"We just shouldn't elect someone with the middle name Hussein".

[A HERETIC I AM]

The above quote and the following dialog happened between me and a convenience store clerk about 2 hours ago.

I stopped to get some smokes and a six-pack on the way home from the office. When I presented a credit card to pay for my purchase, the woman behind the counter asked to see my ID, and offered as an explanation: "What with the way the economy is, we're seeing a lot more credit card theft".

Fair enough, I thought, and showed her my drivers license.

Now I could have kept my mouth shut, finished the transaction and left.

But no. I am, after all, A Heretic, in thought, word and deed. (From the Greek "Hairetikos" - "To Choose")

So I said "We can thank the Republicans for the state of the Economy." She nodded her head in agreement. I think: "Cool, a like minded individual".

I continued: "It's clear that we can not trust Republicans with our economy or our money."
She: "Well who do you like for President?"
Me: "Personally, I'm not real happy with either, as my choice dropped out months ago, but the last person we need is McSame." (For the record, I'm happy it's Obama, but I would have preferred Biden or Edwards)
She: "Huh...'McSame', I'll have to remember that."
Me: We don't need four more years of the same, do we?"
She: I agree but I don't think we should elect Obama."
Me: Why not?"
She: "Because he's a Muslim."
Me: "What? No he isn't."
She: I have a friend that is a Hindu and she told me that no one can be named Hussein if they aren't a Muslim. We shouldn't elect a Muslim for President."

At this point I realize I have happened upon either a troglodyte or someone who believes everything she hears from both her friend and Sean Hannity.

Me: You know, that's bullshit, if you'll excuse the profanity. Mr. Obama is not a Muslim."
She: But his middle name is Hussein. That makes him Muslim. We just shouldn't elect someone with the middle name Hussein."
Me: He is the child of a mixed cultural marriage. The name is simply a cultural one. There are plenty of people in this country who have one parent that is African American and the other White, or a mom who is Japanese and the other Native American, or a dad who is Scottish and a mom who is Hawaiian. What difference does it make? You're listening to nonsense."
She: I just don't think we should elect him because of his name."

By this time I have signed the slip, have gathered my goods and am heading for the door.

Me: Please, don't listen to that nonsense. It's bullshit and it doesn't matter. Obama will make a great President, far better than John McCain.

So I walk out and she says nothing else. But it started me thinking.

She is probably not unusual. The other day I started a thread titled WHEN Mr. Obama is elected, here is what I fear.... and it was, I admit, a bit tongue-in-cheek but I meant the sentiment entirely. But perhaps I should have been more serious. What I truly fear for is the intelligence of the American Electorate. How typical is this woman? I am actually very afraid that she represents a sizable block of voters that are just simply clueless and/or they are so terribly misinformed that they will, once again, vote against their own self interest out of fear or simply blatant prejudice. As if it is written in stone only they can see that the office of President is reserved for only White, Christian Men.

Have we come far enough as a people?

It reminds me of the line from the movie "Men In Black" when Tommy Lee Jones is sitting on the bench with Will Smith and tells him "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." ( 1:25 in to this YouTube vid is the quote)

This is really what I fear. Too many Americans are "Dumb, panicky, dangerous animals."

And if there is enough of them voting in November, we're fucked.

I truly hope it is not the case.

[grannylib]

1. I worry about that too; after all, there are still 23% or something like that

who approve of the job the Imbecile is doing...23% of 300 million is a hell of a lot of stupid...

[Amonester]

6. 23% of 300 million is:

More than that! :cry:

Clerk was one of 'em.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Par for the course. That's what this election struggle is going to be about...

policy, etc. isn't gonna matter in the least. The only real question is whether white folks choose to do what they know is best, or not - no matter how they put lipstick on their reason for not.

[AlCzervik]

3. yes because we are so better off with someone that has "Walker" for a middle name.

[opihimoimoi]

4. Triage...ya just can't save um all....some will not change for shit.

[Epiphany4z]

5. well put

you put your finger on some of my worries it is that panicky dumb animal the republicans know how to work so well.

[hendo]

11. No one knows how to create panic like a republican

They are masters of that art.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. A former college classmate of mine named Hussein would beg to differ with the cashier

He was a Christian.

[Robb]

8. Thoughtful, as ever

I guess we have to keep faith, as it were, that we are greater -- not less -- than the sum of our parts as a country.

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. You flatter me, Sir.

And I appreciate it.

We do indeed have to keep the faith but this question is one I have been pondering for the last fortnight.

I do have a deep, abiding faith in the decency of the American people. I'm pretty confident the American People will do what is right, that they will see John McCain for what he is and elect Obama.

But I did a search on how many eligible voters actually vote.

2004 was a record year, apparently, with 60% of eligible voters actually going to the polls. But what of those that will refuse to vote because of some absurd opinion like that expressed by my ignorant clerk?

She probably means well, in fact. I'm sure it wasn't out of malice that she held her point of view. It was ignorance.

That's what scares me - what I can not quantify. How much ignorance is out there?

[Suich]

9. Rick Shenkman was on The Daily Show last night

He has written a book, "Just How Stupid Are We?" that addresses this.

Pretty scary stuff! Here's a link:

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/06/03/the-ignorant-american-voter.html

:)

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. Thanks for the link. I think I just found another summer reading selection. n/t

[femmocrat]

10. K & R

You are probably fighting an uphill battle, but thanks for trying.

[Lex]

12. I figure for the most part mouth-breathers like that rarely vote due to

severe stupidity.

[iamjoy]

15. Thinking People Indeed...

No thinking person will fall for the crap and really hold Obama's middle name against him. Any thinking person realizes that our names are usually given to us by our parents and just because you share a name with a bad person doesn't make you evil. Any American who knows a little about a culture other than ours knows that Hussein is a common name in the Arabic and Muslim world - it was also the name of the King of Jordan, the man who married an American woman and who we called our friend.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of Americans who don't think.

there's a great quote from Adlai Stevenson.

A woman supporter said to him, "Governor, every thinking person will be voting for you."
Stevenson replied, "Madam, that is not enough. I need a majority."

[Frances]

16. I can always depend on a ditzy cousin of mine

to forward negative Dem emails to me.

I got one today with quotes from Obama's books that make it seem Obama hates white people. My cousin isn't going to vote for a Dem no matter how many emails I send her, but I am wondering if I should forward this email, which I'm sure is going out to lots of people, to that stop the smear website of Obama's. Would the people there want to see it to debunk it? HOw would I do this? I certainly do NOT want anyone to think I agree with the email.

[rebel with a cause]

19. I was asked by a family member if Obama was elected

would the African American's riot. I told them "No, but if he is cheated out of it they might protest and a lot of white people including myself would be there with them." They voted for him in the primary and plan to in the GE. This person is prejudice through ignorance (never had much interaction that is not white) but not a racist. (would not do or say anything to hurt anyone because they are different than them) With that said, lets do what the republicans do to those who are ignorant. Lets make them afraid, lets make them very afraid of what will happen if he loses. :rofl:

[baldguy]

17. Can a dope slap be misconstrued as an assault?

Would self defense be a defense?

[A HERETIC I AM]

18. LOL!

:spray: :spray:

Thanks. I needed that.