For all the hype that the Democrats have attempted to use against President Bush and his “politics of fear”, it seems they have discovered a use for that same weapon in posting photos of Obama wearing the traditional garb of his late father’s homeland. In other media, there have been attempts to emphasize Sen. Obama’s middle name (Hussein) to keep that fear alive. I guess what’s good for the goose …
Even still, the smear attempts against Obama are not fair and are not in keeping with the finest traditions of American culture which celebrate our diversified culture. That Obama’s father was not born in this country is not a problem … is it? That Obama’s entire name is in keeping with his lineage is not a problem, is it? That Obama visits his father’s homeland and is presented with traditional garb by an elder is not a problem, is it?
The Democrats’ best and most effective weapon has always been to figure out what the ignorant masses are most afraid of and then exploiting that fear. It is even more ironic that Democrats insist that President Bush has adversely affected the US’s standing in the world community, and now we have an entire country angry at us because of the photos and how they are being used by the Democrats. I’m sure the world is much more pleased with us now.
I think I have made it clear in previous writings that this batch of Democrats will get no serious consideration from me (and I’m sure they’ll lose sleep over this!), but this is just one more example of how little the Democrats actually think of Joe America. They are counting on our lack of knowledge so that our emotions can be manipulated. Obama keeps living in the past as in “woulda, shoulda, coulda”, and Hillary continues to claim experience she actually lacks. Their conduct on the campaign trail should be a good example of what we can expect if one or the other is actually elected: nothing of substance. Besides, they are both making promises that cannot be fulfilled by a president alone, anyway. As legislators, they know this – but they are counting on our ignorance in being relatively certain that we don’t know this.
The photo of Obama in Somali garb is not, in and of itself, a problem nor do I believe that his lineage makes him an inherent national security risk. I do believe, however, that the use of that photo and his name in order to create an inaccurate illusion of concern speaks volumes about where we are as a culture. We decry racial profiling, yet some coward (whoever or whomever is responsible for passing around this dreaded photo and has not stepped forward to claim responsibility or credit) has actually utilized racial profiling and gone national with it in an attempt to make us afraid.
A picture is worth a thousand words, indeed, but the words spoken are more a reflection of our society and electoral politics than of Obama’s heritage.
4 comments:
Have you listened to any of President Bushes speeches? The man leverages fear constantly. Open your eyes that you might see my friend. I'm not saying the Democrats are wonderful, I'm just saying that you don't hold any politician accountable then your will be led like a lamb to the slaughter.
Thank you for your thoughts, Tom, but I am aware of a couple of things. First, President Bush is not running for office. Secondly, he is dealing with certain realities and probabilities based on what has already taken place.
Those who have perpetuated the photo of Obama are attempting to plant shameful seeds of doubt based on dubious conjecture. Obama has stated repeatedly that he is a Christian, yet many will not leave it alone, attempting to infer that Obama is a closet Muslim bent on destroying the nation from within the Oval Office. It is this type of fear based purely on emotion to which I was referring.
I think I see pretty clearly.
I don't think the bulk of the fear Obama pics and rhetoric is coming from within the Democratic party.
Our president plays the fear card every time he has some agenda item to grind out, like telecom immunity.
Now if your post was a critical of politicians in general I would be in more agreement. But your emphasis is on the Democrats while the current administration seems to have made fear their calling card.
That's an honest opinion. However, speculation from more than one source regarding Obama's pics has pointed specifically to Hillary, though it is fair to say that she has denied it.
You and I obviously disagree. I don't think President Bush as a lame-duck president has anything to gain by instilling false fear. There is a certain reality we have to confront with an enemy that does not wish peace and who has no entity with which to negotiate. Remember that this is an enemy that specifically targets civilians, primarily women and children. We cannot wish them away nor can we afford to ignore them. We don't have to be afraid nor is there a real need to be afraid. Vigilance, on the other hand, is required, and I think this is President Bush's focus.
Either way, say a prayer for peace.
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