Sunday, June 22, 2008

Obama Loses The Muslim Vote

I would have never seen this one coming. Last week at an Obama rally in Detroit, two Muslim women were kept from sitting behind the podium because they wore Muslim head scarves. The two women Hebba Aref and Shimaa Abdelfadeel, where told by a few volunteers apparently that they could not sit in the area behind the stage because they were wearing hijabs. That area's seating would be visible on TV and in photos. So of course Obama called Hebba Aref and Shimaa Abdelfadeel and apologized, something he has had to do many times during his campaign. Obama also put out a statement; "The actions of these volunteers were unacceptable and in no way reflect any policy of my campaign, I take deepest offense to and will continue to fight against discrimination against people of any religious group or background." So Obama has now come full circle and sounds just like any other old politician and Washington insider. Now before anybody jumps on me about Obama not being held responsible for his campaign volunteer's actions, consider this. The volunteers in question were honest with the two women and told them they could not sit behind the stage because of their head scarves. The reason that they offered was "political climate". So here it is, I just do not believe that these volunteers were acting on their own in making this decision about the seating arrangements. Every organization has meetings that establish guidelines and in this carefully controlled election, that decision must have been made closer to the top to protect Obama from the "Muslim rumors". I can't prove that of course, it's just an opinion that seems logical, but it stinks no matter how you slice it. Again, so much for change we can believe in. At least the rumors that Obama is a closet Muslim should come to an end.

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