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 5 of 22)
61. Zatheus-remember that next time you enjoy that slice of pizza that my ancestors perfected and brought here..ha ha
Dee at 4:17PM on Sep 8th 2008
62. ALL insurance is a BLACK HOLE! Once your money gets past the event horizon (payment envelope) it's irretrievably lost. And we all know what manages to escape a black hole's grasp.
Anyone who's gone through a hurricane will easily identify with this.
torquemada at 2:03PM on Sep 8th 2008
xxx
Insurance works well so long as it is, say it with me, REGULATED!
Insurance is Public Policy and has been so among English speaking earthians for longer than we have been a nation. It only goes bad when mixed with neocon supply side economics.
Clif Kuplen at 4:19PM on Sep 8th 2008
63. Ah, one of those days where the title is so stupid you don't even want to bother reading the article.
Mokele >>>
And pathetic Moke comes to play anyway. Get a real life.
thomas J gassett at 4:34PM on Sep 8th 2008
64. Not even worth a comment other than to mention, once again, what a twit you are.
John Galt
>>.
Perhaps one day, you might come up with a comment worth reading ... perhaps.
thomas J gassett at 4:38PM on Sep 8th 2008
65. TJG,
Still casting stones from your glass trailer, I see.
Mokele Mbembe at 4:40PM on Sep 8th 2008
66. What a whore you are. You fall in line with Hannity, Rush, and others. You've been bought, and your case a long time ago.
>>>>
Botts, you stupid slug! You are just the other side of the same coin. I think it's a self hate thing.
thomas J gassett at 4:41PM on Sep 8th 2008
67. I have a feeling that Dinesh's next post is going to be about how the atheist liberals didn't get his "funny" joke.
Ryan Anderson at 4:48PM on Sep 8th 2008
68. Clif Kuplen:
Insurance works well so long as it is, say it with me, REGULATED!
*******
REGULATED!
I'm with ya Clif. If there's ANY industry that needs it that's the one.
I'm usually on the side of "that government is best which (has to) govern least," but I think what was meant by that is for government to stay out of its CITIZEN'S lives as much as possible. If Big Insurance is left to police themselves then we get what we have now: a fat fox with a full belly and no hens in the house.
torquemada at 4:54PM on Sep 8th 2008
69. "Botts, you stupid slug! You are just the other side of the same coin. I think it's a self hate thing."
TJ Baby,
Nice way to refute my point. Wait, did you refute anything I said, or am I missing something?
Dinesh, Hannity, and Rush are in a lucrative business doing what they do best. Dividing people. Even you know this.
Botts at 4:54PM on Sep 8th 2008
70. 66. I have a feeling that Dinesh's next post is going to be about how the atheist liberals didn't get his "funny" joke. Ryan Anderson
xxxxx
Probably right. But we could all ask him to donate the proceeds of 'What's so Great About Christianity' that international best seller, to the poor which would really make people sit up and notice Christianity...
Pliny-the-in-Between at 4:56PM on Sep 8th 2008
71. First, notice that none of the libs here is willing to part with a dime to help out, while Dinesh is donating $1,000 bucks. Typical.
Second, notice that now libs are forced, to defend Obama, to say that poor people like being poor! This is too funny!
George at 4:58PM on Sep 8th 2008
72. AOLWTFKNH?
Mokele Mbembe at 5:24PM on Sep 8th 2008
73. "George"
Do you honestly believe Dinesh is donating out of agape rather than a business investment?
Mokele Mbembe at 5:31PM on Sep 8th 2008
74. This seems to be a lame point by DD.... I am sure the half bro is quite content. "Winning the lottery" doesn't solve your problems... just creates new ones. My ambition is to always be able to live on love & coconuts in a little grass hut... or at least it was in high school.
Next topic... who has the best convertible or hot rod?
Shannie at 5:40PM on Sep 8th 2008
75. If Big Insurance is left to police themselves then we get what we have now: a fat fox with a full belly and no hens in the house.
torquemada
That is the problem isn't it? Sometimes we need regulation especially when we "the people" are being taken advantage of by BIG CORPs and business. Of course we don't want government telling us what to do - we want and need our supposed freedoms, but we don't want to be taken advantage of. When we have no choice (have insurance and pay out the ass, or don't and the rest of us pay out the ass)but to pay out the ass for things that I think should be a given for such an advanced country like the US - things like education, health care, senior care and such. After all we take care of the lowest of our citizens (prisoners) but we don't take care of those citizens who have worked all their lives and paid taxes, what about those who at one time or another choose to serve our country. The senators and congressmen get health care for the rest of their lives no matter how long they served or how badly. We need to take care of our citizen much better than we are right now.
Giving me a check for 1500.oo isn't enough to stimulate me or my local economy, not when you are going to want it back to pay for a war effort I don't support.
TJ at 5:53PM on Sep 8th 2008