[Dialogue] Fact Check re: Obama

[McCabe, Diann A]

Nicholas Kristof says what I had wanted to say:
 
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/opinion/09kristof.html?th&emc=th
 
 
--Diann McCabe

________________________________

From: McCabe, Diann A
Sent: Fri 3/7/2008 1:57 PM
To: Diann McCabe
Subject: FW: [Dialogue] Fact Check re: Obama



------ Forwarded Message
From: Karl Hess <khess at apk.net>
Reply-To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at wedgeblade.net>
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 17:45:53 -0500
To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at wedgeblade.net>
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Fact Check re: Obama

Diann,

"Enlighten" is part of the problem.  In my view a big part.  If you read "The Political Brain" by Drew Westen, you will see that there is abundant data showing that people make up their reasons to support their prejudices. Ben Franklin said it well, "So convenient a thing it is to be a rational creature, since it enables us to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to." The guy who wrote "What's the Matter with Kansas" thought the way most liberals have thought for the last 40 years and that's why the Republicans have won most of the presidential elections.  Obama gets it.  I don't think Hilary does.

I've read several books on neuropsychology recently and they all find the same phenomenon.  In fact one neuroeconomist found that the standard "rational man" assumed by economists only applies to autistic people.  That's why the so many economics Nobels lately have gone to people who have been disproving traditional economics assumptions.  Economics turns out to be a philosophy pretending to be a science.  "Adam's Fallacy" is also a good read.

The people who "put this stuff out" are using the fear 'frame' to win elections.  If we continue to assume voters are going to be rational, they will continue to win elections.

Karl



	Yes, it's disturbing that whoever is putting out this stuff assumes that a "Muslim" is someone to be feared and loathed.  We have much work to do to enlighten people about how we as "Christians" have many, many connections to the Islamic faith.--Diann
	
	
	On 3/6/08 1:29 PM, "facilitationfla at aol.com" <facilitationfla at aol.com> wrote:
	

		Thanks, Del,
		Yes, this is disgusting.  Another paper (similar to National Enquirer) had a front page headline last month: "Obama's hidden ties to Al Queda".  Last week -- again on the front page it had a photo of a grizzled white guy with the headline, "I slept with Obama".  I went to the Publix store manager and told him he shouldn't be selling such trash in our community.
		Cynthia
		

			This appeared in the newspaper February 28.  I just hadn't had a chance to send it on until now.
			 
			FACT CHECK
			 
			Some of the rumors and allegations about Barack Obama are clearly not true, yet still spread, often anonymously.
			 
			1.  A debunked chain e-mail circulating widely suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots.  It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.  Actually, he took his Senate oath with his hand on a family Bible, and he says, "Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."
			 
			2.  Another false report says he attended a Muslim madrassa as a child in Jakarta.  Obama was born in Hawaii and moved to Indonesia when he was 6 to live with his mother and stepfather. He returned to Hawaii when he was 10 to live with his maternal grandparents.  Interviews last year by the Associated Press at the elementary school in Jakarta found that it is a public and secular institution and has been open to students of all faiths since before Obama attended in the late 1960s.  
			

		
		
		
		-----Original Message-----
		From: Del Morrill <del at hypnocenter.com>
		To: Order Ecumenical <OE at wedgeblade.net>
		Sent: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 1:56 pm
		Subject: Fact Check re: Obama
		
		This appeared in the newspaper February 28.  I just hadn't had a chance to send it on until now.
		 
		FACT CHECK
		 
		Some of the rumors and allegations about Barack Obama are clearly not true, yet still spread, often anonymously.
		 
		1.  A debunked chain e-mail circulating widely suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots.  It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.  Actually, he took his Senate oath with his hand on a family Bible, and he says, "Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."
		 
		2.  Another false report says he attended a Muslim madrassa as a child in Jakarta.  Obama was born in Hawaii and moved to Indonesia when he was 6 to live with his mother and stepfather. He returned to Hawaii when he was 10 to live with his maternal grandparents.  Interviews last year by the Associated Press at the elementary school in Jakarta found that it is a public and secular institution and has been open to students of all faiths since before Obama attended in the late 1960s.                                                     (from the Associated Press)
		 
		 
		
		Del Hunter Morrill
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		There can be nothing to frighten you if you refuse to be afraid. (Mahatma Gandhi)
		
		
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				So convenient a thing it is to be a rational creature, since it enables us to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to. - Ben Franklin
				



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