Yesterday someone posted a diary about how they responded to anti-Obama hate emails by asking to be taken off mailing lists.
I decided to respond with a more Obama-esque tac--responding politely, and raising the ante, just as Obama has done with McCain. My email is below.
Yes, it takes a little courage to stand up to flat out misinformation (and it would be so much easier to just ignore the emails), but if Obama can do it, it's the least I can do.
And better to "REPLY" one candle, than to "DELETE" the darkness.
(By the way, ever notice how right-wingers don't seem to be able to master the concept of "BCC". All the better for responding to everyone in the forwards!)
Friend:
Thank you for forwarding your emails to me, giving me the chance to respond both to you and all the people in the chain.
Regarding your email about Obama not pledging the National Anthem:
- According to the most traditional of etiquette experts, Emily Post http://www.emilypost.com/... there is no requirement to "pledge" the Anthem (although I must admit--for me at least--that would be much easier than singing it!).
- Personally, I think it's a pretty silly thing to talk about. I'm more interested in voting records and platforms, showing which candidates have America and the flag in their hearts, rather than on their lips and lapels.
Regarding your emails about the Book of Revelations and Obama being the Anti-Christ:
>> And Now
>> For the award winning Act of Stupidity
>> Of all times, the People of America want to elect, to the
>> most Powerful position on the face of the Planet --
>> The Presidency of the United states of America
>>
>> A Muslim
>> Male
>> Extremist
>> Between the ages of 17 and 40.
>>
>> Have the American People completely lost their Minds, or
>> just their Power of Reason ???
- I'm sorry, but it's a flat out lie. I hate to be so blunt, but Obama is not a Muslim and never has been. And it's not even a good lie. As has been VERY widely reported, Obama belongs to the United Church of Christ (remember Rev. Wright?), so unless one believes Christ is a Muslim, it's pretty evident what religion Obama is. (May I add, I know many United Church of Christ members, and I can personally vouch that they are NOT Muslims.)
- Obama's father was a Muslim, but he was an educated and secular Muslim--just the type who fundamentalists now target for death.
- Nowhere does the Book of Revelations say anything that could be even remotely interpreted to say such a thing. Reputable mainstream Bible scholars agree that the "Anti-Christ" refers to Rome and it's emperors, most notably Nero--and there were no Muslims when that book was written. If your congregation believes otherwise, that's fine. But please don't be surprised or offended if those of us in mainline churches prefer to stick with traditional interpretations. By the way, Obama is 46.
- Obama is no extremist. Listen to this his own words (he writes his own speeches): http://www.youtube.com/... Does that sound extreme? It is no wonder that Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike are rallying to him, and some are even moved to tears to finally be talked to as adults--and not talked down to and manipulated through the lens of fear, innuendo, deceit, and division. (And as for him being the "most liberal" Senator: It seems the National Journal has a strange habit of always saying that about the Democratic nominee. Last time it was Kerry and Edwards. So which is it? Did Kerry suddenly become conservative?)
- Is it extremism (or "liberalism") when Obama asks why we are:
a. Giving tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, instead of to those that try to keep them here?
b. Paying twice as much for our health care than in any other nation on earth, and yet we have 50 million uninsured, and by any metrics you use (quality of life, infant mortality, etc.) we rank between 20th and 30th in quality of health care--doing little better than Cuba?
c. Not giving better equipment and training to soldiers going overseas, and MUCH!!! better treatment for PTSD and other health problems for the wounded returning? (By the way, as veteran, this matter a lot to me--and I think it is a much better indicator of Obama's patriotism than his lapel jewelry.)
d. Allowing the national debt to doubled in the last 8 years, as we now borrow $2 billion a day from China and other countries, causing the dollar to plummet, thereby more than doubling the price of gas; and to the point that every man, woman and child in this country owes $35,000 in government debt ($30,000 of which was rung up under three Presidents--Reagan, Bush, and Bush).
And finally, on the subject of accuracy:
- In-accuracies, lies and half-truths have a way of coming back to haunt, and never so much as those Bush-Rove lies from 2000 are now haunting John McCain. Undoubtedly some of the Bush-Rove swiftboaters who are now spreading the lie that Obama is a Muslim are the same who push-polled the rumor in 2000 that McCain's daughter was the product of his sex with a black prostitute. (Fact: McCain's daughter is an adopted Bangladeshi orphan--and good for him!) And they are the same who spread the rumor that McCain betrayed his fellow POWs. (Fact: McCain was tortured until he signed a statement "admitting" to be a war criminal. Unless you think you could do otherwise, I would not criticize McCain for this--especially if you are "party boy" Bush or "I had other priorities" Cheney.) And this brings up the question, why did McCain remain in the Republican party after having his honor and family smeared by these lies? And if he won't stand up for himself or his own family, why do you think he will stand up for yours?
- If you doubt you are being lied to about major issues check out this link. http://thinkprogress.org/... That is Frank Luntz, the crafter of the "question the science" lie against global warming. I'm sorry, but If someone lies to you, and then TELLS you he is lying to you, it takes a very special kind of gullibility to keep on believing.
- I think it's a pretty sure bet, If you watch Fox or listen to Limbaugh, you will be lied to. You may think if it's on TV it has to be true. Not so, especially since a Fox court case giving broadcasters the "right" to lie. In 2001, two reporters for a Fox channel in Florida were ordered to lie in one of their stories (about illegal levels of pus in dairy products, caused by RGBH). They refused and were fired. They sued, citing an FCC rule against "intentional falsification of the news." The first court found in their favor. But an appeals court found that the requirement was only a "guideline," and Fox has certainly taken advantage of that ruling since. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/...
- If you are tired of being lied to, may I suggest you read the Columbus Dispatch. Personally, I consider it a pretty far-right newspaper, nearly ALWAYS endorsing Republicans, and too often giving the news a strong GOP slant, but at least I find they do not outright lie to you. If you want to be a little more adventuresome, turn off Fox and go over to MSNBC and listen to Olbermann. And may I also suggest Media Matters: http://mediamatters.org/ If you want a place you can talk about issues, try Daily Kos http://www.dailykos.com/ And best of all, may I suggest you turn your AM radio dial to WVKO 1580 AM, It has local news, weather, and sports, and presents multiple points of view.
And please pass this email to your friends!
Thanks!
Dave