True story. On the shuttle bus to the train station, the woman behind me turned to the only other passenger and said: “So I got an email today with a photo of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and some others, standing with their hands on their hearts and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Except Obama refused to put his hand on his heart and refused to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. You know, his middle name is Hussein. I think he’s secretly a Muslim. We sure wouldn’t want a Muslim running this country!”
I wish this all was just in my imagination, but no, it really happened. I am no fan of Obama in terms of many of his political views, but I can’t believe anyone in their right mind would say (or think) such things.
I’ve heard it in a few places and have seen it on several blogs (stumbled over) and have seen it too many email forwards already.
I simply do not have the stamina for it but would love to ask them all about their fascist views and just what they know about the history of Pledge, whether they think burning of the flag should be protected speech, whether they have actually served in the military, etc.
Some times people can be educated, but I fear this is not one of them.
On a related note, I was waiting at the bus stop (5-ish) the other day on campus. A guy my age or older was looking around and holding a clipboard. The crowd was mostly “kids”. I had on my camouflage gore-tex coat but there’s also a small rainbow ribbon on my backpack in support of my friends. This guy kept sizing me up and was, truthfully, looking at me quite oddly. I almost finally asked him if I was causing him problems. He finally came over and asked me if I would sign a petition to get him on the Republican ballot.
I did sign, not because I intend to vote for him, but because I believe in plurality of choice at the ballot (not that we have it). Then he went and talked to another guy clearly our age and dressed in definite mid-West blue collar clothes. He didn’t talk to any of the “kids”.
I was in the service so I MUST have certain views, right? Grrrr. I probably just reinforced that stereotype in his mind by signing his petition.
Once in a (great) while I wish my life could be as simple as other people’s.
Ouch. I’m not sure which is the better response, “No, he’s not!” or “Yes, he is, and so am I. The Grand Council in Mecca knows which bus you take!”