Why the New Yorker cover is just what Obama needed to ‘Fight the Smears’
Barack and Michelle Obama, standing in the middle of the Oval Office, fulfilling every far-fetched rumor circulating the Internet. There is an American flag burning in the fireplace, above which sits a portrait of Osama Bin Laden. Barack is dressed in Muslim attire. Michelle has an AK-47 strapped on her back. The two exchange what Fox News’ E.D. Hill calls a “terrorist fist jab.” This is the cover of the latest New Yorker magazine.
Both the Obama and McCain campaigns have shown their strong displeasure with the cover. But there is a significant silver lining for Obama. In fact, this cover could earn Obama more independent and conservative voters than his recent “move to the middle” speeches.
Living in the Deep South, I can assure you all of the ridiculous Obama e-mail rumors are alive and well. Otherwise intelligent people tell me all the time about how Obama is a Muslim who was sworn in on the Quran (that was actually Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison). They tell me Obama does not pledge alligance to the flag, he even turns away and lowers in head in defiance. He does the same during prayer, so I heard. He doesn’t wear a flag lapel because he is a closet terrorist who hates our country (his middle name is Hussein, you know). He and his wife even use a secret terrorist signal, seen used by other prominent terrorists here:
Here’s my point. Obviously, the New Yorker cover was satirical. It was meant to make fun of all of the rumors that, when mixed with a little ignorance, continue to harm Obama’s campaign. The backlash to that cover has news outlets covering the Obama rumors like never before. The intense exposure is also providing opportunities for the ill-informed to see the error of their beliefs. Even faithful Fox News watchers will have to see the cover and hear anchors admit that it is a satire – that the images it depicts are making fun of rumors that are not true.
It will help, to a certain degree. As the hateful rumors continue to get squashed, some people will still not relinquish them. It is puzzling, and I am left with one hypothesis that I do not like at all. The Obama rumors provide a veil to obscure the racism that is prevalent in many of these people. What, other than Obama’s ethnicity, provde grounds to any of these rumors? What white candidate would ever be accused of a “terrorist fist jab?” What other candidate’s middle name has been used as an attack on his patriotism? It is all race-based, and it is shameful. There are plenty of reasons to not vote for Obama. But for many, it seems the only thing that matters is his ethnicity.
All I ask of my fellow Americans is to truly research the candidates. Do not base your vote off of a chain e-mail or a water cooler conversation. Just think rationally: Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Oprah Winfrey – would important figure after important figure risk their fortunes and their names by publically endorsing a terrorist?
This is not an endorsement of Barack Obama. It is an endorsement of common sense, of an open mind. Check out these websites for more information on the Obama myths.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/obama.asp#muslim
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/fightthesmearshome/ (Fight the Smears – this page is run by the Obama campaign)
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But that email came from someone I trust…
“The Obama rumors provide a veil to obscure the racism that is prevalent in many of these people. What, other than Obama’s ethnicity, provde grounds to any of these rumors? What white candidate would ever be accused of a “terrorist fist jab?” What other candidate’s middle name has been used as an attack on his patriotism? It is all race-based, and it is shameful. There are plenty of reasons to not vote for Obama. But for many, it seems the only thing that matters is his ethnicity.”
Thank you! You’re right on track. Blake and I, as well as a friend of ours, have talked about this a lot, and sometimes I think Blake thinks I’m crazy for saying Obama won’t win–not because of issues–but because he’s black.
“Living in the Deep South, I can assure you all of the ridiculous Obama e-mail rumors are alive and well.”
Thank you again. I’ve heard so many students at MSU tell me, “Aw, come on, man. Everyone knows that guy’s a freaking Muslim.” OK, maybe it was only, like, two students, but I’ve heard even more adults say the same thing. It’s truly insane.
Dylan, your blog is a fresh oasis of truth and bliss. A tale for the ages. Two thumbs way up!
Объясните почему единственно так? Думаю, почему не раздвинуть этот обзор.
Зачем вводить такое мнение, что всё вот так то? Я считаю, как можно расширить этот обзор.