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Obama lie travels across the world (AZConservative Story)
Letter to the Editor ^ | July 16, 2008 | Richard Stableford

Posted on 07/16/2008 7:05:56 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT

We all know John Semmens, who posts regularly from his AzConservative satire site. People regularly mistake his work for reality, sometimes to hilarious effect, but sometimes just to a sad conclusion.

In this story, we will look at two letters to the editor to a local paper here in Manassas.

First, "On Barack Obama and Patriotism", A. Vic Poillucci, July 11, 2008:

Mr. Obama’s response — “As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides. 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.”
To which we have the response from the referenced letter that is the topic of this post:
A. Vic Poillucci’s letter to the editor (published on July 11) questioned Senator Obama’s patriotism and quoted as proof a statement by him that, among other things, suggested he would be willing to accept “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” as a substitute for our National Anthem.

Mr. Poillucci neglected to mention that the origin of Senator Obama’s “statement” was a satirical article written by John Semmens in his “Semi-News” column that appeared on the Web site of The Arizona Conservative newspaper.

Apparently Mr. Poillucci is not the only one who failed to note that the article was satirical and not factual as it has been widely disseminated on the Internet.

Unfortunately, as a famous American once observed, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” If he could have known about the Internet, Mark Twain would probably remove the words “half way” from his comment.

Yes, it is unfortunate that sometimes the people arguing for the conservative point of view are so eager to make points that they mistake satire for reality.

Especially since almost everything the Democrats do these days is like satire.


TOPICS: Local News; Politics
KEYWORDS: azconservative; flagpin; satire
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1 posted on 07/16/2008 7:05:57 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: John Semmens

Ping to local letter-to-the-editor that used your stuff.


2 posted on 07/16/2008 7:06:43 PM PDT by CharlesWayneCT
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Like Colbert said about the N.Yacker cover Tue night, "It's funny because it's true!"

The AZC has caught me a few times too. I think even el Rushbo has read a few from him.

3 posted on 07/16/2008 7:10:26 PM PDT by rawcatslyentist (I will stand with the Muslims ~B Hussein Obomber Verito Possumus~Verified Sleeper!)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Especially since almost everything the Democrats do these days is like satire.

Then, if they do it, doesn't that make it reality?

4 posted on 07/16/2008 7:13:34 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand (maybe apes evolved from people.)
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To: CharlesWayneCT

Thx

I guess this one was my most widely read satire.

At the time it was written Obama was pointedly not wearing the flag pin and was photographed with his hands over his groin while others were saluting the flag at a multi-candidate campaign event.

This begged for satirization regarding his possible unspoken rationales for these behaviors. Given his dubious associations and leftist ideology the satire was very plausible—perhaps getting at an underlying truth.


5 posted on 07/16/2008 7:29:50 PM PDT by John Semmens
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To: All

He dont wont to take sides. WTF I thought he was a US citizen running for the highest job in this country. Oh wait there still some problems with his citizenship.

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Its your D A M N job if elected you liberal bastard. You want to teach the world to sing go somewhere else we dont need you.


6 posted on 07/16/2008 7:40:06 PM PDT by Bailee
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To: John Semmens

I am smart , not like everyone says , I am smart and you got me more than once .


7 posted on 07/16/2008 7:58:00 PM PDT by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know)
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To: John Semmens
It's just so easy to believe the satire because of all the stupid stuff some the Dems have already said and done. Must be hard to push the satire far enough to the edge when they have already jumped off.
8 posted on 07/16/2008 8:09:43 PM PDT by eggman (Read it on Free Republic tonight, see it on the network news when the DNC sends them the copy.)
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To: John Semmens

Check out this thread - you might get a kick out of it.


9 posted on 07/16/2008 8:12:03 PM PDT by indcons
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To: Bailee

Did you read the whole thing? The quote from Obama wasn’t really a quote, it was a satire piece. The irony is that someone somewhere used this Scrappleface type article as fact. Just as you did.

The saddest part is that I wouldn’t have thought twice about believing he could actually say something like that.


10 posted on 07/16/2008 8:20:46 PM PDT by autumnraine
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To: CharlesWayneCT

We should just stick to exposing B. Hussein Obama as a crack-smoking homosexual.


11 posted on 07/16/2008 8:24:28 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: John Semmens

THE REASON that your satire piece took off as fact is because it is so easily believable, just like the New Yorker cover.


12 posted on 07/16/2008 8:27:07 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: autumnraine

oops got to sick from reading the first paragraph. But it did fit with my impression of him. My apologies to the board.


13 posted on 07/16/2008 8:34:22 PM PDT by Bailee
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To: CharlesWayneCT

His satire is too easy on the commiepinkobedwettingpoofer, frankly


14 posted on 07/16/2008 8:49:02 PM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: CharlesWayneCT

His satire is too easy on the commiepinkobedwettingpoofer, frankly


15 posted on 07/16/2008 8:51:51 PM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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