AP: Obama "scoffs at suggestions of Muslim leanings because he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia"
In a July 30 Associated Press article on the religious backgrounds of the 2008 presidential candidates, reporter Tom Raum wrote that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), "whose middle name is 'Hussein' -- scoffs at suggestions of Muslim leanings because he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia. He is a member of the United Church of Christ." Raum gave no indication as to what "suggestions of Muslim leanings" encompass, but previous allegations that Obama was a practicing Muslim as a child in Indonesia and attended a "madrassa" have been refuted, respectively, by the Chicago Tribune and the Associated Press itself.
As Media Matters for America has documented, a January 17 InsightMag.com article claimed that "researchers connected to" Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) disclosed that Obama "spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary, in Indonesia." But the AP reported on January 24 that "[i]nterviews by The Associated Press at the elementary school in Jakarta found that it's a public and secular institution that has been open to students of all faiths since before the White House hopeful attended in the late 1960s."
As Media Matters also noted, a February 11 AP article asserted that Obama spent "his childhood years in the Muslim faith" and that "Obama's religious background has come under scrutiny because he attended a Muslim school in Indonesia from age 6 to 10." That contradicted its earlier reporting, in the January 24 article, that Obama's school was "public and secular" and "open to students of all faiths." A separate version of the AP's February 11 article, which appeared later that day, featured a different lead paragraph, reporting that Obama spent "his childhood years in a largely Muslim country."
In claiming that Obama has "faced suggestions of Muslim leanings because he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia," Raum might have been referring to a March 15 Los Angeles Times article asserting that "[a]s a boy in Indonesia, Barack Obama crisscrossed the religious divide. At the local primary school, he prayed in thanks to a Catholic saint. In the neighborhood mosque, he bowed to Allah." The Times claimed to have "interviewed people who grew up with Obama," and quoted "one of them," Zulfan Adi, as saying, "We prayed in the mosque ... but not seriously." However, as Media Matters noted, a March 25 Chicago Tribune article challenged many of the Times' claims. The Tribune noted that Adi -- whom the Times claimed "describe[d] himself as among Obama's closest childhood friends" -- said "he was not certain" about his claim that Obama "regularly attended Friday prayers" at the mosque with his stepfather and that he "only knew Obama for a few months, during 1970, when his family moved to the neighborhood." The Tribune further reported: "Interviews with dozens of former classmates, teachers, neighbors and friends show that Obama was not a regular practicing Muslim when he was in Indonesia."
Moreover, in noting that Obama's middle name is "Hussein," Raum suggested it fueled "suggestions of Muslim leanings," but did not note that Obama was named after his father, whom Obama described as a "confirmed atheist." Obama wrote in Time.com that "although my father had been raised a Muslim, by the time he met my mother he was a confirmed atheist, thinking religion to be so much superstition."
From Raum's July 30 AP article:
Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton emphasizes her Methodist upbringing and says her faith helped her repair her marriage.
Chief rival Sen. Barack Obama frequently uses the language of religion and proclaims a "personal relationship" with Jesus Christ. The Illinois Democrat -- whose middle name is "Hussein" -- scoffs at suggestions of Muslim leanings because he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia. He is a member of the United Church of Christ.
I imagine the writer said "scoff" as to mean that Obama is not sympathetic to the radical elements of Islam. And that is misinformation, how?
I think it is misinformation because anytime you dare to question a Democratic Candidate , we need to call Houston, because we have a problem.
Tommy & SueEld,
I'm gonna guess that the charge here would be that by Raum even including "scoffs at suggestions of Muslim leanings because he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia." & reminding everyone that Obama's middle name is Hussein, he is guilty of keeping this allegation alive.
This is me thinking like a Democrat/Liberal would...
You may be right, no, you probably are right.
But considering there is nothing factually inaccurate in what is being said here about Obama - then it goes to the possibility somewhere in the stratosphere of some deep seeded perception, not misinformation.
Tommy,
Yeah I believe perception is a better definition than MIS-information.
Oh, so even the slightest perception or a minute shred of anything negative is pretty much off limits?
It's as though you three didn't even make it through the very first paragraph of the article. MMFA clearly spells out why Raum's passage on Obama is objectionable.
I made it through the whole article: It is about Romney being a Mormon, with short bits about the religions of some of the other presidential candidates. You can easily miss the bit about Obama if you skim it too quickly.
I think the oddest part about the AP article as linked to by MMFA are the two ads for something called "Mormon Underwear". Sometimes these ads rotate, so they may not be there when you click on the article, but they were there around 3 pm CDT 7/30.
I was referring to the first paragraph of MMFA's article, where they explain, "Raum gave no indication as to what "suggestions of Muslim leanings" encompass, but previous allegations that Obama was a practicing Muslim as a child in Indonesia and attended a "madrassa" have been refuted, respectively, by the Chicago Tribune and the Associated Press itself."
AP's article isn't offensive in the slightest bit and I'm afraid MMFA is leading us all on a wild goose chase on this latest bit of "bias." FACT: Barack Hussein Obama was registered in the school records as a Muslim while he was a student in the Basuki School in Indonesia. On the other hand, the FNC/Insight smear that he attended a madrassa are totally unfounded and have been debunked. FACT: For those of us familiar with that part of the world, the school's name (named after a Hindu/Buddhist mythological character) coupled with the inherently secular nature of Indonesia under Suharto (till the mid-80s) are proof enough that he didn't attend a "madrassa."That being said, it is still a fact that BHOre was raised a muslim and the school records indicate as much.
Is this one of your "jokes"?
I imagine he “scoffs” at the idea of “Muslim leanings” because he had no choice in where he lived or what type of school he attended as a child. I imagine he thinks it’s a stupid question cause when did children decide where they live and what school they attend. I imagine he “scoffs” at the stupidity of the MSM to always make reference to his middle name (Hussein) like it’s important. I imagine he “scoffed” at the fact that each time other candidates are questioned there is no note of their middle name. I imagine he "scoffs" that MSM somehow thinks he's stupid and not aware of code words like "Muslim leanings" or "Hussein".
It seems like you may be projecting a little bit.
Pearlene,
I have seen his middle name mentioned countless times and I am not bothered by in the least.
If you say there may be some out there that are, then whether he had that middle name or not, they would find some other reason to dislike Obama, on another irrelevancy.
Why is Obama ashamed of his Middle Name, was William Jefferson Clinton ashamed of his middle name , what about Ronald Wilson Reagan?
Because anyone that dares mentions Obama's middle name is obviously doing it for nefarious reasons
Actually some do...but not all.
But the guy's middle name is Hussein, and it's going to get mentioned from time to time. Folks shouldn't freak out every time it does.
I'm sure that most who mention his middle name do so only to identify him uniquely from the other "Baracks" out there.
So, you'd rather that they do not mention it?
Remember 1988 when Michael Dukakis used to always say J Danforth Quayle? Should that have never been mentioned by Dukakis?
J. Danforth Quayle is the name that Dan Quayle himself used through most of his political life.
To claim that it was his political opponents who used this name for him is misinformation.
"Because anyone that dares mentions Obama's middle name is obviously doing it for nefarious reasons"
I think all people who mention his middle name are doing for nefarious reasons.
I'd say you're paranoid.
Do we get to refer to him as Barack Hussein Obama if he's elected President...you know like John Fitzgerald Kennedy?
Or is that verboten too?
Just be thankful his middle name isn't Osama ;-)
You're being disingenuous here.
Actually I was trying to be funny.
There goes my career as a comedian :-/
Gosh, Suee. I wouldn't have any idea. I mean, "Jefferson" was one of our most respected statesmen, "Wilson" was a faceless benevolent intelligent neighbor on "Home Improvement", and "Hussein" was a bloodthirsty middle east dictator responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Beats me...
Sincerely,
Neon Hitler Desert
Hussein is a respected name in some cultures like Smith, the fact that Osama or the members of Democratic party machine are ashamed of that name speaks heights at the sterotypical racism that surronds them. I have no problem with Hussein as my future Presidents middle name, why should him or others?
Hussein is NOT a respected name in THIS culture, in fact, it carries some pretty bad overtones for some folks. Now if Obama was running for president of Indonesia, he might want it displayed proudly during his campaign. And while you, a straight thinking logical citizen, might not care about it, there are plenty who can point to his middle name as being the sum total of their political knowledge. And yes, some of those people do vote.
Frankly, it's not up to YOU what people base their vote on. If you ask people who vote according to a candidates race "why?", they'll have a reason for you, whether you care about it or not.
Do you believe that anyone that would vote against Obama because of his middle name, would suddenly vote for him if Hussein were not his middle name?
No.
Actually, yes.
My boss is one of them. When she refers to him, she is certain to throw "Hussein" in when she has a chance ("Barack Hussein" or "Hussein Obama") and in private conversation she's scoffed at him running for president, following it up with, "You know he's a Muslim, right?"
She's never had anything - bad or good - to say about him as a leader, as a politician, about his plans, about his education, about his book, about his speeches. To her, it seems the sum total of the man is that he's a muslim and he's named after Iraq's dictator.*
(* BLR realizes that Obama was not named after Saddam Hussein, but remains convinced that this fact escapes a large amount of the American public)
Hussei is also the name of the Prophet's (PBUH) nephew who died in Kerbala while fighting the Sunnis. I don't understand why you consider such a respectful name to be an insult.
Is it your learned opinion, Genghis, that the MSM keeps using Obama's name in reporting - and no other candidate's middle name - because they're trying to instill the public with a sense of honor regarding Obama?
I have read and heard many references to HRC or Hillary Rodham Clinton. Same thing in case of Fred Dalton Thompson. So, I am not 100% about your point about other candidates' middle names "not being mentioned in the media."
Holy cow. That is the first time I have ever heard Thompson's middle name. You guys keep proving the point against yourselves.
Better yet, why is this website and so many posters so concerned about it being repeated, or even mentioned? Facts are always applauded here, aren't they? Or is it just selective facts?
Tommy, I do not have any issue with his middle name being Hussein. I wish he would come out and say "that is the name my parents gave me and I am proud of them and it".
Doris, I agree 100%
Sueeld, that is his heritage, he should embrace it, I agree. It bothers me that he gives the impression he is "ashamed" of his name.
What has he done to give everyone here the impression that he's ashamed of it? I haven't heard him address it.
Doris, I don't know that Obama has ever said he is ashamed of it. But rather many posters here are just apparently uncomfortable with it............??
OK, I'll bite. Which posters here are uncomfortable with it? Specific names please.
I am not uncomfortable with it, its his name and should be reported.
I am uncomfortable with it, reason is that it is meant to equate Obama with Saddam Hussein, it is done in a hateful way.
Then what you're uncomforable with is how journalists and pundits are wielding his name as a weapon to attack him with. Tommy appears to be claiming that there are people here who are simply uncomfortable with the name.
Neondesert appears to be a tad worked up about having it ever mentioned.
So I'd say he/she is uncomfortable.
I have to admit to a little discomfort that people are so thick that they think that the name "Hussein" in contemporary times has no ill-feeling associated with it.
And, I'm a little uncomfortable being called a he-she when I'm not "on stage". But then, you already know that.... ;-)Neondesert,
I had to really squint to read that tiny print...but it was worth it. Funny! Send me tickets-I'd like to catch your act ;-)
Just for future reference--When I'm unsure if a poster is Male or Female, I just use the old standby: he/she ;-)
I don't happen to get the hebbie jeebies when I hear the name Hussein, & if some do, then they are simple-minded & I hope not registered voters.
Tiny print? You wouldn't be using IE, would you? Looks the same as the other on Firefox. Whatever, the font size wasn't intentional, sorry.
Re: small minded voters - I agree. Unfortunately, they do exist, and I can't help but feel that they are the group the "Hussein" middle-namers are targeting.
With elections as close as they have been lately, I would think that a bloc of small minded voters have and will affect the outcome to a disproportionate extent.
There is a lot of bigotry towards Muslims and Arabs in America. And most who are mentioning his middle name are doing it to play on that bigotry.
There is a lot of bigotry towards Muslims and Arabs in America.
Loonz,
There is still bigotry towards African-Americans as well.
So you can say Obama has 2 strikes against him
And
Accept that if a majority of Americans are as narrow-minded as you seem to believe they are, then he has zero chance of winning anyway.
I have more faith that MOST Americans aren't gonna reject Obama because of his race or middle name
J,
The best way for Obama's defenders to diffuse this whole middle name hysterica on their part, is to embrace it, and just say "so what?"
Instead of saying "stop that!", put the onus back on those that use it as some stealth connection and shrug it off as the ridiculous irrelevancy that it is.
"The best way for Obama's defenders to diffuse this whole middle name hysterica on their part, is to embrace it, and just say 'so what?'"
We're calling the media on their B.S. They know he's a Christian and they're still pursuing this Muslim thing. Where the heck is this liberal media conservatives keep on referring to?
The best way for Obama's defenders to diffuse this whole middle name hysterica on their part, is to embrace it, and just say "so what?" Instead of saying "stop that!", put the onus back on those that use it as some stealth connection and shrug it off as the ridiculous irrelevancy that it is. Tommy
You can only “shrug it off” so much and so many times. There comes a time when you get tired of pointing out the obvious, the media makes a point of ALWAYS mentioning Obama's middle name. The best way IMO for people who realize what MSM is doing by placing emphasize on Obama’s middle name is to call then on it. You don’t have to be a “Obama defender” to recognize exactly what MSM is doing by placing emphasize on Obama’s middle name. By the way what is Mitt’s middle name, or McCain’s middle name?
The best way for Obama's defenders to diffuse this whole middle name hysterica on their part, is to embrace it, and just say "so what?" Instead of saying "stop that!", put the onus back on those that use it as some stealth connection and shrug it off as the ridiculous irrelevancy that it is.
You do realize that this hasn't been the only attempt to paint Obama as a "scary Muslim" in the MSM? Repeating his middle name at every opportunity is one part of a larger campaign to scare the American public away from Obama. They've already gone after his schooling, his childhood, the church he attends, and his middle name. I can only imagine whats next on the menu if Obama actually gets the D-nomination. The reason why this should NOT be ignored and is VERY relevant is that it's one part of a larger strategy to attach fear to Obama campaign.
I wonder how many moderate voters that have Republican leanings are thinking about voting against the Republican party because they've had it with all of the incompetence and disregard for our country and our planet's well being? Obama has some interesting ideas and a message of hope. The RNC line-up has more of the same old same old -> Fear, failed trickle down economics, and policies that are designed to divide us.
As the situation stands, the only strategy the Republican party has for taking the White House in 2008 is fear. We've already seen how this plays out in our previous elections, so pardon me if we don't follow your suggestions. Maybe you should spend more time offering out your "sage" advice to the RNC?
"There is still bigotry towards African-Americans as well."
Hatred for Muslims has surpassed hatred for Blacks in America. To get the title of being the most hated group, we (Blacks) would have to do something pretty heinous.
"Accept that if a majority of Americans are as narrow-minded as you seem to believe they are, then he has zero chance of winning anyway."
When people are frightened they do irrational things and that's how we got four more years of Bush.
Obama is gonna have a hard enough time winning a presidential election because he's Black and if the media succeeds in turning him into a Muslim, he's toast.
Loonz - I think you are reacting too much. Barack Hussein Obama was raised a muslim and no amount of spin to going to negate that fact. Even the Chicago Tribune article quoted here (and probably ghostwritten by David Axelrod in Obama's hometown paper) clearly mentions how Obama went with his father to Friday prayers. So, the objections that BHO was "never a muslim" as as disingenuous as the claim that he "attended a madrassa."In any case, his "Christian" spiritual advisor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a rabid racist and a terrorist sympathizer to boot (he praised the 911 attacks). One way or the other, Obama is toast.
The Scribes and Pharisees that condemned Jesus would welcome your membership.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp
http://mediamatters.org/items/200706280002
Mary59,Neither of the links posted by you answer the substance of my posts on this thread.First, I never claimed that BHO was a rabid Wahabbi (in fact, my post on the 1st page of this thread points this out clearly). The Snopes page debunks the Wahabbi charge - one that I never made in the first place. Second, I wrote that Obama went with his father to Friday prayers. The very Chigaco Trib. link in this MMFA article bears this out.So, you haven't posted anything that debunks my assertion that BHO was raised a Muslim and was registered as one in his school records. Those are the facts, regardless of how you try to spin them.
"Jeremiah Wright is a rabid racist and a terrorist sympathizer to boot (he praised the 911 attacks)."--genghiz
Of course, we have seen the charges of racism before and they are all bogus. The "praise[] [of] the 911 attacks" is a new one, though. Can you provide proof of your claim? Please provide a legitimate link to show the quote in question in its original context.
Your wish is my command. I trust you'll find this source to be reliable: [link to mediamatters.org]
Wright has said some objectionable stuff to be sure, but you are mischaracterizing his statements as "praise".
Doris, I don't know that Obama has ever said he is ashamed of it. But rather many posters here are just apparently uncomfortable with it............??Tommy
reporter Tom Raum wrote that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), "whose middle name is 'Hussein' --
Tommy, I have never and will never be ashamed of Obama nor his middle name. If I gave you that impression, it was wrong. Why should his middle name have any importance to any story? Why should he have to come out and say anything to defend his middle name?
What is objectionable to me is the need to always remind us of his middle name in reporting on Obama.
Great points, Sueld. The American public had not yet gotten over their animosity towards hot-tempered ,uppity dry cleaner George Jefferson when Clinton was running for office.Still, he made no effort to distance himself from the name.
And I remeber the medias relentless attacks on Reagan, constantly reminding the public that Dennis the Menace's cranky neighbor was also named Wilson.The Great Communicator never denied his middle name, even playing along by occasionally asking Nancy to bring him his nerve medicine.
Are you trying to be funny, I do not get it?
Time to ratchet down your humor there, Beach.
Such high-brow material is apparently being squandered among the masses.
I think the Caseyspring post was in response to somebody elses comment, not mine.
I thought the same but in rereading the other comments, there isn't much humor at all except for Neon's post. That was damned funny as was yours.
Maybe someone just isn't old enough to remember and appreciate George & Weezie and the Mitchell's (John & Martha) and Wilson's.
Sueeld, where did you see that Obama was ashamed of his middle name?
I do not know that , but I sent him an email to confirm if he is.
"Why is Obama ashamed of his Middle Name[?]"
What's your basis for this?
If you say there may be some out there that are, then whether he had that middle name or not, they would find some other reason to dislike Obama, on another irrelevancy. Tommy
Tommy, my question would be why is his middle name important? Could it be because it's a “Muslim” name? Of course there are many in this country who can’t or won’t separate the fact that we are not fighting “Muslims” were fighting Islamic radicals. You are right, there are many who will dislike Obama period. I find it funny [sarcasm] that they feel the need to constantly remind us that he has a “Muslim” middle name and went to school in Indonesia. By the way what is Rudy’s, John, Mitt or Fred’s middle name? And where did they attend elementary school?
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani
And how often is that mentioned in articles about Rudy? As often as they remind us that he was mayor of New York on 9/11? ....I think NOT.
Pearlene, your BS detector is just fine. We all know why this is done and any parsing from any posters on this board is lame given the history of the corporate media. Lame and dishonest.
Thank you to you both. I can't believe that people are trying to pretend that the media deliberately pointing out that Mr. Obama shares a name with the dictator we just overthrew is only neutral factual reporting.
That is the absolute first time I have ever heard Rudy Julie-Annie's middle names. I notice nobody seems to know the other guys' middle names off the top of their heads. I guess you just proved pearlene's point.
MMFA - please update the article with the link to the LA Times article. I find it interesting that this story has links to articles "debunking" BH Obama's muslim heritage and religion but doesn't link to the LA Times article that quotes childhood friends of Obama's and talk of his going to church and Friday prayers at the mosque. Talk about bias!
MMFA linked to the article in a previous topic, but the link is dead. That likely explains why MMFA didn't try to link to it again. So, how does that foot taste?
I don't see an "MM" next to your handle so you're no MMFA staffer. What proof do you have that the link is dead? Can you please send me a link to that unnamed "previous posting"?
"What proof do you have that the link is dead? Can you please send me a link to that unnamed "previous posting"?"--ghengiz
Here you go:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200704130003
backup link: [link to mediamatters.org]
He scoffs at suggestions of Muslim leanings because he's a Christian. I would imagine most people of a particular faith would be offended if people kept on suggesting or insisting that they belong to another faith.
And why the heck do these people keep on emphasizing his middle name? You can now tell a person's faith by their middle name?
The name Hussein does not mean a non christian.
That's what people who mention his middle name are trying to imply. His signs his name "Barack Obama" so that's they way people should refer to him unless their writing a biography.
The only person that has ever said my full name was my mother. And she only said it when she was angry with me.
Okay Tommy, Suee, Jeter and the rest of the intellectually dishonest crowd, how often does the MSM mention the other candidates middle names?
Just to play Devils Advocate, George Bush not mentioned as George W Bush?
Also I have no issue with the media not reporting his name, but when they do , why is there outrage? It is his name.
They only call him by that name to distinguish him from his father.
Yeah, what does Mitt stand for? Is that a reference to some polygamist somewhere?
This is a good catch by Media Matters. These right-wing journalists want to keep this "name" fiction alive. They figure it will earn the GOP some votes from the dumb-ass voting block.
Wrong!
Check out the whole article. It is a primarily about problems Romney has due to his LDS background, with only passing references to some of the other candidates. It shows no overall anti-progressive bias.
As I mentioned earlier, it also includes ads for "Mormon Underwear". MMFA pounced on the short bit about Obama.
What difference does it make if most of the article is accurate and unbiased?
Does that somehow make up for the unfair highlighting of his middle name or the unfair smear that he scoffs at Muslim leanings?
My last name would lead people to believe I'm Irish Catholic, but I'm not. If someone suggested I was Catholic because of my name, and Catholics were suspect in this culture, I'd scoff at their attempts to link me with a religion I have no ties to.
What difference does it make if most of the article is accurate and unbiased?
Whoa! Who said the rest of the article is accurate or unbiased?
Read the thing! It is about Romney, with only this little bit about Obama.
My take: Debunked never read the article, just the cherrypickings from MMFA, coming up with the erroneous idea that the author is a right wing journalist.
As Rumsfeld stumbled (paraphrased): There are knowns and there are known unknowns, but there are also unknown unknowns...
Typical of many posters around here, Debunked thinks he knows about the AP article from the MMFA excerpt, and makes inaccurate statements due to that.
The kicker: MMFA makes it so easy to access the original article--one click!
What difference does it make if most of the article is accurate and unbiased?
Whoa! Who said the rest of the article is accurate or unbiased?
Your comment? "It shows no overall anti-progressive bias."
That would be you who said that the rest of the article is accurate and unbiased when you said that the rest of the article shows no overall progressive bias, that's who!
Like I said, that fact doesn't change the fact that there was conservative misinformation rightfully mentioned by MMfA.
Skep,
How often does the mainstream media mention Obama's middle name? Outside of the isolated and highlighted instances here, which are pretty rare considering the many times he is mentioned without his middle name being uttered at all.
If many of you are so defensive about it, perhaps you should examine why that is before your baseless charges of crying "foul".
As usual for you, it's the people who recognize the way Obama's middle name is being used as a weapon who need to "examine themselves," and the ones who are actually using the name as an epithet aren't at fault. It seems as though all your arguments can be boiled down to this equation. Those who point out whining are whiners, those who point to the frivolity of Hillary cleavage stories are being frivolous, those who point out bigotry are bigots and need to examine why they take offense at bigoted speech...and on and on. Lather, rinse repeat.
The modus operandi of the troll, summed up so very well and quite succinctly.
Bravo, Clams!
Bay Buchanan tried the same argument last night on Hannity and Colmes.
She said that the only reason that they were talking about a particular issue was because those on left brought it up.
<Begin sarcasm> When Rush Limbaugh says something outrageous, if only those on the left wouldn't say anything about it, it wouldn't be an issue. the problem is that we want to talk about it. The problem's not that they participated in an outrageous behavior. <End Sarcasm>
I'm not CONvinced that Tommy, Sue and J2 are CONtrite in the least when they say they CONsider this to be inCONclusive of any CONcentric media attempt at CONcomitant treatment of Obama. It is inCONceivable that they really CONcur that this is just an innocent CONgenial media CONjuring up these inCONgruous facts for the sheer unCONscious effect it will have. You aren't CONning anyone. I CONvict you to a lifetime of CONtempt on this board for your artifical CONstructions.*
*just kidding about that last sentence
Julia,
You must be partaking in adult LIBations or else you just need a little LIBerating?
.......did you spend the afternoon at the LIBrary looking up all those words?
Tommy, I CONstrue your question to be CONtrarian and just a bit CONdescending.
"How often does the mainstream media mention Obama's middle name?"--tommy
Okay then, what is Mitt Romney's middle name? How about Julie-Annie's middle name?
Why is it that the only real middle name we know off the top of our heads is Hussein? Why does it matter at all?
Make sure somebody tells that to Bubba Joe Jim Bob Jr. down there in Bugtussle, Alabama.
i suppose , following this logic, because I grew up in Brazil and have a German name, I have socialistic military rule leanings ? Sorry to disappoint your logic.
Wow. The Muslim religion must be lots more convincing than Christianity. Just being exposed to a little tiny bit of it when you're young means you can never be a RTC.
Atheism is much wimpier. You can't even catch it from your Dad.
Thank you, MMFA, for doing as you state and pointing to the fact that real media reporting does matter.
If you do not understand why constant references to Obama's middle name and his education years as a young child ago in a "school" (or a madrassa in another language) is a bad thing for political discourse, then People Magazine is for you.
It is too bad that there is wasted ink on haircuts, elementary schools, and cats that visit the sick. We also know that what happens in the bedroom is reserved for the Cons attacking the Libs (as if they can do that this year). The current political climate demands that thinking people get their news from places like MMFA and have good discussions about real issues, as well as point out when the traditional media derails the conversation.
No thread that begins with a "why is this here" is worth reading, and seem to be dominated by a few who can rarely add to the real issues. I know it is hard to not respond to such vapid entries.
You nailed it, Scooter.
Don't you often think that the more strident the "why is this here" crowd is, the more that they really think it is an important thing for MMfA to cover? Their need to distract is awfully powerful.
Me thinks they doth protest too much.
It is very telling when mainstream media mentions Obama's middle name so often that you cannot find someone who does not know it.
Tell me, members of the wasteful "this doesn't belong here" crowd, approximately what percentage of people know Bush or Cheney's middle name, vs the percentage that know Obamas? Please tell me how you cannot know the two most hated men in the world's middle name, yet know some young senator's middle name because it scares the bejeebus out of the angry white men.
No fair lookup the names up impeachables' middle names in the all too hilarious Conservapedia.
The problem is not what intelligent people think about his name. The problem is with those who will absolutely not vote for him because of his name, which likely makes him unelectable.
It appears that our country has more than it's fair share of nuckleheads, which is why I think that, unfortunately, he is not electable. There is no way I waste my vote on anyone who is not electable. It's unfortunate but this is the political climate in this country these days. No way I do anything to jeopardize the removal of a Republican from office. If it means I'll have to vote for my second choice, I'll gladly do it.
I know who Obama is, and he is a Christian with the heart of a lion. I don't care what his name is. He is a man who helps his fellow human beings and has and will contunue to do so his whole life. He was born, and named after his family. The fact that this keeps getting thrown into the ring shows that someone is desperately afraid of his popularity and potential. It's a shame that they can't run on who they are. They have to resort to tricks and smoke and mirrors. I for one am not tricked. We've had enough amber alert tricks in this country to last a life time. We are smart enough to know that what someone is named at birth it's only a name. It's what a person does with their life that counts, and Obama has proven he is great man over and over again.