How deep does the fearmongering/intolerance go?

[whosinpower]

Based on the faux and real outrage over the Obama photo depicting him wearing traditional african muslim garb.......you guys have really fallen off your rocker. Seriously fallen into the pit of racism, bigotry and intolerance.

To state outrage over Hillary if she released the photo infers that there is something horribly wrong with the photo itself.....reinforcing the intolerance that has gripped your nation, sent your brightest and best into a war zone, emptied your treasury, and reduced your moral standing.

To state outrage if the republicans released the photo does the very same thing.

It perpetuates the intolerance that falls right into the same lines that got you into a stupid war in the first place. The military industrial complex is rubbing its hands in glee - as are the warmongers. This is a TRAP.

A wise leader would encourage tolerance in traditions of foreign nations - including exploring alternative types of garb, in deference to that nation. A wise leader would seek to understand positions of other nations, to enrich the quality of relationships from that nation, encouraging trade in resources and ideas to enable both nations to prosper in peace and friendship.

Ignorance is dangerous. Self imposed ignorance and intolerance is an exercise in stupidity. I applaud Barack Obama for respecting the traditions of a nation in which he visited. I congratulate him for exploring the vast world in which we live, and if he has grown to understand alternative religions, then this makes him a far far far more relevant leader than one who shoots first, and never asks questions later.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Are you familiar with the "Obama is a muslim" e-mails?

Do you think there's anything wrong with them?

[SteppingRazor]

2. Were we looking at this photo in a vaccuum, that would be true.

But, given the previous existence of right-wing smears painting Obama as some sort of fundamentalist Muslim "Manchurian Candidate," I'm sure you can understand how, put in the context of the rest of this campaign, this photo is not exactly without problems.

Regardless of whether it was put out by the Clinton camp or by right-wingers, one must ask the question, "Why?" There is an obvious answer, and it is that answer that has Obama supporters mad, not the existence of the photo itself.

[whosinpower]

4. Well, perhaps it is time to turn the smear on its head

At the very basis of the smear, the thought process goes something like this-

On September 11 - the US was attacked by a radical fundamental muslim organization called Al Quaeda.

Therefore - all muslims are bad.

Therefore, if Barack Obama is muslim - he must be bad.

The simplicity and black and white thought process should be attacked at its root - not by painting Obama as being muslim, but rather....that all muslims are bad. We know, logically that this is not the case. In fact, the muslim community has been just as much a victim by these radical groups as the western world.

What I am suggesting is instead of being outraged by the blatent religionbaiting that this photo release has incouraged - that perhaps a more enlightened response would be to embrace the photo as proof of Barack Obama as a statesman and diplomat. One who is unafraid to don the clothing of the dominant muslim community in which he visited. One who respects the traditions of foreign nations.
These are laudable attributes that make a great leader.

Anyhow - I'm sure to get flamed for this.

[juno jones]

3. So, by the same standards, a guy of Scottish origins

wearing a kilt is a potential flaming poof in a skirt who is disloyal to all things american. (no offense to scottish poofters intended, some of my best friends are flaming scotsmen)

Give me a break. Thank gods I don't have 'friends' who e-mail shit like this to me.

edit for clarity.