Smear Tactics

Doug fires his first salvo against Obama.

He quotes this bit from Obama

"The point I was making was not that my grandmother harbors any racial animosity. She doesn't. But she is a typical white person who, uh, if she sees somebody on the street that she doesn't know there's a reaction that's been been bred into our experiences that don't go away and that sometimes come out in the wrong way and that's just the nature of race in our society. We have to break through it."

Obama has clarified what he meant by "typical white person". It's not meant to assert that typical white people are nervous around black people they don't know in public.. but that his grandmother is typical of the people that are nervous around black people they don't know..

Still.. the right wing asserts that what Obama said, and the intent behind it, is not how he honestly believes.

Doug goes on;

In the meantime, Obama is trying to distance himself from Reverend Wright because of his racist remarks about whites, separatist philosophy, and because of Wright's disdain for America.

Apparently Doug didn't listen to Obama's speech. Obama is not trying to "distance himself" as he made quite clear in the speech.

Here's what Obama actually said;

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.

I find it laughable that Doug is claiming to know Obama's motives, and insists they lay in stark contrast to what Obama actually said.

This is because Doug is a propagandist.

Who cares if Obama is black, or if his pastor is a racist. Dr. Jerome Corsi said on my radio show last Wednesday that if Obama wants to claim he's a Christian, despite having a Muslim father, that is fine.

Notice Obama only "claims" to be a Christian.. which is simple innuendo meant to convey the impression that he might not be.

Again, this is because Doug is a propagandist.

Obama's parents separated when he was 2, and his father only saw him one more time, when he was 10, before he died. Despite that fact, Doug still flings the innuendo that somehow Obama's father, despite the total absence in his life, turned him into an Islamic Manchurian Candidate.

Again, this is because Doug is a propagandist.

Doug again;

And why was Obama in Kenya speaking on behalf of Kenyan political opposition leader Raila Odinga who has made it loud and clear that he desires sharia to be the law of the land in Kenya?

Doug again insinuates that Obama is a Muslim in disguise, without coming right out and saying it. He asks the question, which is a propaganda technique used to make insinuations under the cover of just asking a question.

Doug did not provide any links to his assertions (which is usually a tip-off that it's all a bunch of made up lies), so I checked. It seems the NY Times has substantiated that Obama has talked to Odinga, as well Kenya's president to try and persuade them to help resolve political differences peacefully. There is no indication that Obama spoke "on behalf" of Odinga as Doug claims.. at least none that I can find. Doug tries to convey the impression that Obama is a Muslim, supporting a Marxist fundamentalist Muslim.

Again, this is because Doug is a propagandist.

I can't imagine why Obama attempting to find peaceful solutions to politically tense situations isn't a good enough reason for Obama to be involved. It also seems that Odinga is claiming to be a cousin of Obama's, with the only shown connection being that Obama's father (that he had no relationship with) and Odinga come from the same tribe in Kenya. The right wing will attempt to use this flimsy connection as some proof that Obama is not a "real" American.

Doug also uses a photograph of Obama in traditional African clothing. This is common for politicians do, to show respect for their hosts. Doug uses the photo to reinforce the innuendo that Obama is Muslim.

Again, this is because Doug is a propagandist.

Regardless.. there's nothing wrong with Obama being black, and bringing up real issues of race. His speech was an important moment, serving to bring the issue forward. He offers ideas and positive enthusiasm that we can overcome these divides. Obama's speech was historic, necessary, brave, honest, and eloquent. It's all that the right wing is not. Their leader cannot pronounce the word "nuclear".

Would it make any difference if Obama were Muslim, even though he is not?

Not according to our Constitution, in Article VI, section 3.

no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

Clearly Doug disagrees with the Constitution, as he is flaming the vile innuendo of Islam.

Doug offered nothing about Obama's impressive speech but vague innuendo and unsubstantiated character assassination.

Again, this is because Doug is a propagandist... and not a very good one at that. I hope Doug keeps it up. It'll be fun.