Obama Embraces His Middle Name: Hussein
EmailABC’s David Wright reports: The confusion today over the precise wording of the oath of office all but eclipsed what might otherwise have been a noteworthy moment in the proceedings: the fact that Obama used his middle name.
During the campaign, mere mention of the middle name was considered inflammatory. John McCain rebuked one of his supporters for invoking Barack Hussein Obama. The Obama campaign, for its part, suggested that commentators using their candidate’s full name were trying to imply something sinister.
Prior to today’s events Obama had indicated he would use his full name, "following the tradition." But really there is no established tradition. Each President chooses for himself.
Bush, Clinton and Nixon all used their middle names.
Reagan and Carter did not. In fact, the latter was famously casual, taking the oath using his nickname "Jimmy."
Ford used his middle initial, as did Eisenhower. Truman use his middle initial too — but hadn’t the option of using the middle name. The "S" apparently didn’t stand for anything.
The fact that Obama did use his middle name will likely be seen in the Muslim world as a friendly gesture, a sign of cultural change in the US approach.
Indeed, ABC’s digital correspondent in Islamabad Nick Schifrin notes: “If you talk to anyone here, no matter how poor, it seems they know Barack HUSSEIN Obama became the president of America. They don’t necessarily think his Muslim father will translate into different policies — but they certainly hope so.”
No doubt, some folks in this country will try to make something unflattering of Obama’s embrace of his middle name.
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There was a different slant when his name was used during the election, and it was used in a way to try to convey a sinister meaning!
Posted by: try the truth | January 20, 2009, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm
“The fact that Obama did use his middle name will likely be seen in the Muslim world as a friendly gesture, a sign of cultural change in the US approach.”
And in response, protestors in Tehran and Gaza are burning Obama’s portrait.
Some things never change.
Posted by: carl | January 20, 2009, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
It could be said that Obama beat his detractors to the punch line by being the first to use the name, Hussein.
Posted by: kathy | January 20, 2009, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm
Eight years ago, Bill Clinton held a huge to-do at Andrew AFB right at a time that detracted directly from a key ceremonial part of Bush’s inaugural festivities, a key part of the parade. It was televised, self-indulgent, self-reverential, and way, way too long. It was Clinton doing the “me, me, me, me, me, me!” routine. And it was utterly classless, one last attempt to hold onto attention on what really was, and should have been, Bush’s day.
Tomorrow, Bush shows how it really ought to be done. From a WH press release:
“1:25 pm THE FORMER PRESIDENT makes Remarks at Departure Ceremony
Andrews Air Force Base – Hangar 6 | Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland
CLOSED PRESS “
Note that: CLOSED PRESS. It will not be televised. It will be low-key. It will not take the focus away from Obama on Obama’s day.
What that is, is CLASS. Not as in social strata, but as classiness, an element of character. It speaks well of Bush.
Meanwhile, I guarantee that the exiting Bush staffers won’t vandalized the White House offices, leaving juvenile booby traps and ruined computer keyboards, the way the puerile Clinton staffers did when they left office.
Posted by: A Tale of Two Presidents | January 20, 2009, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm
This was where 50million Americans vomited.
Posted by: mishugana | January 20, 2009, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm
This is SUCH a glorious day for the United States yet there are those Rebublicans who are still vindictive,shallow and small to bring up the old. Let go of your bitter feelings and join the rest of the world with the new HOPE that President Obama brings.
Posted by: Amy | January 20, 2009, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm
Well if 50 million vomited because the man used his name, so be it. Hope they choked on it if they are so full of hate. I fail to understand these people (who I am confident number far less than 50 million) who deny easily verified reality. Obama’s birth certificate is online and has been authenticated by the state of Hawaii, he has never been Muslim (as if that mattered) and I just waiting to hear the breathless allegations that they are redecorating the White House in leopardskin and zebra prints. (As if). In what parallel universe would a person become President if he had terrorist ties and no natural US citizenship? Duh – we are leaving the most repressive regime in history and I am pretty sure if those allegations were true we would all know it. They left no stone unturned to try and hang on to power. Wake up and smell the coffee, haters. Then learn to read and not blindly trust what you are told. Let go of the hate. It is “unchristian” to coin a phrase…..
Something like “Judge not, lest you yourself be judged?”
Posted by: Andielee | January 20, 2009, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
Obama’s father was reportedly an atheist. But some Muslims (and other religious sects) think once a member always a member. In reality, like many people who were indoctrinated into a religious belief at an early age, Obama’s father later realized the lack of credible evidence for the proposed gods, and became an atheist. Hopefully Obama will follow his lead.
Posted by: D.B. | January 20, 2009, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm
mishugana,
Way to hop on that Bandwagon!
Posted by: Robert | January 20, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
“No doubt, some folks in this country will try to make something unflattering of Obama’s embrace of his middle name.”
………no, we’re too busy being insulted by the Reverend’s “when white will embrace what is right” dig at white folks (of whom I am one.)
It’s beginning to seem as if the biggest problem in the black community is the hate speech of their PREACHERS….not the occasional Muslim name, for God’s sake.
Posted by: Tired_of_it_all | January 20, 2009, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
We all pray that he does a brilliant job and brings this recession to a speedy end.
Posted by: Patriot | January 20, 2009, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
Umm, don’t think anyone said he was a Muslim or even that it was “ok” or not. Myself, I could care less if a candidate was a mainstream Muslim. That is to say, not a fundamentalist terrorist. He ran as a Christian and all evidence is that he has always been one. The same people calling him a Muslim, inexpicably rant about his membership in a Christian Church they found extreme. (File under “can’t have it both ways”). Frankly I am not real excited about evangelical public officials who think Armageddon tomorrow is a good thing…. I do not think they would take any steps to prevent such a thing. Personally I think religion should be a private observance, and so did the founders of this country, recent propaganda to the contrary.
Posted by: andielee | January 20, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
“We all pray that he does a brilliant job and brings this recession to a speedy end”…
AMEN!!!
Posted by: miamimice | January 20, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
tale of two presidents wrote…..”Meanwhile, I guarantee that the exiting Bush staffers won’t vandalized the White House offices, leaving juvenile booby traps and ruined computer keyboards, the way the puerile Clinton staffers did when they left office.”
Read on….
The accounting office said similar pranks were reported in prior transitions, including the one from Mr. Bush’s father to Mr. Clinton in 1993. ”We were unable to conclude,” it said, ”whether the 2001 transition was worse than previous ones.”
Posted by: john | January 20, 2009, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm
It’s a name. Get over it.
Posted by: Mike | January 20, 2009, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
So what if he is a Muslim. This a free country, and that includes religious freedom too. God or Allah is the same being. Christ is not God. Christ claims that he is the son of God!!!
—- In GOD we trust — not in Christ we trust.
Posted by: conma | January 20, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm
barf 1.0001 Americans now. O well when it turns sour, let the riots begin.
Posted by: ramm | January 20, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Like Colin powell said, even if he were Muslim,it wouldn’t matter.Christian,JEwish or Hindu. We all need to realize that this country is becoming very multicultural and is more embracing the conservatives with hate,who are dumb enough to vote for someone who would’ve taken them worst then foreclosure. MCcain was following that path. But MCCain is a little nicer than Bush,but he wouldve takenb us that path
Posted by: Frank | January 20, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Andielee – why don’t you actually CHECK your supposed “facts” before just spewing the Obama-Kool-Aid. His “birth certificate” is NOT online, it is a “certificate of live birth” (a small, but important distinction), and his ACTUAL birth certificate has NOT been “verified” by Hawaii. In fact, his records are sealed there. Also, don’t say “duh” that someone w/ terrorist ties could not be President – it JUST happened today! The reason that things weren’t fully investigated is because the media chose to ignore his ties because they felt that reporting on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe or her daughter’s pregnancy were more important than Obama’s relationships w/ William Ayers, or his birth in Kenya! So, DUH back at ya!
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
who cares what his race is , i think people should listen to how he wants to help our country not where he’s from that’s our number one problem in our country today everyone sees appearance not what he’s about.
Posted by: carol | January 20, 2009, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
Hey Rob….
The Bush family are the ones with terrorist ties…. Papa Bush handles investments for members of the Saudi royal family as well as Bin Laden family members.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
In the moments before the swearing in, a colleague and I were speculating about whether he’ll use his middle name or not; and I was ecstatic when I heard “Hussein” spoken. I am white, of Jewish descent, and a practicing Christian, and I am once again proud of our new president–unapologetic about who he is and where he came from, willing to stand up for ALL Americans, and challenging each of us to do the same.
Posted by: judi knight | January 20, 2009, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
Andielee…
THANK YOU!!!!!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
Hey CFJohn99 – Where are the terrorist ties? “Bin Laden family” members, last I checked, does NOT equate to Bin Laden himself. In fact, many of his family have distanced themselves from him. And the Saudi royals are actively fighting Al Quaida in their own country. Are you suggesting that ALL Muslims are terrorists, by implying that the Saudi Gov. are terrorist?
I guess I shouldn’t expect REAL facts from those who know more about Sarah Palin’s wardrobe than they do about Obama’s origin of birth or his ties to an African dictator (look it up, you might be able to find ONE or two quiet references between the 500 stories about Palin’s daughter or her clothes).
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Kudos, Judi Knight! Guys like Rob will never get it. All they “get” is the BS that scared people cling to. They live in fear of what just happened. They vote fear. Optimism and hope do not exist in their world. (Nor apparently logic and/or facts). Have a great day, it is one!
Posted by: andielee | January 20, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Oh,,come on,,of course, he can use it now after he became the President!
Not when he campaigned. Why????
Hypocrite!
Today, he mentioned people all over the world, including Kenya but not Indonesia.
While ABC showed some Indonesian students ( his former school)were watching him to be sworn.
I feel sorry for those students!
Posted by: catleya | January 20, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Rob, “Terrorist ties”? Oh, get real. Obama is NOT a “terrorist” or “tied” to them. His so called “relationship” with William Ayers is a joke. As far as his birth records being sealed, there are many reasons that could be. None of this matters. Too many conservative, right wingers (and I used to be one) are all bent out of shape because Obama means “change”. I think it’s about time for a change. The old “politics” needs to go!
Posted by: LetsKeepItReal | January 20, 2009, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
Robbie….
Are YOU suggesting that the Bin Laden family has no ties with Usama Bin Laden.
I’m afraid they do son.
Hey …If Bush and Cheney can try to deceive the world with a fictional tie between Usama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein to lead the US and allies into an illegal war, then I can cite factual ties between Usama Bin Laden and his family….Even if he is the only one in the family preaching Jihad.
The shoe is on the other foot m’ boy. Get used to it.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
It’s a name. Get over it!
Yes, it is. The problem is he is the one did not want to use it not until NOW!
Posted by: catleya | January 20, 2009, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm
So, I guess this means ALL our troubles are over and we will live happily ever after…..LOL
Posted by: CW | January 20, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
Hey Rob – could not have said it better myself… Just because his middle name is “Hussein” just might not make him a terrorist! And by golly, they were busy burning him in effigy today in various middle eastern countries. Hmmm.. Kind of sounds like distancing to me from their end. And so far, you are the only here one obsessing over Palin’s wardrobe. African dictators? Yeah. Uh huh. Keep on drinking that kool-aid buddy. Don’t work for a better tomorrow, whatever you do. Keep up that hate and innuendo. Stay scared.
Posted by: andielee | January 20, 2009, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
It seems there will always be someone, some organization, political party, government, etc.etc.etc. and so on that will have a remark on Obama’s middle name and why it was used. The people of this “world” need to get over their petty differences. Who cares. It is his name. Here is a man who is starting to try to make a difference in America and in the world community. Why not give him a chance, see how he does and judge him from there.
Posted by: Donna | January 20, 2009, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
The only time I heard Hussein was with the oath. Otherwise they used “H” for most of the ceremony. I don’t really consider that EMBRACING.
Posted by: Nick | January 20, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
Did we elect a President or a “name”?
Posted by: James | January 20, 2009, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
I see the right wing True Believers are unhappy today. How sad. Especially as all of their whining, aside from staccato storms of but-but-buts basically boils down to one simple declaration:
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Ah, well, at least they have the Net mostly to themselves today, as the vast majority of Americans step out to celebrate the end of the long Bush nightmare and the beginning of a new era of American politics. They can lick each other’s wounds and feel, perhaps for the last time, as if they weren’t such a small, petty, intellectually bereft group that finds themselves suddenly rendered insignificant and impotent and cast adrift without so much as a hint of viable, competent leadership
Perhaps they’d feel better if they shared their feelings. They are not the only group far outside of the mainstream of American thought. Perhaps a group therapy session with the 9/11 Truthers, the Rushbots, and, for the religious right, the Flat Earthers would be therapeutic. It’s got to be easier to swallow than the unvarnished truth.
The truth is all of human social and political history has been a steady progression to more liberal societies. The notable exceptions have been relatively short in duration. The overall arc of history has been to more liberal, more tolerant, more enlightened societies. The racists, the deliberately ignorant, movement conservatives and the religious right are no more than road kill on the highway of human development. No wonder they’re not happy.
To them I say welcome to reality. Enjoy your visit. Slow thinkers keep right.
To the vast majority of my fellow Americans who support Barack Obama and the hope and change he represents, even with all of the serious work, much of it cleaning up the catastrophic mess left by the previous occupant of 1600 Penn Ave, as we look forward to real change, real work and better times ahead I say this is our day. Don’t let the wild ranting of a few angry, ignorant fools spoil the celebration.
Rather, look with compassion on our conservative brethren, as, but for intelligence, education, common sense, shared values, respect for the law, inclusiveness, greed, ignorance by choice, social tolerance, civil rights, a basic understanding of science and basic competence, not to mention the grace of God, go we.
Posted by: Peter Principle | January 20, 2009, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Andielee, Letskeepitreal (and all the other Obamamaniacs) No, I hate the Kool Aid. In fact, echoing the Bush haters, this is NOT MY President! Four years from now when the “S” in US stands for “Socialist” and a loaf of bread costs $10 due to inflation resulting from “tax and spend” & you can come back to my post today & recall that “I told you so!” As far as “birth certificates,” if the media can investigate “Joe the Plumber” & dig up some tax issues or if they can investigate how much was spent on Palin’s wardrobe, then you’d think they can investigate Obama’s birth. But again, that wasn’t important to them. As far as Obama, how about looking into it that he held a passport to Pakistan during the time the US had an embargo on them. And as far as your “from the the USSR” (like I believe that), he didn’t have the media pulling for him. Believe me, if the media WANTED to actually INVESTIGATE Obama, he wouldn’t be getting sworn in today. But they (and apparently you) had such “white guilt” and have such an infatuation for someone who can speak well from a teleprompter, yet bumbles the Presidential Oath (if Bush would’ve done that, you guys would be going on & on about how “stupid” he is). As can be seen recently (Richardson, Blago, etc), more & more scandals will be coming out, to the point that I can predict that Obama may have to step down from office before the end of his term (perhaps the TRUE nature of his “associations” will become known once the media honeymoon wears off). For those of you who still want to bash Bush but expect us to “come together” in regards to Obama, BITE IT! Oh, and for those of you who fell for the oldest political pandering in the book (change, we all need “change”), be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
If we all keep hearing it, then after a while, the name “Hussein” will sound as familiar as “Joe” or “Bob”.
President Barack Hussein Obama.
President Barack Hussein Obama.
President Barack Hussein Obama.
President Barack Hussein Obama.
Has a GREAT ring to it!
WOO HOO!
GOBAMA!!!
Posted by: d | January 20, 2009, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
Gee Rob,….
Does this mean you don’t love me anymore?
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
OBAMA
HEY..BAMA
BAMA BAMA O
BAMA HEY
BAMA O-BA-MA
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
I Rest my case!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
So do I, John, SON. Funny that you folks wanna talk about “coming together” only when it’s for someone YOU support. Funny that you talk about “inclusiveness” ONLY when it includes folks and ideas you support. Irony = Obama supporters expecting everyone to embrace him while they STILL bash Bush (just re-read some of the above-comments and you STILL have folks bashing Bush, and he’s no longer the President anymore). Guess what libs, you can’t blame him anymore, he’s not in office! Better start looking to play the victim to your Messiah, thy Lord Hussein Obama!
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Rob – keep up the hate and innuendo, bud. For the record, I don’t have “White guilt,” (for that matter, how do you know my ethnicity at all?)the person I spoke of was born in Chernobyl and evacuated here as an infant at 4 months after the nuclear event (and is a RABID Republican I might add), Obama does fine without a telprompter and had you watched you would know Roberts flubbed the oath. But I know, I know, facts don’t bother you – you and your pals make it up as you go. The last 8 years had been ridden with scandals, but you conveniently overlook that. AND, in closing, Obama IS your President, whether you like it or not. Just like Bush WAS my president. And Clinton before him. Change is just that, change, and you better wake up and hope this guy can pull it off, because he is walking into a mess created by DECADES of greed and bad choices by both parties and alot of Americans playing with credit and we are running out of time. I do not think Obama is the messiah, nor do I traffic in miracles. But Rob, for your scared self and the rest of the country, both scared and hopeful I sure hope he turnes out to be one heck of a President and Leader. Because right now, that is what this country needs.
Posted by: Andielee | January 20, 2009, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
Yes Rob,
Blaming previous administrations is a tool directly from the republican war chest…i.e. The current economic meltdown is clearly Jimmy Carters fault.
Never mind that there has been a republican in the white house 20 of the last 28 years since Carter’s term.
Posted by: cfjohn | January 20, 2009, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm
Sorry about the duplication – didn’t need to be said twice! I am out of here, everyone have a great day. Even you Rob. It’s America we are allowed to have different opinions here. That is what makes us great.
Posted by: andielee | January 20, 2009, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm
There is a story right now on ABC of “who got the best seats. It was intersting to find out that Illinois Gov. Blago was one of those sitting at the invitation only site. Along with Caroline Kennedy, Jessie Jackson Jr. and of course Oprah.
Posted by: CW | January 20, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
yeah Andilee…keep telling yourself that story…maybe you’ll start to actually believe it?
Maybe the flocks will follow too?
My Grandmother is rolling over twice in her grave tonite.
Posted by: Debra | January 20, 2009, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Andielee – I’m not “scared.” In fact, I’m doing quite well, even though the economy isn’t. that’s because I don’t rely on the Gov to solve my problems, see, I’m a big boy, I rely on myself. I don’t need Gov handouts or other people’s taxes. You did get one thing right though, the current mess we are in is the result of BOTH parties. In fact, both parties are equally at fault because they both have forgotten that they work for us, instead of us working for them. My tax dollars (and yours) support them & prop them up, but they both have abused their (supposedly LIMITED) power. I am equally as incensed at Bush for growing Gov & spending as much as he has (bailouts, TSA, etc) as I am at Obama for his apparent policies of “tax and spend.” Think about this, taxing & spending your way out of an economic slowdown is like eating your way to skinny – it just ain’t gonna happen!
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Yes, they will undoubtedly make “unflattering” remarks about his middle name, just as some ABC News reporters will make unflattering remarks regarding the “enjoy the next four years” line in the Bush’s daughters note to the Obama girls.
Posted by: quiltedjeans | January 20, 2009, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
Rob – We agree on many things! Really. Debra – you have confused the heck out of me, but that’s ok. Flocks? Some of my deceased grandparents are probably fairly active too, hope they wind up facing up, as if it matters. They lived in a different time – no need to live in their past. Women could not have voted (or had a decent job) in their past. Ah well – REALLY out of here now, things to do,y’all have a good one.
Posted by: andielee | January 20, 2009, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Yes TOM DOUGLAS…
The discourse here, some of mine included, can be less than eurydite. I chalk it up to eight years of “misunderestimation.” Don’t worry though….soon the effect of listening to those painful speeches will dissolve and we will get to the business of proper discussion.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
When will we come together as one again? Obama is trying damned hard to get the people to unite. Unfortunitely, there are those who would rather continue to hate their fellow Americans.
Posted by: Jack | January 20, 2009, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
“What’s in a name”?
Well, lessee…it was too dangerous to use during the election, like it was a dirty word or something. Of course, one would have to be brain dead not to know his middle name anyway…duh. I suppose the Palestinians might vote in a guy named Amram Goldberg…who knows?
Now The One’s Middle Name (bows) is supposed to be like a lucky charm to keep the big bad tewwowists away from these American shores?
Posted by: Grand Old Party | January 20, 2009, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
How can Obama be the fgirst black president when he is half white?
or has everyone forgotten that about him.
just wondering if any one else has the same felling about it.
as for me i feel like he should be called the first mixed race american president.
just not sure why no one has even mentioned his white heritage through this whole thing.
i really wouldnt care if he was a purple frog as long as he does what is best for every american no matter what the color of their skin is.
Posted by: kathy | January 20, 2009, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm
Tom Douglas – quality of discourse notwithstanding, it is also sad that someone can lament about the comments here, yet decides to comment himself. Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.
And Jack – I guess the same question could be asked of those who didn’t “come together” during the Bush administration. Where were those of you who refused to “unite” under Bush? Were you busy “hating?”
I get it, it’s OK to “hate” & refuse to unite under a POTUS that you don’t agree with, but it’s a mistake to (gasp) dare to refuse to “unite” under they Lord most Powerful Hussein Obama… ahhhh, I get it.
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
OOOH Rob,
Wake up…. After the attack on 9/11 Bush’s approval rating was over 90%. Translation: The country, including lefties and righties, came together. It was through his inept and agenda ridden response to that attack that the country was divided. It’s not so divided now, though. It is only the 27% that still approve of the Bush administration who are not on board.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:21 pm 7:21 pm
I don’t think the name given to the man should be a problem with people nor should his color for heavens sake!- And this is why I personally am not so happy with the way everyone including Obama himself, as the first “African American” President. Now before anyone gets their panties in a bunch- mine are not comments intended to be negative or racial in any form- Should it not be assumed that all adults citizens And most especially our President(who afterall is required by law to be a natural born American citizen )be considered, viewed as and referred to as “Americans” The American President- why should anyone need to make reference to his, hers,biologic- ethnic heritage?? And unless Obama is a duel citizen or this is Africa/America??
I see the added reference as unnecessary and dividing.
Posted by: earl | January 20, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
Kathy – don’tcha know, you can’t mention his white side because that would be racist – how dare you! He is the Messiah, the One, the first “African-American” POTUS (don’t worry about his “white” side, I’m sure that can be conveniently forgotten about just like his terrorist ties). Just toe the line & realize we should all bow down & throw our tax money at his feet so he can “distribute the wealth” the way he sees fit because he knows all, he sees all, and dadgummit, we owe it to him! And if we don’t, then we are “racists” or “haters” or any other bad bad names the libs wanna call us, even though they didn’t “unite” under Bush – funny how double-standards work sometimes, eh?
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
CFJohn – yep, and that 27% is still better than the approval rating for the DEMOCRATICALLY controlled Congress…
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
NOW NOW ROBBIE….
You went and got yer panties in a bunch!
Keep hidding from reality. It served your masters well.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
Apples and oranges ROBBIE
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm
kathy, you seem to forget something. The People were ready to stand with Bush, he was given the perfect moment to unite this country. And instead of persuing the people responsible for 9/11, we end up in Iraq. A country that was NOT an immediate threat and had NO ties to al qaeda. That’s why people on the left and in the center, no longer followed Bush and his personal agenda.
You can cry all you want that people didn’t unite under Bush, but we had good reason to not follow his lead.
Posted by: Jack | January 20, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
Forgive me, that was addressed to Rob, not kathy. browsing in a tiny window sucks :P
Posted by: Jack | January 20, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
Are you Dems serious?!? You guys introduced “hate” into politics. Where do you think “Bush Haters” came from? The Repubs? Congratulations. You guys one a popularity contest not an election based on political ability and record. See what happens in 2 years when you don’t have a black man (or should I say, half white, quarter black african, quarter arab african) man on the ballot. No wait, we already have seen what happens. How about a 50-50 result in the Georgia senate race on Nov 4th, then the run off where Obama wasn’t on the ballot the Repub won 58-42. Very telling.
Posted by: Patrick | January 20, 2009, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm
Are you Dems serious?!? You guys introduced “hate” into politics. Where do you think “Bush Haters” came from? The Repubs? Congratulations. You guys won a popularity contest not an election based on political ability and record. See what happens in 2 years when you don’t have a black man (or should I say, half white, quarter black african, quarter arab african) man on the ballot. No wait, we already have seen what happens. How about a 50-50 result in the Georgia senate race on Nov 4th, then the run off where Obama wasn’t on the ballot the Repub won 58-42. Very telling.
Posted by: Patrick | January 20, 2009, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
Hey Rob, you really need to look at the last two decades, Congress haven’t had a “good” approval rating…even when the Republicans controlled it.
Posted by: Jack | January 20, 2009, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm
Jack & CFJohn – so you use the example of 9/11 to try to make the point of “uniting” & Bush (by himself) destroying that unity? hmmmm, ok… well, what about the FACT that there was ONLY an 8 million voter differential in Obama vs McCain (not quite the “landslide” the media wants you Obama nuthuggers to believe). And then even in his own party he couldn’t bring “unity” (PUMAs, anyone)? There were those who would rather vote for McCain than Obama if they couldn’t vote for Hillary. So don’t give us that “unity” crap – Obama has only “united” the roughly 52% of the voting populace, those who would support him if he picked William Ayers to be the Sec of State & Rev Wright to lead the invocation…
“unity” my a$$
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm
And here I thought the repubs acted like Palin was the 2nd coming.
Posted by: annie | January 20, 2009, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
You are a true vulgarian ROB.
FYI… Yes Obama won the popular vote by 8,000,000….. and Gore won the popular vote in 2000 by 2,000,000.
That’s a fact, Jack…I mean Rob!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
Jack – that’s OK, I don’t need you to judge me, as you don’t matter to me. But again, talk about double standards – you claim Bush’s term was “agenda-ridden” and that “destroyed unity.” Well, if you could at least for 10 minutes take your head out of Obama’s arse you would see that there are those who don’t believe his “agenda” is what’s best for this country, and THAT is why he cannot “unite” slightly less than half of the voting populace, it’s because we don’t believe that turning the US into a Socialist Republic is what the Founding Father’s wanted. In fact, they fled their homeland when the reach of the Gov became too much, they believed in LIMITED Gov.
Oh, and I blame Bush for the expansion of Gov too, don’t get me wrong – I abhor the fact that he has spent more than another other administration & expanded Gov more than any other administration (bailouts, TSA, etc) – basically when he has abandoned conservative principles and acted like a “tax and spend” democrat…
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Who cares what name he used? His ‘Bend over and get ready to take it up the keyster, cuz the country is heading for the toilet’ speech should be of greater concern. Especially for those who haven’t hoarded food, gold, guns, and ammo.
Peace.
Posted by: Who Cares | January 20, 2009, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm
Holy Moly Rob,
First you accuse liberals of not uniting behind Bush, and then you say:
Oh, and I blame Bush for the expansion of Gov too, don’t get me wrong – I abhor the fact that he has spent more than another other administration & expanded Gov more than any other administration (bailouts, TSA, etc) – basically when he has abandoned conservative principles
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
Obama’s speeches make Bush’s speeches sound like a series of simiam grunts!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
CFJohn – yes, I said I disagreed with (actually I said “I abhor”) when Bush acted like a Democrat. And now we ahve a POTUS who, from all accounts, has an even BIGGER tax & spend agenda. But even when Bush became a Democrat in Republican clothing, I didn’t say he was a “terrorist” or that he and Cheney should be tried for war crimes, etc, etc like many of your liberal bretheren. THAT is where unity comes in.
So if you, or any of your Hussein-worshipping buddies expect folks to jump on the Obama-bandwagon, take a step back & realize that you needed to practice what you preach. You can’t bash Bush & call him a “terrorist” and then NOT expect the same reactions to your boy Obama… sorry, doesn’t work that way.
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm
Rob, you may not agree with Obama’s policies, and that fine with me. Do you even know what Obama’s agenda is? It’s pretty simple, if you believe him. If you don’t like his agenda, than why do you live in this country, his agenda (if you believe him) is what should be on the mind of every American.
Fix this country, get it moving into the future and fix the middle class. Maybe you don’t like his policies, maybe you don’t trust him, maybe you’re just shallow. All I know about you, is what you’ve been saying….and you sound like a neocon, who hates anything that doesn’t think/act like you do.
If you have a better idea, why don’t you promote your idea(s)? Open is listening to EVERYONE, he wants to succeed and he wants us to secceed. I don’t, and never will, understand how followers of Christ can be so full of hate, distrust and self-pride – to turn a blind eye on reality. Reality is, our country is heading towards self-destruction.
Posted by: Jack | January 20, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
wow!! Right wingers are still whinning about Obama’s middle name.. remember 55% of americans didnt vote because obama is black, blue or red or his funny middle name.. you should realize the fact that we ( the people) are sick and tired of the old politics and we need change…
which America are these whinners living in??
anywayz, what a wonderful & blessed day.
God bless our new president, God bless you all, and God bless the United states of America..
Posted by: Hussein Mberwa | January 20, 2009, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm
Rob,
Let it go buddy…. it’s weighing you down. We only get one life. Don’t waste your energy hating. I do not hate anyone…I do have very strong feelings toward those who manipulate others to selfish ends. I truly feel that is what has gone on under GWB.
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 8:13 pm 8:13 pm
Jack – my “agenda” is simple – stop subsidizing those who cannot or will not contribute back into society, be they white, black, or what have you. CA touts itself as having the 5th or 6th largest economy in the WORLD yet they cannot balance their budget.
The reason is simple, but it’s not “popular” with the liberal media, as one is blasted as “racist” if they dare speak of the reason as being that CA cannot sustain the “tax and spend” idealogy of subsidizing illegals who do NOT contribute tax money back into the economy. It’s funny that one is labeled as “racist” if one talks about that, or dares to say he does not follow Obama. I couldn’t care less if Obama was black, white, green, or red, it’s not the color of his skin which offends me, its’ that I don’t like his socialistic idealogy.
Another example, how about stop penalizing those who actually WORK and contribute to society. That’s like telling Jimmy that his “A” on a report will be downgraded to a “C” because the kid next to him had an “F” and he needs soem of Jimmy’s points to make up for the fact that he didn’t study or work hard enough to make his own grades.
Again – trying to “tax & spend” your way out of an economic downturn is like trying to eat yourself skinny.
Oh, and Earl – your comments remind me of Tom’s up there, complaining on an internet forum by posting on an internet forum about those who are posting on an internet forum – that’s like saying “Fred is such a loser, I see him down at the strip club every weekend.”
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm
You guys need to stop using Obama’s campaign rhetoric in your arguments. Don’t forget, 49 million of us don’t think the middle class is broken, or we need to turn this country around. Until he puts policy to promises he’s just another self-promoting politician who said what he had to to get elected.
Posted by: Patrick | January 20, 2009, 8:18 pm 8:18 pm
I knew we’d find common ground Rob. (Earl) Respect!!!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm
Patrick your thinking is in the minority.
Posted by: d | January 20, 2009, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
CFJohn – props. Anyway, as our common friend Earl said, I must go so I can exercise my legs as much as I have been exercising my fingers… later days!
Posted by: Rob | January 20, 2009, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm
Cheers all!!!
Posted by: cfjohn99 | January 20, 2009, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm
what the hell? How can you all turn such a wonderful day into such horrible conversation? You all seem to be adults and if a 17 year old girl has to tell you to grow the hell up, it’s a problem. I don’t care if you are black, white, Muslim, or Christian give the guy a chance… let him prove to you (and to me) that he can do what needs to be done!!!
Posted by: Brionne | January 20, 2009, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm
Rightwingers continue to show the world their true selves. No wonder they’re hated world wide. Everything they stand for is anti-Christian and anti-American. Such lowlives!
Posted by: AJ | January 20, 2009, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
How come nobody was allowed to use his middle name during the election process and now he embraces it.
Posted by: BHO | January 20, 2009, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
So it is ok for Obama to mention his middle name Hussein.
But it is not ok for a Florida sheriff who got in to trouble for mentioning Obama as Hussein.
Posted by: Greg h | January 20, 2009, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Chief Justice Roberts appeared quite inappropriate in starting the swearing in by saying: “Are you ready to take the oath, Senator?” His tone of voice also seemed hostile. I’m sure there is no love lost between the President and the Chief Justice but even so one would think that on this occasion, like Chief Justices before him, the present Chief Justice would show some class. Amazingly, no news media have commented on this. Compare how Associate Justice John Paul Stevens handles the swearing in of Vice-President Biden who, in another incarnation, was also a Senator.
Posted by: John | January 20, 2009, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
Greg, you know it’s not the name. It’s the tone and the implication. They wanted people to associate the name with terrorists. And therefore associate Obama with terrorists. But you know that.
Posted by: annie | January 20, 2009, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm
So what if he is a Muslim. This a free country, and that includes religious freedom too. God or Allah is the same being. Christ is not God. Christ claims that he is the son of God!!!
—- In GOD we trust — not in Christ we trust.
Posted by: conma | Jan 20, 2009 5:17:38 PM
You sir are a big fool, as an Obama supporter myself i really hope you are not under that same tent! you give us bad names like: we all don’t believe in God, we are anti- christian, wild-eyed libberal.
For you information JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD and yes He is GOD(John 1:1;14) no doubt every Knee shall bow before Jesus Christ, simple and true.
HAIL OUR NEW CIC. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA, WOHOOOO
Posted by: benjy | January 20, 2009, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm
This is so funny. I have tuned in as an Australian to try and bypass the retoric and see what Amercians really think about thier new president, and you are all hung up on names and what percentage black he really is, and OMG we can’t find his birth certificate so he must be a terrorist. Are you people serious!! You are fortunate to live in a country where you can vote for the most powerful human being on the planet. The rest of us have to watch and hope that you make a good decision as invariably this decision will determine global foriegn and economic policy. If you have abused this privledge by casting votes using any criteria other than; intelligence, integrity, and leadership then you should be ashamed of yourselves. You may say that this is a domestic issue and you do not want or care for the power to influence global affairs so directly. Believe me, I certainly do not feel good about such an important vote being handed to a race of people that believe it’s you right to shoot someone if they stop to eat thier upsized burger meal on your front lawn, but that is the way of the world and our future is in your hands. You have an opportunity to win back some respect that has been seriously eroded, and I am hopeful that you have made a good decision and Obama is the man who can show you the way.
Posted by: Aussiedrew | January 20, 2009, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm
“Obama Embraces His Middle Name: Hussein (ABC’s David Wright reports)”
Out of all the things, on all the days, you pick this to write about (which by the way is completely overreaching in interpretation).
This smells like another Georgie Snuffalufagus/Charlie Gabs-a-ton hit job. Nice work fellas! Glad to see ya’ haven’t lost your touch!!
Posted by: Roush Limppaws | January 20, 2009, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm
John – Yes, as you say, it is amazing no news media have covered your made up insinuation regarding the Chief Justice. But what is REALLY amazing is the low class, disrespectful slum dogs in the audience today who, during Pres. Bush’s introduction, started chanting “nah nah nah nah hey hey hey goodbye.” Amazing no news media covered that because I’m sure they didn’t want to show just how LOW CLASS their liberal audience is!
Posted by: Rob | January 21, 2009, 12:12 am 12:12 am
Well my 2 cents are that we as a nation need to set our own personal conflict aside and realize that in order for things to work we have to find the good in all of us. The Lord put us here to find and see the good through the bad that this world has grown fond of. I feel that no matter who it is we need to hope that they are seeking the very things that GOD wants, and keep it as close as it can be to that until the good Lord returns to do it right in the eyes of GOD. This country is in dire need of change we have forgotten that we were one nation under GOD. There is one problem with this over the years they have tried to stress the issue of freedom of religon but how can you have freedom of religon in a country where the people of Christ arent supposed to say Merry Christmas but Happy Holidays come on. In order to have freedom of religon everybody has to have the right to exspress thier own perspective and not be judged or or threated by lawsuit ect.The biggest problem with this is the obssesive manner to change a persons views. We all need to realize not the detail of religon but the one main fact that is in all of them and that is peace and tranquility. That is why the force of one religon is talked about in Revalations because man cant figure it out so they just force one so they feel like they have completed something that is left unsolved…….. Good luck to the Obama Administration WE THE PEOPLE are counting on big changes for the good.
Posted by: MY 2 Cents | January 21, 2009, 12:50 am 12:50 am
You tell ‘em about media bias, Rob! Just last night, I faced hardball questions from Glenn Beck over on Fox. He threw a gotcha question also at me – asking when was the last time I ordered a Frosty at the Wendy’s drive-thru. I told him it was 2 days ago, but at Dairy Queen! That reply nearly knocked his socks off. The political pundits will be mulling over my quick-witted response for years to come.
Posted by: Ms.siah Sarah Palin | January 21, 2009, 1:02 am 1:02 am
He used his middle name as a way to say “bleep you” to his opponents. Just like he scratched his face with his middle finger when talking about McCain to the laughter of people in the audience.
Posted by: steve | January 21, 2009, 8:18 am 8:18 am
John Roberts said his middle name first and Obama had no choice to repeat it. That’s why obama was so distracted reciting the oath.
Posted by: Tawne | January 21, 2009, 8:28 am 8:28 am
Funny, I thought his name was “Barry Soetoro”? Shouldn’t he be required to use that name in his oath?
Posted by: Ed | January 21, 2009, 3:45 pm 3:45 pm
You thought wrong, Ed. The name on his birth certificate (certification of live birth) is Barack Hussein Obama.
Posted by: my tinfoil hat sparkles | January 22, 2009, 3:09 am 3:09 am
Forget it its a name only. Let him concentrate on his work. He has a lot to do.
Posted by: Nalini Datta | January 22, 2009, 8:30 am 8:30 am
Are we really thinking Obama is a pious, innocent miracle who happened to have come from the filthy and corrupt Chicago machine? In a matter of a couple years to become president? A miracle, no doubt!
You don’t get there as fast as he did without being a slimeball politician.
Posted by: James | January 22, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Did I hear someone say slimeball politician?
Posted by: Ms.siah Sarah P | January 22, 2009, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
In the article, the writer couldn’t bleeping put the meaning of ‘Hussein’??
What sort of short sighted journalism is that?? Phooey!!
Posted by: Dan in Houston | January 22, 2009, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
I believe this is a mistake bringing these muslim terrorists on American soil but if you have doubts about this man this just makes one believe he is working against us not for us, I believe he is a wolf in sheeps clothing and that his intent is to fulfill the
muslim belief; time will tell. Where do you naive’ people think he got the name Hussein and and it’s significance. How many americas have that name unless they are of the Muslim faith. I believe this president is a racist just as many are and just can’t let the slavery and prejudice thing go. Most folks that were of that era are good people and realize that most of us had nothing to do with it. There is the saddening notion that we will become a socialized nation, ruled and dictated by the government: How sad!
Posted by: Dawn | January 22, 2009, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
He should have just changed it to “Barack X”. Might as well have…we really don’t know who the heck he is anyway and the Communists and the MSM would still stick up for him.
To our Australian visitor above…great, you’re welcome to him as your PM four years from now. I guess you guys don’t have stupid rules like having to be a real citizen before running your country.
Posted by: Grand Old Party | January 22, 2009, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm
@Rob: you speak of Barack’s supposed “ties to an African dictator”, and yet you seem to forget the decades of ACTUAL American governmental support to numerous African dictators, from Mobutu Sese Seko to Sani Abacha. I doubt you recognize the names, nor do you know which one of the 50+ African countries these idiots ran roughshod over for years as American government after American government supplied them with arms to oppress their people, and then were granted lucrative oil and other natural resource extraction contracts. Look up the history of ChevronTexaco or Shell Oil.
Posted by: jalabi | January 23, 2009, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm
President Obama with his diversity in his racial background, a mixed race, black and white. A mix religion background,Islam from his father’s side, christian from his mother ‘s side. His roots mostly from Africa, there, we have a mix between African, and Arabs. Sorry no Jewish in him. So President Obama represent a vast majority of people around the world, politicaly, religously, and so many ethnical backgrounds. A universal President, that if he can handle its vast responsibility, and make good to his promises to the American people.
Posted by: Joe Fattal | January 26, 2009, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm
During the campaigns – both primary and general – the MSM deemed anyone using Mr Obama’s middle name, racist. Why did they do that?
Posted by: selbama | January 27, 2009, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm