Here at the paper, we receive a ton of e-mail, most of it informational, most of which contains healthy give-and-takes on positions of interest, some, for lack of a better definition, sort of loony tunes. Though I enjoy the latter category the most, sometimes a reader (sometimes dozens of readers) wind up so far out in left field that we feel duty-bound to call them in before the end of the inning. Such has been the case in the run-up to, and the post analysis of, the 2008 general election.
Let’s set the record straight here, once and for all. Whether you like him or not, regardless of your political affiliation, ethnic makeup or love of conspiracy theories, President-elect Barack Obama isn’t a terrorist. Neither is he an Arab operative, nor was he sent, “Manchurian Candidate”-style, to overthrow the republic and replace Christianity with Wahhabism. While he may be of (partial) African descent, he wasn’t born in Kenya, nor does he possess Indonesian citizenship.
The latest in a string of bizzaro e-mail correspondences received here was a forwarded missive originating from Faith2Action’s own Janet Porter. In the e-mail, Porter rehashes an article first appearing in right-wing W eb tabloid WorldNet Daily, “1 last chance to fight for our Constitution.” It’s an interesting piece, particularly if you have your tinfoil hat on just right, blocking out any possible common-sense reception.
The thrust of Porter’s argument centers on years-old and thoroughly debunked questions surrounding Obama’s eligibility for office, hoping to usurp the general election results through influencing the Electoral College. Porter endeavors to convince enough fellow crazies to harass their congressmen into a frenzy on this non-issue.
One of many letters received and still no facts.
The citizenship ploy didn’t work when the left tried it with Panamanian-born John McCain, and it’s not going to work with the Hawaiian-born Obama. Notwithstanding loose cannon and Greeley Mayor Ed Clark passing around counterfeit bills of the president-elect in Muslim headgear to schoolchildren, the vast majority of voters in this country realize it is time to get past the divisiveness of the previous eight years.
Time to climb aboard.
Contact MetroWest Staff Writer Gene Sears at 303-659-2522 Ext.217, or e-mail gsears@metrowestnewspapers.com. Alternately, you can send comments to Gene or join the conversation via his blog, fortlupton.blogspot.com.