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 2 of 22)
16. "Telegram! Telegram for Robert Okane!"
(he reads)
My Dear Mr. Okane (stop)
You have been duped (stop)
You have been caught up in the giddy brainless enthusiasm of misguided neo-conservative sexism (stop)
When the dust settles, and the novelty of Sarah Palin fades (withers) in the harsh light of political reality, the narrow bump (more of a pimple) in the polls will (stop)
Robert at 10:13AM on Sep 8th 2008
17.
Did no ever think that perhaps his brother likes his way of living.
I live a very small kind of life and my family has a fit...........why you ask??.........glad you asked (lol) , I live small and it embarresses them..(my family)..to darn bad...........I have other things to do my what little money I have and am not materialisist as they seem to be..
My family would be more than happy to help me..........how do you know Obama has not offered???.............I don't hear his brother screaming for help........do you??
Sherri at 10:35AM on Sep 8th 2008
18. This is it? Dinesh? This is all you got?
Once again everyone else will just have to come up with a better topic to discuss cause yours sucks as usual.
This is not going to garner much attention and rightly so. I'm going to take a break and check back in when you have something that actually has some meat to it.
TJ at 11:13AM on Sep 8th 2008
19. DD: How are some of your cousins and nephews and nieces living in India? I have been told that they are only marginally better off than George. You should probably raise some money for them also.
RAY at 11:17AM on Sep 8th 2008
20. REGISTERED DEMOCRAT
Robert OKane:
Dem's are again shooting themselves in the foot again and blowing another Presidential election.
*******
They seem to excel at that. And when they do happen to gain the White House (as history shows) it becomes a White House of Cards when the next election rolls around.
The Democrats are Losers.
They nominate Losers.
They promise Universal Everything For Everyone.
They ride around in the same Limousines as the Republicans.
Most people regardless of their party affiliation see through this as a Con Game.
Change has to come from everyone if it's going to work, not just sent to us from the Government.
What's the Correct Answer?
Barack Obama.
Well... maybe.
John Kerry was the Correct Answer, wasn't he?
The 2004 election should have been a victory for the Democrats.
What happened? Where was that election Stolen?
Maybe the powers-that-be in the Democratic Party are Dimwits.
It's time for a Change, alright.
torquemada at 11:19AM on Sep 8th 2008
21. I agree TJ @ 18. I was so bored, I googled DD. Now there's a topic!! DD doesn't believe any of his own shit, it's just capitalism at it's "finest."
He collects nice big fat checks from right wing lunatic fringe organizations to vomit up their beliefs. Every whore has their price, right, DD? I shouldn't have been as surprised as I was at who his benefactors are. Bend over, Dinesh.....your programmers want to insert your next "thought."
Jude at 11:24AM on Sep 8th 2008
22. DD If you were really compssionate and felt the urge to give George a helping hand, you would have anonymously sent him your money instead of writing about it and putting others down and in a spot. That is what people who are genuinely interested in others would have done.
RAY at 11:29AM on Sep 8th 2008
23. I support this cause because someone needs to help this young man. Obama supporters are blind to what is going on. The media has ignored this story completely, while they talk about every other story that is bias against the Republicans. What happened to objective journalism?
Olbermann and Matthews Are Done at 8:25PM on Sep 8th 2008
24. REGISTERED DEMOCRAT
*bam-o-bam-bam-bam-obama-bama-bam-o-bam-bam-bam-obama-bama*
George. George. George of the jungle.
As poor as poor can be.
No pot in which to pee.
***
Sorry. Couldn't resist.
torquemada at 11:42AM on Sep 8th 2008
25. Ryan DD is always grasping at straws just to stir the pot.
But I will say that since Obamanation has so much money he should be able to help his siblings, or create work for them.
Man_in_Wilderness at 11:57AM on Sep 8th 2008
26.
Jesus was a community activist.
Pontius Pilate was a governor.
Sarah and Todd Palin hate America
T.Brough at 12:28PM on Sep 8th 2008
27. Wilton post 11
You made my day with your good news. Care to join me in a victory celebration? I am inviting OReilly if you don't mind, even though there is a possibility he may drag Obama along with him.
Robert OKane at 12:18PM on Sep 8th 2008
28. So, what can we gather from this? Either DD is a regular reader of Italian Vanity Fair or he obsessively scans the web for dirt on his mortal enemy, the man Republicans and Conservatives are scared to death of. He should have searched a bit more:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2595688/Barack-Obama-is-my-inspiration-says-lost-brother.html
"When you have a brother who wants to be the number one most important person in the world, it obviously gives you a lot of inspiration," Mr Obama, 26, said at his corrugated tin shack in a Nairobi slum.
"There was a long time when I was just taking a break, doing nothing, trying to find myself and what I wanted to do. Now I am more focused on my future, and I can say it is because I understand more about things because of hearing what Barack is doing."
"We have only met twice, once when I was five or six, and again in 2006," he said. " I cannot say that we are close, he probably does not even think about me. I am not going to start pestering him, I don't want to look to him for help, I want to achieve things for myself.
"I don't even tell people that I am related to Barack Obama, I don't want people here to be harassing me because they think I have money or influence. I have nothing like that, I am a person who likes to live quietly.
"I don't have any ambitions to do anything like politics, in Kenya, that means nothing. I read the newspapers, but only the sport section. Sometimes I am sure there are things about Barack which I miss, but it doesn't matter to me.
"Of course, if I was in the US I would vote for him, I think everyone should. But I am a bit biased," he joked.
---------------
Dinesh, might I suggest, when you slow down and catch your breath from spinning so much, that you follow his EXPRESS wishes and leave George Obama ALONE? Otherwise, you'd be just exploiting him for political purposes... sort of like McCain does with his POW stint and Palin does with "her" youngest child.
Ian X. Christian at 12:18PM on Sep 8th 2008
29. If Dinesh has an ounce of moral integrity he should drop this story, he is pretending to be charitable, but everyone can see clearly through him that all he is really trying to do is damage the reputation of a presidential candidate, and if Dinesh actually does believe in helping out family members than why doesn't he bring all his relatives from his home country India, which is a country with poverty levels just as bad as Kenya. I would not be surprised if many of Dinesh's relatives are living in far worse conditions than Obama's half brother. Maybe Obama should start a charity to help Dinesh's relatives in India.
AM at 12:18PM on Sep 8th 2008
30. Didn't Obama's half brother already say that he was pissed at the person who interviewed him before that bullshitted their way through their 'report' about him? And that he was happy with who he was, and where he was, and didn't WANT any help? I think that answers your questions Dinesh, you cocksucker. He doesn't want your handouts, or handouts from his brother. All you're really doing this for is to attempt to humiliate Obama, through your typical bullshit and lies.
He also said that he's quite proud of his half-brother as well, so there's no animosity between them over Barack living 'the good life' in the USA.
Zatheus at 12:19PM on Sep 8th 2008