Senator Barack Obama's loyalty as an American has been questioned by a right wing activist who frequently appears on MSNBC and other cable news outlets. Media Matters reports:
Taking the current media focus on Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) middle name a step further, right-wing pundit and regular MSNBC guest, Debbie Schlussel argued that because Obama's middle name is Hussein and the fact that his late father was of Muslim descent, Obama's "loyalties" must be called into question. In her December 18 column headlined "Barack Hussein Obama: Once a Muslim, Always A Muslim," Schlussel asked: Is this "a man we want as President when we are fighting the war of our lives against Islam? Where will his loyalties be?" She ended her column by asking if Obama becoming vice president instead would be acceptable. Answering her own question, she wrote: "NO WAY, JOSE ... Or, is that, HUSSEIN?"
You can read the Schlussel article here.
As Media Matters notes, Obama's heritage has become a target of many on the right but Schlussel's recent comments are truly despicable. She displays a gross religious bigotry in her comments that must be condemned.
America has always drawn strength from our cultural and religious diversity and Obama's development as a political leader has been shaped in positive ways from his own family experiences.
Questioning his loyalty to the nation is a desperate attempt by the right to draw down his poll numbers. We can expect more of this in the future. The right will do everything possible - including using religion and race - to try and divide America because they thrive off division.
Obama, on the other hand, has used his platform as a United States Senator to seek reconciliation among the America people. Reconciliation is a central goal of the Christian faith and Obama's religious life is anchored in Trinity United Church of Christ - a congregation with an extensive history of working to uplift communities. After a long period of leaders trying to win elections by dividing us based on race, religion, income and region our nation benefits from Obama's voice - and his story.
