Posted on 02/28/2008 9:19:51 AM PST by keepitreal
ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyan elders demanded an apology from Washington on Thursday ahead of a planned protest over a controversial photo of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama in traditional Somali dress.
The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Democratic frontrunner donning a white headdress and robes during a visit in 2006 to the remote north-eastern town of Wajir.
(snip)
The dispute has angered many in Kenya, especially ethnic Somalis from the northeast, who resent the implication that Obama did anything wrong during his visit.
Wajir residents plan to demonstrate after Friday prayers to show their support for the Illinois senator.
Mohamed Ibrahim, who attended one of two crisis meetings held in Wajir on Thursday by clan members who hosted Obama on his trip, said Washington must immediately make amends to them and especially to the elder pictured with him.
"The U.S. government must apologise to us as a clan and the old man," Ibrahim told Reuters by telephone. "We have been offended and we cannot afford to just watch and stay silent."
(snip)
If there was no apology, the elders said, they would demand the expulsion of U.S. troops based near Garissa town.
(Excerpt) Read more at africa.reuters.com ...
I work with three people from Kenya. Nicest people in the world, but they all like Barak.
But none of them can vote for him! That has them bummed.
hey Kenya-”you better put some ice on that”
Ungrateful Muslims, is the Mrs. Obama now proud of her Kenya relatives...from 2006:
Seabee tactical vehicles left Garissa and traveled to numerous locations identified as having critical need for food, water and supplies. The Seabee team, accompanied by a Kenyan Red Cross representative was met by countless grateful Kenyan nationals who had been cut off from normal food supplies for nearly two months.
We loaded rice and non-perishable food items onto our trucks from sunrise to sunset, recalled Equipment Operator 2nd Class (SCW) Matthew Bobinchak of Sheridan, Wyo. It was amazing to see the resources provided by the United States and other supporting countries. We were excited to be part of the recovery mission and knew that we could help.
My hand is raised in the air with one finger extended beyond the others.
“They took the pciture-are they ashamed of it or what?”
There is the problem. Obama acted ashamed of it, using it to cause a campaign incident. If he had acted proud of his heritage, this would have been nothing. Obama should apologize to his relatives.
So, Hillary go ahead and apologize.
I would not mind if after showing Obama speaking TV would apologize for brainwashing, but why showing Obama in Somali dress requires making apologies to Somalis? Would showing Obama in Western dress would require apologizing to Westerners?
Never mind, now we have to apologize even when calling Obama by his name...
Our apology will be:
“No more foreign aid for you”.....
Yeah! Next Everyone with name “Hussein” would demand apology from US.
One poster put it best - Another Day, Another Apology (or demand for it) for something True said about Obama.
They are possessed with the indignation and certainty that only the truly ignorant own. Just like his supporters here.
I'm sure John McCain will be happy to oblige.
"Yo, oh! What's up with you acting dissed when they only rolled out a shot of you with your African garb. Yo! You were in the mother land with the peeps. That was lame, yo! These are your peeps. You were stylin'. Instead of acting dissed, you shoulda rolled out large and told Clinton and everybody else what was up. This is what the big dogs do, yo, not like Bill faking it, putting on some kente cloth when he goes to Africa, then forgetting all about the home boys when he comes back home. Like that. You shoulda also told Hillary: 'Yo, baby, maybe if you dress up in some costumes and get out of that bumblebee outfit, you might keep your man at home for a change.' Okay? You feel me? Don't fall for Clinton 'trickinology,' bro."
That concludes this statement.
Oh, THIS is rich...
Apologies? Get in line.
I think you morons need to listen to McCain and even Rove and drop this anti-Muslim bullshit. It’s not doing this party any good to be associated with bigots. And I guarantee you that Obama, when he wins the nomination, will go visit foreign leaders like Bobby Kennedy wanted to do and rally up the anti Iraq war sentiments there and in this country. So we win this on issues, the war and the economy.
Bring race or religion into the argument, like Clinton tried to do, and the Republican Party is not only defeated in November but the longterm implications are pretty dire.
As it is, all we have is a photo of Obama wearing what he will probably lounge around in every day in the White House.
You mean especially the Kenyan Muslims. Angry Muslims -- who'd have imagined it?
Oh alright...I’ll apologize for laughing at your national dress. I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry. I just couldn’t help myself.
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