Just when I thought I'd seen the low point in this campaign season...

[D23MIURG23]

I log on and see 50 new threads with people frantically bickering about a picture of Obama in a turban. With all the high minded talk I hear around this place concerning the issues facing this country, and how the MSM slights us all on substance, this should be surprising to me. It isn't.


Obama and Clinton supporters are both spinning this story in different directions, but there is one angle no one seems to be noticing:

The subject is pointless!


First of all, its a picture.


Second of all, why the hell would this picture bother anyone who isn't already too bigoted to vote for Obama? If I was seeing this photo in a different context, I might think it was cool to see Obama reconnecting with some African tradition. Who says we have to care about the opinions of Klan members and freepers?


Third of all, I don't have any idea who's campaign was involved in any angle regarding this picture, but it really doesn't matter. Its a trivial noise maker; distraction at best, and it really should have no effect on who you support on either side.


Its sad that there appears to have been underlying malice in the release of this photo (judging from the fact that Drudge had his hands in it) but frankly there is a solution to that. Sit back, go to your happy place, take a few deep breaths and clear your mind. Congratulations: You have just undermined the offending party's intent.


Now don't you have something more important to worry about?

---------------------------------------------
(Full Disclosure: I support Obama)

Note: if you are not sure what this is about you can find the story here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/25/obama-photo-in-turban-ro_n_88272.html

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Ah...

"Second of all, why the hell would this picture bother anyone who isn't already too bigoted to vote for Obama? If I was seeing this photo in a different context, I might think it was cool to see Obama reconnecting with some African tradition. Who says we have to care about the opinions of Klan members and freepers?"

So you admit it may inflame hatred among Islamophobic bigots. I agree.

So then why is Clinton doing it?

[D23MIURG23]

6. Of course it will.

This will cause rabies in the ten percent of Americans constantly looking for hate porn at which to aggress. Why should you or I or Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton concern ourselves with them? They are going to hate all of us no matter what.

[LSparkle]

2. But focusing on this non-issue keeps the media from talking about Hillary's tantrum

Shiny keys, look over here, don't pay attention as I melt down ...

[northzax]

3. remember

it was in the national enquirer three weeks ago. This was hardly a 'release'

[panader0]

4. I have seen photos of Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, bush

and nearly every politician who has traveled overseas dressed in traditional garb. Do we really need to drag them out?

[Debi]

9. Only if you combine them with emails about how they are Muslim terrorists

Like the crazy-assed ones being sent around the internets about Obama (and being forwarded to friends and family by Clinton staff and volunteers)

[Melinda]

5. Reasonable, well thought out posts have no place in this forum.

However, I appreciate all you say. Thanks. :)

[D23MIURG23]

7. Thanks.

I guess they don't. This thread is pretty much barren.

:hi:

[Big Blue Marble]

8. Aren't you saying something similar to what Kerry said

when the Swiftboat boys took the stage. "this is nothing to worry about."
Or when they got the picture of Kerry windsurfing.
Then there was that guy in the tank thingy.

The reason to be concerned is that pictures speak volumes that we partisans can miss.
This picture slips neatly into the narrative that Obama, no matter what he tells you,
is a secret Muslim. He is the Middle Eastern Manchurian Candidate being foisted upon us.

This picture risks amplifying that meme. Only a few will fall for it. Not many were infected
by the Swiftees. But enough were. Enough to help keep Bush in office.

That is the worry. I do have confidence that Obama has the skill and the wisdom to
take these fights back to the lowlifes that advance them.

But those past traumas, mentioned above, cause concern for me.

[D23MIURG23]

10. Mostly my point is that we don't need to rip each other up.

If Obama feels the need to counterpunch this he should, but most of us on these forums are temporary opponents only, and the level of hostility was breathtaking today.

[LisaL]

11. This photo was out there since 2006.

If Obama is so concerned about it, maybe he shouldn't have posed for it.