WaPo After Free Republic Again, Now Over Barack-is-a-Muslim Email

Newsbusters.org ^ | 6/28/08 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

The Washington Post published a June 28th piece geared to protect Barack Obama from the nagging rumors that he is a secret Muslim, rumors that have been circulating since 2004. The Post's Matthew Mosk penned an attack on Free Republic, based on an Obama flak who claims she has somehow discovered that Freepers are to blame, if not initially responsible, for floating the Barack-is-a-Muslim chain email that so many millions of Americans have found in their email boxes over the last four years. But, the Washington Post's article is so filled with assumptions and a singular desire not to really investigate the matter that it boggles the mind. Naturally, all the journalistic missteps serve to shield Barack Obama from any controversy and make all opposition seem nefarious or unhinged.

The Obama flak in question is one Danielle Allen of the Institute of Advanced Studies at Princeton. Mosk wishes to assure us that she is one smart cookie, apparently. To settle any question to the contrary, we are treated to some earnest, if over-the-top, adulation for good Doctor Allen. Allen is called a "razor-sharp, 36-year-old political theorist," that she's "gained valuable insight into the way political information circulates," and that she works at the institute "most famous for having been the research home of Albert Einstein." Mosk tells us that Allen "boasts two doctorates, one in classics from Cambridge University and the other in government from Harvard University." The Post tells us that one winter morning Allen was "studying in her office at the Institute for Advanced Study, the renowned haven for some of the nation's most brilliant minds." Mosk also tells us that Allen "works alongside groundbreaking physicists, mathematicians and social scientists. They don't have to teach, and they face no quotas on what they publish. Their only mandate is to work in the tradition of Einstein, wrestling with the most vexing problems in the universe."

Jeeze, next Mosk will be telling us that Danielle Allen is the virtual reincarnation of Einstein himself!

Byron York saw how silly all this puffery was, too. Over at NRO's Corner Blog, York takes a jab at those vaunted “vexing problems in the universe” and succinctly sums up the big nothing that is the real underlying conclusion of the Washington Post's extensive four-page story.

And one of the most vexing problems in the universe, which Allen has decided to pursue in the tradition of Einstein, is the origin of a number of e-mails claiming that Barack Obama is a Muslim. Using the advanced research tools at her disposal, the razor-sharp Allen found…a couple of posters on the Free Republic website, plus a former political rival of Obama's who sends out zillions of e-mails to reporters every day.

The piece goes on and on in grave tones about the chain email that seems to have first surfaced sometime in 2004. Allen "obsessively" worries about such things as chain emails we come to discover. Allen tells the Post, "I started thinking, 'How does one stop it?'" She then informs Mosk that the whole mysterious, shadowy email has a nefarious and unidentified genesis. Mosk assures us that this email is the "modern version of a whisper campaign," and worries about the "secret identities" of the Freepers that Allen reveals to him.

We are dealt the conclusion that all this email and Freeper stuff is… well, dontcha know it's scary, kids? I wondered if Mosk wanted his Mommy to keep the nasty Freepers away from him by the end of this curious piece?

So, what about this email saying that Obama is a secret Muslim? Where did it come from? Matthew Mosk doesn't know and neither does his main source, the brilliant Doctor Allen. But they are both sure it has something to do with the website Free Republic. Or maybe a perennial candidate from Illinois named Andy Martin... or a guy in Philadelphia who operates a website and posts on Free Republic... or maybe not. But whatever the case, Matthew Mosk of the Washington Post just took the word of open Obama supporter Danielle Allen as gospel, assuming that her "research" was indisputable.

Allen began her "investigation" by using key phrases that appears in the email and Googling them to see where else they appear. As a result, she found Andy Martin of Illinois.

Back in 2004 in Obama's hometown, Chicago, a fellow named Andy Martin was attempting to launch his own attempt to become Obama's opponent for the Senate. Martin is a political gadfly and perpetual candidate in Illinois who has never been elected to much of anything, the sort of guy who has been hanging on the fringes for decades without ever getting much traction. To be sure, he was an actual candidate in the last primary to determine who will be the poor GOP sacrificial lamb to face Dick Durbin in the coming general election, so he did get on a ballot for a change. One thing is for sure, that Martin is tenacious and knows how to publicize himself is beyond doubt.

In the run up to the 2004 election, Martin admitted to the Post's Mosk that he had circulated the claim that since Obama was born to a Muslim Father, Barack himself would be considered a Muslim by birth to any other Muslim. Martin also pointed out that the Obama campaign then, as now, rejects any claims that Barack is now or ever has been a Muslim. Martin was quite upfront that he believes that Obama is not being truthful over the whole Muslim question.

But, it is also completely obvious that Martin did not write the original email nor that he is a member of a secret anti-Obama conspiracy. Martin’s activities are well known to many and are completely out in the open.

On top of all that, there is no indication that Doctor Allen ever contacted Andy Martin during her "investigation."

See the rest at NewsBusters.org...

[RasterMaster]

Last time I looked, this thread was about Osama HUSSEIN Obama’s lies about his youth, not the price of gas or the cost of tea in China.

[TAdams8591]

I agree with your points. Furthermore, arguments that register with conservatives, do not necessarily resonate with the general population, something I have long understood.

Perhaps if the general populace realizes that under Obama they won't have as much money to buy "stuff" they may decide not to vote for him.

[TAdams8591]

Most people have long understood that Obama, as a child, was educated in a Muslim school. There is no proof whatsoever that he is currently a practicing Muslim.

I was thinking just before signing on to FR, that his Muslim background doesn't seem to bother most Americans even a little bit. Despite it, and the fact that we are currently at war with terrorist Muslims, Obama has become the democratic nominee for president. Therefore, the argument that he has a Muslim background and Muslim ties, has already proven to be a loser. If we continue to use it, it's going to bounce off Obama and stick to us.

The issues that will have better traction with the American people, are the ones that will hurt their pocketbooks. We'd be wise to exploit the current gas crises.

[RasterMaster]

His LIES about his background should be of concern to Americans. If you’d like to follow McLame’s lead and saying that it’s “off limits”, that’s your business.

If we wait to explore the truth, it will be far too late and you’ll be looking at PRESIDENT Osama Hussein Obama, the first muslim to be elected as CIC. That SHOULD worry people.

This thread is about his muslim background and in case you missed it, I didn’t post it nor the five others about the same subject.

[TAdams8591]

"His LIES about his background should be of concern to Americans."

Where is the proof that he is a praciticing Muslim?

Furthermore, what should be, often isn't what is, you know that.

Follow McCain's lead? I could care less what McCain has to say on the subject. If focusing on Obama's Muslim background, was a winning strategy, I'd be leading the charge. It has already proven to be a total loser. We should be using the arguments that are most effective. THAT one isn't it.

[RasterMaster]

Tell it to the Washington Post, the poster of this thread or anyone else who cares. I could post links all day about it but the muzzy propagandists and those in the PC crowd would just say, as you have, that no one should care that he’s already sided with the enemy responsible for thousands of deaths.

Maybe reading comprehension isn’t your strong suit...the thread is not about any of things you bring up, so you can save it for one of those threads. The fact that he’s lied about something as simple as the school he attended while in a foreign country should be exploited or at least explored.

[txhurl]

I was thinking just before signing on to FR, that his Muslim background doesn't seem to bother most Americans even a little bit.

Since December 1998?

Adams, pleeeeaaaasssseeeee..

Outed.

[TAdams8591]

"I could post links all day about it but the muzzy propagandists and those in the PC crowd would just say, as you have, that no one should care that he’s already sided with the enemy responsible for thousands of deaths."

Don't put words in my mouth. I never said, "no one should care." What I said was, "most Americans don't."

Were he currently a practicing Muslim, THAT might have been an issue that resonated with the American people. That isn't the case.

In my book, Obama is a marxist (another detail that won't resonate with the American people, that should, btw). I want him soundly defeated. Therefore, I want to find the most effective arguments to defeat him with, which may be different from the arguments, that I myself or you yourself, may find the most persuasive.

[buccaneer81]

This Broad is supposed to follow in the footsteps of Einstein, but apparently a Google search qualifies for that today

We're all geniuses!

[RasterMaster]

Damn, it must be fun to walk through life with blinders on!

Try reading Osama HUSSEIN Obama’s own words then....

“I was a little Jakarta street kid,” he said in a wide-ranging interview in his office (excerpts are on my blog, www.nytimes.com/ontheground). He once got in trouble for making faces during Koran study classes in his elementary school, but a president is less likely to stereotype Muslims as fanatics — and more likely to be aware of their nationalism — if he once studied the Koran with them.

Mr. Obama recalled the opening lines of the Arabic call to prayer, reciting them with a first-rate accent. In a remark that seemed delightfully uncalculated (it’ll give Alabama voters heart attacks), Mr. Obama described the call to prayer as “one of the prettiest sounds on Earth at sunset.”

http://nevadathunder.com/?p=3626

Since you don’t wish to stick to the thread topic, here’s a good place for you to start...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl32Y7wDVDs

If he means any of the promises made in the video above, he’s disqualified himself to be CIC...not that I’d expect to see that on the evening news.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I was thinking just before signing on to FR, that his Muslim background doesn’t seem to bother most Americans even a little bit.
~~~
My Bullsh!t Alarm Just Went Off!!!(countin’ on fingers)

98,,,,,,,,,,08???????????????????????????????????????WTF!!!

What did anybody know about O’Bammy or his Mammy or Moozzis

10 YEARS AGO??????

[txhurl]

They must be paying this troll minimum wage.

They got what they paid for.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

[txhurl]

Or maybe Obama outsourced his trolling contract to Jakarta.

Good shills and trolls are expensive.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

You Can Nail That One To Your Barn Door!!!

Good Shootin’,Tx...!

Troll/Baad Memory/Kan’t Count/Dope/Lie ???

[TAdams8591]

Oh, yeah, you found me out. Where have you been?

For ten years I fought the Teamsters and Ed Rendell here in PA, at extreme personal cost, a fact known to a great many freepers (and with their support) and repeatedly posted about here on FR and I'm outed for disagreeing with the choice of arguments we should use to effectively defeat Obama?

I was referring to before signing on to FR, THIS EVENING, flake. My reference was not about my sign up date on FR. Your comment couldn't be more asinine.

[TAdams8591]

I suggest you check my history here on FR before agreeing with such a moronic accusation, newbie. You must be a Liberal, you use the same tactics they do.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Or maybe Obama outsourced his trolling contract to Jakarta.

Good shills and trolls are expensive.
~~~
FReepers have always told me about Deep Cover Trolls,,,

Ya’ Get What Ya’ Pay For...;0)

[TAdams8591]

See post #216, and read up on some FR history.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

I was thinking just before signing on to FR, that his Muslim background doesn’t seem to bother most Americans even a little bit.
~~~
BWahahahahahahahaha!!!

Tell This nOOb Another Story!

TOOO FUNI!!!

I hurt myself Laffin’...

How Many Fingers Do You Have????

BWahahahahahaha!!!!!!

Ya’ Killin’ Me Here!!!