Election Media - Email Alarms

The following email was forwarded to me on January 20, 2008. It represented the kind of one-sided, non-contextual and questionable presentation of ‘Alarm' that has the tendency to undermine the clarity of thought and open examination of fact and makes it easier for radical ‘Right-Thinkers’ (like Bin Laden, Hussein, Hitler and many in our current administration) take power over a panicked nation. You'll note the email html codes that indicate much of the content was copied from yet another source. most of the codes have been cleaned out for clarity.

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God BlessAmerica>
I CHECKED IT OUT AND THIS IS A FACT.... In view of Oprah's recent campaigning,this bears repeating: Who is Barack Hussien Obama? Very interesting and something that should be considered in your choice. If you do not ever forward anything else,please forward this to all your contacts...this is very scary to think of what lies ahead of us here in our own United States...better heed this and pray about it and shareit. We checked this out on "snopes.com

>snopes.com/%3e> Probable U. S. presidential candidate,Barack Hussein Obama was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Barack Hussein Obama,Sr., a black MUSLIM from Nyangoma-Kogel, Kenya and Ann Dunham, a whiteATHEIST from Wichita, Kansas. Obama's parents met at the Hawaii.When Obama was two years old, his parents divorced. Hi s father returned to Kenya.His mother then married Lolo Soetoro, a RADICAL Muslim from Indonesia.? When Obama was 6 years old, the familyrelocate to
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Indonesia.Obama attended a MUSLIM school in Jakartaty.He also spent two years in a Catholic school. Obama takes great care to conceal the factthat he is a Muslim. He is quick to point out that, "He was once aMuslim, but that he also attended Catholic school." Obama's political handlers are attemptingto make it appear that that he is not a radical. Obama's introduction to Islam came via hisfather, and that this influence was temporary at best.

> In reality, the senior Obama returned to Kenya after the divorce, and never again had any direct influence over hisson's education. Lolo Soetoro, the second husband of Obama'smother, Ann Dunham, introduced his stepson to Islam. Obama was enrolled in aWahabi school in Jakarta. Wahabism is the RADICAL teaching that isfollowed by the Muslim terrorists who are now waging Jihad against thewestern world. Since it is politically expedient to be a CHRISTIAN whenseeking major public office in the United States, BarackHussein Obama has joined the United Church ofChrist in an attempt to downplay his Muslim background. ALSO, keep in mindthat when he was sworn into office he DID NOT use the Holy Bible, butinstead the Koran. Barack Hussein Obama will NOT recitethe Pledge of Allegiance nor will he show any reverence for our flag. Whileothers place their hands over their hearts, Obama turns his back to theflag and slouches. Let us all remain alert concerning Obama'sexpected presidential candidacy. The Muslims have said they plan ondestroying the USfrom the inside out, what better way to start than at the highest level -through the President of the United States,one of their own!!!! Please forward to everyone you know. Wouldyou want this man leading our country?...... NOT ME!!! e='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:verdana'>>
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> face=Arial>No virus found inthis incoming message.Checked
> by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database:
> 269.17.13/1211 - Release Date: 1/6/200811:57 AM
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I had to respond with the following:
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It's always good to get the best, clearest information and I appreciate being informed. But anytime someone insists that they have the "CHECKED-OUT TRUTH," I get suspicious. We usually find that such people have 'a part of the
truth', often either in or out of context.

We always find that claims of the "TRUTH" are from people, organizations or groups who have their own agenda. That agenda often includes spreading their 'Truth' to prove to everyone just how RIGHT they are.

Me? I'm open to Obama (or anyone else) being an absolute A..Hole. But I'm also open to listening to more than one person's opinion... and then checking it out - for REAL.

Still, a large number of people will simply believe what they're told if it's convenient or if it supports their existing opinions (makes them 'RIGHT.')

So the following comes from an Associated Press story
January 21, 2008 --

.... He (Obama) also has been stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he is a Muslim, now that the presidential campaign has hit the U.S. Bible Belt in the South.

"I've been to the same church — the same Christian church — for almost 20 years," Obama said at a South Carolina rally. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."

An e-mail chain has suggested 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.
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So who's lying? Be careful what you spread.
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See the comments that follow this.