Monday, March 19, 2007

BARACK OBAMA AND ISLAM. Back in December, Debbie Schlussel raised questions about Obama's relationship with his Muslim background. In January, she noted that the Clinton campaign raised questions too.


Schlussel asks a simple question:
Why can't he acknowledge his Muslim background and disavow it?
Has Obama responded yet? [Hat tip: Sultan Knish]

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9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You nailed it. Why Barack can't win: http://infohype.blogspot.com

Daniel Greenfield said...

of course if he did acknowledge it, he'd be an apostate and in line for a bullet

thanks for the link btw

Anonymous said...

If you're really concerned about facts, and I doubt you are, Obama clearly acknowledges his association with Islam in his book
'Dreams From My Father.' He mentions studying the Quran and describes the public school as “a Muslim school.” That's all there is to it. Even in the recent LA Times piece, his childhood friend clearly says they weren't serious about praying to Allah.

But you keep up the smear campaign - and keep up your association with Debbie Schlussel. Anyone who's spent five minutes on her website can clearly see how credible she is.

Daled Amos said...

Since we are dealing with Obama the candidate, not Obama the author, we have the right to expect to hear what the candidate believes, not have to read his book.

The issue is just what the nature of his relationship to Islam is today. You yourself do not address this issue either.

As far as smearing, I am not vilifying the man--I am raising questions. You want a real example of smearing?
That would be your attack on Schlussel.

Anonymous said...

"Since we are dealing with Obama the candidate, not Obama the author, we have the right to expect to hear what the candidate believes, not have to read his book."

The author is the candidate. Same guy. He has addressed your alleged concerns. No need to read his book. If you really want to know, the info is easily retrievable.

"The issue is just what the nature of his relationship to Islam is today. You yourself do not address this issue either."

Because he has no relationship to Islam today. Once again, easily retrievable info. You could easily look it up yourself. But I have a feeling your blog is meant to inflame, not enlighten.

"You want a real example of smearing?
That would be your attack on Schlussel."

And it is well-deserved.

Daled Amos said...

The issue raised from the beginning is what is Obama's relationship with Islam. Anything you said that does not address this is besides the point. If your own intent is to enlighten and not to inflame, then perhaps you can provide a link to where Obama explicitly addresses this point.

The fuss you make about 'smearing' and then defending your own smear of Schlussel with the vague excuse that "it is well deserved" indicates that enlightenment is not your only intent.

Anonymous said...

From the press release section of Obama's website, titled "Debunked Insight Magazine and Fox News Smear Campaign" and dated January 23, 2007:

"To be clear, Senator Obama has never been a Muslim, was not raised a Muslim, and is a committed Christian who attends the United Church of Christ in Chicago. Furthermore, the Indonesian school Obama attended in Jakarta is a public school that is not and never has been a Madrassa."

But what complicated matters was the fact that Obama's parents registered him as a Muslim at the Indonesian school. So his campaign issued a statement to the LA Times last Wednesday which said: "Obama has never been a practicing Muslim."

These statements do not contradict, and they certainly address his (non)history with Islam. I pray you will agree with that.

Schlussel's website should be recognized for what it is: a vile collection of misinformation, half-truths, red herrings and ugliness.

Anonymous said...

Daled,

The above comments should be attributed to me, David Black, and not Chelsea Sobel. More than one person using the computer here, and I apologize for the confusion.

I hope I have put your concerns about Obama's connections to Islam to rest.

Daled Amos said...

Fair enough.
For now, the issue is settled.