American Weirdness du jour: More Americans imagine that Obama is Muslim

[karlhenning]

Hmm, I suspect this may not have been worded just so.  As far as I am aware, not all Muslims are immigrants; there are quite a few native born Muslims, whether born into the religion or converted.  I dare say such Muslims have taken to the American way of life rather readily.

I daresay I phrased things a bit casually.  Certainly, you're right,many of our fellow Americans who are Muslims are native-born here in the States.  My train of thought had moved from the fact that I have worked with Muslims, and these individuals (as it happens) have been immigrants.  And, as my wife and mom-in-law are immigrants, I do not in the least consider immigrants "second-class," incidentally.

[Todd]

And, as my wife and mom-in-law are immigrants, I do not in the least consider immigrants "second-class," incidentally.

Of course not.  Besides, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, but the Henning surname probably came from immigrants.  Shhh, don't tell anyone, but my ancestors were also immigrants. 

[karlhenning]

I don't get very far pretending I came over on the Mayflower . . . .

[Florestan]

Regading a country's native Muslims, I have the experience of my own country, Romania. There is a province, Dobrogea (pronounced roughly Daw-braw-dja) with a significant historical Muslim minority of Turks and Tatars. There are mosques and minarets, there is a grand mufti and all other paraphernalia of the Muslim faith.

Well, since 1879 --- when Romania was officially recognized as an independent state --- until now there has not been a single instance of conflict between Christians and Muslims there; there has not been a single instance of disloyalty of the Muslims citizens of Romania towards the overwhelmingly Christian state of Romania. Mixed marriages are the norm and I am of the opinion that without the indigenous Muslim minority and their culture, traditions and cuisine Romania would be impoverished --- just as it would be without any of its ethnical or religious minorities.

[Brian]

The other day, I saw a guy wearing a T-shirt that said, I VOTED FOR THE AMERICAN. I was sorely tempted to point out to him that John McCain was in fact born in Panama, but thought better of it.

[MN Dave]

Maybe there should be an IQ test before one can vote.

[karlhenning]

The other day, I saw a guy wearing a T-shirt that said, I VOTED FOR THE AMERICAN. I was sorely tempted to point out to him that John McCain was in fact born in Panama, but thought better of it.

As another friend of mine in Texas might post:

Oh. Lord.

[karlhenning]

Maybe there should be an IQ test before one can vote.

Elitist!

[Florestan]

Maybe there should be an IQ test before one can vote.

Would solve nothing at all. Have you never met reasonably intelligent and educated people whose political options are questionable to say the least?

[MN Dave]

Would solve nothing at all. Have you never met reasonably intelligent and educated people whose political options are questionable to say the least?

Oh, I think it would improve the odds of getting someone with half a brain in there.

[karlhenning]

Oh, I think it would improve the odds of getting someone with half a brain in there.

We tried that before . . . .

[Florestan]

Are you really willing to discuss the merits and demerits of democracy, Dave? 

[MN Dave]

Are you really willing to discuss the merits and demerits of democracy, Dave? 

No.

[Florestan]

No.

I could have bet my life on it.

[DavidRoss]

http://townhall.com/columnists/LarryElder/2010/08/26/what_about_the_stupid_lies_democrats_believe

[knight66]

Oh, I think it would improve the odds of getting someone with half a brain in there.

How so? I don't see that filtering the voters' roll would alter the choice provided to the remaining filtered voters. You would still have an apple or an orange and sometimes elect one, sometimes elect the other.

Mike

[MishaK]

There is also the fear that Muslims want to destroy our way of life, and make us all bow to Allah.  My big concern would be taking away all the rights won by women in the last century and us becoming property of men.  In short the Muslim religion scares the hell out of me. 

Also not just Republicans there are also Democratic Evangelical Christians who would not be too fond of an elected official being Muslim.  Atheists likely have the most to fear from Muslims, if they ever get a stronghold in the western world.

Though designed in response to yet another faux controversy, you might find this helpful:

[DavidRoss]

Nat Hentoff, the long-time Village Voice writer on jazz, about the controversy:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/08/26/pols_clueless_on_ground_zero_mosque_106904.html

[Herman]

Maybe Nentoff doesn't think he needs "outside funding", but he does need an editor, with his "inflammable site choice", rather than "inflammatory."

And as to inflammatory, he could have mentioned this site was chosen long ago, it was approved and no one protested, until the right wing decided this would be a good inflammtory issue to rack up come election time.

[Herman]

He sure doesn't have any sympathies for white Christians, which is the real issue for the dunderheads.

Almost his entire cabinet is filled to the rafters with white men and women who are either xtian or jewish.