I have been a regular responder to the polls or surveys on the home page of the TOS50 website, but I've decided to "sit out" the current one, asking whether I believe the President is a Christian or a Muslim. The topics of the previous polls have generally been matters on which there might be legitimate differences of opinion. This topic responds to the success of the Big Lie. No responsible person who has reached the age of 50 or beyond -- for that matter, no responsible person under 50 -- will believe that this Muslim issue is anything but a canard, aimed at discrediting Mr. Obama. It is on a par with the "birther' nonsense, and it all adds up to, My mind is made up, don't try to confuse me with facts.
The saddest part of this particular Big Lie is that we tend to get so indignant at the scurrilous intent of the question that we forget to ask, What difference does it make? Hidden in the question is an Islamophobic attitude that in and of itself is contrary to all the principles of American democracy and to all principles of Bible-based religion, which should be teaching that every human being is created in the image of God.
I don't care (for the purposes of this discussion) whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, whether you voted for the person who is now the President of the United States or for his opponent -- this is not about politics, it is about decency and about the ability to differentiate between truths and obvious lies. If the political opponents of this Administration think they need this kind of ploy to regain power, it is a sign that they are morally bankrupt as well as bereft of any positive programs to offer the American public.
Note that I am not suggesting that the responsible Republican leadership is behind this immoral, unethical tactic -- but until the party leaders strongly denounce not only the Big Lie but also the Big Liars who are perpetrating it, we have to assume not that they believe it -- surely they are not that stupid -- but that they are willing to tolerate it because they think it will serve their ambitions.
Meanwhile, I urge the sponsors of this site to take down this particular poll pronto -- and to apologize for posting it in the first place.
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Sandy Tankoos
Jenine Tankoos
Michael Berlin
David Schwartz
Deanna Morton
September 12, 2010 - 11:06pm
Sandy Tankoos
Larry,
The fact is that we keep reading that an incredible number of people believe that President Obama is a Muslim. I find this to be almost unbelievable. Consequently, I posted our own poll to see what results we would get on this question. Actually, I am happy to say that no one who has posted seems to believe that our President is a Muslim.
The fact that the question is posted doesn't mean that TOS50.com believes that the President is not being honest with us. However, given what's going on in the news, I think it's a legitimate poll question. I agree with your opinion.
September 14, 2010 - 7:52pm
Gloria Lustig
I think it was an interesting poll question. Of course the President isn't a Muslim, but apparently many people believe he is, so I don't see anything wrong with posting the question.
September 14, 2010 - 11:38pm
Larry Kaufman
It gives credibility and dignity to the Lie, and suggests that matters of fact can be settled by popular vote. You may be too young to remember when anti-Semites were vigorously trying to vilify FDR as the Jew Rosenfeld. A question on creationism would make more sense, since the theory of evolution, even though widely accepted by responsible scientists, goes against the "evidence" of the Bible.
When the idiot fringe couldn't discredit Obama for having been a member of Reverend Wright's church, they went on to their next ploy. How about a question like Do you think George W. Bush is a recovered alcoholic?
September 18, 2010 - 9:17pm
Sandy Tankoos
Actually, I don't think of a poll as settling any issues; a poll just lets you know what people are thinking. It's just putting your finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing. It doesn't settle anything. Apparently people on this website, at least the people who answered this poll question, are not voting the way other polls have indicated.
Under any circumstances, the poll is coming down in a few weeks and in its place will be a retail store. We don't have the kind of response to the poll I had hoped for so we will be trying something new.
November 12, 2010 - 5:13am
Al Cinamon
I, for one, would love to have the facts regarding his birth. Unfortunately, the facts are not forthcoming since the President has spent millions of dollars to conceal the facts. He will not allow anyone to see his birth certificate. Why? Why would anyone want to hide their birth certificate unless there was something to hide.
Of course, none of this matters to Democrats since fellow Democrats can never do wrong. And If Republicans are guilty of a big lie, I must say we learned how to lie from the Democrats.
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