« The Link Between Soy and Homosexuality | Main | Puttin' on the Ritz »
December 12, 2006
What's in a Name?
Last night, Senator Barack Obama did a clever skit on "Monday Night Football." It's safe to say that I don't agree with about 90% of what Obama believes, but I admire the guy's style. In one skit, he managed to show a sense of humor, display a love of football and as an added bonus, tweaked Hillary Clinton, who has often claimed to be a fan of Chicago sports teams.
This post prompted a discussion of Obama, and someone inevitably brought up the "issue" of Obama's middle name, which happens to be Hussein. Various posters felt this fact was relevant, given that we're in a war against radical Islam. I disagreed, saying a person has no control over what their middle name happens to be, and that most people are smart enough to understand that.
According to Obama's Wikipedia bio, he's not the first to have this name. His father was Barack Hussein Obama, Sr. His grandmother's name is Sarah Hussein Obama. The name itself means "handsome one" in Arabic.
Here's a question - does one's name imply destiny, or belief? My middle name is of Hebrew origin. Using the logic of those who believe an Arabic name implies sympathy to Islamic beliefs, I guess my middle name implies sympathy with Zionists.
The entire line of criticism is silly, and given Obama's charm, is more than likely to backfire, because I believe it is contrary to what most people consider fair criticism against a political candidate. The guy can't help what he was named, and if questioned on it, can point to his attendance in a Church of Christ, his relationship with Rick Warren and the history of Hussein as a family name.
In other words, this tactic is a loser. Conservative leaders should nip it in the bud.
Posted by slublog at December 12, 2006 07:05 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.slublog.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2784
Comments
Gee, my name is double-Jewish, I must be one of those sleeper cells. Actually, my first and last name come from the Bible, and I'd be stunned is there aren't a lot of people named after people in the Quran, too. What's the big deal?
Posted by: mainiacjoe at December 12, 2006 09:56 PM
Double Jewish, huh?
I always knew there was something...
Posted by: Slublog at December 12, 2006 09:57 PM
I just have to remind everyone when I talk about this: Behind the warm media embrace is just another liberal politician, albeit one with more charm and charisma than Hilary Clinton.
I'm sad to say it, but the media's full court press on this guy may make him the next POTUS, or at least VP.
Posted by: Hal at December 13, 2006 12:17 PM
Honestly, though, I'd rather see President Obama than President Clinton, Part II.
Posted by: Slublog at December 13, 2006 12:40 PM
No mention of how his first name rhymes with Osama.
Why is Barack Obama famous?
Posted by: Barry at December 13, 2006 09:41 PM
The same people that constantly quoted George Felix Allen, Jr. will be/and are upset at Barak Hussein Obama.
Middle names are indeed fair game as they are your name :)
Posted by: Lord Nazh at December 14, 2006 10:07 PM