Bear with me for posting what must be the millionth Barack Obama diary ever since it started being rumored that he was going to campaign. But because it seems there isn't anything substantive they can come up with to pin on him, or more important issues to talk about, the wingnuts and others who'd like to see Obama defeated are coming up with and focusing on beaucoup trivial matters that are only a big deal if you're another wingnut.
Here's the latest--the Drudge Report yesterday raised a fuss about the fact that Obama donned African garb while in Africa. It's Somali garb that he'd donned while in Kenya. Someone from the Clinton camp is said to have supplied the photo, hoping people would see the turban and think "muslim." And whoever thinks this is so controversial seems to think there's something the matter with the fact that Obama expressed his respect for African culture in this manner.
This begs the question, What's the big deal? I mean, I don't see anything wrong with the fact that Obama had donned African garb when in Kenya--ever hear the expression, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."? And in fact, I consider it laudable that he so obviously showed his respect for African culture in that manner. Also, haven't such people as Dubya and President Clinton also donned the garb of the countries they were visiting?
Then there's the question of what Obama was doing, or rather, not doing, during the national anthem. Yesterday morning during a cable news program they were making a big fuss over the fact that, in the photo they were showing, Obama didn't have his hand over his heart as the national anthem was being played. Again, my question is what's the big deal?
And last but not least, this is about Michelle Obama--but since she's a potential first lady, people have been making this a big deal. Recently she said (paraphrasing here) that she'd never been so proud of America until her husband's campaign.
Regarding what she said, I think you have to be a wingnut to be all fired up over it. Because I don't "get it"--namely why what she said was so unpatriotic per those who've defined it as such. The wingnuts have obviously read some sort of anti-American sentiment into what she said. And are spreading this meme. Perhaps what she said wasn't clear, or could easily be misunderstood or misinterpreted by some people. But from what she said I get the impression that she meant that she's always been proud of America, and she's prouder now than she has been before. A far cry from what the right-wing imagines she meant.
The playing up of these trivial issues is proof of one thing--obviously the wingnuts and others who want Obama defeated can't stop him on the relevant issues alone--so this is what they're stooping to. I wonder how much time will be spent on these issues in tonight's Clinton/Obama debate. When Brian Williams and Tim Russert ask about them, hopefully Obama will have the moral courage to steer the conversation back to the substantive, relevant issues. Real issues that affect real Americans. Such as New Orleans and Katrina.