Regarding Obama & Islam: Bring it the f*(& on!

It's been a long time since I've diaried, but the recent dustup over Barack Obama's supposed ties to Islam has got me really thinking.  At first, I was worried about the whole Obama=Osama+Hussein meme, and how it would affect the less informed voters out there.  Wouldn't it be better to deny the right wing that kind of ammo to use against our candidate?  Wouldn't it be better to nominate someone who was more...  (ahem) electable?  Do we really want this to be an issue in such an important campaign?

The answer?

HELL FUCKING YES!!!

...more in flipsville...

For disclosure purposes, I am currently a John Edwards supporter, though that is open to change between now and primary time.  Hell, I could even be persuaded to vote Hillary, though she's got alot of work to do to earn my vote.  But I've been an Obama fan since the 2004 convention, and I am excited for his voice to be part of the campaign, whether he wins the nomination or not.  I know he hasn't been in a 'tough' race yet, but I have alot of confidence in his ability to take whatever they throw at him and turn it back around on them.

And it's time for the progressive movement to participate in a full frontal assault on the closet racism and bigotry that swims beneath the murky surface of the GOP.  And I mean right out in the open, on every cable news channel and morning show.  I mean right in the view of as many Americans as possible.  Bigotry, by it's nature, must live in the shadows to exist, and shedding light will defeat it everytime in the end.  

So I say bring it the fuck on, right wing.  Please.  Make as much noise as you possibly can about Obama's ties to Islam.  Because not only do we have his back - even those of us who may not vote for him in the primary - but we are also tired of watching you get away with your wink/nudge bigotry that you've used to manipulate the American people for so long.  The more noise you make, the more we will be able to expose you for what really is behind your 'movement'.

And beyond that, the more the national conversation is about this issue, the better for us, because it provides an opportunity to actually make some progress in influencing people to think beyond predjudice and stereotype.  

So get your gear ready, y'all, because it's about time to take this monster head on and storm the ramparts of the VRWC.

So bring it on.  I fucking dare you.

•  Tip Jar

  I think the biggest mistake we made in 2004 was playing by the GOP's rules and trying to craft our strategy essentially in response to them.  I say fuck them.  We need not be scared of them.  Let's take them on, Webb-style.

  by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 09:52:33 AM PDT

•  Oh they'll smear - they'll slime

  Hell, they accused John McCain of all sorts of absurd things over an adopted baby. But you're right - this isn't some race baiting GOP primary. If they want to play the race card, let's expose them for what they really are. Of course - they'll say they're just trying to protect America from Islamofascism. I agree entirely, however, that the issue won't go away until we make it political suicide to bring it up.

  by Dont Just Stand There on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 09:57:58 AM PDT

  •  exactly

    They will continue to use fear and ignorance to manipulate the people, until we deal with this directly.  We really need an FDR moment (nothing to fear, but fear itself), and I think this provides an opportunity for that to happen.  People want leadership, not fearmongers.  We merely have to provide it.

    Great sig, btw.

    by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:01:31 AM PDT

•  Heard your clarion call and I agree

  if this is not nipped in the bud now this country will never offer ALL Americans the opportunity to serve their country in the highest office in the land.

  One way to gather support is to send Letters to the Editor to not only your local papers but to all ethnic publications explaining that when one is silenced then all are silenced.

  It's the 21st century for crying out loud!

  by pwrmac5 on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:10:18 AM PDT

  •  I saw a comedian the other day

    And she was talking about someone who asked her what was up with all the 'salt and pepper' couples in a certain city (maybe san diego, but I'm not sure).  She replied, "well, I think they have a military base there, and... oh yeah... we live in AMERICA, not a laundry baskey.  You don't have to separate the colors."

    by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:37:10 AM PDT

    •  That's funny and poignant at the same time.

      It makes me wonder what so many people are really afraid of. At what point can we really get to the "content of our character" part? It seems that people will sooner accept a box of crayons than we do each other. I live in a city in Missouri that was known for its ethnic diversity (due know doubt to its proximity to a large university) so there are all kinds of instances of "mixing" and yet the world has not ended in fire. Unfortunately as you radiate further from colleges the amount of tolerance also diminishes as neighborhoods turn into enclaves.

      I admit that I am not a Obama booster in as much as I know nothing about him other than media exposure. I do know that he appears to have more credibility that Alan Keyes (a cruel joke) ever had as a non-white candidate but it does disturb me that there is this concerted effort to scare white americans and discourage non-white americans from backing this man.  What Obama's presence does say is that the American public is tired of the same old, same old. (Sorry Hillary, but that means you) If he does get nominated and/or elected, I plan on assessing him by his actions and deeds not on ill-conceived perceptions based on color.

      For a long while I thought to just give up trying to convince people that skin color is not a determinant of intelligence, morality, or capability. Then I had an incident in which I had someone spell a simple word to me as if my educational experience was lacking. It was then I knew that I cannot lay there and take it. I have to continue the fight nor only for myself but for future generations so they (and I mean everyone) no longer use race or religion as the  only way to judge a person's intent. Unfortunately it will be a never-ending, uphill battle all the way. Thanks for the reminder, the battle for true equality goes on.

      by pwrmac5 on Tue Jan 30, 2007 at 05:40:08 AM PDT

•  Obama seems to be a phenomenon

  that is being promoted exclusively by the right wing and MSM.  He was admired generally but certainly not touted as a presidential candidate on this site.  His selection as the Democratic contender in a nationwide election would insure another Republican presidency.  Middle America won't elect someone who went to a school that had Islamic education, period.

  by kitchen sink think tank on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:41:08 AM PDT

  •  fuck that

    I think you are selling middle america short.  I think if you go into it thinking that you can't do anything about bigotry and ignorance, then you are doomed to failure.  What if the civil rights leaders had said 'eh, forget it, middle america will never care about what's happening in the South'?  And who exactly are you referring to by middle america?  What demographic?  

    I couldn't disagree with you more.  And I refuse to submit and surrender to bigotry.  America is, and Americans are, better than that.  They just need the chance.

    by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:46:21 AM PDT

    •  also

      the attitude where we are afraid to fight for what we believe in (in this case that a person's ethic/religious/cultural background should not determine their worth in our society) is killing us.  The attitude where we are more concerned about shaping ourselves to be acceptable to some mythical 'middle america' (which is largely an invention of the right wing), than fighting for what we believe in, is why so many people buy into the idea that 'democrats are pussies'.  In fact, as far as electibility is concerned, it was the Democrats who were the most authentic and strong advocates for progressive principles and beliefs who carried the day.  People like Harold Ford lost because they ran a pandering campaign.  As I said about, we don't have to be afraid of them.  If we lead, America will follow.  She always has.

      by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:54:52 AM PDT

      •  It really pissed me off...

        ....how back in 2004, we were all freaking out about what might offend or not offend some mysterious swing voter in Ohio. I mean, my God, let's just be ourselves and believe in ourselves, rather than falling all over ourselves to try to be what we think other people want us to be.

        by metal prophet on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 02:25:42 PM PDT

  •  still worth a fight

    I personally am not going to vote for Obama because he hasn't convinced me he is willing to speak his mind.  However, fighting on his behalf aginst the smear is worth the trouble.  Even if he's not elected, it will do a lot to prepare people for a future ethnic or religious minority candidate.  You have to fight bigotry.

    by sunshineonthebay on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 10:58:01 AM PDT

    •  exactly my point

      As I said above, if the primary were today, Edwards would get my vote.  But that doesn't mean I'm not ready, willing, and kind of eager to take on the bigotry wurlitzer that the right wing is training on Senator Obama.

      by Aethern on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 11:06:25 AM PDT

•  Like you, right now, I

  am for Edwards. However I was thinking, it would be a pretty good thing for America to have an elected official in high office being able to understand a little something about the Muslim religion. Clearly any affiliation today, is the kiss of death for a political candidate. You are right many have become Islamaphobic. The main reason for that is because there is so much right wing hate on the airwaves telling any who will listen that it is right to hate Muslims, after all they hate too, and their hate attacked us on 9/11. I simply do not know what possible direction this county is going when I see so much hate all around. Maybe I am optomistic, but I would love to live in a world where Barak Hussein Obama could and would be considered as an "electable" candidate for President.

  by Vera Lofaro on Mon Jan 29, 2007 at 11:58:41 AM PDT