Jackson's hyperbaric oxygen sleep chamber? Who knows, maybe you could put TFG in there, and he'd come to his senses. All he needed was more air! Who knew?

Posted by: comatus at October 29, 2012 04:35 PM (qaVK+)

148 Perhaps this explains why ALL his decisions are bad...

:wq!

Posted by: InsertCleverNameHere at October 29, 2012 05:23 PM (SS8WM)

149 Robert Wright, FYI, was the asshole who wrote the article for the NYT called "The First Tea Party Terrorist" after that kook flew his little airplane into the IRS building in Texas back in 2010.

Posted by: FloridaRepublican at October 29, 2012 06:24 PM (QTVh2)

150 To be fair, I live in Florida (which is about seven feet above sea level), and the first time I went to Denver, I was sort of out of it for about a day because of the altitude. But that excuse doesn't really work for Obama, as this post explains. I really think his poor performance in the first debate was due to his lack of preparation. He simply didn't take debate prep seriously because he thought he had the election in the bag. That's my theory.

Posted by: FloridaRepublican at October 29, 2012 06:27 PM (QTVh2)

151 Totally [heart] Althouse. And to think, she married *another* commenter (not me). Sigh.

Posted by: Samwise Gamgee The Third at October 29, 2012 06:56 PM (SKX2R)

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