Obama said what?

aerial1313

I don't remember anyonemaking any negative or prejudicial inferences and judgements about Obama's name on this thread.  They stated his name, and from there folks inferred what they wanted.  No one actually came on here and said, his name is this...that means he's evil!

Well this thread is hardly indicative of what is being printed and spoken in general.  Just because people aren't explicitly stating it in this thread doesn't mean it's not happening.  I've seen it in other threads on this board, other boards, plenty of blogs, heard it in person....

And the only person I've actually heard bring race into the election is Obama himself, soooo....

kpwlee

sillysally

Just throwing that out there-it would be good to remember that religious tolerance works both ways...... 

 

Sorry if implied otherwise.  I was coming from the point of view that is VERY apparent in a thread like this, that if your middle name is Hussein you are not to be trusted and are somehow associated with 9/11.  When people are referring to Barack Obama as B. Hussein they are doing that to focus on the negative association with the name Hussein.  He doesn't refer to himself as such so why would you or anyone else?

There really can't be any question that people from the middle east, muslims in particular are treated in a suspicious manner. I for one see this as sad.  I was out last week with someone who made a huge deal about someone coming to work in their office with the middle eastern garb on, head covered, face all but eyes covered.  They were saying that is wasn't acceptable as it made people uncomfortable.  Pursuing why it was an issue I learned that this person and her spouse and my DH felt that all muslims weren't to be trusted.  So when the media says B.Hussein that is what they are praying upon, what to me is basically a very immature or undeveloped understanding of another religion.

I told my dinner company that I was shocked that their perspective was so skewed and sad that people I respected couldn't see past a costume.  I grew up outside of NYC and have always been exposed to people from around the world many of which wear traditional/religious dress, it just doesn't freak me out or lead me to make assumptions about people.  Hassidic Jews, Amish, Africans, Middle Easterners, Asians, Mennonite, Mormons all have specific dress, big deal. One doesn't bother me more than another.

Although the US is supposedly tolerant and preaches freedom of religion it is/was founded in Christianity - I am not an expert on this just repeated what has been told to me by people who are very well versed in the politics of this country from the beginning to now, and this has historically given all the power to Christians. I believe that every president has been a Christian. 

I currently live in the Bible belt so I do not see Christians treated as 'weirdos', everyone else is though

 

I do agree that it is silly to be mistrustful of an entire culture.

My point was that religious tolerance needs to be extended towards *everyone*, not just certain groups.  For some it seems as though because of the history Christianity has in this country its followers are therefore fair game for any manner of nasty generalization, and that is just as destructive and divisive as intolerance towards Muslims.........  

aerial1313

but would it be considered acceptable to say "Barack Hussein Obama", as opposed to the B. Hussein,

Yes. His name is Barack Hussein Obama. He is not ashamed of that fact. I've never met a supporter of his who had a problem with it. But when people say "B. Hussein", they're just being inflammatory and racist (yep, racist.. I'm standing by that), because unless someone goes by their middle name...there's no other reason to say it like that. I don't hear anyone ever say "J. Sydney McCain" or "G. Walker Bush", I don't get called "C. Alexandra"...but John Sydney McCain? Sure! George Walker Bush? Yeppers.. Chelsea Alexandra? Uh huh.... Barack Hussein Obama? That's his name!

Well, I would never allow someone to call me by my middle name, but that's only because I hate it, lol.  It's an old-lady name and caused me countless hours of teasing in high school because of that darned Goonies movie....

aerial1313

Well, I would never allow someone to call me by my middle name, but that's only because I hate it, lol.  It's an old-lady name and caused me countless hours of teasing in high school because of that darned Goonies movie....

Consider yourself lucky that your name doesn't have any racial or ethnic connotations.  For those that do, people pointing the name out is a lot more than annoying, it's very patronizing, insulting, and hurtful. 

I was just trying to lighten the mood a little....

My first name does bring about connotations of airheaded women, which I actually have experienced prejudice against on the job front, so no one is immune.  I just don't dwell on it and let me become bitter.  I know I'm smart, so if someone has a problem with the name my parents gave me, that's their problem.  I'm sure Obama feels the same way.  He seems to have a pretty high level of confidence.

You know some of you are something else....you defend a guy who threw his grandmother under the bus, the very same woman who was there for him all of his life.....he had no problem calling her a racist........Yikes

Just to let you know, I like to play with names, just llike I call Hillary- Billary.......

(Sitting here with my bible clutched to me and my gun in my hand)-eyeroll

Liesje

aerial1313

Well, I would never allow someone to call me by my middle name, but that's only because I hate it, lol.  It's an old-lady name and caused me countless hours of teasing in high school because of that darned Goonies movie....

 

Consider yourself lucky that your name doesn't have any racial or ethnic connotations.  For those that do, people pointing the name out is a lot more than annoying, it's very patronizing, insulting, and hurtful. 

I think that people make split second assumptions about names all the time.  There was an article I read that said that the first name you give your child can really have an effect on their future professional prospects.  My maiden name looks like it could be an Italian name, but it is actually a Swiss name that is said like an Italian name in its Americanize form.

Honestly, I think people could make any ethnic assumption they wanted about me if they just understood that my name is "Christina"--not "Christine," "Crystal," "Crista," or "Chris."

If I were an Obama supporter I would just be as matter of fact about his name as possible.  He has no reason to be ashamed of his name, and if his supporters took a more casual attitude towards the whole thing, it would take the wind out of the sails of those using it.  JMHO..... 

Liesje

At least you are honest.  But would you call a white German an Aryan Nazi to annoy someone? Or a black person a n*** just to push peoples' buttons?  Or is it just OK when it's Islam/a Muslim name?

 No calling a white German a Aryan Nazi does nothing to annoy liberals, and I have never used the N word for a black person, I grew up in the south in an area known for racism and my father would have washed my mouth with soap if he ever heard the N word used. He ministered to the black community and had many black friends and I was taught to be like him, in the fifth grade I came home after a horrible fight caused because whites were picking on my black friend. I was labeled an N lover for most of my elementary and high school years and I wear the scars of those years proudly. I have stood by several black friends and taken abuse, I have come home with bloody noses and bruises to prove it so I am far from a racist (except under the liberal definition of the word).

 As for Muslims themselves, well I have friends that are Muslim and I do not hate Muslims in general, but I will admit openly that every last Muslim who seeks the destruction of America, and who use terrorism, those who blow up innocents, chop off heads, those who wish they could blow up innocents and chop off heads, those who provide aid and comfort to the ones blowing up innocents and chopping off heads and those who sympathize with the ones blowing up innocents and chopping of heads, well they are the enemy pure and simple and we need to destroy them. Decimate them, and we need to keep doing it for as long as it takes to get rid of them.

 Those I detest. And the sad truth of the matter is they are all Muslims. That does not make me intolerant of other religions (and I tire of liberals acting like it does) it just makes me a patriotic American, one who still remembers 9/11, one who still remembers Nick Berg, and one who still remembers our peace keeping Marines in Lebanon (I could go on and on regarding the atrocities committed by Islam against Americans and other freedom seeking countries) but I will restrain myself.

Watch and remember what was done in the name of Allah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEx2vbCdyKk

And continue to say that Islam is a religion of peace

11552 Deadly Terror Attacks since 9/11, and heaps and heaps of dead. 

snownose

  (Sitting here with my bible clutched to me and my gun in my hand)-eyeroll

Only one gun?  LOL.... 

snownose

Sitting here with my bible clutched to me and my gun in my hand)-eyeroll

 I am also one of those who cling to my religion and my guns. Mind you for me the gun is plural

snownose

just llike I call Hillary- Billary

Another funny one I've heard...The Hildabeast.  I don't use it, but I've heard it and laughed. 

Heard something funny on the Daily Show the other day (hardly a bastion of the right-wing conspiracy with their White House talking points).  A "reporter" was talking about President Obama, and John Stewart said, "Uh, Barack Obama isn't the President," and the reporter said, "He's NOT???"  And here's a little visual presentation straight from Obama himself:

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/obamas_great_seal.html

dgriego

 I am also one of those who cling to my religion and my guns. Mind you for me the gun is plural

Oh, but I only have one gun!  Does that mean I'm not so clinging??? 

aerial1313

dgriego

 I am also one of those who cling to my religion and my guns. Mind you for me the gun is plural

Oh, but I only have one gun!  Does that mean I'm not so clinging??? 

One gun.....not quite clinging enough......

...but I think you can still be bitter......