In order to combat rumors from e-mails and other sources, the campaign team for Sen. Barack H. Obama established a "fight the smears" website. Sen. Barack H. Obama says that he will not be defined by lies.
Fair enough. But the dirty little secret is that the website offers its own deceptions.
First, prepared e-mails are ready for supporters to send out to others to "fight the smears." The prepared texts indicate that the sources for the smears come from "right-wing" sources. On this site, one concludes that only "right-wing" sources are to blame for the smears. The truth is that not only "right-wingers" oppose Sen. Barack H. Obama's candidacy. For instance, try "Democrats Against Obama." I stumbled onto this site this morning:
*****
"Obama and his Obamatrons made a fatal error during this primary. They insulted, disrespected, threatened, and disregarded the Clinonistas. They played the race card continually, then blamed the Clintons. Now. They need us. Too late. Too much damage. Now you pay. No votes. NObama. Ever." (homepage)
*****
Individual entries at this website mention some of the "smears" being refuted on "fight the smears." "Right-wing" attacks exclusively? Hmmm... I don't think so.
Second, in response to comments (aka, "smears") that Sen. Barack H. Obama's books contain "racially incendiary remarks," "fight the smears" website reads, "recent viral emails quote Barack Obama's books out of context."
So, context is important to the Sen. Barack H. Obama campaign? Let's find out. The first "smear" on the site concerns Michelle Obama saying "whitey" on a tape. The response? "The tape that Rush and others are spreading rumors about doesn't exist." The prepared e-mail response begins, "Rush Limbaugh and his fellow right-wing attack-dogs have been spreading baseless rumors about a non-existent video tape showing Michelle Obama using a racial epithet."
Context? Completely absent. Regardless of one's personal opinions about Rush, how about some straight talk? While Sen. Barack H. Obama's website implies that Rush actively promoted the rumor, the truth is that Rush merely reported that there was a rumor. So did other media outlets: CNN contributor Roland Martin, when asked about the tape rumor on CNN Anderson Cooper 360 on 6/12/08, replied, "I'm not surprised by it, but I think, also, we can't blame Republicans for everything. It's these idiot Democrats that started some of this stuff." If by merely reporting that there was a rumor about a tape, Rush Limbaugh is guilty of perpetuating the rumor, then is not Mr. Martin also guilty? Why not list him on the "fight the smears" website alongside Rush? Besides, along with other "right-wingers," Rush actually revealed that the whole affair was an unfounded rumor started by Larry Johnson, who was working for the Clinton campaign.
Sen. Barack H. Obama and his cronies are worried about context? Right. They probably have some shares in the Brooklyn Bridge that they'll sell us, too.
How to anger a conservative: Tell her a lie.
How to anger a liberal: tell him the truth.
Fair enough. But the dirty little secret is that the website offers its own deceptions.
First, prepared e-mails are ready for supporters to send out to others to "fight the smears." The prepared texts indicate that the sources for the smears come from "right-wing" sources. On this site, one concludes that only "right-wing" sources are to blame for the smears. The truth is that not only "right-wingers" oppose Sen. Barack H. Obama's candidacy. For instance, try "Democrats Against Obama." I stumbled onto this site this morning:
*****
"Obama and his Obamatrons made a fatal error during this primary. They insulted, disrespected, threatened, and disregarded the Clinonistas. They played the race card continually, then blamed the Clintons. Now. They need us. Too late. Too much damage. Now you pay. No votes. NObama. Ever." (homepage)
*****
Individual entries at this website mention some of the "smears" being refuted on "fight the smears." "Right-wing" attacks exclusively? Hmmm... I don't think so.
Second, in response to comments (aka, "smears") that Sen. Barack H. Obama's books contain "racially incendiary remarks," "fight the smears" website reads, "recent viral emails quote Barack Obama's books out of context."
So, context is important to the Sen. Barack H. Obama campaign? Let's find out. The first "smear" on the site concerns Michelle Obama saying "whitey" on a tape. The response? "The tape that Rush and others are spreading rumors about doesn't exist." The prepared e-mail response begins, "Rush Limbaugh and his fellow right-wing attack-dogs have been spreading baseless rumors about a non-existent video tape showing Michelle Obama using a racial epithet."
Context? Completely absent. Regardless of one's personal opinions about Rush, how about some straight talk? While Sen. Barack H. Obama's website implies that Rush actively promoted the rumor, the truth is that Rush merely reported that there was a rumor. So did other media outlets: CNN contributor Roland Martin, when asked about the tape rumor on CNN Anderson Cooper 360 on 6/12/08, replied, "I'm not surprised by it, but I think, also, we can't blame Republicans for everything. It's these idiot Democrats that started some of this stuff." If by merely reporting that there was a rumor about a tape, Rush Limbaugh is guilty of perpetuating the rumor, then is not Mr. Martin also guilty? Why not list him on the "fight the smears" website alongside Rush? Besides, along with other "right-wingers," Rush actually revealed that the whole affair was an unfounded rumor started by Larry Johnson, who was working for the Clinton campaign.
Sen. Barack H. Obama and his cronies are worried about context? Right. They probably have some shares in the Brooklyn Bridge that they'll sell us, too.
How to anger a conservative: Tell her a lie.
How to anger a liberal: tell him the truth.
(photo: the Obama seal)
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