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...

[PaleoBob]

Barack Obama is a Muslim.

Barack Obama is NOT a Muslim.

There. WaPo can quote FR as they wish.

[reasonisfaith]

I don’t get it. If Barack Obama is Muslim, what’s the reason for hiding it?

It’s all just kind of strange.

[jaz.357]

"Allen, with doctorates from Cambridge and Harvard, won a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation genius grant a few years ago..."

YO! HALF a MIL!

[Uncle Ralph]

At IslamTomorrow.com Sheik Yusuf Estes writes:

"Revert" As Opposed to "Convert" [to Islam]

I like to use the word "revert" as opposed to the word "convert" as it more suits the occasion of a person returning back to his natural condition at birth. The baby is born in true surrender, submission, obedience and peace with his Creator. And this is the desirable position of the Muslim, to be in peace and submission to the Will of Allah (God in English). Instead of thinking in terms of "converting" people over to Islam, it is better understood that they are simply returning back to their natural state at birth. And this is from the teachings of our beloved prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him. (Muslims should always say "Peace be upon him/them" when referring to any of the prophets).

Like A Baby

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Every child is born on the "fitrah" (natural inclination) of "Islam" (surrender, submission and peace to the Creator on His Terms). And it is their parents who raise them up to be Jews, Christians or fire worshippers."

From the Sheik's perspective, EVERYONE is BORN Muslim.

So what the hey?

[libh8er]

Barak Hussein Obama bin Barak Hussein Obama (Sr), denier of his roots.

[BurbankKarl]

The email came from the Clinton campaign...good grief!

[txroadkill]

what I don't get is why in the world would they want to link the “Obama is a Muslim” to the place that is responsible for outing Dan Rather and Memogate. Seems like they would want to link it to a place with no credibility instead.

[smithone]

WaPo can quote FR as they wish.

Yet they sued Free Republic for quoting too much of their content. Ironic.

[Doctor Raoul]

You know I'm beginning to get tired of the Washington Post riding Free Republic's coat tails everytime the Post thinks it needs credibility.

Hey libs at the Post, do your own work and maybe someday you'll have a reputation as good as Free Republic's...

[FFranco]

The increase in those believeing Obama is a Muslim between Nov. 2007 and March 2008 is 62.5 percent (13-8=5/8=.0.625). It was an increase of 5 Percentage Points, but the actual increase in those believing Obama is a Muslim was much greater and a very effective propaganda ploy.

[SoldierDad]

What the hell is this? New math?

[Gondring]

They're right...using the name "Barack Hussein Obama" just right of us.

From now on, he should be known as "Al Taqiyya Kitman" ;-)


>wave< to Dr. Danielle Allen...this one's for you, Toots!

[Chode]

[SoldierDad]

Freud would be proud of Obama.

[Gondring]

What the hell is this? New math?

Yeah...5th or 6th grade.

It'll be "new" to you when you get up to that level. ;-)

[HollyB]

Jim, Perhaps you should have a copyright restriction, that all information copied and used from Freerepublic.com must be authorized by Jim Robinson/Free Republic.

[HollyB]

sorry folks, post 36 should have been posted somewhere else - (in regards to the Washington Post article discussing BO’s people outing posters & intimidating freepers.)

[skinkinthegrass]

You know I'm beginning to get tired of the Washington Post riding Free Republic's coat tails everytime the Post thinks it needs credibility.
well....It seems; the ComPOST....et al (AP/NYT/WaPo/ABCNNBcBS/pBS) are "gearing-up" for more frivolous litigation, in an (consolidated?) attempt to silence "any" opposition to Obambi.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I say bring it, Cupcake. We’ll ruin your day.

[Thrownatbirth]

Using the advanced research tools at her disposal, the razor-sharp Allen found…a couple of posters on the Free Republic website

Damn, we try so hard to remain obscure.