Did Senator Obama really say...

[angel_luv]

A co-worker referenced this story to me this morning. I had not heard about it and hope this article is an exaggeration.

Is it?


http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/obama-explains-national-anthem/


Subject: Obama Explains National Anthem

Editor's note: This is the text of a 2008 e-mail that claims Barack Obama wants to change the national anthem. This version was sent to PolitiFact in April 2008. Read our ruling on this e-mail here.

Obama Explains National Anthem Stance On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:48:04 -0400,

"LTG Bill Ginn" USAF ret forwarded:

Hot on the heels of his explanation for why he no longer wears a flag pin, presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama was forced to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.

According to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171, During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides," Obama said. "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem it self conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it."

[angel_luv]

For the record, I don't put my hand over my heart when the anthemn plays. I just stand quietly and respectfully, and feel that is sufficient for anybody.

My shock is in regard to the "logic" of the underlined.

[ChumpDumper]

Why don't you click the link in the story where they say what they found out about it?

http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/459/

Obama never said it. It's satire written by syndicated columnist John Semmens, whose columns are posted on the Web site The Arizona Conservative. The above quote was part of a short item Semmens wrote in October 2007, imagining a rationale for the oft-emailed photo of Obama not having his hand over his heart during the national anthem .

[angel_luv]

I didn't see it.

Thanks, Chump.

[JoeChalupa]

This is the kind of crap the right-wing nut jobs throw out there and sadly there are many who believe it.

[ChumpDumper]

The bigger question is -- did Republicans really go through the trouble of making that shit up and propagating it? I suppose they can blame Clinton.

[JoeChalupa]

The bigger question is -- did Republicans really go through the trouble of making that shit up and propagating it?

If there is one thing the republicans do well is play negative hardball. They've mastered the technique and it works.

[Wild Cobra]

This is the kind of crap the right-wing nut jobs throw out there and sadly there are many who believe it.

Well, the left does it far more against the right.

[fyatuk]

If there is one thing the republicans do well is play negative hardball. They've mastered the technique and it works.

That's hardly restricted to republicans. Just politicians in general on that.

[PixelPusher]

It probably was introduced the same way the made up Lincoln quote was 2 years ago:


http://www.factcheck.org/misquoting_lincoln.html
Misquoting Lincoln
August 25, 2006
Updated: August 26, 2006
Bush supporters falsely quote Lincoln as advocating arresting, exiling or hanging members of Congress who damage military morale in wartime.
Summary

Supporters of President Bush and the war in Iraq often quote Abraham Lincoln as saying members of Congress who act to damage military morale in wartime "are saboteurs, and should be arrested, exiled or hanged."

Republican candidate Diana Irey used the "quote" recently in her campaign against Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, and it has appeared thousands of times on the Internet, in newspaper articles and letters to the editor, and in Republican speeches.

But Lincoln never said that. The conservative author who touched off the misquotation frenzy, J. Michael Waller, concedes that the words are his, not Lincoln's. Waller says he never meant to put quote marks around them, and blames an editor for the mistake and the failure to correct it. We also note other serious historical errors in the Waller article containing the bogus quote.

Update Aug. 26: Candidate Irey retracted the quote and apologized hours after this article appeared.


Analysis

This false Lincoln "quote" has become a favorite of those who like to accuse critics of Bush's war policy of disloyalty or treason. Our Internet search brought up more than 18,000 references to it.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, the left does it far more against the right.Let's see your stats to back that up.

[JoeChalupa]

Well, the left does it far more against the right.

Sure they do. :lmao

[PixelPusher]

Did Senator Obama really say...
Based on all the other specious crap flying around here concerning Obama, I knew the answer would be a resounding "No" before I even clicked the link to this thread.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Well, the left does it far more against the right.

"they started it, teacher." :crybaby.

[JoeChalupa]

For the record, I don't put my hand over my heart when the anthemn plays. I just stand quietly and respectfully, and feel that is sufficient for anybody.

My shock is in regard to the "logic" of the underlined.

I hope you educate your co-worker on this nonsense.

[johnsmith]

That's hardly restricted to republicans. Just politicians in general on that.

No no no, it's only negative when you don't agree with it.............duh.

[T Park]

:lol

Yeah that whole "We've got one president in the pocket of big oil" Is such a positive and uplifting message.

Give me a break.

[JoeChalupa]

:lol

Yeah that whole "We've got one president in the pocket of big oil" Is such a positive and uplifting message.

Give me a break.

Not even a close comparison. Give me a break. :lmao

[T Park]

Not even a close comparison. Give me a break. :lmao

Its not very clean and not exactly the change or different washington voice. Its typical dirty politics.

Whatever though.

[Ocotillo]

Here's how the dirt works.

Mary Matalin, yeah that Mary Matalin that served in this administration as an aide to Dick Cheney gets a job with a publishing house. She gets Jerome Corsi's Obamanation published.

The book has been proved to filled with lies, inaccuracies and dubious footnoting. He's the same smear artist who's earlier book helped the Swift Boat liars off the ground. Anyway, here is the author of a thouroughly discredited piece of work but yet our liberal media has him on various "news" shows to discuss the book.

When asked, the "liberal media" respond that the book is on best seller lists.

A book about John McCain by Cliff Schecter had some startling claims in the book such as John McCain angrily referring to his wife as a "c*nt" in front of a couple of reporters yet Schecter does not get to appear on the same shows.

The "liberal media" claims his book has not sold enough.

Yet if the liberal media did it's job, they would find Corsi's sales are inflated by right wing groups that buy the book en masse to push sales figures high enough to make the NY Times bestseller list. This is what is often termed as "wingnut welfare". Rich right wingers spend money to support "think tanks", push up right wing tomes on the bestseller lists and seed money for outrageous advertising such as the Swift Boat liars.

Anyway, Corsi gets to go on "legit" liberal media shows and despite the evidence out there the book is full of lies, it get a germ of credibility by being on the "news" shows.

That doesn't even get into the viral e-mails that are complete fabrications which are forwarded ad finitum and hopefully get enough gullible mopes to actually allow a lie to impact their vote.

Liberals run dirty ads but are mere lambs amongst lions when it comes to science of smearing.

[Nbadan]

Here's how the dirt works.

Mary Matalin, yeah that Mary Matalin that served in this administration as an aide to Dick Cheney gets a job with a publishing house. She gets Jerome Corsi's Obamanation published.

The book has been proved to filled with lies, inaccuracies and dubious footnoting. He's the same smear artist who's earlier book helped the Swift Boat liars off the ground. Anyway, here is the author of a thouroughly discredited piece of work but yet our liberal media has him on various "news" shows to discuss the book.

When asked, the "liberal media" respond that the book is on best seller lists.

A book about John McCain by Cliff Schecter had some startling claims in the book such as John McCain angrily referring to his wife as a "c*nt" in front of a couple of reporters yet Schecter does not get to appear on the same shows.

The "liberal media" claims his book has not sold enough.

Yet if the liberal media did it's job, they would find Corsi's sales are inflated by right wing groups that buy the book en masse to push sales figures high enough to make the NY Times bestseller list. This is what is often termed as "wingnut welfare". Rich right wingers spend money to support "think tanks", push up right wing tomes on the bestseller lists and seed money for outrageous advertising such as the Swift Boat liars.

Anyway, Corsi gets to go on "legit" liberal media shows and despite the evidence out there the book is full of lies, it get a germ of credibility by being on the "news" shows.

That doesn't even get into the viral e-mails that are complete fabrications which are forwarded ad finitum and hopefully get enough gullible mopes to actually allow a lie to impact their vote.

Liberals run dirty ads but are mere lambs amongst lions when it comes to science of smearing.

:toast Great post...

[Mr. Body]

A co-worker referenced this story to me this morning. I had not heard about it and hope this article is an exaggeration.

Is it?


http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/obama-explains-national-anthem/

Are you seriously this stupid?

I mourn for this country.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

That bastion of liberal media that is NPR did exactly that (Ocotillo's post) about a week or so ago.

[Sec24Row7]

Here's how the dirt works.

Mary Matalin, yeah that Mary Matalin that served in this administration as an aide to Dick Cheney gets a job with a publishing house. She gets Jerome Corsi's Obamanation published.

The book has been proved to filled with lies, inaccuracies and dubious footnoting. He's the same smear artist who's earlier book helped the Swift Boat liars off the ground. Anyway, here is the author of a thouroughly discredited piece of work but yet our liberal media has him on various "news" shows to discuss the book.

When asked, the "liberal media" respond that the book is on best seller lists.

A book about John McCain by Cliff Schecter had some startling claims in the book such as John McCain angrily referring to his wife as a "c*nt" in front of a couple of reporters yet Schecter does not get to appear on the same shows.

The "liberal media" claims his book has not sold enough.

Yet if the liberal media did it's job, they would find Corsi's sales are inflated by right wing groups that buy the book en masse to push sales figures high enough to make the NY Times bestseller list. This is what is often termed as "wingnut welfare". Rich right wingers spend money to support "think tanks", push up right wing tomes on the bestseller lists and seed money for outrageous advertising such as the Swift Boat liars.

Anyway, Corsi gets to go on "legit" liberal media shows and despite the evidence out there the book is full of lies, it get a germ of credibility by being on the "news" shows.

That doesn't even get into the viral e-mails that are complete fabrications which are forwarded ad finitum and hopefully get enough gullible mopes to actually allow a lie to impact their vote.

Liberals run dirty ads but are mere lambs amongst lions when it comes to science of smearing.

Al Gore won an Oscar and Moore cleans up at Cannes every year...

Same deal... as big and bigger $$$$ and lies..

Happens both ways...

[angel_luv]

I hope you educate your co-worker on this nonsense.

She left before I could tell her yesterday, but I will be sure to let her know.

[angel_luv]

Are you seriously this stupid?

I mourn for this country.

I am not stupid at all, actually.

Better to ask a "dumb question" than to remain in ignorance of the truth.
I am never afraid to ask... after all, what does it hurt?

[clambake]

She left before I could tell her yesterday, but I will be sure to let her know.

i wouldn't do that if i were you. not in the work place.

she is likely to be offended by you correcting her. she knows it was a lie, or she's incredibly stupid.

i say drop it.

[angel_luv]

i wouldn't do that if i were you. not in the work place.

she is likely to be offended by you correcting her. she knows it was a lie, or she's incredibly stupid.

i say drop it.

She is a friend of mine, was just misinformed, and likely does not really care one way or the other if it is true.
However, I see your point, no need to bring it up again unless she does.

And for those harshly judging people who believed the rumor.


I have heard some incredibly stupid comments from celebrities (as well as out there ideas from people in general.

So for me, until proven otherwise, anything is at least slightly plausible in regards to what people have been rumored to say.

[Extra Stout]

Are you seriously this stupid?

I mourn for this country.
You succeed at being a douchebag in multiple forums.

[Ocotillo]

Al Gore won an Oscar and Moore cleans up at Cannes every year...

Same deal... as big and bigger $$$$ and lies..

Happens both ways...

Mmmmmm, not really.

Gore and Moore's movies did actually have success at the box office. There may be cases where a "George Soros" funded organization (I guess the liberals only have one rich guy to tap) bought in bulk some left wing smear piece but I am not really familiar with it.

There are successful right wing books like Hannity for instance can sell a bunch a books on his name and following without the wingnut welfare.

Mark Levin is one that got his start this way. His book on the Supreme Court was inflated in sales performance by bulk purchases and elevated him to a status where he now has a radio show to spout off about whatever he wants to.

[implacable44]

Mmmmmm, not really.

Gore and Moore's movies did actually have success at the box office. There may be cases where a "George Soros" funded organization (I guess the liberals only have one rich guy to tap) bought in bulk some left wing smear piece but I am not really familiar with it.

There are successful right wing books like Hannity for instance can sell a bunch a books on his name and following without the wingnut welfare.

Mark Levin is one that got his start this way. His book on the Supreme Court was inflated in sales performance by bulk purchases and elevated him to a status where he now has a radio show to spout off about whatever he wants to.

The Liberals only have one rich guy to tap ? wow... just wow -- and can someone show me the stastics that support the right as the masters of the smear ?

[clambake]

The Liberals only have one rich guy to tap ?
that has a gay overtone.

wow... just wow --
now thats flaming

support the right as the masters
geez, gay and racist.

[implacable44]

that has a gay overtone.

now thats flaming

geez, gay and racist.

I would expect nothing less than such moronic behavior from Mavs fan. .

Geez a loser, stupid and a homophobe - which is wierd since Dirk and Cuban obviously have something going on.

[clambake]

I would expect nothing less than such moronic behavior from Mavs fan. .
and yet, you responded.

Geez a loser,
in what way?

stupid
in what way?........why are conservatives so limited with their explanations?

and a homophobe
nah, watching all the republicans chasing cock has taken the taboo out of that.

- which is wierd since Dirk and Cuban obviously have something going on.
:lol you're not shy about telling us your thoughts. thats brave.

[RandomGuy]

Why don't you click the link in the story where they say what they found out about it?

http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/459/

Obama never said it. It's satire written by syndicated columnist John Semmens, whose columns are posted on the Web site The Arizona Conservative. The above quote was part of a short item Semmens wrote in October 2007, imagining a rationale for the oft-emailed photo of Obama not having his hand over his heart during the national anthem .

Obama thinks the national anthem should be "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing."
Chain e-mail on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 in in a chain email

http://politifact.com/media/img/tom-pantsonfire.gif

Opponents of Barack Obama seem to have found a new reason to dislike him: he wants the national anthem to be an old Coca-Cola jingle.

Well, not really, but that's the rumor that's going around. Although it seems ridiculous on its face, we heard from enough PolitFact readers who wondered if it was true that we decided to do a little digging. What we found was another example of satire being mistaken for the truth.

A widely circulated chain e-mail attributes the following quote to Barack Obama:

"As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides," Obama said. "There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all? It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it."

But Obama never said it. It's satire written by syndicated columnist John Semmens, whose columns are posted on the Web site The Arizona Conservative. The above quote was part of a short item Semmens wrote in October 2007, imagining a rationale for the oft-emailed photo of Obama not having his hand over his heart during the national anthem .

[RandomGuy]

Well, the left does it far more against the right.


Oh really? Truly?

Sorry there me boyo, but Rove is your boy. Scummy election tricks of all sorts are part and parcel of mondern GOP politics.

[DarkReign]

Well, the left does it far more against the right.

Fuck not even remotely true. I have co-workers coming up to me everyday with some new bullshit they got in an email that ends with an American flag .gif and some trite saying about "security" and "morals".

Republican supporters are king-shit when it comes to outright lies, with absolutely no substance whatsoever.

"Pocket of big oil" isnt exactly a wonderful equivocation, but at least there is some evidence to support that claim.

Whereas "Obama wants to change the National Anthem" or "Obama's Childhood spent in Terrorist Camp" or "Obama's Father a Terrorist" or any of the other (quite literally) 20 or so emails Ive had people approach me with that are just flat-out, total and utter fabrications with no purpose beond sucking in the ignorant masses to vote against Obama.

Oh, another one today...again.

And it always seems to be the same people coming at me with this crap. The same subborn, older men who wouldnt vote Democratic if the choice was Hitler (R) and Ghandi (D). Coincidence, Im sure.

[byrontx]

It's unfortunate that the left does not have an evil genius like Rove. On the other hand, it is shame that anyone has him; he has done a lot harmful things to our country.

[J.T.]

I heard that he raped and killed a girl in 1990, though.

[Anti.Hero]

All I know is that the American Dream is dead and one can only achieve success if the government lifts them up.


Anyone who is successful without the governments' help is obviously an evil person raping the American dream of its innocence.

[Spurminator]

Fuck not even remotely true. I have co-workers coming up to me everyday with some new bullshit they got in an email that ends with an American flag .gif and some trite saying about "security" and "morals".

Republican supporters are king-shit when it comes to outright lies, with absolutely no substance whatsoever.

"Pocket of big oil" isnt exactly a wonderful equivocation, but at least there is some evidence to support that claim.

Whereas "Obama wants to change the National Anthem" or "Obama's Childhood spent in Terrorist Camp" or "Obama's Father a Terrorist" or any of the other (quite literally) 20 or so emails Ive had people approach me with that are just flat-out, total and utter fabrications with no purpose beond sucking in the ignorant masses to vote against Obama.

Oh, another one today...again.

And it always seems to be the same people coming at me with this crap. The same subborn, older men who wouldnt vote Democratic if the choice was Hitler (R) and Ghandi (D). Coincidence, Im sure.


Yeah I'd love to be able to say it's common on both sides but I can't remember the last time I got a bullshit email about a Republican. About the closest thing I get are of the "Funny Bush misquotes" variety.

[PixelPusher]

Fuck not even remotely true. I have co-workers coming up to me everyday with some new bullshit they got in an email that ends with an American flag .gif and some trite saying about "security" and "morals".

Republican supporters are king-shit when it comes to outright lies, with absolutely no substance whatsoever.

"Pocket of big oil" isnt exactly a wonderful equivocation, but at least there is some evidence to support that claim.

Whereas "Obama wants to change the National Anthem" or "Obama's Childhood spent in Terrorist Camp" or "Obama's Father a Terrorist" or any of the other (quite literally) 20 or so emails Ive had people approach me with that are just flat-out, total and utter fabrications with no purpose beond sucking in the ignorant masses to vote against Obama.

Oh, another one today...again.

And it always seems to be the same people coming at me with this crap. The same subborn, older men who wouldnt vote Democratic if the choice was Hitler (R) and Ghandi (D). Coincidence, Im sure.

Everyone in the conventional media like to reassure themselves and others that they are "with it" when it comes to covering the new media's effect on politics and political news...blogs, netroots, youtube...old fashioned forwarded email is far and away the most under-reported influence on public opinion.

[PixelPusher]

EDIT: double-post

[implacable44]

and yet, you responded.

in what way?

in what way?........why are conservatives so limited with their explanations?

nah, watching all the republicans chasing cock has taken the taboo out of that.

:lol you're not shy about telling us your thoughts. thats brave.

let me see if I can lower myself enough to engage you... Your initial reply to me was :

that has a gay overtone.

now thats flaming

geez, gay and racist.

to which I responded in like tone and then you want explanations of your stupidity ? and you want me to elaborate with the rationale that conservatives have "limited explanations"? - as opposed to ?

[clambake]

sure...explain.

[implacable44]

sure...explain.

I hold your stupidity to be "self-evident"

[clambake]

if you can't explain, then you can't explain. it was a "simple" request.