Obama's verbal slip fuels his critics

[AnthemZ]

Obama's verbal slip fuels his critics
Christina Bellantoni
Sunday, September 7, 2008





ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Sen. Barack Obama's foes seized Sunday upon a brief slip of the tongue, when the Democratic presidential nominee was outlining his Christianity but accidentally said, "my Muslim faith."

The three words -- immediately corrected -- were during an exchange with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on "This Week," when he was trying to criticize the quiet smear campaign suggesting he is a Muslim.

But illustrating the difficulty of preventing false rumors about his faith from spreading, anti-Obama groups within one hour of the interview had sliced it out of context and were sending it around via email. They also were blogging about it.

Mr. Obama, who is a Christian and often proudly speaks about how his faith has influenced his public service, said he finds it "deeply offensive" that there are efforts "coming out of the Republican camp to suggest that perhaps I'm not who I say I am when it comes to my faith."

The exchange came after Mr. Obama said that Republicans are attempting to scare voters by suggesting he is not Christian, which McCain campaign manager Rick Davis said was "cynical."

Asked about it on ABC, Mr. Obama said, "These guys love to throw a rock and hide their hand."

"The McCain campaign has never suggested you have Muslim connections," said Mr. Stephanopoulos, who repeatedly interrupted Mr. Obama during the interview.

"I don't think that when you look at what is being promulgated on Fox News, let's say, and Republican commentators who are closely allied to these folks," Mr Obama responded, and Mr. Stephanopoulos interrupted: "But John McCain said that's wrong."

Mr. Obama noted that when Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin "was forced" to talk about her pregnant 17-year-old daughter, he issued a forceful statement to reporters that the line of inquiry was "off limits." But he said the McCain campaign tried to tie him to "liberal blogs that support Obama" and are "attacking Governor Palin."

"Let's not play games," he said. "What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my Muslim faith. And you're absolutely right that that has not come."

Mr. Stephanopoulos interrupted with, "Christian faith."

"My Christian faith," Mr. Obama said quickly. "Well, what I'm saying is that he hasn't suggested that I'm a Muslim. And I think that his campaign's upper echelons have not, either. What I think is fair to say is that, coming out of the Republican camp, there have been efforts to suggest that perhaps I'm not who I say I am when it comes to my faith -- something which I find deeply offensive, and that has been going on for a pretty long time."

Asked to comment on the accidental misstatement illustrating the difficulty of the issue, Obama spokesman Bill Burton offered this comment: "I'm not surprised that the only outlet doing this story is The Washington Times."

You can view the full context of Mr. Obama's comments on ABC here.

[tnharris33]

[Meursault]

as if there were no more important problems for the candidates to discuss.

[lost in melb.]

"Let's not play games," he said. "What I was suggesting -- you're absolutely right that John McCain has not talked about my (supposed) Muslim faith. And you're absolutely right that that has not come."

I threw in an edit to show what he was probably trying to say.

20% of americans believe that Obama is a Muslim. Probably part of the same daft, delusional 30% who believe that GW has done a good job

[Meursault]

if you're a shareholder or employee of certain companies or a religious radical, Dubya's presidency actually WAS close to perfect.

[lost in melb.]

Yep, I shoudn't have used the word "delusional".

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by lost in melb.

I threw in an edit to show what he was probably trying to say.

20% of americans believe that Obama is a Muslim. Probably part of the same daft, delusional 30% who believe that GW has done a good job

And this effects an Australian how?

There are a lot of people that think he's done a good job as you say, not great but good. With 911, and two wars, there has still been economic growth, with the highest stock market in history and low unemployment. That was the only barometer the Clinton's used to boast about what a great job they did!

Yeah! there is a housing crises, but how did Bush force people to take huge unsecured loans?? Oh! he allowed the economy to look good! I see, like letting the fat woman guard the chocolate, or letting the C.I.A. sell drugs to the inner city??

[Meursault]

Originally Posted by AnthemZ

And this effects an Australian how?

There are a lot of people that think he's done a good job as you say, not great but good. With 911, and two wars, there has still been economic growth, with the highest stock market in history and low unemployment. That was the only barometer the Clinton's used to boast about what a great job they did!

Yeah! there is a housing crises, but how did Bush force people to take huge unsecured loans?? Oh! he allowed the economy to look good! I see, like letting the fat woman guard the chocolate, or letting the C.I.A. sell drugs to the inner city??

Regarding 9/11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, I think Dubya's performance was pretty poor. As a reaction to 9/11 he came out with a lot of bigmouth rhethorics, but in reality his government did away with various civil and human rights, ordered the invasion of Afghanistan (good idea, poorly executed) which at least was a safe haven for Al Qaeda, and Iraq (bad idea, poorly executed) which had little if anything to do with 9/11 but was up for invasion anyway. Saudi Arabia, where most of the 9/11 assassins and their funds came from, on the other hand, gets a free ride as long as they sell their oil to the US and buy lots of weapons. Outcome: two ongoing wars with mixed results at best, the Al Qaeda propaganda buffs have a field day while whipping more and more muslims into a hate frenzy. Plus sometime in the near future, the religious nuts who are even crazier than the wahabite Sauds will probably take over Saudi Arabia and get their hands on tons of top of the range weapons systems.

As far as the economy is concerned, I agree, the president seems to have a lot less influence on its development than the media (of all colours) would have you believe. And since nobody in congress ever really bothered to think if the current laws on financial transactions might be too lax, it'd be hypocritical to point fingers at the Bush administration alone.

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Meursault

Regarding 9/11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, I think Dubya's performance was pretty poor. As a reaction to 9/11 he came out with a lot of bigmouth rhethorics, but in reality his government did away with various civil and human rights, ordered the invasion of Afghanistan (good idea, poorly executed) which at least was a safe haven for Al Qaeda, and Iraq (bad idea, poorly executed) which had little if anything to do with 9/11 but was up for invasion anyway. Saudi Arabia, where most of the 9/11 assassins and their funds came from, on the other hand, gets a free ride as long as they sell their oil to the US and buy lots of weapons. Outcome: two ongoing wars with mixed results at best, the Al Qaeda propaganda buffs have a field day while whipping more and more muslims into a hate frenzy. Plus sometime in the near future, the religious nuts who are even crazier than the wahabite Sauds will probably take over Saudi Arabia and get their hands on tons of top of the range weapons systems.

As far as the economy is concerned, I agree, the president seems to have a lot less influence on its development than the media (of all colours) would have you believe. And since nobody in congress ever really bothered to think if the current laws on financial transactions might be too lax, it'd be hypocritical to point fingers at the Bush administration alone.

Not much to argue on the first part, though Iraq has made some major improvements since the surge.

And on the second part, funny you bring up Congress! The two Democrat heads of the banking committees, in both houses, got sweet loans from the very people they were suppose to be watching! The media talked about it for a day or two, then gone with the wind!

[TheLancinator]

Originally Posted by Meursault

Saudi Arabia, where most of the 9/11 assassins and their funds came from, on the other hand, gets a free ride as long as they sell their oil to the US and buy lots of weapons.

Saudi Arabia isn't just a US problem (but the bulk of it does fall on the US because of all the business we do with them in the area of weapons mostly). The Saudis are a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' kind of area. I absolutely hate that we have to pander to them because of the oil reserves they have and they alone could instantly cripple the US economy (which would in turn cripple the rest of the world).

But until this 'do nothing' government of ours here decides to stop fighting with each other and come up with a valid and comprehensive alternative energy plan (something no President, democrat or republican, since Carter has even brought up), we're screwed, and unfortunately, as bad as the Saudi government is, it's in our best interest to keep them in power because if the House of Saud is ever overthrown, what would take its place would be far, far worse than what we have there now.

[Meursault]

It's the same crap over and over again. The banks and funds funnel insane amounts of money into the parties to keep them from tightening the reins on the financial market. So whenever the shit hits the fan like it does now with the mortgages, the state will fly to the rescue and bail them out, argueing that it would shatter the confidence into the entire economic system if it big banks and funds went bankrupt.

It's the same over here on a smaller scale. Look at germany where the bigmouth co-chairman of the Lefty party was on the board of the DKB bank which burnt tens of billions of dollars in the US mortgage market with asset backed securities. Or all the public banks that wasted tens of billions on the same type of investment. Now the worst that can happen is that one state prime minister steps down and the chairpersosn of the board of one or two of the banks get fired, but that's all. God forbid these people would be held responsible for their decisions....all of a sudden all the parties in parliament agree.

[treesmoke]

Agreed you only get Kudos if you resolve something after it becomes a problem. Preventing something from happening, unless you get heavy dem and GOP support will get you fire. Even if the Iraq war, global warming laws, and Vietnam stop father problems. It can always be debated on. Germany would probably still have a Nazi problem if the German Communist or some one took out Hitler before while he was gathering support in Germany.

Going after the mortgage companies would of been looked at as attacking the economic boom.

[AnthemZ]

Originally Posted by Meursault

Regarding 9/11 and the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, I think Dubya's performance was pretty poor. As a reaction to 9/11 he came out with a lot of bigmouth rhethorics, but in reality his government did away with various civil and human rights, ordered the invasion of Afghanistan (good idea, poorly executed) which at least was a safe haven for Al Qaeda, and Iraq (bad idea, poorly executed) which had little if anything to do with 9/11 but was up for invasion anyway. Saudi Arabia, where most of the 9/11 assassins and their funds came from, on the other hand, gets a free ride as long as they sell their oil to the US and buy lots of weapons. Outcome: two ongoing wars with mixed results at best, the Al Qaeda propaganda buffs have a field day while whipping more and more muslims into a hate frenzy. Plus sometime in the near future, the religious nuts who are even crazier than the wahabite Sauds will probably take over Saudi Arabia and get their hands on tons of top of the range weapons systems.

Originally Posted by AnthemZ

Not much to argue on the first part, though Iraq has made some major improvements since the surge.

After thinking about this some more, I was trying to think of a war where everything went to plan?? Or one where no mistakes were made? In WWII, staggering stupidity led to tens of thousands soldiers to be killed in one swoop. Not to mention shipping or civilians from being destroyed or killed. So sure, Rumsfield and Bush didn't see all the problems or eventuality's, but then the only answer is not to go to war. SOUNDS GREAT RIGHT?? But this is the real world! Sacrifices have always been made, good and bad! I was watching a General from the U.K. in a interview. If the most arrogant and snobby voice, he said the Americans don't have the foresight or wisdom to conduct these types of campaigns!! REALLY! And can "General Stick up the Ass" point to an example where the U.K. executed a perfect campaign?? Or won a battle without help from the U.S.? I'm not attacking the U.K., but pricks like this that think this way!


How many people died during the cold war due to the push of Communism from the Soviets? In yet, they to this day get a free pass! It's all Americas fault for "provoking" them!

[lost in melb.]

Originally Posted by AnthemZ

And this effects an Australian how?

In many ways: you're our closest ally, our economy and that of the world follows yours closely. Bush has changed the world in many ways - you are the most powerful country in the world

Plus I have American friends and I like Americans. I care about your country, just as you not doubt care about your whole country and not just the state you occupy.

[Warzen]

As a voter I must now choose between the lesser of two evil's.

Growing up in the poorest state in America and living in a County that has a per capita income of about $15,744. The economy has always been a big thing on my mind. Having parents that were born in the Great Depression I grew up in a fairly strict financially run home. Don't get me wrong we always had anything we needed. But going out for meals, movies, and extra-curricular activities that really were just non-essintial in life where not big on my familes list of things to do. We always had good home cooked meals, large christmas's, birthday's, and celebrated all holidays with vigor. At the same time I was taught from a young age by my mother how to grow my own food in a garden and how to freeze and can the food for later on. My father taught me how to hunt and fish and basically how to survive off the land. I was taught by my grandfather how to smoke and cure meats. So if the economy failed tommorow I have the knowledge on how to feed myself the same way my parents and grandparents did in the great depression.
At the same time my house is paid for, my cars are paid for, and I haven't owned a credit card since the late 80's (do have a debit card from my bank). With over fifteen years of experience working in table games in Casino's. I have learned two things I HATE GAMBLING, and that no matter how bad things get people will gamble (job security). I dont drink (personal choice the hang over's got too bad) but I have a great uncle's recipe for moonshine that he made during the 1920's and 30's. At the moment I have 60 bottles of white grape desert wine put away. With 12 gallon's of watermelon wine that need another month of of racking before they are ready to bottle (for friends that visit). I learned about one of the best renewable fuel source's in the world when I was 10 years old (Horse's). If the economy fell apart tommorow my life would be affected but I would survive.

Now as Mississippi is considered the poorest State in the United States. At the same time having the largest Black population per capital. I am fortunate to have a large amount of Black friends that can Hunt, Fish, Garden, and survive just as well or better than me. So this isn't racially biased, but biased towards people that choose to live off McDonalds, or The Four Seasons. That think their lives must rotate around the latest Movies or Plays, and think that Matt Damon's view's really mean a damn thing.
Also if I offended anyone by using Black as a racial discription too bad. I do not use the term African American to describe someone. Since no one takes the time to describe me as Scottish, African, Germanic, Native American and just call me White.

For all those people that consider people like me as unsophisticated, redneck, white trash, or backward ass country f***s. It was people like me that have been surviving thru the worst of times off what they had around them for years. It was these sofisticated people of their time that formed the Donner Party ( if you dont know what The Donner Party is Google it).


The second thing I must consider is America in the International environment. With America in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan and now with Russia parking bombers 1400 miles off our southern coast. The chance of a chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons falling on me is very small. The chance of fallout from one of the weapons raise significantly as I look at military or strategic targets that surround me ( no I do not consider the Jack Daniel's Distllery one of them). But consider targets like Mississippi River bridges that connect East and West United States (which we have four in Mississippi alone).

Then Priority Targets such as U.S. Atomic Power Plants - Nuclear Reactor Locations:

Arkansas Nuclear Energy Operations, inc. 6 MI WNW of Russellville, AR,
Browns Ferry Tennessee Valley authority 10 MI NW of Decatur, AL
Grand Gulf Entergy Operations, inc. 25 MI S of Vicksburg, MS
Joseph M. Farley Southern Nuclear Operating co. 18 MI SE of Dothan, AL
River Bend Energy Operations, Inc 24 MI NNW of Baton Rouge, LA
Sequoyah Tennessee Valley authority 9.5 MI NE of Chattanooga, TN
Waterford Energy Operations, inc. 20 MI W of New Orleans, LA
Watts Bar Tennessee Valley authority 10 MI S of Spring City, TN

http://www.bigeye.com/nuclears.htm

Then we have High Priority Targets such as Columbus Airforce Base in Mississippi which is Pimarially a pilot training base, as well as to perform quality assurance for contract aircraft maintenance. At the same time it is still considered a Sac base trained in bombardment operations and maintain a SAC nuclear alert posture. Also we have Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi MS this is listed as one of four choice sites for the central computer hub for all Airforce computers. I believe it is currently being temporarily housed in Shreveport, LA. All of these are well in fall out range for me.


So my chances of me surviving affected but comfortably if the economy crashes is high. The chances of me suriviving affected but comfortably if im glowing at night, or bleeding out my eyes as my internal organs turn to liquid, or just catching some super pneumonia is very low.


So which is a better choice Obama or McCain that is really a personally question that each voter must face when they go to vote. This is just what im facing as a voter.