I'm exhausted, not physically, but mentally and psychologically.
For the last five hours solid, I've been refuting neocon propaganda, sent to me as gospel truth by a number of my online friends. These are basically good people, but--Dear God--why don't they ever think?
More below....
It actually started last night with the "how did Obama get all this money?" smear. Lots of innuendos, lots of "Arabic" names flung around...and the bottom line conclusion was that Obama couldn't possibly have afforded his education unless he'd taken money from his Muslim "pals." There was also an implication that he was in thrall to Hamas.
I emailed back...scholarships, student loans, read the snopes article, please, actually read the articles "quoted"....etc.
This morning, I started with a lovely "Obama would be rejected by the FBI, the military, even the Secret Service that protects him because he associates with terrorists and admits to taking drugs" rant.
I sent back a few items about Palin and the AIP; a picture of George Bush, reformed drunk, walking hand-in-hand with a guy who regularly makes Parade Magazine's Worst Dictator in the World list, the King of Saudi Arabia; a few URLs containing info on McCain's collaborating with the N. Vietnamese; and the famous picture of Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein.
Then came the "shocking" picture of Obama holding a book by a--gasp!--Muslim, titled "The Post American World." "This is making me totally rethink my opinion on him!"
I wrote back, patiently pointing out that Fareed Zakaria is an American, a highly respected expert on international relations and even providing links to one of his essays and reviews of his work. I also said that I didn't give a damn if he was Muslim. (At this point, I was getting a little irritated.)
Next came a piece called "Simple Math" that compared Obama's total work experience, described as a whole "146 days"--the actual time, according to the author of this screed, that Congress has been in session this year-- with McCain's 26 years. I replied, pointing out senators do a lot more than show up and vote, that Obama serves on a number of important committees, that he's written or cosponsored many more, that he served as a state senator for eight years, etc, etc. etc. I then compared this to Palin's record. Off this one went, to every Repub on my list.
Then I got back this.
Well go ahead an elect this born and raised Muslim. A man and his wife who have less than a high regard for this wonderful country. Who has openly consorted with domestic terrorist and this disgraceful acorn group. And attended for 20 years the most race hatred spewing so called church I have ever herd of. Where is all the money coming from for all the free health care for criminal illegal's who he intends to care for. Where is all the money coming for for all the entitlements a large number of people in this country have come to expect. I certainly hope you and your family make less than $250,000.00 year, because if you do your money is going to be taken from you and redistributed to people unwilling to work for a living. 20 % of the population willing to work cannot support 80% which isn't willing. Check with the people in England and Canada and find out how national health care doesn't work. This is still a free country and the people can still elect whom ever they wish. But electing socialist will see that freedom doesn't last very long. Elect this spineless weak man who is gong to talk to the leaders of Iran, North Korea,Syria and see how far it gets us. I will make a prediction that within 2 months of electing Obama as president this country will be attacked for worse than on 9-11. Why else do you think he is the favored candidate of the terrorist. I just hope the freedom for us to disagree continues. By the way I am not behind the Republican candidate 100 %. I only support him about 60 to 65 %. I just know he is a better choice than Obama. God bless you and your family.
I sent back this.
Two suggestions:
Go to a website called snopes.com. This website checks facts on all sorts of subjects, not just politics. Type "Obama" in the search field in the upper right hand corner and start reading the information that comes up. You may be surprised.
Another good site is Factcheck.org.
Then go to Obama's website. www.barackobama.com.
There's an "action" page that comes up first, but there's also a link that takes you past that. to the home page.
Click on "Issues" and start reading. You may be surprised at what you read here as well.
I am very, very scared about what will happen to this country if McCain/Palin wins. The only thing they seem to have left is stirring up hatred and fear.
Why don't they talk about what they'll do to help us out? Why do they keep telling lies, such as the lie that Obama's health plan will fine people?
God help us if these people win. John McCain used to be a decent person, but he's sold his soul to the Bush/.cheney crowd in order to win.
My patience is just about at an end, not with these scared, ignorant people, but with those very smart, totally unscrupulous GOP operatives who are originating this garbage. I used to respect Johh McCain. Now I loathe him. I was open-minded about Sarah Palin. Now I despise her, and all those working for McCain and the whole Bush/Cheney cabal.
"Country First." Could there possibly be a bigger lie?
We must defeat these people. We must. God help this country if we don't.