I’ve been receiving anti-Obama e-mails from an acquaintance for far too long, most recently about "(An) Israeli Psychologist on Obama".
I've been way too tolerant of these e-mails and asked this person only the question at the end of this Diary.
Here, in total, is my full response:
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Good morning, B. I hope everything is going well for you and your wife.
I've been receiving your e-mails regarding President Obama, his family, and his leadership.
The United States is the BEST country in the world, and in me, you will find no greater supporter of the USA - and that definitely includes the troops!
We are a free country and that means the freedom to speak our minds - as long as we speak the truth.
I did some research on your most recent e-mail and found the following (links included):
Snopes.com on Dr. Vaknin: http://www.snopes.com/...
FaithFreedom.com on Ali Sina, apparently the true author of the 'Israeli Psychologist' article: http://www.faithfreedom.org/...
Dr. Vaknin's own webpage where he states: "I am NOT a mental health professional - read the DISCLAIMER...": http://samvak.tripod.com/
And not related to the 'Psychologist' article, here’s an opinion piece on Dr. Vaknin's criticism of Wikipedia: http://heliologue.com/...
I do not have100% confidence in any website, and that includes my regularly-visited DailyKos.com, Politifact.com, FactCheck.org, Snopes.com, or any other supposed 'authority' on the truth. However, over time, I do get a sense of which source(s) are more reliable, and those which are not. Add to that my innate trust in President Obama (although his letter grade has gone from an A-/B+ in early 2009 to a C-/D+ now), and I believe that he is the best candidate to lead our country out of the morass that got started around the time of President Reagan.
Is Barack Obama perfect? Hell, no, but he's man enough to admit his mistakes.
Is the Obama family taking advantage of the taxpayer dime, e.g., family vacations, the First Lady's dresses, 'lobster dinners' (that obviously photoshopped image I found especially appalling!)? I've seen no legitimate documentation that any of that is happening, and the Obama’s have been clear that a majority of their purchases have been out of their own pocket. Plus, previous Administrations have traveled to campaign, and I saw nowhere near the present hue and cry when those Presidents - of either party - toured the country.
Show me a candidate who is better than Barack Obama, and I guarantee he/she will have my vote. However, to send me unsubstantiated, RACIST e-mails is totally, TOTALLY unacceptable.
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As I returned from Alamosa, CO yesterday, there was a big, anonymous, hand-painted sign by the side of the road saying:
"OBAMA HATES AMERICA"
Really? That person truly believes that Barack Obama “hates” the United States of America? You poor, ignorant fool...
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There've been others in our mutual volunteer organization that, sadly, have sent me disparaging and racist e-mails similar to yours. Muslims were attacked in several of those, but blacks and other minorities came under fire as well.
The question I asked them was, "Why are you sending me these e-mails?"
One apologized, and we remain in touch, although it's with caution on my side.
The other said, "I thought you'd think it was funny' - and this was from a school teacher!
I resent any assumption that because I'm a middle-aged white guy, that I have the same opinions and attitudes as other middle-aged white guys, so outside of what's needed for our organization, I've refused ANY communication with this person.
So, B…
Why did you send me this e-mail?