Newspaper the multi-medium
Login | Register
[Greene County Daily World]
Greene County, Indiana ~ Friday, August 29, 2008
Blogs
Disinformation Overload
Posted Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at 12:50 PM
<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>

Disinformation overload.

Disinformation is defined as the deliberate dissemination of false information.

It's saying Barack Obama is a fundamentalist Muslim so Americans will discredit him as a presidential candidate.

OK, so up until now I've not used this column to express my presidential views. But, a recent incident sparked me to write this ASAP.

When I heard someone tell me that on the presidential front she was favoring Obama until her grandmother told her he was a Muslim my mouth about dropped to the floor.

I replied with, "No, I don't think he's a Muslim. You might want to investigate that on-line..."

OK, so you can see where this is going.

I continued with the whole spill on all Muslims are not terrorists. In college, I met several people who were practicing Muslims and they were good-hearted folk just like anybody else.

They stayed up late, procrastinated on their studies, loved their families, and were sometimes homesick just like any other college student.

They were not all bad people. People cannot be grouped into bad and good categories so easily.

Back to the point at hand, I knew this Obama thing was a rumor floating around but I didn't realize how disinformation can easily be used to manipulate the American vote.

I'm not saying Obama should or should not be president but what I am saying is that portraying him as an evil Muslim terrorist to discredit him is just plain un-American.

The U.S constitution gives "We the People" freedom of religion. So, if you support the U.S. Constitution it shouldn't matter.

To make sure I wasn't losing my mind I quickly researched the topic on www.cnn.com and got the low down.

A quick check at http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/22/o... explains it all.

Obama is no Muslim. But, like I said all Christians aren't Christ-like...or maybe I didn't say it quite like that.

Not voting for Obama just because he is Afro-American or a Muslim or a Christian is like saying that the U.S. Constitution is irrelevant.

I'm personally voting for Ralph Nader because he has 11 toes. Might as well .....my cousin said so.


Comments
Showing most recent comments first
[Show in chronological order instead]

It maybe time to consider ideas like "a new earth" that explores how our ego's feed on finding someone different to dislike and forming 'us and them' ideas both individually and collectively as a country. Time for ego's to die to unto themselves.

-- Posted by AnatasiaBeaverhausen on Fri, Mar 14, 2008, at 9:54 PM

Please everyone vote Ron Paul and we will shut the whole mess down.....OH NO, it is to late.

-- Posted by america on Tue, Mar 11, 2008, at 6:21 PM

Sure I can. Just because a subject is important to some people doesnt mean it is important to all people. Take the nightly news for example. I don't care about sports and the weather. Some people are. I don't care about abortion or the death penalty or even the war. I do care about our soldiers and the environment and the chokehold big oil has us under. I can choose to care about whatever I wish. Oh and if I ever hit the lottery I plan to buy a thousand acres and be entirely self sufficient. Then I won't have to take part in your world and I can live in my "cave."

-- Posted by junkmail on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:17 PM

To Junkmail

Yet again, failure to understand the obvious! Sticking noses into other people's business is what government is! And if you participate on any level, as a candidate, delegate or simply as a voter you are sticking your nose into the business of everybody who lives under the control of that government; or would you have anarchy? So, either grow up and take on the responsibilities of living in a democratic society or go live in a cave by yourself...you can't have it both ways!

TF

-- Posted by Terry Fyde on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 6:58 PM

Actually I'd prefer to be stuck in an oven and then spread out over Soldier Field.

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 11:12 AM

"Therefore, as you make your man-made faith in yourself a reality, ask yourself this question: If I died today, where would I spend eternity?"

Under six feet of dirt?

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:23 AM

That is not a bad idea!

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:23 AM

Sorry but my posts do not come from a computer. I am doing the best I can with my smart phone. I am just trying to keep the conversation/argument going. I do believe in your God GCP, just not man's religions.

-- Posted by junkmail on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:23 AM

I don't care who else is running for president, I'm voting for mySELF. At least I'll know I'll be voting for someone I can believe in.

-- Posted by zenos on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 10:01 AM

Just as you told me on other blogs. Use spell check. May I recommend grammar check as well.

Christian is a general term, as you pointed out, embraced by many sects. Overall, the only truth that connects them is the belief that the Trinity is true (belief of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. This excludes Mormons. form your list.

Therefore, as you make your man-made faith in yourself a reality, ask yourself this question: If I died today, where would I spend eternity? Do you know that you can get yourself in heaven, or should you have faith in the Creator of heaven and earth?

I choose to believe exactly what the Bible says, the gospel.

Thank you for your approval to believe what I want. Once you finish your search for the way to heaven, you will know right before you die, because you will have a peace that passes all understanding. I have seen it in fellow Christians and will tell you it is the most wonderful thing to see a Christian pass over.

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 9:54 AM

Tralamala, I understand religion. I understand that there are hundreds of religions with hundreds of factions. Take Christianity for example. You have Catholics Episcopalian Lutheran Mormon baptist Methodist apostolic just to name a few. Each one a little different from the next. Each one claiming to be the one true way. They can't all be right can they? I think I will sit over here on the sidelines and believe in my own faith. A faith pulled together from more than one religion. A faith of common sense. Whatever you believe is fine by me.

-- Posted by junkmail on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 9:42 AM

He "denounced and rejected" when pushed by Clinton in the last debate. What is troubling is that his pastor "overseer" is still very tight with him and also promotes a bigoted and racial agenda (check their web site). What would you do if your overseer supported the "Nation of Islam" agenda?

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 8:49 AM

Didn't Obama denounce the support of Louis Farrakhan?

-- Posted by EggMan on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:51 AM

Please let it be known, that although I do not agree with "needgod's" approach to others on the views of Christianity and politics, I in NO WAY agree with "junkmail's" views on Christianity and politics.

Needgod may have been to aggressive but Junkmail, you are simply void in your views on Christianity and probably any other type of religion. You, in my opinion, are the only closed-minded person here.

Thank you.

-- Posted by Tralamala on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:19 AM

With all of these lifetime politicians, I'm not so sure that lack of experience is a bad thing. I am sure that he cannot mess it up worse than it is.

-- Posted by junkmail on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 7:04 AM

It always bothers me when Clinton attacks Obama over his lack of experience. President Grant had as much experience as one could have as a military leader, but he proved rather inept at running the country.

I am discouraged about the prospect of having any of these three candidates leading this country, but I've been discouraged now for quite some time.

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 6:29 AM

More qualified than the other two candidates due to his military service, congressional commitees, contacts in the pentagon, dedication to the troops overall, etc..

Good question

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 5:21 AM

"9. McCain would be more qualified to be CIC."

Why?

How would you, I or anyone else who has never been Commander in Chief of all of our Armed Services have any idea who is more qalified for this job?

-- Posted by simmons on Fri, Mar 7, 2008, at 12:17 AM

Here is some information to offset your disinformation overload:

(I will forgo the titles to reduce the volume of typing and pixels.)

1. Obama supports abortion.

2. Clinton supports abortion.

3. McCain is against abortion.

4. Obama wants to surrender in Iraq.

5. Clinton wants to surrender in Iraq and regrets her vote to rid the country of Saddam and terrorists.

6. McCain wants to finish the job until there is a stable government.

7. Obama has little to no experience to be the commander in chief (the Presidents #1 priority).

8. Clinton wants to be the Commander in chief but also has little to no experience.

Side note: If either of these two would become the CIC, then recruitment numbers would be much lower therby increasing the chance of re-instatement of the draft to maintain our strength.

9. McCain would be more qualified to be CIC. His temper is questionable at best and this worries potential voters, our allies and the terrorists.

10. Obama's economic and healthcare programs would require a substantial increase in the size of Federal government not a "constitutionally limited" government.

11. Clinton's economic and healthcare programs would increase Federal government as well.

12. McCain's economic and healthcare programs would also increase the size of the Federal government but not as much as he desires a free market approach to healthcare.

13. Every politician wants a good education for America but can't succeed due to the secular, humanistic manifesto adopted in 1942. None of these candidates has a solution other than increasing the size of government. While politicians battle the NEA and the ACLU, our children are waiting...

14. Obama would raise taxes to accomplish his goals.

15. Clinton would raise taxes to accomplish her goals.

16. Mccain would now decrease taxes after he voted against a tax rebate.

17. Obama says he is Christian and I believe him. I am greatly concerned about his church(of 23 years...this church is extremely bigoted and racially dividing), pastor and the ties to Louis Farrakan(sp).

18. Clinton says she is Christian, but I am not familiar with a church she may attend.

19. McCain says he is Christian and was raised by an Episcopalian preacher. He is now a member of a Baptist church and is born again.

This race may well come down to a vote between the lesser of two evils. In the meantime, isn't it hilarious watching the democrats fight over Florida and Michigan (they are so predictable and power-hungry). This was settled before the primaries. Just like 2000, when a liberal loses, the lawyers come out.

If anyone has any more, please feel free to add them as we are all searching for more information. Our children's generation is at risk and America badly needs the right person at this time.

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:13 PM

No TF, I believe you are misunderstanding me. It isn't if I support or oppose abortion. Truthfully I do not care either way. It does not apply to me, and I don't stick my nose in other peoples business. So therefore I can support a democrat if I choose and not support or oppose abortion. I support their other aspects.

No, Christianity is not beyond my intellectual capacity. Christianity is just another man-made way to dress up closed-mindedness in the garb of piety, cruelty and oppression in the cloak of rightousness.

-- Posted by junkmail on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 7:50 PM

To junkmail. Since you brought it up lets talk logically. Let me ask you candidly, do you "support", with your votes, Democratic Party candidates who run for national office? Can you tell me the last national level democrat, that won, who didn't "support" abortion; legislatively and in the judiciary? You can't because there haven't been any for quite a long time! Candidates in the Democratic Party can't get beyond the office of dog catcher if they even try to slow abortion down! Yet by your hopelessly flawed reasoning you think that votes or "support" for abortion candidates doesn't perpetuate abortion. Just stop and think for a minute…if no one voted for abortionist and instead voted for pro-life candidates how long would it legally continue? It's clear to see that your problem is not belief. You're struggling with the concept of Christianity because it's beyond your intellectual capacity. If you can't understand things that are perfectly obvious it's easy to see how you can't understand things that require intellectual investment. TF

-- Posted by Terry Fyde on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 6:24 PM

Speaking of the Democratic party and Christianity. It's little to me whether Hillary, (who claims to be Christian) has or has not "pimped out" her daughter to perpetuate the evils of the Pro-Choice Party. What bothers me is that Hillary and Barak (another dubious Christian) and all the rest of the Pro-Choice Party would pimp out the daughters and granddaughters of America as sexual entertainment; "hooking" at the next drunken teenage after school party with the promise that torturing to death the offspring of this "get together" is of no more consequence than getting a wart removed! If this is where we are headed then I'm...Terry Fyde!

-- Posted by Terry Fyde on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 5:45 PM

Amen!

-- Posted by junkmail on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 3:22 PM

Okay, so I am a Christian. I believe that I am good and I do good things and yes, I worry about if I am doing things that God approves of. Am I perfect? Absolutely not! All people sin, everyone of every religion sins. And I also understand that it says we are to witness to others about Christ and lead them to him, but NO WHERE does it say to shove Christianity down peoples throats and make them choke on it. Splurting out biblical verses and using them as you see suitable to fit your particular situation impresses no one, not even other Christians. I would even think it could be safe to say that no one is standing back yelling "Amen!" to needgod's constant rantings about the opinions of our presidential candidates and that whether or not this man is Christian or Muslim.

Is this person, man or woman, black or white going to be able to keep America strong and safe? Will he/she be able to be a strong leader who we all feel safe with? Please people do not vote for someone over their religious backgrounds, but for their leadership abilities. For Obama's sake I hope he is a believer of Christ, because I want the best for everyone and I think that Christianity is the best practice. But if he is not, I guess I can continue to watch over my own soul and pray for his. If people insist on preaching, please go about it more tactfully and be less agressive. You scare more people away from Christianity than entice them to it.

-- Posted by Tralamala on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 3:01 PM

I never said I supported abortion GCP. You will say that since I am not opposed to Obama because he "supposedly supports" abortion then I must support it right? Typical conservative Christian logic.

Sheep of a wool................................follow organized religion like a fool.

-- Posted by junkmail on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 10:30 AM

junkmail I'm just tired of the backwards and often uninformed views some around here hold.

So I guess that the US government, Constitution and Supreme Court are all of that same feather.

-- Posted by EggMan on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 10:19 AM

ah, yay! The good Christian GCP is here to judge all of the people with different views and opinions. Just like Jesus told us to do...

oh, wait... I don't think that's quite right.

Oh well.

And I actually don't see anyone that said they support abortion.

-- Posted by MamaElle on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:42 AM

Birds of a feather.....support abortion together...how nice.

-- Posted by Greene County Patriot on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 9:31 AM

I don't know who you are EggMan, but I sure do like your style.

-- Posted by junkmail on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 8:55 AM

junkmail hit the nail on the head in saying people change the perception of God to fit how they believe.

As for Obama supporting the slaughter of innocent babies, I provide the contrary.

http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/arti...

If you read the second paragraph of that article you find the following...

"The conservative former diplomat said Obama's vote against a bill that would have outlawed a form of late-term abortion denied unborn children of their equal rights."

He also agrees with the abortion laws set forth by Roe v Wade.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_p...

So I guess going by your way of thinking the United States government, the Constitution and the Supreme Court do not follow the Bible.

-- Posted by EggMan on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 8:10 AM

I am glad that I don't believe in your God. They sound like a real bummer. I find it interesting how the Christians changed God to fit their belief system. Yet their God is the true or and all others are false.

It must be sad to live like that.

-- Posted by junkmail on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 6:44 AM

Who supports the slaughter of innocent babies? Do we have proof of this complicity to homocide? If so, someone needs to come forth and charge this person.

-- Posted by simmons on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 3:00 AM

needless to say, if you are not serving the God of the Bible you are creating a god to suit yourself. For example: "My god is a god of love and mercy and would never send anyone to Hell." To which I would say, you're right, your god can't send anyone to Hell because he doesn't exsist.

-- Posted by needgod.com on Thu, Mar 6, 2008, at 2:46 AM

"They have broken the second commandment by making a god in their own image, as well as the first in not putting the God of the Bible first."

Your conviction is commendable, but your reasoning is ridiculous.

Barack Obama isn't a Christian, nor a Muslim.

He's a Pastafarian.

He loves ziti.

-- Posted by GarthHudson on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 11:52 PM

Saying that you are a Christian and being a Christian are two different areas. Obama saying that he is a Christian would be like me saying that I am a toaster when in fact I'm not. I'm not quite sure what in that article I am suppose to take that he is a Christian. Again, i also do not believe he is a muslim.

The Bible says that we are to know them by their fruits and can you tell me what fruit Obama has. It's not the fruit of a Christian.

Anyone who claims to know God and claims to be a Christian and supports the slaughter of innocent babies is no follower of the God of the Bible. They have broken the second commandment by making a god in their own image, as well as the first in not putting the God of the Bible first.

-- Posted by needgod.com on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 11:20 PM

Many in this country didn't want a Catholic back in 1960, but I think JFK did pretty well for his brief administration. Many now, don't want a woman either.

I spoke to a couple of ladies at work today and I thought it strange that neither wanted a woman President. After they explained their rationale, I understood their position.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and shall cast or not cast their own votes. Some will do so with an educated opinion and others will do so based on hearsay and/or innuendo. It is up to the candidates and their supporters to provide the proper information for the public to be educated and, generally speaking, the winner will come from the camp that does the best job of this task.

In the end, our next President, like most of his or her predecessors, will be decided on who provides the most convincing sales pitch to the most voters over the extended length of the various primary and national campaigns.

-- Posted by simmons on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 4:39 PM

I am utterly appalled at this country's blatent bigotry. Maybe one day it will get better. I hope.

-- Posted by junkmail on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 1:20 PM

Obama is not a Christian? So apparently this article is an outright lie.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22767392/

-- Posted by EggMan on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 12:35 PM

needgod, did you ask Obama if he was a Christian?I am just curious as to your sources for you to make such a bold statement. Do tell.

-- Posted by junkmail on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 10:39 AM

I believe that the lady stated that she was favoring Obama until her grandmother said that he,(Obama), was Muslim, not a "Muslim Terrorist". I see this to be a big difference. The Reverend Jimmy Jones,(not related), claimed to have been a Christian and look at how that all turned out. The great thing about being an American is that we do not have to explain or validate why we choose the people that we vote for. It is our constitutional right to have an opinion, being a dumb one or a smart one. It is still an opinion that we have as a right. I say let's ALL vote for the person that makes us feel safe as an American. The key word is ALL. The cemetaries are full of men and women who payed full price for our freedom to do so.

Thanks for listening, Timothy.

-- Posted by Timothy E. Jones on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 9:35 AM

Barack Obama is not a Christian any more than Mitt Romney is a Christian. Why would I support and vote for someone who, might believe in a Jesus, but does not believe in the Jesus of the Bible.

I do not have any indications that Obama is a Muslim, but I know he is not a Christian.

Let us all remember that freedom of religion is different from freedom from religion. It's very obvious that God was very important to those whom founded the country.

-- Posted by needgod.com on Wed, Mar 5, 2008, at 1:14 AM

Snopes.com is a great place to check whether the information is correct in an email or not. All the muslim emails, and the gas boycotts are all discounted there. And I would never NOT vote for someone because of their religion.

However, it doesnt look like I'll have that much choice now but I seriously may not vote for Obama because of his refusal to salute the flag. And snopes.com validates this claim. Now THAT is unamerican. (but wait, I think that's another blog. lol)

-- Posted by Laker Mom on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 3:23 PM

A very good point, one that I think could be expanded to most all things, not just politics. I'm amazed at what some people will believe. The number of ridiculous chain letters passed around on the internet attest to that.

-- Posted by The Raven on Tue, Mar 4, 2008, at 2:18 PM


Respond to this blog

Posting a comment requires free registration. If you already have an account, enter your username and password below. Otherwise, click here to register.

Username:

Password:  (Forgot your password?)

Your comments:
Please be respectful of others and try to stay on topic.


Over the Counter
Timberly Ferree
Recent posts
Archives
Blog RSS feed [Feed icon]
Comments RSS feed [Feed icon]
Login
Hot topics
This Week...
(15 ~ 1:08 PM, Aug 28)

A Writer's Thanks
(20 ~ 6:07 PM, Aug 6)

How about some compassion?
(0 ~ 10:59 AM, Aug 4)

Let go of that Death Grip....
(0 ~ 9:19 AM, Aug 2)

Thoughts on Marriage...
(11 ~ 10:44 AM, Jul 8)

 
 
Mailing list
Enter your email address to join our daily headline mailing list: