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 6 of 22)
76. George...
You forgot to mention exactly how muchee YOU'RE donating! Sounds like you're falling for D'Souza's bullshit... again.
Isn't he asking his supporters to chip in and make a fool of Obama?
Shouldn't we be seeing Okane, Gassett, Janesophie1, MIW, Observant et al (sorry if I forgot any of you good rightwing Christians) shelling out a few bucks?
Is it because it won't be tax deductable and taxpayers won't have to chip in that you're being shy?
I guess everybody chipping in, taking up the slack on your taxes, is only good when it's YOUR personal project, like a new church or a monument to the Commandments or some other usless crap.
not-pboyfloyd at 6:07PM on Sep 8th 2008
77. Shannie; I have a 1981 CJ7 Jeep. Not a convertible or a hot rod, but pretty cool.
Ryan Anderson at 6:12PM on Sep 8th 2008
78. Botts: "Dinesh, Hannity, and Rush are in a lucrative business doing what they do best. Dividing people. Even you know this" [in reference to Turd Gassett]
Even though he experiences it, I'm not sure he **knows** it.
Ryan Anderson at 6:12PM on Sep 8th 2008
79. Join the Facebook group for the George Obama Compassion Fund:
http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27474651028&ref=mf
T-law at 6:17PM on Sep 8th 2008
80. NPBF,
Okane should send money. After all money is his last name (in Japanese お金). I hit my agape quota with Stand Up To Cancer.
Mokele Mbembe at 6:31PM on Sep 8th 2008
81. Next topic... who has the best convertible or hot rod?
Shannie
xxxxxx
A sore point! I recently sold my Landrover D-90 soft top. Hard edged, rough, cold, let in the rain, noisy - I loved that car! What a blast it was.
Pliny-the-in-Between at 6:33PM on Sep 8th 2008
82. Who here still thinks Biden was the right choice? I wrote here before that he was an awful choice because NOBODY CARES ABOUT JOE BIDEN. Nobody cared when he ran for President 2x before and nobody will care that he is the VP choice. He has experience, yes, but will that help Obama get elected. Helping Obama become the next president is all that matters and I think that Joe Biden was a disastrous choice. A total disaster!
I am looking at the http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/us/general_election_mccain_vs_obama-225.html
polls and they have McCain up on average by 2.9 percentage points. How is it possible that the Republicans can have a president with some of the lowest approval ratings in U.S. History and be ahead in this presidential election? Not only was Biden the wrong pick, so was Obama. Hillary was the right choice but........
Publius at 6:38PM on Sep 8th 2008
83. Publius,
Be honest, you'd be pissing on Democrats whether they got Hillary or not.
Mokele Mbembe at 6:45PM on Sep 8th 2008
84. Pliny; nice truck. I'm sure you miss her.
Ryan Anderson at 6:46PM on Sep 8th 2008
85. Yea, Publi-baby, I think that it was bad timing to have a possible first black president* and a possible first woman president going for it at the same time.
*If you don't include Bill Clinton on his left pinky-toe's side.
not-pboyfloyd at 6:46PM on Sep 8th 2008
86. Publius; you were one click away from this...
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/
Which tells a different, more accurate story than just a "national" poll. Remember, Gore won the "national" poll.
Ryan Anderson at 6:48PM on Sep 8th 2008
87. Did you replace it, Pliny? I am trying to think what the ultimate convertible would be....
Shannie at 6:55PM on Sep 8th 2008
88. Did you replace it, Pliny? I am trying to think what the ultimate convertible would be....
Shannie at 6:55PM on Sep 8th 2008
89. Haha - I'm in - I have several siblings, and I happen to be the one who went to college when my parents could afford to help me. My younger siblings couldn't, so I help them. My Dad got parkinson's disease and can no longer work - I help them whenever I can. I don't have to - it's just that families should help each other.
Obama's father died. He's leaving his orphaned brother to fend for himself? That's ridiculous. You'll get my check.
Jlp at 7:03PM on Sep 8th 2008
90. I agree with you Ryan. Not everyone was ready for a black or female president. It's so sad after all of these years this country is sexist and racist. Although, I think it is more sexist..JUST MY OPINION..
Dee at 7:11PM on Sep 8th 2008