In an attempt to show support, and perhaps desensitize others, Barack Obama supporters have adopted his middle name "Hussein" as their own. Names like Kelly Hussein Crowley and Jamie Hussein Alvarez are popping up on sites like Facebook.
The traditionally Muslim name has been a weight on Obama's campaign, which must fight viral rumors that he is a Muslim, or even a terrorist. The name comes from Obama's father, a man he hardly knew, who was born a Muslim, but died an atheist, reports the New York Times. Obama is a Christian.
The New York Times writes that the tactic of solidarity has been used before, as some of the new Husseins were inspired either by the movie Spartacus in which friends of the Roman slave protect him by calling out “I am Spartacus!” to soldiers, as well as the '90s film In and Out in which students pretend to be gay to protect their gay teacher. Do you think people will be less scared of Barack's middle name, if people with "all American" names add Hussein to theirs?
Swildens
Matthew Williamson
S***r
My favorite line from the linked article:
"Legally changing names is too much hassle, participants say."
As long as they're dedicated.
1In case people can't tell, I'm kidding. I obviously don't expect people to legally change their names.
2i honestly cant believe there are people so stupid that they think the middle name hussein is equivalent to being a terrorist. idiots!
3
4"The traditionally Muslim name has been a weight on Obama's campaign, which must fight viral rumors that he is a Muslim, or even a terrorist."
Wait, what's the difference between a Muslim and a terrorist?
It's just a name--a name he didn't choose. He's not, like, Voldemort.
5people make a way bigger deal of this than it really deserves. i too am sad that there are such ignorant people out there that they would hold his middle name against him. Also, I can't believe there are idiots who would change their middle name to Hussein over this. The election of 2008. That is just plain dumb.
6Ok, everyone knows I love this site. I am here all the time, I comment until my fingers are sore, I love the site....
I just wish that the threads about Obama weren't so "fluff" based. They seem to be focused on things like celebrity endorsements, his wife, what people are doing on facebook...
I just wish there was more about his energy policy! His ideas about Metropolitan planning and effects on energy/economy. An economy focused educational system. The fellowship program. His thoughts about foreign relations and our relationships with Central and South America.
I love ya'll, I just feel a need that isn't being met.
Ok, my rant is done for the day!
7I thought I was a fruit.
8There are many reasons why I'm not voting for Obama. His name didn't even make the list.
9Jill, I agree with you. I also feel like I don't know much about Obama other than what I learn form you. Not that I consider you an unreliable source by any means.
10Jill, I agree with you!
If I were in your shoes I'd be a lil peeved because articles like the ones you mentioned only show the rockstar side of Obama and the in the case of this particular article, the craziness of some of his supporters.
It does make it harder to take him seriously, when obviously he has more to him than celebrity endorsements and weirdos changing their names.
11I don't have a Facebook acct, but considering that MySpace has 236 million members, its kind of funny that this "I'm changing my name..." Facebook group has only 44 members!!
Conservative Sugar has more than that!
And I also find it interesting that seemingly anti-Obama group has 47 members! Thats shocking to me that its more...
12This is a silly and dumb story
13The sad thing is that the link is from the NYT. Do you remember when that used to be a highly respected paper? Sometimes I feel like the big downside to the Internet is that as more information becomes available, the quality of information decreases.
Don't get me wrong, I actually think this is a fine story for Citizen Sugar, which to me is a news site, but has always had a dash of fun mixed in.
14"Mr. Obama is a Christian, not a Muslim. Hussein is a family name inherited from a Kenyan father he barely knew, who was born a Muslim and died an atheist. But the name has become a political liability."
It always makes me uncomfortable the way CitizenSugar directly quotes the stories it links to without quotation marks or attribution. Just put out there in a post like that makes it look as though they're original words. They're not.
Off-topic, perhaps, but it's frequent. And annoying.
15I so agree with all of you. Both supporters, opponents, and those in between need to get substantial material. I have no problem with people disagreeing with my candidate, but there is hardly anything to base any opinion on. And just because the news media is on vacation doesn't mean that we need to follow their lead. The Internet is a democratic invention in it's purest form, so there is really no excuse not to pretend like there is nothing else to report than fluff and silly stuff.
And the NYT has no credibility in my book anymore. I could rant on forever about their aversion against good journalism. Bastards.
16I have a colleague who insists on referring to him as Barack HUSSEIN Obama whenever she is talking about him. I asked her why she doesn't refer to McCain with his middle name, which she didn't even know. The same colleague also claims to be a proud republican, even though she doesn't agree with any of the party's policies!
17I've always said there needs to be an IQ test on the ballot paper...
I agree with you guys about the NYT! How far it has fallen.
18Actually this middle name thing is not just fluff. It will continue to influence voters. The interesting thing is that new young voters are thinking up ways to support their candidate that utilize tools they possess.
19Hey, everyone! We try to give you the facts of a story, while adding our own take, so you can all have a say. You're always welcome to pass on any suggestions regarding content via a private message!
Keep the debate going!
20McCain's midddle name is Sidney for the record!
21I think it shows that he is an angry Australian terrorist hell bent on making every restaurant in the US an Outback Steakhouse!!!
22Mmmmm...if that's McCain's first act as president, i might have to reconsider my vote...
LOL! Anyways, i totally agree with you Jill. More substance on Obama (and continue the substance with McCain).
23Haha, cabaker27
. The fact that people are doing this is completely stupid only
because I find it stupid in the first place that people judge him on his name alone. I just don't get it. If his name and his race are the ONLY reasons for not voting for him, that is not the
right way to vote people!!
24I agree that I'd like to see more articles on policy, but I also think the misinformation being spread about Obama is not fluff.
25I think if McCain changed his middle name to Hussein, it might send a message. Otherwise, I don't think anyone gives a sh*t if 44 people on facebook change their middle names in solidarity. I'm with the others who think this is a non-story.
Jilliness, thanks for your rant. I would love to see more content too.
26I agree Hypno, I've always thought you were a fruit.
27I am Spartacus!
28I love asking people what McCain's middle name is.
Facebook groups should NOT be news stories.
29Hype, hysteria, and fanaticism. Those are never good in politics. History shows this. Doesn't matter what side or party, but the "rockstar" quality the media is giving Obama is hurting him in some demos.
30As much as I don't agree with Obama, this ploy is even too stupid for me. On both sides of the fence. If republicans can't think of something better to attack than his middle name, then we deserve to lose, whereas changing your middle name as a political maneuver is an insult to the word "stupid".
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