In Flag City USA, False Obama Rumors Are Flying is a Washington Post article on the folks in Findlay, Ohio. The poor souls: they would rather cling to their rumors than know the truth. Seriously, I'm not kidding. Read the article and see for yourself.
I wonder if 'flying the flag' absolves them from their stupidity? Lots of scoundrels throughout history flew the flag. The Nazis did and that is why the German people today are reluctant to fly their flags. In the small village from where my grandfather emigrated there isn't a flag to be seen. It isn't that they do not love their country, but they lived through the ugliness of the Nazis with their pomp, flags, hate and murder.
"Some Findlay voters rejecting the truth" is the subtitle of this story. Jim Peterman, featured in the Post story ' believes a smart vote is an American's greatest responsibility. Which is why his confusion about Barack Obama continues to eat at him.'
On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service. But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service. But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Stupid stuff? Of course. Stupid people? No, but dumb to investigating the truth. No doubt that is why this city voted Bush/Cheney overwhelmingly in both elections. Don't confuse the people in Findlay with the truth; let them steep in the rumors and innuendo. They apparently feel more comfortable swimming in the sludge.
