The Trail: A Daily Diary of Campaign 2008

I am not from this country. I am originally from India, a Hindu, and I live in the midwest/ After 9/11 my life changed. People started to look more suspicious and were definitely more unfriendly.
I dont have a vote but I can become a citizen in 3 years. But I've decided that if Obama does not become president, i am moving back even though I spent my entire life dreaming about coming to America. I work hard, I pay my taxes and I am here legally. It is clear to me that a man like Obama will restore America's greatness - both domestically as well as globally.

Well this supposedly Anti-American, supposed Muslim was able to capture 49% of the votes in his competition for the Democratic Party's nomination in the bigot's home state. That so many of this bigot's neighbors do not share his ignorance is a cause for some Hope.

Let's set the record straight. We can't know what this bigot's definition of "Pro-American" is, but by any reasonable definition of the term, Obama is for America. Only in America is his story even possible, as he is fond of saying, and he has served America all his life, and seeks to serve America in its highest office. And he isn't Muslim (not that being a Muslim is an evil in and of itself), he is a Christian.

A rational person shouldn't care, perhaps, whether a candidate was a polka-dotted Zoroastrian, assuming that they weren't lying.

To the bigot: Ameicans with African ancestry are part of the fabric of American culture, sir. They are here, they were born here, they belong here no less than you or I. The history of their being in this country shapes their cultural experience of being an American in different ways than your history shapes yours, and yet they are no less American than you. And Obama is no wild exception to that.

I hope you'll see that, as President, Obama will work hard for you to deliver on the promise of America. Even for you, mister bigot. He shares more of your values than you imagine. He's even reaching out to you, which makes him a much better and more tolerant man than I.

completely agree with the comments of christopher london.
HRC's ego trip has cost this country too much already.

Seriously, get the press clips and lets go stake out his house for an interview. Find out just how ignorant this jerk really is.

He's a muslim?! Wow Indiana sure has some ignorant jerks in need of a serious ass kicking. How about you corn bred racists Hoosiers meet some of us liberal Yankees in the middle of Ohio for a good old fashioned Civil War reenactment. You bring your cotton, and I'll bomb your ignorant ass back to 1860.

Get a grip, Obama is NOT a muslim. And when will everyone see what Hilary is like and her husband as well. Yes I would love a female as President but NOT Hilary Clinton. Obama has integrity and knows the US well. Let us give him a chance. We need a change and Hilary will not be providing that only more of her husband's politics.

I've read all the comments so far, and there's one thing that I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned. The reporter, Shailagh Murray wrote nothing in this article to point out that the man who referred to Senator Obama as a Muslim is totally misinformed. In fact, just about every major media outlet, be it print, Internet, radio or TV rarely, if ever, points out that these comments are flat out wrong. Perhaps, just perhaps, if more media outlets would continue to hammer at this fact, we just might have fewer people in this country who CLING to this fictional idea. Of course, in the words of Friedrich von Schiller: "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain."

To No Name Provided:

"JJM: because he is lying about being a Muslim."

And you know this for a fact based on ... what? Regurgitated drivel you "heard" from "someone" or read online? Your belonging to a mosque and seeing him there on a regular basis, or ...? Truly, please enlighten us.

In any event, I should think lying about being a Muslim these days is like folks having to lie about being protestant or having converted from Judaism during the days of the Spanish Inquisition. Yeesh.

I wouldn't care if he were Muslim; better than folks who claim to be Christians who are the furthest thing from it.

To Lynn, thanks for this:
At least the reporter actually witnessed what most African American's experience on any given day someone discounting them without even knowing anything about who he or she is as a person. Thanks for showing the truth to some.

I love this country! this is so funny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8lvc-azCXY&feature=bz303

GO USA

JJM: because he is lying about being a Muslim.

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

when we were here together in a place we did not know, nor one
another.
A bit of grass held between the teeth for a moment, bright hair on the
wind.
What we were we did not know, nor even the grass or the flame of
hair turning to ash on the wind.
But they lied about that. From the beginning they lied. To the child,
telling him that there was somewhere anger against him, and a
hatred against him, and the only reason for his being in the
world.
But never did they tell him that the only evil and danger was in
themselves; that they alone were the prisoners and the betrayers;
that they - they alone - were responsible for what was being done
in the world.
And they told the child to starve and to kill the child that was within
him; for only by doing this could he become a useful and adjusted
member of the community which they had prepared for him.
And this time, alas, they did not lie.
And with the death of the child was born a thing that had neither
the character of a man nor the character of a child, but was a
horrible and monstrous parody of the two; and it is in this world
now that the flesh of man's spirit lies twisted and despoiled under
the indifferent stars.
When we were here together in a place we did not know, nor one
another.
O green the bit of warm grass between our teeth. O beautiful the hair
of our mortal goddess on the indifferent wind.

~Kenneth Patchen

Let me give you some more racist code I heard these past few weeks:

The women: "There's just something about him I don't like, I don't know what it is.", "Where's all his donations coming from?"

The goobs: "He's unpatriotic", "He's a Muslim", "He doesn't wear a flag pin", "He doesn't respect the national anthem."

I am sure they have heard a ton of it

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

The guy who said this is obviously a moron who probably can't read a newspaper and pays no attention to anything resembling a current event. The disturbing thing about it is that his vote counts as much as the next person!

If he is a Muslim why is he eating bacon?

Why do you even print that a***holes remarks and giving him any credence? That is so over.

Agree, it's sickening, but farmer Fred cares more about going back to the good ol' boys and laughing over PBR's that he snubbed Obama in the restaurant than anything positive for the country.

It makes me so sad and angry to read that man's offense to Obama. No matter if you are Dem, Rep or Ind.
You run to make this country better, you don't deserve to be treated like that. It's downright rude and shameful.

In Indiana .. "He's a Muslim" is code for "He's Colored". I am not making that up and yes they still say that. I am from there, makes me puke.

And on the crazy news front. Republicans are voting in IN to give the state to Obama in an attempt to defeat him in November.

What a nutty country we live in.

Hillary counts on people like that guy in the diner. Sounds like he's really engaged in the political process. Well informed. This is her base.

If she gets this nomination, we are sunk. I didn't say "win", I said "get". She won't win.

This article has once again provided a couple of supporting facts.....Racism, bigotry and ignornace is still a huge factor in the U.S.
HRC and GOP supporters are (1)ignornant, (2)thinkless, uneducated and pathetic. HRC & the GOP throws every little dirty, dispicable piece of garbage to their idiotic supporters and they gobble it up like hogs in a pig pen.
3) The reason HRC wins with the white rural racist gun toters....well that's obvious, they're bitter, angry as hell, stupid and don't think, need someone to fight for them because good ole' America dissed the white man and implemented this new thing called "diversity!" Wow this is an interesting piece of work ... i have labeled 1 2 & 3 as examples of uneducated. Why is white the Racist here.... i have born witness to countless " reverse racism" remarks/acts throughout my life. You may be a racist but i am not. There is nothing wrong with diversity i encourage it. But someone must first be qualified for the job. The GOP has been taking a beating for several years but thats mostly because of liberal media outlets. If your identity is locked between two major political parties you are drifting though life with blinders. Diversity expands far past the reaches of Dem or Rep Every last person has a vision for what they want for the world and two narrow those visions into two OLD political entities is not diversity it is compromise. The nation would better be served with more updated insight into todays culture and its needs. You may need some anger management to address those militant views toward free speech.

My first comment on one of these news blogs, ever, is in utter revulsion of:

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

Who has taught so many of my fellow Americans to think this way?!? Thank God for Hope, because it's the only thing that lets me believe that we can build on the progress of the past few generations and outgrow this kind of ignorance in my lifetime.

folks who leave anonymous comments about the supporters of particular candidates cheapen this discussion greatly.

Dictators in the third world love uneducated people. It is soooo easy to pander them.

This article has once again provided a couple of supporting facts.....Racism, bigotry and ignornace is still a huge factor in the U.S.
2) HRC and GOP supporters are ignornant, thinkless, uneducated and pathetic. HRC & the GOP throws every little dirty, dispicable piece of garbage to their idiotic supporters and they gobble it up like hogs in a pig pen.
3) The reason HRC wins with the white rural racist gun toters....well that's obvious, they're bitter, angry as hell, stupid and don't think, need someone to fight for them because good ole' America dissed the white man and implemented this new thing called "diversity!" God don't like ugly and maybe this is why half of them are unemployed, broke and have no real skills.
4) The entire world gets to see just how liberated and democratic the U.S. really is and we wonder why other countries don't want our help, doesn't respect us and call us a bunch of self serving a** holes!

I am glad that Barak has the class that he has and didn't slap the living sh** outta that a**hole that told him he hated him! Or put his foot in the other poor a** that wanted his meal paid. What a bunch of broke a** loosers! LMAO!!! No wonder HRC can bribe these idiots with a gas tax scam!!! LMAO They're retarded!

no wonder all the damies suport HRC, the more informed people suport Obama, you know, i think USA need Obama more than Obama needs the nomination,

Wow, How blessed am I? To have been criticized in the most minimalistic of ways. Good Job....er Rat? Is someone hugging the tree you live in?

....Come on people, i am not muslim but i would say i had a lot of muslim friends that i count them as brothers. They have been very kind and helpful and friendly to me. It is ridiculous people to single out others, is this what God wants us to view others? This is judging others, i believe God doesnt appreciate that. So lets grow up, and like each other. Like what God would want us to do, 'do to others as how you want them do to you' To me it doesnt matter what religion one holds, what important does that person do things in Godly way, pretty much being fair.
Obama, he is who is, he is a very intelligent candidate out there than everyone who is running in this presidential election. You need progress and change, pick him, dont be unreasonably to challenge someone's religious belief. He is a christian and never said to be muslim. Lets be fair to him and fair to our own country for our own good. You think a candidate doesn't fit for you, okay, you got other selections to pick. dont challenge his religion; dont judge people. He spoke his reliogious belief to us, and thats what we need to take and not challenge someone's freedom of Religion. ....I will vote for Obama...because he is intelligent than the rest out there....he is wise...answers his questions intelligently than the rest...we need to give him support so he can be able to do what he says...lets get united America...this might be the only chance for us to change, ..if not to improve a bit in our shortcomings...economy, war etc. ..Keep up Obama, you are doing a good Job. ...if it meant to be for this Country you will the President, if not, then it wasn't meant to be. God has planned, knows exactly what is going to happen, we cant change that. God Bless Us America.

Rick-Here is a Freebie:

If you Capitalized "i", someone might even take you as serious as Dr. NO.

Then, consider how far he got with many of those exact same ideas!

Don't quit your Day-Job! ;~)

I think one day i will run for president.....after all i am an Army veteran, a family man, and im "working class" People who wish to ascend to The Presidency, should at least have had some experience in one of our fine armed forces if they are to lead the largest, best trained all-vol military in the world....for those who nit pick i Emphasise ALL volunteer military. My First act as president will to remove the United States from the Geneva Convention and secondly i will halt all Foreign aid to countries that would as soon kill an American than help one. The first topic would strike a cord with all Nations that we will no longer adhere to a policy that effectively neutralizes our ability to fulfill what our peers around the world have deemed us to be "The World Police". Without that restriction we would hold all those accountable for the evils around the world. The Second would certainly guarantee that our economy will sustain and grow........Enough world welfare! Our citizens and especially the elderly are being subjected to ever worsening economic disparity while those with the soft hearts for the worlds poor and misfortuned peoples, ignore a devastating reality. Our own people many of whom have served this country with honor and patriotism have been left to fend for themselves whilst many nations who abhore Americans get a steady cash flow of our tax dollars. Enough is Enough. This is a brief synopsis of a much larger practical plan for those who need a change. Thank you, and see you in 2012.

Why was the "Cook" smiling like that? :-(

Democrats or Republicans it does not matter about party affiliation. I honor those who honor us. The Clinton's have done little to bring us any honor.....Hello Monica...!ah hem White-Water Gate and so on....did i mention that Bill was in effect a draft dodger......then there Hillary...... who should have shown the neccessary guts to leave him after such a shameful display to all AMERICANS..., Then theres poor Barack who during the process has been very divisive toward racial standards by his association with someone who truly hates the white man more than Al Sharpton...and has never known the sacrifice of truly serving the country....the sacrifice that one mistake doesnt cost you the popular vote....instead its costs your life....
In this political field today John McCain is the only person worthy of Leading the free world for he truly knows the cost of being an American.

Can you people walk and chew gum at the same time?

A Muslim is a person who seeks to do God's will. Therefore for Muslims, a Christian, a Jew or a person of any other faith who seeks to follow the requirements of that faith is also a Muslim!

Obviously, the person did not use the term as a mark of approbation - more's the pity - but then, it is encouraging to see the tone of the comments of your readers above as opposed to what is seen on other US web sites.

One man waved the senator away from his table, later telling the pool reporter on the scene that "I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

This is rude and true to "ugly American" I bet this man is white, not Asian, not Hispanic, not African American.
The photographer was also rude to by taking Obama picture aiming at his mouth; disrespectful. With such people like them, no wonder the world do not respect USA.

I support Obama and for the first time in my life have fully supported a presidential candidate. His character alone far outranks any experience that Hillary boasts to have. Get her out, I know I've had enough of the Clintons.

Patrick,
What a scumbag you are! Sorry, I should use idiot.You f*** want it both ways: first you spread rumors about his being a Muslim, then you blame his pastor's comments on him.Can you idiots pick one? He can't be both a Muslim and be part of a Christian church.
You people don't have to substitute racism for other bigoted instincts. Just show your faces in broad daylight.This is the problem with cowards like you.HRC/GOP voters have no shame.No wonder her backers are mostly catholics.It's unbelievable how you can be against war, for child molesters, value honesty, against gay marriage, yet vote for Hillary! doesn't make much sense, does it?

Patrick... You are beginning to sound foolish. But seriously, what is the point of aiming the camera at his mouth while he is eating? A new kind of vetting of presidential candidates by the Washington Post or just display of lack of basic respect? How will that improve thing in the US: the economy, the war in Iraq,cost of gas, cost of food, etc. Seriously. Members of the mass media, grow up!

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."
I guess this means he has not heard a word about the Wright controversy. And he has the right to vote?

This is why al Democrats, Progressives, Independents and thinking Americans of all kinds must punish Hillary Clinton for the campaign she has run, trying to manipulate, deceive and defraud voters by planting seeds of racism in America and opening old wounds for political gain. Hillary has attempted to profiteer off of lingering remnants of racism to stoke her own blind political ambition, not recognizing that long after she is gone, what many of us will remember is that as the country was trying to move forward, it was a Democrat denigrating the educated classes, referring to them as elistists and preying off the fears of the working class. Wallace, Helms, Atwater, Rove would all be proud of Hillary Clinton. Hillary just pissed on racial progress in America. Women who see this horrific person as a savior have compromised their integrity for the sake of putting a female fraud in the White House.

The truth be told... I'll be voting for McCain. However, I like Obama and would support him as President. I cannot stand HRC. She makes me ill.

That man was so rude. It beggars the mind for anyone to accuse Obama of veing a muslim. That's a outright lie.
That man was so increadibly rude. It's unthnkable. What happened to manners.

This is another no substance nothing to it article we have been inundated with by the print and television media. It is their hope that they will be able to influence voter response and extend the primary ($$). That is to say, it ain't just Limbaugh doing this sh*t, it's CNN, MSNBC, WaPo, HuffPost, Politico...

meg - i think if he was lying about being a muslim, that would be a problem.

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

Even if he were a Muslim what difference would it make. First Amendment ring a bell?

At least the reporter actually witnessed what most African American's experience on any given day someone discounting them without even knowing anything about who he or she is as a person. Thanks for showing the truth to some.

They're like a bunch of bratty children.

I look forward to the end of this primary, not because of the campaigning, I think that's healthy and productive, I'm just sick of having to read the comments of the obnoxious supporters of Sen Obama.

*On Monday, Obama packed in eggs, hash browns, biscuits, pound cake and chicken wings. He stopped by the Four Seasons Family Restaurant in Greenwood, Ind., early this morning and tucked into a ham and feta "house" omelet and hash browns at the counter.*
... meanwhile HRC is still over at the coffee machine pushing buttons wishing someone could show her how to operate it. She's thinking back to the day before when she didn't know how to dispense gasoline and now tears are creeping down her cheek. Hurry roll the camera. HRC is showing human emotion, get that tear drop on film and alert all media.

"I can't stand him. He's a Muslim. He's not even pro-American as far as I'm concerned."

I love that the next leader of the free world will be selected by a true gentleman like that. And you wonder why no favours American currency anymore...

GO HILLARY!!!

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