Feb 28 2008
Thanks, Bill
The Dime would like to thank Cincinnati radio gabber, Bill Cunningham, for doing his damndest yesterday to portray my hometown as the seat of ignorant, closed-minded, fear-mongering politics of the past in his opening remarks before Senator McCain’s rally there. In a tirade laced with lies about Barack Obama, he insisted on using the Senator’s middle name, “Hussein,” over and over again, and later said Obama shouldn’t be ashamed of his strong Muslim background. He also referred to Obama as a “prophet,” whose election will cause our enemies around the world to celebrate. Sounds like Bill has been hanging out with Obamadamus.
While Obama has repeatedly discounted this theory that he is a Muslim, and the proof can be found in a my post, Debunked, I have to say, hypothetically, “so what if he was?” This country was founded on the principles of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In asking you to believe that Obama is a secret Muslim, they are also asking you to believe that all Muslims are terrorists. One of my good friends is a Muslim. A great guy whom I’d let babysit Sophie any time. I teach Muslims at USC. Great kids who are eager to learn and live a normal life. As human beings, they are as varied and unique as all of the Christians I know — and guess why. Because they’re no different than all the Christians I know save for who, how, and where they choose to worship — rights protected by our Constitution. These people are not terrorists just because they pray to a different God. Therefore, why are we being sold this bill of goods that you should fear Obama because some of his family are Muslim, and his middle name is Hussein?
People like Cunningham are counting on the American people to remain afraid. To not think for themselves. To be told the truth rather than seek it for themselves. They believe it worked in 2000 and 2004, so why not now? You may be a McCain supporter, or a Clinton supporter, or undecided. Whatever you are, don’t allow fear and prejudice to be part of the debate. Let’s discuss the issues, please, and not allow ourselves to be swayed by fear mongers. And let’s never let Bill Cunningham represent Cincinnati on national television ever again.
Nice blog Brad. Got to love our Midwestern roots sometimes
In a public radio interview yesterday, Mr. Cunningham explained his use of Obama’s full name as something innocuous and common: that’s his name so what’s wrong with using it. In fact, he went so far as to claim that if hearing the name Hussein bothers you, well, there is something definitely wrong with you. In this point, Cunningham is correct: there is something wrong with you if you act with fear toward someone’s foreign-sounding name. But to feign dismay that people would react this way to Hussein is cynical, of course. He is counting on this reaction, this fear and prejudice. The Republican party relies on playing the race card to scare up the white vote (and yes, the Democrats did support segregation to play to the South, but that was before the Civil Rights Era). From Willie Horton to supporting the Confederate Flag and other “state’s rights,” from McCain’s alleged illegitimate black baby to reminding us that Harold Ford is after our hot, blonde, white women (like every other black man), race-baiting is a commonly used tool of the right. To this strategy they added gay-bashing, especially in the last election and now we’re seeing that Muslims are the new gays of 2008. We should not be surprised by this strategy. I wish more people were saddened and offended by it. The Old Testament tells us Christians have the right to put non-believers to the sword, so merely hating someone for their religion seems mild compared to violent death. Still, in instances like this one, I wish people would remember that other quaint commandment about loving thy neighbor, not matter how different he is from you. Perhaps I am missing the point of religion, but isn’t faith supposed to elevate us rather than diminish us? There is one idea in which I have great faith: Any institution which justifies hating another person is flawed.
Very, very well said. After seeing Cunningham’s ridiculous tirade, it made me think I belong back in NJ!
I’m proud to be your cousin, Brad
Yes we can.
Cunningham – what an ignorant man. Didn’t we leave the name calling and rumors to hurt others back in grade school?
This is the reason I have a problem with politics and politicians. Everyone preaches CHANGE before election then continues on with Status Quo after being elected. And the ones who actually try to bring about change get lost among the pawns in Washington. Do us all a favor and listen to the people and start doing the job we sent you there to do…Fix the Economy, Housing Industry, Consumer Confidence, Health Care and Social Security (just scratching the surface here people…) and when we truly have someone who can bring about CHANGE – embrace them!
Amen, Foz. Bring the white hot heat. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Well said Brad, that whole thing is absolutely ridiculous! Willie’s comments and McCain’s apology will probably backfire and help out Obama in the long run! I think Willie may have been set up for this whole thing. Make Obama look real bad, then McCain comes along like he knew nothing of it. This whole thing was put in place by Hamilton Prosecuter Deters, Sen. Mike Dewine to “fire up the crowd’. Then comes McCain denouncing the comments made by Willie. The word I heard is that they wanted Willie to say those things and McCain would come along prove how honorable he is by denouncing them, however it all came from his camp and Willie was the scapegoat. YES CHANGE IS NEEDED!! I am still sitting on a fence as to who I will support, but my strong Democrat history and gut feelings are trying to give me a clue.
how come john stewart said the same thing or almost the same thining as willie did and nobody made a big fuss over it.
http://nj.nationaljournal.com/voteratings/
Here is a good way to seek out the truth about Obama. Don’t get mad at me, I’m just shedding some light on “the truth.”