The biggest scandal of the election campaign is going unreported, for the most part, by the mainstream newspapers and TV shows. Imagine if John McCain or Sarah Palin had a half-brother who was living in a hut. Imagine if McCain, a multimillionaire, did nothing to help the guy. Imagine if McCain came to the convention and spoke incessantly about compassion and how he was inspired by the biblical mandate: we are our brothers' keepers! This would be the lead story on the evening news.
So why aren't the networks covering the fact that Barack Obama's half-brother George lives in a 6 by 10 foot hut in the slums of Kenya? It took a reporter for the Italian edition of Vanity Fair to locate George Obama. Obama noted that when he met his famous half-brother in 2006 it was only for a few minutes and like talking to a complete stranger. George Obama also told the magazine that when people ask him whether he is related to Barack Obama he denies it because he is ashamed. Obama has done absolutely nothing to help his unfortunate half-brother.
Apparently alarmed that this report could hurt Obama, CNN dispatched one of its reporters to do cover-up work for the Obama campaign. This is a hopeless enterprise; anyone who sees pictures of Geroge Obama's dwelling place knows that they reveal the worst images of African poverty. Moreover, for all its propagandistic intent, the CNN report is unintentionally damaging to Obama. The reporter cannot hide the fact that George Obama comes from a "ramshackled slum." A neighbor tells CNN that Barack Obama really should connect with his half-brother and "see how he's living" and do what he can to "improve our way of life."
CNN attempts to portray George Obama as a self-reliant fellow who doesn't want any help. The network quotes him saying, "I was brought up well. I live well even now." Notice that George speaks in a halting voice; he is trying to maintain his self-image. George also says, "I'm Kenyan...I would love to live in Kenya." Presumably George gave this answer to a question asking whether he'd like to move to the United States with Barack Obama's help. These answers, however, in no way suggest that George doesn't want Barack Obama's intervention to relieve his grinding poverty. A man's effort to maintain his dignity should not be exploited to pretend that he doesn't want a helping hand.
When I posted on George Obama last week, the Obama apologists could do no better than to say that Barack Obama doesn't owe his half-brother anything. But sibling assistance is not a matter of debt. Rather, it is a matter of family values and compassion. Obama has publicly cited as his favorite Bible verse Jesus's statement: whatever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me. It seems that the Republican allegation that this man is full of pretense and empty words--in other words, a modern-day Pharisee--is more than justified.
Obama may not want to help his 26 year old half-brother, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't. I'm starting the George Obama Compassion Fund which has the goal of raising some money to help George move out of his one-room hut. George also wants to become a mechanic and surely he could use some funds to get the training he needs to fulfill his humble aspirations. Currently George lives on a few dollars a month. Even a few thousand dollars would completely transform this man's life.
I'm putting up $1000 to get this fund started. I invite people to send me small contributions--$5, $10, $25, whatever you can spare. Send them to P.O. Box 3384, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067. Make your checks to "George Obama." I will then contact the Obama campaign and offer them the money on the condition that they forward it to George Obama in Kenya. The advantage of this approach is that not only does George Obama benefit from our generosity, but also Barack Obama can use the opportunity to improve his relationship with his half-brother. Let's foster Obama family values, and give a break to a guy who really needs it.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 22)
1. You are starting a fund to help out someone who is less fortunate, on the sole condition that Obama has to be the one to send it to him?????
What you are basically saying is that you will give help, but only if you can get a political point across. Not for compassions sake. You truly are a joke.
Pope Cack IV at 8:56AM on Sep 8th 2008
2. I have five half siblings I do not know. You are really grasping at straws.
Ryan Anderson at 9:02AM on Sep 8th 2008
3. Pope Cack IV, read the article carefully. He says he will offer it to Obama campaign to send to George. He never said that was the only way George would get the money.
Compare Obama to McCain who adopted a child from unfortunate circumstances.
Heather at 9:16AM on Sep 8th 2008
4. This article is nothing but BS! Obama's brother likes it where he is and he is satisfied the way he lives. While you people are making fun of this young man you need to be watching what Andrew McCain is doing while sitting on Financial Boards that shuts its doors. Yes, another Bank has been taken over that Andrew McCain sat on the Board in Nebraska, and Ameruicans need to start worrying about the huts they live in if not already foreclosed on.
JUDY fERGUSON at 9:17AM on Sep 8th 2008
5. Heather; "Compare Obama to McCain who adopted a child from unfortunate circumstances"
Or compare Obama to McCain who cheated on and abandoned his disabled first wife.
I'm just saying is all.
Ryan Anderson at 9:19AM on Sep 8th 2008
6. Ah, one of those days where the title is so stupid you don't even want to bother reading the article.
Mokele Mbembe at 9:30AM on Sep 8th 2008
7. What about the new Gallup poll McCain 50% Obuma 46%
Good work Dem's keep attacking Palin as your way of change in the USA.
Gallup poll had Obuma ahead by 19% on question of who would be better choice to improve the economy, Obuma or McCain? That was before the RNC. After the RNC, this poll has shifted 16%, a huge change.
Obuma is now only ahead of McCain on the economy issue by a scant 3%
Dem's are again shooting themselves in the foot again and blowing another Presidential election
Robert OKane at 9:31AM on Sep 8th 2008
8. Why is George such an important issue to you, DD? How about sending me money to move out of my spider-infested apartment? Just the other day I caught one that was an inch long head-to-tail. A whole friggin inch!
All I can say is this "Compassion" fund is about anything but. He's a FKN joke to you. You can't buy virtue.
Mokele Mbembe at 9:37AM on Sep 8th 2008
9. JUST IN ... PALIN kicks liberals Olbermann-Matthews off ANCHORING MSNBC
MSNBC shake-up: Olbermann and Matthews no longer anchoring
It looks like Sarah Palin also Stripped some some of the two biggest liberals to a naked ZERO as well. After she single-handedly Stripped both Obama and Biden to a Naked Zero. You can read Palin's speech here.
http://www.topix.net/forum/news/2008-presidential-election/T2PBRQ6NRF99KUGD3
THIS BREAKING NEWS COMES FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
MSNBC shake-up: Olbermann and Matthews are no longer anchoring
September 07, 2008
Categories: New York Times
MSNBC shake-up: Olbermann and Matthews no longer anchoring
Less than two weeks ago, MSNBC president Phil Griffin was still defending the network's anchor team to Politico, despite reports of turmoil behind-the-scenes and on-air squabbles. At the time, a high-ranking MSNBC journalist told me the network was "about to blow up."
Well, here's the blow up! The NY Times reports tonight that Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann will no longer anchor during upcoming political news events, as network insiders reveal more about what's been happening.
After months of accusations of political bias and simmering animosity between MSNBC and its parent network NBC, the channel decided over the weekend that the NBC News correspondent and MSNBC host David Gregory would anchor news coverage of the coming debates and election night. Mr. Olbermann and Mr. Matthews will remain as analysts during the coverage.
The change — which comes in the home stretch of the long election cycle — is a direct result of tensions associated with the channel’s perceived shift to the political left.
And there's more.
In interviews, 10 current and former staff members said that long-simmering tensions between MSNBC and NBC reached a boiling point during the conventions. “MSNBC is behaving like a heroin addict,” one senior staff member observed. “They’re living from fix to fix and swearing they’ll go into rehab the next week.”
The Times also reports that "Jeff Zucker, chief executive of NBC Universal, and Steve Capus, president of NBC News, considered flying to the Republican convention in Minnesota last week to address the lingering tensions."
http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/
WALTON, F. at 9:47AM on Sep 8th 2008
10. Are you a republican Dinesh?
I thought that republicans hated giving those less fortunate handouts - especially those paid by tax dollars. The only way a republican would hand someone anything would be if it looked good - for them in the way of a contribution especially to their church.
Why would you bash someone when you wouldn't lift a finger yourself for this supposed poor-poor man, or any other Kenyan who is living in poverty?
You don't even believe in helping those who are desperate in this country you've decided to call your own.
Your hypocrisy is showing like a roll of toilet paper stuck on your shoe - left dragging behind you.
I'm laughing behind your back, and shaking my head in pity.
TJ at 9:52AM on Sep 8th 2008
11. Both McCain and Palin make a good team and demonstrate that they both care.
As Americans, there is truly only one race and that is the human race. Together, in this election we need to KEEP AMERICA FIRST and vote John McCain.
I believe McCain/ Palin's trip to the hurricane zone, where Katrina once hit, is evidence that McCain and Governor Palin care about the average person like us I am definitely voting for McCain. I feel like he can be trusted. Meanwhile the "detached" Obama makes snide and critical remarks from a distance.
Most American's DO NOT favor abortion. Nor do they wish to align themselves with factions dedicated in butchering innocent babies inside and outside the womb. And NO, that baby is NOT the women's body; it is a separate body with a separate heartbeat and separate brain activity. And YES, the unborn baby FEELS PHYSICAL PAIN as it is being ripped out of what should be the safest place on earth - mother's womb!
The Planned Parenthood abortionists lie to young women all the time just to get their money, while those ex-mothers and ex-fathers suffer emotional distress as they realize everyday that they have just allowed a child killer to convince them, not only to take their money, but also to kill their precious little baby. Abortion STOPS A BEATING HEART and the future of a civilization.
People weep and wail over the loss of a High School football player destined for a great professional career who had been gunned down by a random shooter, but yet we will never know the great deficit future generations will suffer for the loss of over 50 million innocent babies in this country alone. Shame on America for tolerating this horror ... and shame on its citizens for tolerating their personal complacency. Pro-choice is a lie - Babies do not choose to die!
Away with this archaic freakish, barbaric practice! It will soon be done away with, along with these fake pro-abortion polling numbers! As long as the president chooses judicial nominees his Vice-president better be pro-Life if he is ever going to win an election.
"A nation that cannot protect its most innocent and helpless citizens and the sanctity of human life is a weak nation that will utterly collapse economically, socially, relationally and entirely." - HMH
WALTON, F. at 9:53AM on Sep 8th 2008
12. ATHEISM is a CATASTROPHIC FAILURE
http://www.evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
Check out the latest in archeological discoveries
Issac Asimov at 10:00AM on Sep 8th 2008
13. These Obama name puns keep getting more nonsensical. Obamamoron? Obummer? Obuma? Are you trying to impress us with your uncreativity? If you can't think of anything remotely interesting why even bother? I had an all-night pajama Obamarama "Obamapalooza" where my fellow Obamacrats watched his interview with Keith Obaman, and Obamamama on Opramah. They are the future of our Obamanation. BA Barack-as pities the sucka MC. McSame had 4 McStrokes in his McBrain, but Sarah is im-Palin' the competition while Joe is Biden his time. They Pal-in comparison. See, not funny.
WALTON,
"As Americans, there is truly only one race and that is the human race. Together, in this election we need to KEEP AMERICA FIRST and vote John McCain."
Please resolve this contradiction of priorities between humanity and nationalism. Oh wait, you're the evolutionfacts bot.
Mokele Mbembe at 9:58AM on Sep 8th 2008
14. Heather: The point is that DD isnt trying to help someone. He is "offering" the money to Obama to give to George. Why not just send it directly to George? Because DD wants to put Obama in a bind.
If Obama doesnt give George the money, then DD can claim that Obama doesnt care about George and that the Republicans are willing to help out those in need(albiet in a different country, not in the US)
If Obama does take the money, then DD can say that Obama either: wont send any of his own money; or doesnt care about his brother enough to help him, it took DD and the republicans to help George.
Either way Heather, DD is trying to score political points.
Pope Cack IV at 10:04AM on Sep 8th 2008
15. I'm sure Dinesh has relatives in India who are probably living in the streets, I don't know why he is obsessed with Barack Obama's half brother.
AM at 10:10AM on Sep 8th 2008