Thread: Barack and his Wife

It's really a shame about the tone of much of what is being "discussed" in terms of the religiosity, or lack thereof, on behalf of the presidential candidates. The fact many folks continue to ponder the question of whether Barack Obama is a Muslim, and the willingness of those on the right to perpetuate this thoroughly debunked myth, is a sad commentary on the state of politics in this country. Just like when it was found that a sizable minority in this country still clings to the dis-proven idea that Iraq was behind the 9-11 attacks (which Pres. Bush ultimately admitted was not true) so we have today a sizable minority who still believe Obama is a Muslim who, if elected, will be the so-called Manchurian candidate. Rather than debating the merits of his political ideas vis-a-vis John McCain's, we end up spending time and energy arguing about rubbish. But of course this comports with the agenda of those who believe fear-mongering is their ultimate ally, and who are all too happy to have the uninformed and the downright ignorant continue to believe the lies. In truth, those who engage in this type of innuendo are afraid to engage in substantive discussion of the issues. They'd rather wallow in the muck of rumor and falsehood than hold intelligent discourse. Consequently, we will continue to see posts about the Rev. Wright, while the "blame America for the 9-11 attack" mainstream preachers like Robertson, Falwell, Parsley, and Hagee get a pass, even as they were embraced by the conservative right candidates.
Oh, the hypocrisy!

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

It's satirizing the rather hysterical belief on the part of some people that Obama is a Muslim, that he and his wife are unpatriotic, and that they support terrorists. The concern is that some people will believe that the picture is an accurate rendition.

Do you think anyone will believe that? As hard as it is to believe, I think some people will.

j

Gosh! and I thought it was a photograph

Originally Posted by ScottS

I've never been a religious man, but I've been thanking God every day that McCain has been almost 100 electoral votes down in state-by-state polling for a solid month!

lol

Originally Posted by Bruno

Maybe a strange question, but why would a president have to be a religious (christian) person?
And why does he need the happy traditional family?

Does a divorce or different religion (or lack thereof) make you unfit for leading the country?

A president doesn't have to be a religious (Christian) person, but a presidential candidate does. Candidates have to be all things to all voters. And the happy traditional family would be a bonus. I prefer a God-fearing faimly-centered leader but that's because I believe in God and most other US voters claim to believe in God as well. What a person believes about God and family has direct influence on issues for lots of voters for example abortion, death penalty, marriage, etc. A lot of people (at least in Oklahoma) who live their religious beliefs find it harder to separate religion from politics than people who don't

There have been several U.S. Presidents who had been divorced, so that's not new to us.

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

Rather than debating the merits of his political ideas vis-a-vis John McCain's, we end up spending time and energy arguing about rubbish. But of course this comports with the agenda of those who believe fear-mongering is their ultimate ally, and who are all too happy to have the uninformed and the downright ignorant continue to believe the lies. In truth, those who engage in this type of innuendo are afraid to engage in substantive discussion of the issues. They'd rather wallow in the muck of rumor and falsehood than hold intelligent discourse. Consequently, we will continue to see posts about the Rev. Wright, while the "blame America for the 9-11 attack" mainstream preachers like Robertson, Falwell, Parsley, and Hagee get a pass, even as they were embraced by the conservative right candidates.
Oh, the hypocrisy!

I don't buy any of that. the only people I know who are ignorant of Obama's policies happen to be Obama supporters. "He'll unite us" is all I hear from them about him. I asked one "I thought you were completely against universal healthcare, don't you know that's what Obama wants to put in place? Don't you know he wants to expand government financial benefits without a clear plan to finance them?" They reply, "why don't you like Obama?" And then they start saying the things you just did, asking me what's so great about McCain, etc. Which conservative right candidate hired a God-Damn-America spiritual mentor to guide them toward their Presidency? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to add to the rubbish heap instead of debating the merits of political ideas.

But I do know better. I'm sure you're well-informed and that you know based on the issues who you prefer to lead the US

I don't think that there's a spit's worth of difference between the two as far as what they will do FOR us and TO us.

I just wish that the American public would spend as much time and energy deciding on the real power in this country, the congress and senate, as they do on the figurehead for our government.

Originally Posted by kelbro

I don't think that there's a spit's worth of difference between the two as far as what they will do FOR us and TO us.

I just wish that the American public would spend as much time and energy deciding on the real power in this country, the congress and senate, as they do on the figurehead for our government.

The whole reason why our government works at all is because wholesale change is SUPPOSED to be difficult. If you look at it like a control system, we have a big damping factor. The problems really start happening when shenanigans start coming into play to circumvent oversight, and things can change quickly and dramatically.

What I would be most interested in hearing from the candidates what their opinions are on the "unitary executive" crap, and whether they would feel compelled to rein it in.

"the only people I know who are ignorant of Obama's policies happen to be Obama supporters."

That may be a function of your circle of acquaintances. Try getting out a bit more.
Also, that canard is typical rhetoric of the conservative Right--to denigrate Obama's supporters by claiming they are essentially ignorant. Fortunately, that bird won't fly in this year's election which has featured a real shift in attitudes and level of discourse. For example, just today while speaking to the NAACP John McCain actually offered a compliment to Mr. Obama. For his part, Mr. Obama has refrained from engaging in the politics of personal destruction as well. Of course, the fact the candidates themselves are seemingly making an effort to keep the discourse out of the gutter won't stop those who think it's fair game to suggest that Obama is a Muslim-in-disguise; or who infer that McCain had an inappropriate affair with a woman not-his-wife; or those who accuse one candidate of flip-flopping while turning a blind eye towards the flip-flopping of their candidate.

What we are seeing in essence is a sea-change in terms of public attitude about the type of swift-boating tactics that marred the last general election. The majority on both sides are tired of this this type of electioneering, and both candidates have recognized this change and have responded accordingly. Unfortunately, there are still those who are all too happy to stoop to the kind of innuendo and mud-slinging that degrades the entire process. Witness the number of posts on this site that feature exactly this type of slash and burn mindset, and primarily on the conservative side. Maybe there's some sort of metaphysical relationship between straight razor shaving and conservative politics, but if you peruse the posts on this site in terms of their political affiliations, there are far, far more right-leaning opinions than there are left. Both sides can be guilty of scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the type of political slug fest that a presidential election tends to engender, there just happens to be more of it on this site from the right.

That being said, I love all you guys (and gals) on this board...

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

"the only people I know who are ignorant of Obama's policies happen to be Obama supporters."

That may be a function of your circle of acquaintances. Try getting out a bit more.
Also, that canard is typical rhetoric of the conservative Right--to denigrate Obama's supporters by claiming they are essentially ignorant.

Not at all. Nobody around me who knows much about Obama's policies support him. But this is Oklahoma after all I don't get out much. I post on SRP and I work and spend time with my family and friends. That about sums up my social life. The jab at the policy-ignorant is an observation of mine and I wonder if anyone else shares it. You pointed out that many voters ignore policy debate, and I'm pointing out that some Obama supporters I know ignore policy completely. I'm basically agreeing with what you said so if that's the canard you're talking about then I guess we're in it together

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

What we are seeing in essence is a sea-change in terms of public attitude about the type of swift-boating tactics that marred the last general election. The majority on both sides are tired of this this type of electioneering, and both candidates have recognized this change and have responded accordingly.

Yet unfortunately, Obama was unable to keep his word about how he is going to raise money for his campaign for fear of Republican swift-boat groups sabotaging him. So some electioneering is ok. If this thread was about McCain, I guess I'd list some of his recent failings as well

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

If this thread was about McCain, I guess I'd list some of his recent failings as well

Oh, Lee, don't make me resurrect the "McCain scares me" thread...

Pleeeeease! Not that....not that....noooooooooooooo!

Originally Posted by Nord Jim

It's satirizing the rather hysterical belief on the part of some people that Obama is a Muslim, that he and his wife are unpatriotic, and that they support terrorists. The concern is that some people will believe that the picture is an accurate rendition.

Do you think anyone will believe that? As hard as it is to believe, I think some people will.

j

Gosh! And I thought it was a photograph