The Political Carnival: McCain Won't Condemn Comparison Between Obama and Bin Laden

Monday, October 13, 2008

Context, huh?

Via Jed.

11 comments:

Sean said...: It is definately getting nasty here in Virginia, especially in Southern Virginia. The problem; they really believe he is a Muslim and their churches are pushing it through congregational chatter, not a sermon. My wife and I are in, or were in, daily battles with some of them (specifically her Southern Baptist relatives) via emails that they forward blindly. I dont think we'll be invited to Xmas dinner.; October 13, 2008 7:54 AM
Clancy said...: Sean, do your in-laws believe that he's a practicing Muslim, or do they seem to be that group of people that somehow think that "he says he's a Christian," and "might be," but "the Muslim" is "in his blood"? When I hear people bring up the charge that Obama is a Muslim, I generally ignore them, but when I do engage and argue that he's Christian, reminding them of his "crazy pastor," about 4 out of 5 times, their reply seems to indicate that they see Islam as some sort of ethnic group.

This might explain why the older woman at McCain's rally on Friday thought Obama was "an Arab." I think more than anything, this says a lot about our education system more than anything else. I'm a little more patient with the ignorance coming from an older person (hell, I'm usually just glad they're not referring to Obama as "colored"), but when someone under 40 says it, I just have to engage them.; October 13, 2008 8:04 AM
Clancy said...: BTW, I'm up here in Maryland, actually inside the beltway, but have frequent contact with people on the eastern shore, which is not too dissimilar from southern VA.; October 13, 2008 8:06 AM
Sean said...: Clancy, funny thing, I have been trying to engage with them a similar conversation. The problem, they do not respond with their own thoughts, just another "FW" email they have recvd. My only defense for deaf ears (or eyes)is to "Reply to all", since its a list of like 50 people, with Wikipedia or Snopes or anything similar disputing and proving that particular email as incorrect. I think there is a campaign informing them to do this, as it is always the same pattern. They never respond to your debate, just keep sending new ones. I have noticed from several differnt non-related associations I have as well...

To put into context though, these people are Southern Baptist, you know, Disney haters. There is rarely a discussion ever held that they will engage in if their pastor says not to...We really dont visit much, lol.

BTW, I will not relent in this endeavor of at least convincing one of them to see the light.

Eastern Shore is real close to The Hampton Roads are, where they reside.; October 13, 2008 8:28 AM
Clancy said...: Parts of the shore are like an entirely different country. I remember when we first moved to this area from Seattle, the crew that came in to remodel our bathroom was almost entirely from the shore. Two had accents so thick that it was nearly impossible to understand them.

I have yet to receive one of the emails (I think most in the family know our politics pretty well), but like your tactic of replying to all with a link to Snopes. Sometimes, that's enough to get you taken off the mailing list.; October 13, 2008 8:43 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm just a Canadian observer here in PA (married to American who is Democratic), but have always been interested in why it matters if Obama is Christian or Muslim or Buddist or Jewish or Agnostic or Atheist for that matter. Isn't State and Church supposed to be separate???? That alone would turn me off voting Republican. Some are so freaked out about their liberties and freedoms being infringed upon, but don't seem to practice what they preach--(pardon the pun) where religious freedom is concerned! Canadian in PA; October 13, 2008 10:53 AM
alison said...: It shouldn't matter, but the people who feel it does also think that Muslims all hate us and that they are all terrorists. No amount of explaining the basic peacefulness of most Muslims gets through to them. In their minds, Obama=Muslim=Terrorist. Sad, but true.; October 13, 2008 11:49 AM
Sean said...: Canadian in Pa, You are correct, absolutely, it should not. Even more Ironic, most of the Repub base now is the same Evangelical mostly poor who benefit from our social programs whom the Republican abhored in the 80's! F-d up!
And yes, all my Canadian Reletives are asking when we are moving back, I hope we dont have to , but if McCrap wins, BC is looking Great!; October 13, 2008 11:51 AM
SharonAustinTX said...: Sorry, I can't recall source, but read yesterday the McCain strategy is to paint Obama + Osama Bin Laden at the local level. Virginia is the first to get press.

Makes sense -- McCain doesn't have to take blame.; October 13, 2008 12:21 PM
legal alien said...: Then with all that sort of doodah flying around, North Dakota seems to have quietly crept up one everyone's blind-side and turned blue. I never thought that ND would have been a naturally enlightened state, so all I can think is that some courageous almost to the point of stupidity Obam campaigners have got out there, got to the congregations, the work-places, the banana cream pie restaurants and worked and worked and worked until enough of the truth became clear enough to enough of the people to get through and get a result.

No Obama campaign worker should be concerned that a task might be too tough. There is so much evidence to put forward. You've got truth on your side, don't be despondent, just go and do it.

We'll win the next war, boys,
With truth on our side!

And I'm starting to wish I could be out there with you.; October 13, 2008 3:12 PM
pgocosmic said...: Show them this video. The Israelis trust Barack.
http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?swf=http%3A//s.ytimg.com/yt/swf/cps-vfl58601.swf&video_id=K2VFRt5W4FM&rel=1&hqt=1&eurl=http%3A//my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/pgoCapeCod&iurl=http%3A//i4.ytimg.com/vi/K2VFRt5W4FM/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKUQb9utgSaP_mg1TCPJe1Y&use_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1%3E&hl=en; October 13, 2008 10:30 PM