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 22 of 22)
316. Curious to know how much money you've been sending to help poor Africans up to this point. George isn't the only African living in a hut but apparently he is the only one you care about.
How about helping the homeless in your own hometown first. If you really care about your fellow humans, help someone you walk pass every day on the street. Or does the lack of opportunity for political spin make that moment pointless?
I love when people are so proud and verbose about their stupidity.
Erin at 7:01PM on Sep 12th 2008
317. Quite simply NOT NEWSWORTHY! I have half siblings I never met and they are far better off than I but I dont expect anything from them. . . Lets focus on the issues here and put all the bashing and bullshit aside. . .
OBAMA 2008!
scott at 9:39PM on Sep 12th 2008
318. George Obama is an amazing individual who is too proud to take hand-outs.
Amatullah at 11:38AM on Sep 13th 2008
319. "Google" The KEATING 5!!!
AngelsInOurLives at 3:34PM on Sep 13th 2008
320. 317. George Obama is an amazing individual who is too proud to take hand-outs.
Amatullah at 11:38AM on Sep 13th 2008
xx
If the situation were reversed, I doubt Barack would either. They all seem to be a very intelligent bunch of self starters. I don't know about george, but maybe he's a really capable guy who loves his life. He certainly didn't complain about anything. He didn't even ask his cousin Dick Cheney for a handout...
Clif Kuplen at 5:35PM on Sep 13th 2008
321. Does Christianity Dumb You Down?
http://saintbrianthegodless.blogspot.com/2008/09/does-christianity-dumb-you-down.html
My new blog.
Come one, come all...
Saint Brian the Godless at 9:46PM on Sep 15th 2008
322. Hey, just got a message from george - he doesn't need the money but he does need help moving. He wants everybody at his house at 9:30 Saturday and he wants to know who's got a van?
Clif Kuplen at 12:12AM on Sep 16th 2008
323. ROFL!
I've got a flatbed trailer. We can move the whole hut...
right next door to Dinesh!
torquemada at 1:10AM on Sep 16th 2008
324. Wow! I cannot believe how negative some of these posts are..I appreciate you bringing this issue to light. I find it interesting how people do not hold people accountable for their actions vs. their "talk." I have always been the type of person that has ALWAYS paid close attention to how a person treats a waitress in a restaurant, doorman, etc. People that treat servers like dirt, because they do not "matter," vs. how they treat people they perceive as mattering to them, are ill mannered and truly have not class. Wake up people...treat your family like family and strangers in the street with respect. Side note: I am a proud Republican from the beautiful state of Wisconsin.
Lisa D at 8:23PM on Sep 24th 2008
325. It is very darling of sahib D'Douza to help out an African brother (aren't we all brothers!) but there are some underlying concepts that are quite at odds with the Conservative agenda.
1. Helping a brother is a good thing indeed but doing it to spite the other is not very CHristianlike.
2. If anything, American poverty is at odds with Afro-Asian poverty or other world poverty. In USA, poor people are fat, they get food stamps, they drive cars, many are lazy (not all), and they have digital/satellite TV.
3. In America we pretend every sibling is on the same level of intellectal, social and demographic level but this is a one of the great lies! We preach that same sermon abroad pretending this is the standard we all follow when in fact each does according to his ability! It is typical to have a high achiever in family, a middling achiever and one who just wants to hang out. Nothing wrong with that!
4. George Obama, I am sure, will do excellently in USA but as the dice rolls, he is in Kenya.
5. You people (yes, you people) use the same analogy regarding a great auntie (auntie!)) of Obama as if he knew her whereabouts, when the greater sin was selectively giving information in an attempt to discredit someone when an investigation is ongoing i.e. the legality of Obama'a auntie's status in USA and her ability to evade in plain sight the INS and other immigration entities, like the 10-12 million others who have done the same for the past 15 years or so! What's wrong with this picture?
I admire you Mr D'Souza. Keep on helping a brother in need with your appeal.
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hfiektxyek at 11:43PM on Jan 23rd 2009
327. I think it would behoove the really interested to find relatives of Dinesh living in poverty and send them the money because they would use it in a better way! So let's find those relatives who live in their huts and bring them to America, the wonderful Christain bastion of greatness and glory.
God Bless Dinesh and his Christianity that can save the world!
edouard at 9:14AM on Mar 4th 2009