Response to Right-Wing Smears of Obama

Dear Rightie:

You say that Obama "doesn't even hold his hand over his heart to Salute the American flag..." The picture you are referring to involved the singing of the Star Spangled Banner -- Not saluting the flag! Go to Yankee Stadium on any fine Summer's Day, and you'll found thousands of fans who don't hold their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem. Are all these Yankee fans Un-American traitors, too?

As for Obama's not wearing an American Flag lapel pin -- well, some Americans wear their patriotism on their sleeves. Most Americans -- like Obama -- wear their patriotism in their hearts. The first is superficial -- the second is The Real Thing.

That picture of the "FULL bow" to the Muslim King is still unclear. Was it a bow, was it reaching down to shake hands, was it protocol? Bush did far worse things in his encounters with foreign kings, especially the king of Saudi Arabia. Yet, Bush's dealings with the Saudi king don't seem to bother you.

Some people are still upset with Hillary Clinton because she kissed Mrs. Yasser Arafat more than a decade ago. Diplomacy and protocol often bring out strange reactions in people.

The reason the Republican Party is history now is because Conservatives always seem to focus on these petty picayune peccadillos instead of on the real problems that affect Americans.

ACORN has been accused of many things, investigated for many things, and has never been convicted of anything. I guess the real ACORN "wrong-doing" is getting out the vote for liberals and Democrats.

William Ayres and Obama hardly know each other, and haven't even met each other in years. Whatever Ayres may have done back in his Weathermen days (we don't know because he was never convicted of anything), now, thirty years later, he has a new life in which he is a highly recognized expert on education. As such, Ayres has served on various boards and committees in Chicago devoted to improving education. In that capacity, Ayres has come into contact with many Chicago civic leaders (including Obama) who are devoted to improving education. None of these other people, including Obama, was ever involved with the Weathermen, or was ever accused of committing any acts of domestic terrorism.

For you to accuse Obama of "associating" or "accepting contributions" from Ayres is merely your blindly repeating Right-Wing Sean Hannity Talking Points. You are divorced from reality.

William Ayres has gotten himself a new life. Maybe you should get yourself a new life, too, my friend.

CJP