His Middle Name's Hussein -- Deal With It

I was never a big fan of my middle name -- "Charles." I always thought that it sounded too stuffy. "Charles" -- the only Charles I knew of was the Prince. People would always say, "Oh, Charles, like Prince Charles."

But dealing with references to the Prince of Wales? A lot easier than having your middle name give people license to compare you to Saddam Hussein.

Barack Hussein Obama could curse his parents right about now; I would if I were in his shoes. "Mom, I'm going to run for president one day. Do you think you could give me the middle name John?" But instead, as we have so often seen with Senator Obama, he embraces his identity and he wears his name proudly.

The right wing of the Republican Party, however, does not look upon Hussein so kindly. They hurl the name around as an epithet.

They want the country -- well, not the entire country, just the bigots -- to hear that name and think "Muslim," and then they want them to take the leap from "Muslim" to "terrorist."

For the right-wing, Barack Obama's middle name is "You will die if you vote for this man," as in Barack You Will Die If You Vote For This Man Obama.

I am often asked, "Is Barack Obama Muslim?" I've also been told that he's Muslim, and that he's a plant here by the Muslims to kill Americans. Kind of like in The Manchurian Candidate. Perhaps, at his next rally, his opponents can wave the Queen of Diamonds and we can see if Barack Hussein Obama goes into a deep trance and tries to off Candy Crowley.

Barack Obama is not Muslim, but we who support him and speak out on his behalf should not need to explain that fact. The people who ask that question need to take a long look in the mirror.

Right-wing bloggers and talk show hosts who emphasize the "Hussein" complain when someone says, "Cut it out." They say, "What's the big deal? I'm just stating his name." But of course their goal is not to mention his name, their goal is to make you think he's not one of you. He's different. He's, at the very least, weird. At the very most, he's going to blow up a building.

I am proud that we may have a President Barack Hussein Obama. I embrace it. On the world stage, I can't think of a better message to send than one that exhibits the tolerance that we are supposed to have for people of all different faiths.

Now I actually feel bad for not embracing my full name. Mathew Charles Littman. There, I said it. Call me "Chuck," it's okay.

Comments

[moevaughn]

Many progressive types joining the middle-name-hussein movement is not going to diffuse this right-wing tactic -- it will just add fuel to the flames.

As passionately as Sen. Obama and his supporters long for unity, the hard truth is there are many Americans having, and will continue to have, a difficult time considering a President Hussein Obama to lead the country. Deal with it.

I myself am a socialist-leaning Democrat, but I don't have the blinders on (some of my loonie lefty friends have) about O's name.

[jriegel]

I loved the blogger who added Hussein to her name. I have 3 names now but adding a 4th couldn't hurt. I think she could start a large movement of people adding Hussein to their names. Why not? I can imagine the phonebankers making calls across America with the name Hussein added to theirs. "Hello, this is Julie Clerou Hussein Riegel, and I'm calling for Senator Obama." Wonderful.

My father is a first generation American. His parents came from France. I can remember how strange his full name sounded to many people in our small town in California - and how loved he became to the thousands of people who came to know him as a brilliant and compassionate country doctor. I think of this now with even more sentiment and understanding.

[LeoMarvin]

Quit whining. Who would use a name to make a point?

Leo "Somebody should tell Rush Limbaugh that Viagra's a waste of money if you're an obnoxious jerk no woman in her right mind would let near her anyway" Marvin

[researcher]

what americans have not figured out yet is that there are old souls and new souls and the repubs fit the new soul catagory.

that is the problem with christianity not teaching reincarnation. christians dont get the soul evolution bit. they think you belief this you get a free pass.

look closely at a repub. greedy, selfish, war monger, materialistic, and will put profits over people.

gunnels says it best"


"A nation that spends more year after year on military offense (and I mean offense) than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death". (Gunnels)

[PrdAmerican]

It is an outrage that the right are doing all they can to somehow connect Senator Obamas middle name of Hussein with the radical muslims who call us enemy. America is a true melting pot of all races and all religions. The tactics of the right to purposely use his name to create a wedge is more than just dirty politics, it's an affront to every man, woman, and child in this nation. I have heard from muslims who are fearful of the hate displayed by the right as they snarl out Senator Obama's middle name. One of the main reasons I support Senator Obama is for his openess and desire to bring America together....to have us break down the barriers of left and right...to have us settle our petty disputes, to stop the bickering, to get back to the business of carrying our nation forward...beyond the bickering, beyond the racial divides, and create a better world for our children, and their children's children.

It was last week, after Mr. Cunninghman's grotesque speech and the Tennesee Republican Website that I chose to add HUSSEIN to my middle name to say enough is enough. Senator Obama is an American citizen, and when you attack him out of racial bias, you are attacking this entire nation...each and every one of us...

So until his name of Hussein is no longer used to inspire fear and hatred, my middle name is Hussein.

Karen Hussein Hunter.

[alexcharner]

Alexander Hussein Charner. Proud Obama supporter.