Obama said what?

Cassidys Mom

 

If everyone who insisted on referring to Obama as B. Hussein Obama, always called McCain J. Sidney McCain I wouldn't have a problem with it. But nobody ever does, do they? All the playing on Obama's name is just a rather desperate cheap shot.
 

My thoughts exactly.  It's right up there with the comparing Obama with the likes of Britney Spears. If the GOP can't come up with something better than that, they ought to consider throwing in the towel now and saving us all a lot of trouble.

Joyce

dgriego

Liesje

To me those types of comments are racist, no matter who says them and at which candidate they are directed. 

 sorry but this is another one that gets under my skin. If you disagree with Obama you are a racist, if you question his associations with certain people you are a racist, if you question comments made by his wife on the campaign trail you are a racist, if you make any reference to his legal middle name you are a racist.

 So I guess if questioning him, or refering to his actual legal name or better still not voting for him, makes one a racist then I guess I will have to stand up with pride and declare myself a racist under this new definition of racism.

If race is NOT the issue at all, why is he referred to by his middle name?  Why did previous posters openly admit they would not vote for him because some of his family are Muslim?  Why would ANYONE even bring that kind of attention to themselves (referring to him by his middle name) if it has nothing to do with race?  Is it some secret code, calling people by their middle names? 

I question him as much as anyone else does. 

I think you know exactly what I mean....
 

If anyone is interested in the actual facts about whether or not Obama snubbed wounded soldiers, it's on factcheck.org. Actual non-partisan facts, not a blog or opinion piece. I know not everyone wants facts, especially when they disagree with their already preconceived notions, but for those who do: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/snubbing_wounded_troops.html

How many people know that Obama was a college professor teaching Constitutional Law early in his career? I'm guessing he knows a thing or two more about the Constitution than J. Sidney McCain does.
 

Cassidys Mom

IrishSetterGrl

*sigh* IMO everyone who loves Obama does so because he's got this celebrity status...he's being treated like the freaking second coming of the Messiah. It's kind of a cult-like thing, the following he has now. CREEPY. And he would definitely NOT be in the position he is now if he weren't black.

 

That's just a right wing fabrication.
 

Or, it might just be her opinion.  Not everything anti-Obama is part of the vast right wing conspiracy....... 

 

If race is NOT the issue at all, why is he referred to by his middle name?  Why did previous posters openly admit they would not vote for him because some of his family are Muslim?  Why would ANYONE even bring that kind of attention to themselves (referring to him by his middle name) if it has nothing to do with race? 
 

Personally, I don't see how using his middle name has anything to do with race.  Obama has designated himself as black, and I don't see how the name has anything to do with him being black.  It may be a way to associate him with Islam, but Muslims are not a race anymore than Christians are a race.

I still do not agree with it, but I thought I'd throw that out there.  It's more of a religious/cultural thing than a racial thing, and there is a difference.

sillysally

It's more of a religious/cultural thing than a racial thing, and there is a difference.

 

I still don't get it.  I don't know much about Islam...so are you saying it's a common thing for them to refer to each other by their middle name?  Which again wouldn't be entirely relevant since Obama is a Christian and no Christians I know refer to others by their middle names.

Liesje

sillysally

It's more of a religious/cultural thing than a racial thing, and there is a difference.

 

 

I still don't get it.  I don't know much about Islam...so are you saying it's a common thing for them to refer to each other by their middle name?  Which again wouldn't be entirely relevant since Obama is a Christian and no Christians I know refer to others by their middle names.

No, I'm saying that when people mention his middle name it is an attempt (IMHO) to associate him with Muslims, not a racial thing.  Personally, I agree with you that it is irrelevant, and cringe when I hear it mentioned because I think the reasons for mentioning it are a little below the belt.  It think it's meant more as a dig at a possible Muslim connection than a dig at his race.

Just so I'm not misunderstood though, I do not agree with the practice.  I believe that this sort of thing distracts from the actual issues, and is unfair.  I think there are much more important issues to be hashed out in this election that are just detracted from every time the middle name thing is mentioned. 

sillysally

No, I'm saying that when people mention his middle name it is an attempt (IMHO) to associate him with Muslims, not a racial thing.  Personally, I agree with you that it is irrelevant, and cringe when I hear it mentioned because I think the reasons for mentioning it are a little below the belt.  It think it's meant more as a dig at a possible Muslim connection than a dig at his race.

Just so I'm not misunderstood though, I do not agree with the practice.  I believe that this sort of thing distracts from the actual issues, and is unfair.  I think there are much more important issues to be hashed out in this election that are just detracted from every time the middle name thing is mentioned. 

I guess I am not thinking of "race" strictly in terms of black or white.  To me, thinly veiled insults based on someone's name are just as bad as insults based on color, both things a person has no control over.  Racist and bigoted every time.  I don't think religion or culture even factors in here, since Obama is not a Muslim or part of that culture.  If people take issue with the religion Islam and their culture, fine, but that doesn't apply here.

ron2

The muslim name has been bothering me only a little bit but that's my own problem, not likely to go away. I knew someone who was at the WTC on 9-11-01. Actually, in a smaller building next to Tower I. I see that event partly through his eyes. How many muslims follow the Koran? "All those not of the nation of Islam are infidels. All infidels must die." That's in the Koran.

But Obama isn't Muslim.

I guess I just really don't get it. My sister's husband's father is from Egypt. This means my sister and nephew have a VERY middle-eastern last name. Part of it is actually "allah". Does this make them Muslim? Nope. Does is make them terrorists? Well, the airports act like it does...but ya know what? Nope, it really doesn't. But apparently it means my nephew couldn't be president one day? Because his grandfather is from the middle-east? Because his great-grandparents were Muslim? Because the country is full of bigots? That's incredibly nauseating.

I haven't read all six pages of this thread, and likely won't.. I apologize for being off-topic.. I just can't believe people can be judged fit or unfit to be president based on their name.

snownose

Michigan is a democratic state, has been for a long time and take a good look at how they have run it into the ground.

This statement made me think about a similar one directed in answer to my question of locals (Arizona locals) about how they feel about McCain.  There honestly is hardly a stitch of campaign material for McCain as I drive around this major city.  So, I asked some locals what they thought about him - how has he represented them and their state of Arizona, etc.  The answer was "What has he done for Arizona?  Is Arizona that great? Is it any better than when he came into office?"  Made me wonder.

For a long time I have respected McCain and have not yet made up my mind on presidential candidates.  But my decision sure won't hinge on someone's middle name.  I also find it repulsive that someone would pull that out to degrade a candidate.  If his name was D*ck Bush, then, ok, I'd think that was funny.  But I wouldn't be calling it out as a serious reason to doubt someone's credibility or aptitude to execute the position being discussed.

sillysally

Cassidys Mom

IrishSetterGrl

*sigh* IMO everyone who loves Obama does so because he's got this celebrity status...he's being treated like the freaking second coming of the Messiah. It's kind of a cult-like thing, the following he has now. CREEPY. And he would definitely NOT be in the position he is now if he weren't black.

 

That's just a right wing fabrication.
 

 

Or, it might just be her opinion.  Not everything anti-Obama is part of the vast right wing conspiracy....... 

I never said it was a conspiracy. But she said everyone. Does she know everyone? Does anyone know everyone? So she got the idea from somewhere, opinions come from somewhere, yes? Referring to his supporters as cult-like, that they think he's a messiah, and that their enthusiasm is creepy, is just a way for his detractors to dismiss his obvious popularity as something negative. Eh, I think they're just jealous that Democrats have someone to vote FOR in this election instead of just against. Many Republicans are less than enthused about their candidate.

BTW, the part about how Obama wouldn't be where he is if he weren't black - that's straight from the lips of Rush Limbaugh. I'm sure he's not the only one saying it though.

Liesje

Which again wouldn't be entirely relevant since Obama is a Christian and no Christians I know refer to others by their middle names.

I know some. From high school to this day, which is about as long as some here have been alive. Both friends have the same first name, John. Both of them prefer to be called by their middle name. So, David lives about 15 miles northeast of me and Steve lives in Dallas. Both were baptisted at one point, which made them christian, at least for a while. Though Steve has a better knowledge of the Koran than I do.

And you missed my point, yet again. Obama's blunder is the inaccurate statement he made about tire inflation. I already explained that but your invested emotion in Obama won't let you see that he can make mistakes, too. Which was my point, that he can make mistakes, no worse or better than others.

 And now, because I admit that his name caused me concern and I gave the emotional reasons for that, I am called a racist. And I am accused of ripping open old wounds and dragging 9-11 out every time Obama's name is discussed. Do you see how the rhetoric gets out of control? Do you see the emotion you have vested in this candidate?

Now, take that emotion and vest in some military veterans who have given blood, sweat, and tears so that we could have the freedom to make misjudgements and enjoy the political process we do have. Once you can admire a vet for the freedom he gives you, then imagine a person who will not honor or pay respect by way of symbol that which he fought for.

And it is a generational thing. When I was a kid, you will stand at the Pledge of Allegiance and you will face the Flag. If you are in service or a veteran, you will salute. If you are civilian, you will place your right hand over your heart. If not, you will get a butt-whippin so bad that you won't be able to sit down for a while. You will do this even when you are tired and sick, even if you don't like the president, even if you don't like politics or policies. You will do so out of respect for the sacrifice of others for the great ideals of this country. That all men are created equal, regardless of skin color or name or religious background. That each man (and woman) has a voice and a chance to be heard. That we can say what we want to say, whether others agree with it or not. And that these truths are self-evident.

And all those things can be symbolized, for shortness and brevity, by the Flag.

And I fully expect my words to be misunderstood and taken out of context, as is the right of those in this free country. Rights paid for in blood, sweat, and tears. Is this a great country, or what?

ron2

 And now, because I admit that his name caused me concern and I gave the emotional reasons for that, I am called a racist. And I am accused of ripping open old wounds and dragging 9-11 out every time Obama's name is discussed. Do you see how the rhetoric gets out of control? Do you see the emotion you have vested in this candidate?

Ron, Obama is not my candidate, I have said that in this thread and many others.  Yes, I think making judgments about someone based on their NAME is prejudicial, bigoted, discriminatory, and racist.  I know someone named Ron that's a total @$$hole, but I don't concern myself assuming YOU are an @$$ too because that guy is.  I don't assume that you endanger the lives of others driving drunk because HE does and his name is Ron.  Make sense?  It has NOTHING to do with platform, fuel, vets, 9-11, Muslims, whatever.  We can all think what we want about that and it doesn't make any difference to me but when people judge others based on something as arbitrary and out of their control as their middle name, I think it's pretty damn low.

ron2

Both friends have the same first name, John. Both of them prefer to be called by their middle name

Prefer being the key word.  They have the right to choose - as you say, a right paid for in blood, sweat and tears.  Obama exerting that right to choose what he is called is really very American.

snownose

Ok, the senate will be in hiatus without an energy bill and B.Hussein Obama suggests the following....."Keep your tires inflated and get regular tune-ups, that will the same as drilling and adding new oil sources?.......HAHAHAHAHA......omg....

Without a teleprompter he dies very fast.........lol

Without a teleprompter, George Bush dies faster, and in eight years, he has never learned to say n-u-c-l-e-a-r correctly!!!  Apparently, that didn't get in the way of you supporting him, since it's readily apparent that you have a lot of disdain for the democrat whose name you seem to have forgotten.   Your point about the man's comment would have been far more salient had you avoided falling in to the trap of couching it in racism, which is what the "B. Hussein Obama" designation suggests.  I doubt if the man has been called by his middle name all his life any more than you have. But, don't worry, McCain and his cronies will save us with the coal being strip mined at Black Mesa... and thus, the arguments continue ad infinitum.

I think that it's important to realize that all politicians do the same things, and they are all, to some extent, dependent upon the larger context in which they live, just like the rest of us.  How many of you would REALLY stand up to the status quo at your own jobs if it meant that you would be terminated, and your family left without resources?.  How many of you would be so honest during your own job interview about the company you just left, that you knew you could never be hired by the new one?   Gimme a break.  This is all just politics, and believe me, neither of these guys can change much without a whole lot of help from the apathetic public who generally do nothing unless it affect their own pocketbooks.  The term "statesman" is too infrequently applicable to any of them, along with "patriot", or even "citizen".  I think it was Pogo who said, "We have met the enemy and he is us."