Obama, Our First Muslim President
Posted: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
by Marty RicKard
Are we about to elect our first Muslim President? Obama says he is a Christian, and only the man himself knows the voracity of that statement?
But Obama was a Muslim, he remains close to the Muslim faith, he is their darling, their "messiah" and he almost certainly has Muslim sympathies.
Maybe this is a good thing, maybe not, but when you consider who our enemies have been in the latest World War, I think it is bad.
I urge each of you to read O's biography before you vote. After all, we are electing a president, not hiring a speaker.
These are known facts about Obama: (attribution in italics accompanies each statement.)
In no way has Obama convinced Arabs that he is Christian. They see him as one of them---a Muslim. A recent article in the Washington Post referred to surveys done on the streets of all Arab nations. Obama is a God to the man on the street in Muslim nations.
His Indonesian school registration listed him as a Muslim. It was reproduced in newspaper photos. I saw this with my own eyes. His father and stepfather were Muslims. This from his own book, "Dreams Of My Father".
In Indonesian schools, he received Islamic instruction, studied the Koran, prayed the required Muslim prayers and attended Mosque. This from an AP article.
In his twenties he met Jeremiah Wright his religious role model and converted to Christianity. He embraced Wright's hate-laced, anti-American ministry until pretty much forced by the cable networks to rebuke Wright this year. This played out on TV before my eyes.
Louis Farrahkan, leader of the Nation of Islam movement, calls him a Muslim messiah. I saw this on TV with my own eyes.
All Muslims are not our enemy, but ALL foreign terrorists have been Muslims.
All of the 9-11 terrorists were Muslims, as were those who earlier bombed the basement of the Twin Towers . Muslims bombed The Cole, Pan Am flight 103, Beirut embassy and Marine barracks not to mention the Pentagon and many other suicide attacks, kidnappings and beheadings along the bloody trail.
At the very least, Obama has strong ties to the Muslim faith. They surely love him. It strains my logic filter to the bone that he has come this far at this time in our history.
It seems Obama is having his cake and eating it, too. Let's give him a while. Let's get to know him better before we give him the keys to the Oval office.
Our nation, and, indeed, the very office of the president, which was so deeply degraded during the Clinton years, deserves at least that much respect.
Marty RicKard Bio
Marty RicKard attended William Penn College , Iowa State University and University of Southern Mississippi , from which he holds a BS degree in journalism and photojournalism. He also has a Masters Degree in photography, in addition to the Craftsman, CPP, and A-ASP degrees. Marty spent two years as a technical writer for White Motor Company, and has worked for the Charles City Press, Mason City Globe-Gazette, and Davenport Times-Democrat. He was co-owner of the weekly New Sharon Star, where he was twice named Iowa Master Columnist for his article, which was syndicated in twenty Iowa newspapers. For more than a decade Marty's regular column appeared in the Professional Photographer magazine. He has been published in many other magazines and newspapers, including Writer's Digest, Writer Advice, Golf Digest, Resource Magazine, Picture, Range Finder, and Darkroom. In addition to his writing credits, Marty has won numerous photography awards, has lectured in 48 states, and has traveled internationally as lecturer, and judge. He was one of thirty from the U.S. to participate in the first cultural exchange with China in 1986. He currently is a regular columnist for Lens Magazine, and a full-time writer of fiction and poetry. He is the author of two poetry books and one volume of short stories. He is an entertaining speaker.
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)Mr. Rickard: Well written. This aricle makes one think. I only hope we do the correct thing and it works out. Texas
This article represents the current Republican party well, which is why they are going to lose the current election in a land slide.
Come on Marty, even John McCain said that Obama is not a Muslim. I can't believe you are still focusing on this. It makes you look like the lady in Pennsylvania who staggered to the stage saying she doesn't like Obama, because she hears he is an Arab.
Marty, I'm not going to challenge you on your facts. I'm sure you researched them well.Instead, I'm going to challenge you on your motives for writing this article. You say you take Obama's word that he's not a Muslim. If you do, then why write this article unless, of course, you want others to come away thinking that he might be. Then if someone claims that you said Obama was a Muslim, you will say, "I never said any such thing." This is called trying to have both ways.You are apparently trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator, like that lady that Anonymous mentioned above. You know better yourself, but you are willing to intentionally mislead a weaker brother or sister who might not. I wonder that God thinks about those kinds of tactics. Perhaps you are one of those who believes that his cause is so great that the end will justify the means. You are better that that. You are a wonderful writer who could use much more legitimate methods and ammunition to discredit Obama. But you chose the low road instead. Too bad.Dear Terry: Thanks for your comment. You have a right to ask about my motives. Obama scares me for many reasons. My motives are precautionary.
Let's give Obama some time; let's get to know him better before we give him the keys to the Oval office. His resume is thin, almost invisible. I'm not crazy about McCain, but I feel in my heart that he is a Loyal American. I don't have that feeling about Obama.
Most Americans never heard of O before the Dem convention in 2004, and have heard little since. Let's get to know him. What can it hurt? Our nation, and, indeed, the very office of the president, which was so deeply degraded during the Clinton years, deserves at least that much respect.
I appreciate discussing this with you, Terry. You are reasonable and you sign your name. I respect that. Best, Marty RicKard
I eat and relish bean pie, a specialty of American Muslim restuarants; I greet local Muslims in the traditionally Muslim Abrabic greeting, I once saw the learaader of the world community of Al-Islam, Wareem Deem Muhammad in a jewish synagoge in Washington, DC, I have listened to muslim religious broadcasts, car pooled with a Muslim woman, and dated Muslim women, American and international. But nobody--not even the Muslim I know well--and certainly my broader friends--would think this (me) devout Episcoplian, who has sponsored and participated in special masses and attends mass four to seven times a week--is Muslim! My faith allows me to embrace and accept others, to see glad and joyful hearts, to uplift good works from the faith traditions of others. So Catholic, Muslim, Jew, Penecostal, Methodist--all have been a part of my faith's and life's journey. I bet I know more Muslims than Obama!Lastly, just as at Ellis Island, clearks mark records automatically, without thinking. I see this ALL th time as a professional historian. The most common answer gets put in the box. Especially when it is not important, and rountine within the form. I have seen this for death certificates, for all types of censenus forms, and many others. Lastly, leaders of many faiths have endorsed Obama. It is really a stretch--and the creation of a straw man--a logical fallacy intended to cast asperions (sp) onto someone--when the words of one person are employed to establish a common link. David Duke once endorsed Jesse Jackson I think. Did that mean Jesse was a sympathizer of the clan? Obama has been endorsed by Barry Goldwater's daughter, Richard Nixon's daughter, Bill Buckley's son, Chris, Cindy McCain's half sister--does that mean, or even imply, that although he says he is not, that he is a "closet" Republican conservative, whose real agenda is to carry out four more years of the bush policies? When tested by like analogies, or by similar comparisons (which replace the terms with equal variables), your thesis ("proof") doesn't seem to hold. I do wish I could send you a piece of bean pie. Try to find it at a Muslim bakery or restaurant in your town. The cultural cross over will do wonders for your appetite. (Today, I'm eating Indian, after Thai last nite--but I don't condone the killing of the monks!)Sorry, Walter, what's your point. Marty RicKard
Hi Marty,I was the daughter of a bastard, but does that mean I am a bi*&^? I was also raised in a pentacostal church and school. I am not pentacostal today. Religion is only man made. Church is in the heart, no matter what religion. Isn't freedom of choice great!You are a good writer, but why engage in this kind of opinion?Also, experience is not always a good thing. Remember Hitler and Napoleon? Several innocent lives were taken and those two had lots of experience. I personally am afraid that if McCain takes office, that we will continue shedding lives in war, when we need to pull out. Can you name one President that had presidential experience before he got to the White House?God bless you always.Michelle, I hope you don't mind me jumping in and giving it a try:Grover Cleveland (the second time).I don't mind at all Terry. However, Grover Cleveland is one of the least most popular Presidents in American history. Bye the way, what currency is he on?God bless;Dear Michelle: Great comment. Very profound. I too believe that church is "in the heart." You have made my point. What is in his heart? We don't know him well enough to say.Experience is a strange thing. Totally unnecessary to be at the top of the Dem ticket, yet vital to be number two on the GOP slate. Isn't good debate fun. By the way, what is your last name? God Bless you, my friend, Marty RicKardHi Marty!I apologize, my last name is Mackin. I love to debate. Nonetheless, opinions are just that. Also, I believe experience is learned, not a given.God bless you and your family always.
Marty, it is disappointing to read this article since you are its author. Because you attended the Univ of Miss. am I to think the deep south poisoned your mind instead of educated it? Fear is real so I accept your fears. I feel you crossed the line and went over the edge. A person will murder their child and use the Holy scriptures to justify offering their child as a sacrifice. I hope you believe that is twisted and evil.
Anybody can find "facts" to support their opinions. Companies will pay for studies to support the benefits of their products when another study will tell us the product is harmful. I do not believe Obama is a Muslim anymore than I believe you are black. But, you are entitled to your beliefs even though spoken with a forked-tongue, just as I am. This is venom.
You are a very good writer. I am sorry I stumbled on this article. But, God works in mysterious ways. He wants us to walk in Light, not darkness. So Marty, I offer God, Perfect Love, for your fears. Perfect love casts out all fear. He doesn't practice love, love is who God is. He didn't give us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. So, God is the total solution for our fears. I am a living testimony to this and so many others. We live a peaceful life because of Him. You're in my prayers.
Blessings and a great weekend!Dear Avis: Thank you for your comments. I appreciate you reading my thoughts. I got a great education at Southern Mississippi and there was a lot of racial bigotry in the 1960s, just as there was against us Yankees (yes, I know, it's not the same thing, but it did exist).I don't believe my article is so bad. I was just pointing out the facts that prove his close ties to the Muslims, and saying that we don't know him well enough in this short time to give him the keys to the Oval Office. Now, is that so bad? It is my opinion.Bless your heart, Marty RicKard.
I guess, if we are free to believe and say what we want that you can say, or imply, that Obama is a Muslim, but I do not share your believe and I feel you are very, very wrong.But I would have to say that I wouldn't care if he were. In fact, I think we might have better luck dealing with Muslim dominated countries if we had more Muslims in our government. It is possible to be a Muslim and be a loyal American. When McCain took the mic from that lady that called Obama a Muslim McCain corrected her and said, no, Obama was a decent man, I thought that was nice of him to correct that lie, but it carried with it an inference that IF he had been a Muslim then he could not have been a decent man.These two things are not mutually exclusive. It is actually possible to be Muslim and to be decent.Dear Tex: Maybe you are right. Thanks for your comments. I hope no matter what happens that things go well for our nation. That's all I care about. Bless you, Marty RicKard
Sad...on all levels..sad...Dear Roschelle: I don't believe it is sad to express the opinion that we should know well our leaders. I guess it doesn't matter who is in the Oval Office, we are all in the hands of God. Bless you, Marty RicKard
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