"Obama Bin Lyin'" Sign At McCain Rally

One day after John McCain passed up an attempt to criticize a comparison between Barack Obama and Osama Bin Laden, he has been presented with another opportunity.

After his speech in Virginia Beach Monday morning, one of the candidate's supporters was shown on MSNBC brandishing a sign that read: "Obama Bin Lyin'," a clear reference to the al-Qaeda leader.

McCain received some credit last Friday for addressing the palpable xenophobia at his various town halls. "No ma'am," he told a woman who falsely asserted that Barack Obama is an Arab. He answered another supporter who said she was afraid of an Obama presidency by telling her she had nothing to fear.

But the question now appears whether McCain can put the genie of the Democratic nominee's "otherness" back into the bottle, after having issued a week of "who is Barack Obama"-themed attacks. Even after a speech that made no mention of ACORN, Bill Ayers, or purportedly radical politics of any stripe, it was clear that McCain's crowds are not dissuaded from reveling in character assassination.

On Sunday, McCain refused an opportunity to criticize the state chair of the Virginia GOP, who compared Obama to Bin Laden, since "both ... have friends that have bombed the Pentagon," a reference to Ayers. Asked whether that was appropriate, McCain only said: "I have to look at the context of his remarks. I have always repudiated any comments that have been made that were inappropriate about Senator Obama." (Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the campaign made the decision to call the remarks "not appropriate.")

If this keeps up, however, McCain may have to weigh in with his own thoughts on the matter.

Comments

[msherida]

Being academic here -- It"s a way of simultaneously imitating black American speech patterns and making an allusion to bin Laden.

One of the characteristics of African-American speech patterns is that there are "aspect markers" to show duration"which is something you can"t do in Standard English.

Examples "
Using "be" to show events that happen all the time " "why you be doing that all the time?"
Using "steady" " "he be steady talkin" when he should be doing something!"
Perfective future tense "be done" for future events that will be completed before something else " "I be done with that book by the time she gets here"

Having duration marked on verbs is a feature of many African languages, and African-American speech maintains these African linguistic features.

So, this sign is a snarky way to
1) make fun of Obama for having a funny name
2) connect Obama"s name with the world"s most famous terrorist
3) express anti-Arab and anti-black racism at the same time
4) suggest that Obama talks differently from other Americans because he"s black, and so is "not one of us" " this is called "othering" in academic jargon
5) suggest that Obama has lied
6) make a frustrated conservative feel a bit better as the GOP goes belly-up

It is much easier to use a term like this as a smear than actually making a rational, careful argument.

[Jellinek]

This guy got lost on the way to the rally.

http://www.startribune.com/local/30920489.html

[darrick72]

How about Osama Bin Hidin or Osama Bin Laughin or Osama Bin Smilin....I think that all of those are more appropriate.

[mariposa73]

Campaigns pass out the handwritten signs before the rally. Those signs do not show any indication of having been folded or rolled up to hide them from the secret service who check everything before you can enter an indoor political rally. Every rally I have been to has had someone from the campaign passing out signs. McCain's staff created those signs for the women to hold up. I would bet my last dollar on that!

[Yuma]

I would bet my last dime on that too!

[ClarissaS]

You might want to hold on to that last dime...If Obama wins it might be all you have left!

[Bagger]

Man we have some ugly people that live in this country.

[HopeObama08]

Exactly what I I was thinking. The problem is to now how many of them are that ugly?

[eden4barack08]

And to know, how ugly will they go.

[IzzyCA]

You can say that again! I live in the very liberal SF Bay Area, we have been registering voters for months now. We usually get overwhelmingly positive responses, and the occasional dirty look.

Yesterday, a very handsome, well dressed man approached us, smiling, and said, "it's sacrilegious to have an Obama sticker next to the American Flag."

I laughed, because I thought he was kidding. He stepped forward in a very aggressive way, put his face very close to mine, and continued his rant about Obama being "un-American." The anger in his eyes was frightening.

I worked as a therapist in psych for years, and recognized that this guy was seriously unbalanced. I just kept agreeing with him until he left. It was a frightening experience, mostly because it was so unexpected.

He may have been handsome, but inside, there was ugliness and hate.

[Ramirez]

SF blogger and photographer "Zombie" has the best roundup of SF area politics and photos on the internets.

You may be in one of his pictures.
http://www.zombietime.com/

[jasongrundy]

This just goes to show you, who really supports the republican party.

[CalifroniaMark]

McCain supporters keep harping on Sen. Obama's ties to terrorists, which are complete lies but they won't bring up Sarah Palin and Todd Palins Proven association with AIP. A group that does not want Alaska to be apart of the United States. Here is clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmt0rLtgmK0

Also check out Sarah Palin speaking at an AIP rally with a star (representing Alaska) missing from the United States flag: http://anchorage.craigslist.org/rnr/837444099.html Pass it on to everyone.

[irishgawdess]

People with signs opposing McCain aren't allowed in by security or police, but this sign is? Real "good" security policy there, I'd say. Pandering to the base is NOT an American value.

[DavePotts]

Has anyone even talked about the fact that McCain's response to the woman calling Obama an Arab was, "No, ma'am. No, ma'am. He's not, he's a decent family man - citizen - that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues?"

As if an Arab can't be a decent family man or citizen?

[irishgawdess]

I thought it was a strange response too.

[Northwestmichael]

thats the first thing I thoght when he said it. just shows what he's all about... bigotry..

[Phoebe917]

i caught that too, Dave. it is totally disrespectful and also indicates mccains ignorance and inablity to think on his feet.

[Susan L. Travis - Huffpost Blogger]

Days after it broke, it really is stunning that NO ONE notices this - "He's not an Arab - he's decent, not like THEM!" Are those of Arab descent simply remaining silent? Do members of the press and punditry not notice? This is a hurricane of delusion, denial, and ignorance, and we will have a hell of a clean-up in addition to our other issues.

[LongreachAU]

who in the Arab world is going to want to do business with McCain should he win the election?

[NJCPA]

Every time someone uses 'THEM', it is demeaning. It is the catchall phrases the pegs a group. It carries the connotation that a group is different. And it ain't a 'good' different.

It also tells you what someone really thinks, when in a unrehearsed setting, something like that comes out.

[oafishcad]

I noticed it the first time I saw it, as did everyone I was watching with. The implication is of course that Arabs are not decent.

[irishgawdess]

Just listened to Chris Matthews and Tom Brokaw on Hardball "chatting" after this very video blurb was replayed, and they said NOTHING relating to the mention of this woman's stupidity! Is this topic just taboo? I mean, it shows the level of ignorance and bigotry that SOME of McCain's supporters have. Why is the msm afraid to acknowledge it, who are they afraid of offending? The offense has already been made once the news loops and reloops the same idiotic remarks.

Would openly discussing this help us understand what's wrong with this type of thinking or cause a massive race riot? What is the media afraid of, really?

[Yuma]

J E W Media!

[warsaw]

Don't forget that Palin allegedly calls Alaskan natives "Arctic Arabs." What is it with these people?

[Diogenis]

You show ignorance that is appalling ! Some Arabs are Christians, other are Muslim. Do you wish to insult all Arabs in this Country that are citizens? Potts, get a life.

[aznurse]

Uh, DavePotts said the same thing you just did

[irishgawdess]

McCain's remark after taking the mike back from that woman is what was ignorant (foreign policy experience my a$$!) Dave made a good point.

[DebbieinPhx]

For every day that passes that John McCain has shown the lack of honor and integrity necessary to be commander in chief, his chances have dropped proportionately. Too bad he's too dense to figure out that America will NOT elect another mediocre, morally deficit leader. He is that and so much less!

[ClarissaS]

Lack of Honor! Are you kidding? How can you say that someone who has served this country and sacrificed for this country lacks honor? Regardless of whether or not you believe he is qualified to be President you cannot debate that. Would you tell a soldier who just got home from Iraq that he lacks honor?

[islandchris]

We have to drop this automatic deference to our military. While our forces are now doing a much better job, did LYNDIE ENGLAND serve her country honorably? Did William Calley of My Lai notoriety serve honorably? Like all of us, honor must be properly earned, and we cannot support two levels of "patriotism" as John McCain would clearly have it

For that matter - did John McCain serve that honorably - he broke down under duress. I do NOT blame him for that, but he cannot come back and cover himself in glory while ignoring other POWs who resisted far better. It seems obvious that he refuses to wear a lapel pin since that's for lesser patriots only. His hyperpatriotism may well mask considerable guilt about his actual performance as a POW - and makes him a very dangerous choice for President.

[lwseanor]

"FARRAKHAN: You are the instruments that God is going to use to bring about universal change. And that is why Barack has captured the youth. (music) And he has involved young people in a political process that they didn't care anything about. That's a sign. When The Messiah speaks, the youth will hear. And The Messiah is absolutely speaking. "

[Blue in NH]

What's your point? Do you even have one?

[jsyk]

i love this insight - thank you, Farrakhan, for acknowledging Obama's greatness

[Rharte]

Umm. Farrakhan is not running for president. Get over it. LoL!

[ClarissaS]

Neither is Bill Ayers or Jeremiah Wright but associations are relevant.

[obama4eva]

did u hear that on sean hannity or bill cunninghams show? either way, no surprise...

[Whinger]

The sign says more than is written, it says, extremism, bigotry and racism!

It says the good ol' boys are back in town!

[jsyk]

how about we start referring to them as they really are - "The Lost Boys of America"

[earthlingdave]

John Sidney McCain: The Story of a Middle Name...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7VS8dg6mWE

[MajorBarbara]

The video was taken down. What did it say?

[DebbieinPhx]

try it again. I just ran it and it worked for me. It's really funny!!!! compares John SIDNEY McCain to every other SIDNEY out there... including Sidney AU, the place where Nemo (finding Nemo) was held captive. It's really cute.

[mbh78213]

That was priceless. Especially "paid for by people for irrational middle name phobia."

[jsyk]

"paid for by people for irrational middle name phobia."

hilarious! :-D

[bigbenny]

Perfect. John SIDNEY McCain. ROTFLMAO

[whiteboyblues]

Obama, putting the "O" back in country!

[DebbieinPhx]

"O" as in "Oh, yes we can!"

[HatingTheGame]

Yes, and many this O, just like that other O, will appeal to women -- as in O hits the "spot" :-)

[Cindy123]

Okay, you cannot bring signs to a rally. it is not allowed. And that sign was too big to sneak in.

[DebbieinPhx]

Sneak nothing, they LOVED that sign and let it in on purpose. Just like they let the man in to the rally on Saturday, waving a MONKEY with an Obama sticker on it. He was proudly proclaiming that it was the Democratic "Commander and Ape" candidate.

[DebbieinPhx]

Oops sorry,.. I did mention the monkey was a stuffed monkey doll right? It was a toy monkey, OK?
Still it was a hideous display of racism and ignorant stupidity. I didn't know whether to puke, cry or scream when I saw it. What in the world is wrong with these people? Where do they come from? This is 2008 for God's sake! I had no idea there were so many hideously backwards, atrociously, blatantly IGNORANT idiots out there still. *sigh* How depressing. Really.

[sikofit]

Where do you live-cause I want to live there. There all over where I live. We haven't come as far as many would like to think (unfortunately). That could be the reason Obama is winning-We want to hope for a better world.

[fauve]

The campaigns hand out these "homemade" signs. If you look at them altogether you can confirm this because they are all written in the same block lettering.