My newest pet peeve (political!)

This is just a quick rant to annonymous people on message boards everywhere (not even here, really)

Why is it that so many people state their political views by saying "I will not vote for Barrack HUSSEIN Obama"?  Like his middle name is supposed to scare me or something?  Maybe I'll listen to your argument more if you actually say something that makes sense! 

(Disclaimer: I have not decided who I am voting for yet.  Also, I realize there are stupid arguments/people on both sides.  This is just the one that is bothering me lately!)

Anyone else bothered by this kind of thing?  Any other examples of stupid political tactics (on either side)? 

Yeah I tire from this also.....

You know what I tire from? People assuming he's Muslim because of his name, and then immediately dismissing him as a viable option because of it.

First off, he's very Christian.

Second off, so what if he WAS Muslim?! Doesn't make him a bad guy or unworthy of being our President! Goodness.

I live overseas but was very interested US politics during the primary season. But now, I can't bring myself to care anymore as it's just the same sensationalist crap every single day.

The middle name thing really gets me, too.  By the argument this is inferring, we should be suspicious of anyone with the middle name "Wayne."

My biggest one lately is all the posts I'm seeing, on multiple sites, that treat all the sliming emails, on either side, as factual.  Let's get it straight:  Both McCain and Obama are considered to be natural born citizens of the US, Obama is not a Muslim, Palin did not slash funding for special needs children.

If we're going to criticize candidates, let's do it based on actual facts. (What a concept!)

I just went to FactCheck.org to check on something and found a brand new controversy. Disgusting. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/mccai n-palin_distorts_our_finding.html

It so turned me off. I am getting more and more tired of each side blaming the other without checking facts.

Over the past week my SO has been griping that Obama's former pastor hates American and white people and has been preaching hate for 20 years. Earlier this morning some guy in our office mindlessly repeated the mantra that Palin has more experience in government than Obama.

Please go check the facts.  www.politifact.com & www.factcheck.org

I haven't noticed that, but I have heard about emails being forwarded around about how obama is Muslim and how he is trying to infiltrate our government so terrorists can take over the world or some bogus bs. 

I have found myself so surprised at the racism and religious discrimination, as well as being totally judgmental on the part of people asserting their opinions about candidate's social lives. Unless they're murdering people or importing drugs or something totally horrible, their personal lives are completely a non-issue.

It's amazing to me that something like race or religion is even an issue in 2008.  Isn't America all about accepting different religions?  As for races, we're an immigrant nation.  It's shameful that so many citizens of America do not at all represent what it stands for.

That's funny...Yesterday my mother forwarded me an e-mail that she had received from my aunt who received it from Lord knows who.  Even though it was supporting the candidate that I am leaning towards, it had blatant lies and mis-facts concerning BOTH parties.  This bothered me because I really want my family to make an educated decision based on fact and NOT based on silly e-mails started by itiots and forwarded by people who just don't know any better.  My mother was very impressed when I sent her a long-winded e-mail disputing a bunch of things said on that e-mail.  I had to give credit to my CC friends here.  Because of some of the recent debates, I've been able to learn more facts about BOTH parties better than  I would have if I'd tried to find it all by myself.

I hate that it's all freaking race issue. Everyone i've spoken to that wants to vote for obama starts their statement with "I'm voting for obama not cuz he's black but cuz..." Really if it had nothing to do with race I'm rather sure you wouldn't feel the need to mention it.  Too bad cadidates can't wear bags over their heads cuz then we'd never see them and could focus on real issues, immigration, healthcare, foreign policy the list goes on.

Ok, I'm a little surprised here. I will tell you right now that I don't like either of the candidates. Since we will only be able to pick from these 2, I am (so far, unless something else big comes out) decided to vote for McKain for 2 reasons: --I think he is more capable of winning in Iraq and keeping us safe, --I like Palin's views on many subjects (she is much closer to my beliefs than McKain himself).

That being said, here we go: nasuoni, I do not know Sen Obama's inner heart, but he does not appear to be very Christian. He is decidedly pro-abortion, and attended a church for many years that promotes hatred towards whites and the USA.

Now, I'm not even coming close to saying he is Muslim. It does not appear that he is. However, it would be irresponsible of us to ignore the fact that he was raised with Muslim traditions/culture. Given the terrorism towards us from SOME (not ALL) Muslims, I think that would be a valid concern to at least consider.

 moonikins, Actually, fact checking would reveal to you that Obama's former pastor did indeed preach emphatically regularly on anti-white subjects and occasionally on anti-USA subjects (generally because blacks were treated poorly here).

Also, I believe that Palin does have more experience in government than Obama, at least in ways that are important to becoming president. Let's remember that Sen Obama is in his first term in the US Senate and has spent most of that time campaigning. During his time, he hasn't sponsored any successful bills, although he has at least been very verbal about his view on various bills. Yes, he was a state senator for quite a while and that would help him more, except that he did not take a stand on most of the bills that came through. In most cases, he voted simple "present" instead of 'for' or 'against'. He has not been in charge of operating/protecting/accounting for any entity.

Gov Palin, is also in her first term as governor and she had a baby during this time. However she has several specific accomlishments to campaign on during this short time that do fall in line with her equally verbal views. (acheiving a budget surplus, returning the surplus to residents, refusing funding for "the bridge to nowhere",  etc.) Prior to governor she was a mayor, both of which are "executive/administrative" offices with responsibility and more closely aligned with the job of president. She has been responsible for the security  and resources (including oil) of one our largest states, which just happens to border on 2 different foreign countries, one of which is often less than friendly.

But another important fact to remember, is that Obama is at the top of his ticket, where Palin is only running for VP.

huggitbear, I don't think we have the luxury of not paying attention to the personal lives of candidates. How they behave in their personal lives can tell us a lot about how they will behave and make decisions as president. Judgemental? no. Consideration? yes. Especially in 2008. just 7 years ago today a specific religious faction attacked us and our way of life. They continue to state that they want to wipe us out of existance. I would not dream to accuse Sen Obama of being affiliated with this, but we have to know his personal beliefs in order to know that we would be safe with him in office.

So in summary (sorry it took so long), I don't think skin color or gender should have anything to do with who gets to be our president. Religion should be very open, but cautious given ongoing terrorism. But we need to look at the actual actions of a candidate (personal and professional) in order to evaluate who would be best. It is their actions that should lead us to our decision, and not their speaches and talking points. Both sides will distort words (especially during the campaign), but they will likely PERFORM as they have PERFORMED in the past.

Just my $.02

singinfatlady: where did u get ur facts...?

which facts? I didn't list each one but I can answer to any that you are specifically interested in. A lot of it comes from factcheck.com, some from news/talk radio, some from various research on the internet.

The conclusions I came to, though are from observation, experience, analysis, common sense, and logic.

moonikins, Actually, fact checking would reveal to you that Obama's former pastor did indeed preach emphatically regularly on anti-white subjects and occasionally on anti-USA subjects (generally because blacks were treated poorly here).

Singin - I have been fact checking the pastor thing in order to have real answers for my SO. Most of what he has been reiterating has been sensationalized vitriol. I'm not sure why the issue is so strong for him. It doesn't make sense to me, especially since his grandfather is black.

It is your take that the former pastor has preached regularly on anti-white subjects. From what I've researched so far, I don't see any evidence that he has done so on a regular basis. Maybe your definition of regular is different than mine.

I also think you had better go check the facts about Palin's support/non-support for that bridge to nowhere.

In addtional your statement that Obama was raised with Muslim traditions/culture is far from accurate. It's more like he was exposed to the Muslim traditions/culture but was raised with Chrisitian traditions/culture.

Original Post by singinfatlady:

Given the terrorism towards us from SOME (not ALL) Muslims, I think that would be a valid concern to at least consider.

 Why?  Do you think that our country would be more of a target because of his history with and knowledge of Islam?  Is there a chance that this Islamic knowledge will rear it's ugly head and turn him into a terrorist?

I'm not riding you, really.  I'm just curious as to what you meant by that statement.

And, I have to say, your post reminds me that one of my other recent political pet peeves is the claim that mere proximity to another country constitutes "international experience."  Exactly how many times has Palin discussed international isssues one on one with Putin or Harper?  (And by the standard of "executive experience", Palin is more qualified for the POTUS spot than McCain is.)

I agree with singinfatlady (love the name) :) Obama is not a Christian. If he is a True christian he would not be for abortion. Not only that, he is for partial birth abortion and he voted agianst giving medical treatment to babies who survive partial birth abortion, yes in case you are wondering he actually did say that they have in on tape. He also stated that having an opinion on when a baby is a baby is above his paygrade. He is running for President of the freest country in the world, you are top of the pay grade. Later he came back and said that (I am paraphrasing here) he did not know enough of theology to make that abortion decision. Hello, he has been in "church" for 20 years, if he does not know what the Good Lord says about abortion then he needs to seriously go back to sunday school class.

 He was in a muslim school in africa (i think) for two years when he was a child, yes I know that does not make him muslim. However for me that is a factor on who I want to RUN this country.  He has never served in the military. which if you are going to be commander in chief of this great nation then having a military background is a good idea. They have him on tape not singing the national anthem or saying the pledge. Again personal pet peeve of mine. If you are going to run this nation please be proud of singing our great anthem that men and women have fought and died for over the past years.

I also have a pet peeve on Mrs. Obama, said that she had never been so proud to be an American when her husband was leading inthe polls as was going to win the democratic seat. WHAT!!!!! I am only 28 years old and everyday I wake I am proud to be an american. I am proud of the men and women who have fought and died for this country in all the wars. I am proud of the men and women who fight and die for this country now. I AM DARN RPOUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. I am not afraid to show it.

 Now, I am going to get off of my soapbox, and probaly made a lot of people ticked off, I am going to add that I do not really trust everything that McCain has to say. I do like Palin and I think him choosing her was a very smart move. I just rust McCain a little bit more than I do Obama.

I have said this in another thread yesturday and I would just like to say it again. No matter who you are voting for I pray that everyone who is able to get out vote will do so. It is one of our greatest rights as Americans to get off our butts and vote in every election. If you have not voted in the past or refuse to vote this time then you mine as well sit down and not say anything. I personally believe that you don't vote you do not have the right to say anything.

 Ok let the comments begin. But you know what that is ok. That is what makes America great, we can disagree till the cows come home. I can handle it, I am a big girl. 

singinfatlady can't even spell McCain correctly. Enough said.

 

ok, my pet peeve is the smugness surrounding the presidential race this year that just because someone believes differently then you, they are stupid and you are not.

Original Post by bethanyray:

He [Obama] has never served in the military. which if you are going to be commander in chief of this great nation then having a military background is a good idea. 

So, based on this, do you have a problem with our current POTUS and VP?

And I always find it curious when other people say, with all assuredness, as to what another person's beliefs are.  Unless you have some special crystal ball into Obama's soul, you may want to be careful about pronouncements on his faith.

No matter who you are voting for I pray that everyone who is able to get out vote will do so. It is one of our greatest rights as Americans to get off our butts and vote in every election.

On this, we definitely agree. 

moonikins, I will acknowledge my terminology was probably deficient. I should have stated that the anti-white sermons were "numerous" instead of "regular" since I did not personally attend any of the sermons to know when they were delivered. However, I have listened to full sermons (not just the segments that are being flaunted by media) and they are quite impressive in how extreme they are. Plus, the church itself is based on black liberation theology, which is by definition anti-white.

I will do more research about the bridge issue... it is the subject I have probably looked into the least.

You are correct. He was raised with exposure only to Muslim traditions/culture.

bethanyray - I see you still haven't gone and checked any facts. I gave you two independent websites that can help you check actual facts, but I guess you would rather stay ignorant than educate yourself on exactly why Obama voted against the abortion bill. It had nothing to do with refusing medical care to survivors of partial-birth abortion.

Here are the websites again. Please do yourself a favor and check out the facts. Facts are a wonderful tool. I felt like a fool when I discovered I was misinformed and am taking precautions to not do that again.

www.politifact.com and www.factcheck.org

santonacci, I think it is important because he might be targeted as a betrayer by our enemies. I actually think that extra knowledge in any area is usually helpful, but I think his knowledge of their traditions/cultures might cause him to lean more in their directions than what I would personally prefer in our president. Tolerance and acceptance of differences are to be encouraged. But, right now our enemies don't need support from our president. When he wants to engage in negotiations with terrorists to try to understand them better, that scares me. By definition, a terrorist is out to pursue their course of action without consideration of how "understanding" the target is.

Palin has probably not engaged in much discussion with foreign nations, because it is not the place of a governor (or a senator) to do so. However, she has probably been given clearance and intelligence info necessary to protect her borders.

You are correct about McCain. In fact I don't like him much (though I respect his service). To be honest, Palin is the only one on either ticket that has been in the executive branch of government.