Letters to the Editor
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The Xenophobes: already workin' it
Again, it is certainly splitting hairs, but so is trying to vilify a Presidential candidate by pointing out and endlessly repeating his middle name in order to appeal to the xenophobia and hatred of the ignorant, don't you think?
It's already starting. As context, there seems to be a fair portion of America that would be pressed to find North Dakota on the map, let alone "the Iraqs". Any knowledge of the cultural history of Arabia, Africa and the Moors is straight out. The only thing they know about Algebra is that they didn't like it. Fear of the unknown is a powerful force. On a talk radio station I listen to in "liberal" MA, they are shifting from all Hillary Hatred all the time to disparaging Obama. They are saying since many questioned the loyalty and patriotism of those with the middle name 'Adolf' during WWII, it's ok to question 'Hussein' in 2008. And callers are going for it. No mention of the fact that Hussein is a common name like Smith.
My two cents is that they want to energize the base (who don't like McCain) to come out and vote instead of staying home, and introduce enough doubt into swing voters that they vote their fear of stranger.
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@jamiso and @olesage
Jamiso:
Thank you for your post. Humour is often the best way to point out the absurdity of the way some people think. (Unfortunately, some people may take you seriously!!)
Olesage:
My thoughts exactly.
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"Oh by the way just like the Catholics and Jews, born a Muslim always a Muslim."
No kidding, I always thought I did not believe in god...but it turns out I'm a catholic muslim (I have both in my family)...
Well holy kabab batman...I better get to the mosque before I'm late for mass, this is going to be confusing being an agnostic muslim catholic, but I guess I have no choice.
I'll go grab my friend Muhammed on the way...he keeps telling me he's an atheist, but his name is muhammed..... maybe he does not know that svenson has declared that he is "once a muslim, always a muslim" but I'll go inform him.
Crap! I just remembered that my Grandfather was part jewish...Dag nabit! now I'm a jewish muslim catholic who does not believe in god......I'm going to have to execute myself.
Thanks a lot svenson!
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Cunningham said more than the candidate's name, so why wasn't it reported?
What the media suppressed in reporting the conservative radio host's remarks about "Barack Hussein Obama" was his accusation of a cover-up regarding Obama's long-time ties to Chicago slumlord Tony Rezko. Who cares about the candidate's name when his principle fundraiser over the years is going on trial March 3rd for multiple counts of fraud? Will Pres. "Barack H.Obama" spend Day One in office pardoning Rezko and all the accomplices involved in millions of dollars in kickbacks and extortion? Moreover, an Iraqi businessman has just lent Rezko $3.5 million dollars on the eve of this trial. Is this some kind of payoff to keep his mouth shut, or should we not discuss the matter because it involves a Muslim angle? Muslims and Non-Muslims alike need to stop walking through the looking glass into this Wonderland of the Obama candidacy and start asking hard questions. (For more on this, see the election article I've posted at thecityedition.com, or click on my screen name.)
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What's happening to Salon?
I agree with the first poster. Salon used to be a site with an investigative journalism quality (Walter Reed and Abu Ghraib come to mind). But now, it just seems like it's one big Obama lovefest. It's really turning me off to the site.
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And Juan
Pointing out the roots of one's name is far different than going by a name. Benjamin Franklin did not go by Bin Yamin. His birth certificate did not say Bin Yamin Franklin. You're grasping at straws.
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@Uncle Fester
Amen brother! Uh...well, uncle. By the way, are we related? I'm sure we're both Arabs somewhere along the line, and quite possibly practice Islam in our sleep or something.
You hit it on the head. Fear of the unknown is right up there with fear of falling when it comes to major primal fears. The alpha scum of the earth know this very well and use it to jack the betas. Lord help us!
I'm off to the local Southern Baptist Mosque now for some spiritual direction during this time of migraine-inducing willfull stupidity. Thanks for helping me realize Imam not alone.
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wright5579
INFIDEL !!!! Off with your head!
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Do we really need this at this day and age
I have three semitic names-- being an Arab it happens. Many of my South Asian compatriots likewise usher forth into the world thus regaled. For christ's sake! Are we really that retarded as a nation that Salon has to write a defense for HAVING A NAME? I have about a dozen friends named Hussein. Its one of the most common names in the Arab world.
And even if Obama's name meant KILL WHITEY, what freakin difference would it make!!!!
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what is sad is that this is coming from Salon readers!
the kind of comments you would expect on some right wing fear monger bolg.
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Obama-Schama
Obama is finding out how a lying meme can affect the public perception? Boo-hoo. Ask Hillary Clinton about it.
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Aj Calhoun, I have NEVER used Obama's second name in any of my posts so I don't need absolution
My argument is with the factual error in Juan Cole's article. There are too many "might have"s an hypotheses in this article for it to be taken for anything else but a skit. Before i bother with the dynastic entanglements of the British royal family once again, I'd like to mention that my own Gaelic name and my ancestry have been mocked on this site by Obama supporters who disagreed with my opinions and were using taunts as a way of shutting me up. I was called "Slow Mo" among other names - some quite obscene, from my point of view- and a person's name is of no interest to me because it's beyond an individual's control unless a person wishes to change it by deed poll or other means.
Sylvain, Richard 111 was the last of the Plantaganet kings, killed at Bosworth Field: "Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this son of York.." The Plantagenet line ended in l485, then came the Tudors, the Stuarts (Queen Anne was the last) and the Hanoverians took over. The British royal family (and that's what Juan Cole is writing about) has had its roots in Germany ever since but Princess Diana was definitely English. Mr. Cole doesn't know what he's talking about so maybe it's just wishful thinking.