Barack Obama And Anti-Muslim Paranoia

In a December 18 blog post headlined “Barack Hussein Obama: Once a Muslim, Always A Muslim“, right-wing pundit Debbie Schlussel argued that because Sen. Barack Obama’s middle name is Hussein, his late, estranged father was of Muslim descent, and he has shown interest in his father’s Kenyan heritage, Obama’s “loyalties” must be called into question as he emerges as a possible Democratic presidential candidate.

In the column, Schlussel asked: “So, even if he identifies strongly as a Christian … is a man who Muslims think is a Muslim, who feels some sort of psychological need to prove himself to his absent Muslim father, and who is now moving in the direction of his father’s heritage, a man we want as President when we are fighting the war of our lives against Islam? Where will his loyalties be?”

This follows the lines of CNN host Glen Beck recently suggesting that incoming US congressman, Keith Ellison, might not be a loyal American because he’s a Muslim.

I think this is complete nonsense, insulting and even racist.

But before I get into anything, what’s that about “fighting the war of our lives against Islam?”
That is a very dangerous statement to make, and even though not all Americans believe in that (at least that’s what I like to believe), it is scary to think that there are people who still think that way in our world.

The fight we’re all in together is with extremism of all kinds, not with any certain religion or race.

Back to Barack Obama; The guy says he’s a Christian, why would he be lying? Supposedly, religion shouldn’t be an issue, so why would him being Christian, Muslim or Jew change anything at all?
Or does it make a difference?
If it does then the problem is much bigger than who becomes the next US president or not, it’s a problem that touches the fabric of the American society itself, an underlying reality of racism, bigotry and hypocrisy.

Remarks and attacks of this kind, that will continue to be made against Barack Obama are just ways to try and undermine a possible bid for the US presidency in the upcoming 2008 race. But, whether they have any effect at all on the people will be a serious indicator of how healthy the US society is, and whether the important values of equality and freedom still exist.

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Mohamed Marwen Meddah

Mohamed Marwen Meddah is a Tunisian-Canadian, web aficionado, software engineering leader, blogger, and amateur photographer.

4 thoughts on “Barack Obama And Anti-Muslim Paranoia”

  1. The Raccoon,
    how about replacing racism with discrimination ? Or actually How many american know that Islam is not a race? LoL most of American I played yahoo! pool with have said “Ohh yeah, I have Paki friend” but I’m not paki.

  2. To answer your question.. he would lie to control the most powerful country in the world!!
    The noticable feature of the insurgents and Al-Queda leaders is that they were atheists who use the muslims in the name of religion.
    With Obama you have the ingredients; Muslim name, family heritage, mother who essentially is atheist and finally a family associated with foreign governments.
    I can follow McCain, Clinton, Edwards and the like due to their long heritage being American, not 1st generation American.
    He (Obama) is not what we need. The leaders of foreign Muslim countries would see his being a Pres. or VP as verification and give political righteousness to their radicalisms.
    True service to our nation would be that he serve the people of his state and not represent the American people in the world arena. Is he capable? Who knows, but politically it would devistate our beliefs and heritage. Its not a popularity contest, its whether or not he represents the American people as a whole. He does not represent our nation, he is a new kid on the block who just moved in from a foreign country with his Muslim/poss. “atheist” family.
    Yes the ones who want power will LIE “I am a devout Christian” as Obama has said cannot be taken as truth. I learned my faith from my parents and grand-parents..everyone does.
    The statement that he “can say I never read all of the Koran” well that literally scares this soldier more.. that means he has not educated himself in the family religion.. he is open to radicalisms.
    A true devout Muslim cannot kill..I know I have met them in Iraq.. they were the farmers and merchants forced to attack our positions when their families were being held hostage by the atheist, Muslim wanna-be power hungry insurgents.

    You are who your family is, you are the man your parents raised. Maybe Obama will raise some good kids who will raise good kids who will rise to the occasion to be president or vice-president.

  3. I have a funny sounding name too. Can I be special? Every freakin election the democrat party marches out a cast of characters with fanfare, pomp and splendor befitting the procession into Rome by a victorious emperor. Hey, that reminds me, where is Oblama’s love slave? They make a big hollywood production over this stooge and that stooge portraying them as the second coming of Jesus Christ. It’s such absolute media hype super BS. Remember when Kerry was the greatest saviour known to western man….until he revealed himself as a freakin effete east coast limousine liberal snob. Hillary was the “smartest woman in the world”…remember that propaganda? And still they roll out this circus every four years and still the media puppies follow them around urinating in submission to the big democrat dogs. The only thing more insane are the mindless followers of the left who swallow this pablum and beg for more….swooning over every move the chosen democrat makes. We had reporters stating aloud they would blow slick Willy (just for keeping abortion legal). How many will offer to wipe Oblama’s butt and change his diaper for him? It is just all too hard for me to comprehend. I’ll have to expend 100 rounds at the range this afternoon just to relieve the frustration. This country is headed for a world of hurt. Maybe the Islamo-terrorist have it right,…..we are so corrupt, immoral and decadent that we are infecting the rest of the planet and need to be erradicated. We are supposed to be electing the preeminent leader of the free world…..Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Mark Foley, Denny Hastert, John (the weasel) McCain, John Conyers, John Murtha, Barak Oblama, Hillary Clinton????? Heck, these clowns make John Edwards look almost normal. Why not elect James Brown, he’s dead and can’t make any decisions that will screw up my grand kids future forever? At least we would get real entertainment.

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