Eli Saslow/WaPo lies in support of Barack Obama

Eli Saslow of the Washington Post lies in support of Barack Obama while giving him a front page advertisement in the story "In Flag City USA, False Obama Rumors Are Flying" (link). Consider this:

On the television in his living room, Peterman has watched enough news and campaign advertisements to hear the truth: Sen. Barack Obama, born in Hawaii, is a Christian family man with a track record of public service. But on the Internet, in his grocery store, at his neighbor's house, at his son's auto shop, Peterman has also absorbed another version of the Democratic candidate's background, one that is entirely false: Barack Obama, born in Africa, is a possibly gay Muslim racist who refuses to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

What Saslow identifies as the "truth" has not been proven. It's certainly extremely likely that BHO was born in Hawaii, but the recent birth certificate issue shows that that is still an open question. Yet, Saslow calls that the "truth", and Saslow is therefore lying.

Further, while BHO does practice the Christian religion that doesn't rule out him being, having been, or being considered by some to still be a Muslim. What religion someone practices can be proven, but what religion they actually are is something only they can tell. That's certainly a fine point, but one that credible reporters would make.

Likewise with the gay rumor: Larry Sinclair's charges have not been disproven, they're just very highly unlikely.

As for the racist bit, that again cannot be proven since no one knows what BHO truly believes. While he personally might not be racist (despite saying some interesting things in one of his books), he's certainly associated with at least one person who is, Reverend Wright.

Saslow moves from lying to smearing in this bit:

But with their pride came a nasty undercurrent, one that Obama's candidacy has exacerbated: On College Street, nobody wanted anything to change. As the years passed, Peterman and his neighbors approached one another to share in their skepticism about the unknown. What was the story behind the handful of African Americans who had moved into a town that is 93 percent white? Why were Japanese businessmen coming in to run the local manufacturing plants? Who in the world was this Obama character, running for president with that funny-sounding last name?

The first example begs for a real reporter. Was there any validity to their concerns? The second attempts to call those who oppose selling American factories to the Japanese xenophobes or similar; Saslow is trying to "enforce" the Beltway establishment's support for "free" trade. The last example wraps it all together, trying to portray those concerned about Obama as racist xenophobes.

Then, Saslow moves into MoveOn mode:

Like most of his neighbors, he dislikes McCain for his stance on the Iraq war and would like to cast his vote for a president who will bring the troops home. But on a recent visit to his son's auto shop, Peterman overheard misinformed customers talking again about a Muslim in the White House.

The implication is that BHO would, unlike McCain, "bring the troops home". That isn't necessarily true, and as stated above no one knows whether BHO is really a Muslim and thus those customers weren't necessarily "misinformed".

Saslow also provides a section called by him or an editor "The Truth Squad":

So far, those who have pushed the truth in Findlay have been rewarded with little that resembles progress. Gerri Kish, a 66-year-old born in Hawaii, read both of Obama's autobiographies. She has close friends, she said, who still refuse to believe her when she swears Obama is Christian. Then she hands them the books, and they refuse to read them. "They just want to believe what they believe," she said. "Nothing gets through to them."

Of course, they aren't necessarily pushing "the truth", but presumably things that are objectively true together with unprovable things that align with BHO's version of events. As for the books, Saslow is counting on no one having read them.

Comments

Read Saslow's other articles. The bias is so naked that I had to double check to make sure I wasn't reading a labled opinion piece. This punk just graduated from Syracuse University a few years ago. Shouldn't he have an editor hanging over every word he types?

_Gerri Kish, a 66-year-old born in Hawaii, read both of Obama's autobiographies._ She did? She's gotta be one of the few then. But if she did then she ought to know and be willing to admit that they're turgid, race-obsessed drivel for the most part. The kind of overwrought bleating that -- dare I say it -- only a 'liberal' who takes himself way too seriously would put out.

His "autobiographical" books are largely a fictional account of events that never happened. This lack of honesty should be overwhelmingly transparent to anyone with a brain.

" like most of his neighbors,he dislikes McCain for his stance on the iraq war", well yes i dislike the war you dislike the war but what will you do when 500 million little muslim mexicans/third world monkeys from all over the place come after you with race hate and calling it the will of god?..you best buy guns and soon.

eh, Obama's books are readily available as mp3s for download. Just look for the torrent files. They take on a whole new meaning when you hear Obama reading his own words. Talk about supplying your opposition with ammunition. See if you can take the pain.

I haven't heard that Hussein O was born in Africa but have heard that he is not only possibly, but probably not a natural born citizen by law. Father was not a citizen of the U.S. so his mother must have been a citizen and lived in the U.S. for 10 years, at least 5 of those being over the age of 16. That makes the major question, How old was his mother when he was born. Under 21 and Hussein O is not a natural born citizen and not qualified to run for or be POTUS. All they have to do is check and follow the law. Do we still have a Justice department?

Ahem, the law states that anyone born in the United States is automatically a citizen, whether his parents are citizens or not. And since Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, when Hawaii was already a state, he's a citizen. Looks like you need to check the law. Here's a helpful hint, Michelle Malkin parents were Philippino nationals visiting the U.S. when she was born. Yet, she claims that she's American as apple pie.

Scrapiron the ideals of laws are dead and Obama like many of his ideals are just a joke and when and not if he becomes the next so called president people will understand what i mean by buy guns, the next 8 years and more will make people understand what third world rule means, Laws are only for people who can understand duty to each other and that has become a joke to our rulers.

Here\'s another example of Saslow\'s \'reporting\': [1] _Sen. Barack Obama's historic victory in the Democratic primaries, celebrated in America and across much of the world as a symbol of racial progress and cultural unity, has also sparked an increase in racist and white supremacist activity, mainly on the Internet, according to leaders of hate groups and the organizations that track them._ So please stop being a drag on the 'celebration'. _See if you can take the pain._ I'll continue to wimp out on that.

Links:
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[1] www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/21/AR2008062101471.html

_Ahem, the law states that anyone born in the United States is automatically a citizen,..._ Actually, there is no "law" per se that states that. The current custom of declaring any kid who happens to be born here (no matter the circumstances) is automatically a US citizen is based on one (rather absurd and harmful) interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Congress ought to enact a real law to change that; several have been proposed. _Yet, she claims that she's American as apple pie._ Malkin is definitely annoying.

eh, Here is what loony left-wing critics of Michelle Malkin do not understand. She is not an "Anchor Baby" per se. Her father was doctor who took a job with the Veterans Adminstration. He was also a Philipino soldier in the US Army who later fought during the Japanese Occupation. In the crush of the Vietnam years the US Government was actively recruiting medical staff like Malkin's father to come to the US and work for the VA at a time of real need. My father also a WWII and Korea era vet worked for the VA for over 30 years and had many Philipino co-workers from the Vietnam era. Had the "Anchor Baby" interpretation of the 14th Amendment never existed, as a minor dependant Malkin would have earned the right to US citizenship by natural law the minute her father was granted US citizenship which he was years later. Natural Law is how it works in every country. Ireland I believe was the last country to change its immigration laws removing the birthright citizen by soil clause. And yes I mostly find Malkin annoying, needlessly shrill and partisan. Still many of her most fervent left-wing critics are simply bat-sh*t crazy and Malkin gets in some pretty good punches now and then.

HAHA.... Too bad he couldn't have found you before he worte the article. You are just as uneducated as these people in Ohio. Your ignorance is astounding!!! LOL Sadly when there is a glimmer of hope in america there is always a wacked out group to try and ruin the party. At least you are a small MINORITY.

Also.. I have read the books...As a 25 year old white veteran I found his books to be a truly inspirational story for our country!!!!

Reich-wing desperation is very unbecoming these days. The author reads the facts out loud yet smears it with arguing to hypothetical; speculative fiction disguised as a conventional truism, i.e. "Although Obama is a Christian... We still haven't invented a medical tool to read one's conscious, therefore, as an Internet goon, I declare, Obama must be a Muslim." The array of non-sequiturs and hollow shrills of misinformation truly flows in virtual rivers, like cheap, trailer-park beer. Take a hike... Go, go, and keep going...

I noticed none of the critics have any links to their own publications. Perhaps because what they have to say is irrelevant or does not warrant publication of its own? Comments from the peanut gallery emphasize the desperation of those who worship the messiah. Obama is a fraud of the largest proportions this country has ever seen. A preppy from paradise who writes fictional accounts as truth. It's fascinating to see some leftists support such a corrupt, elitist Chicago politician and his bigoted wife, as if the entire left wants to drive the working class into the ground. They both hate this country after being the benficiaries of affirmative action--receiving benefits to which they were never entitled to begin with. This is sad when platitudes such as "hope" and "change" are the mantra without any real policy positions or a track record of any accomplishments. This just points to the arrogance, ignorance and stupidity of Obama supporters. Y'all must really hate your neighbor to be voting for such a fraudulent, America-hating elitist race-hustler.

The "Reich Wing" reference also enacts Godwin's Law, which means the end of this thread and the commenter's complete irrelevance, ignorance and blind partisanship before love of country. "Taking a hike" is not going to happen anytime in the near future, but keep pissing into the wind, comrade.

So: nothing can be proven. There is no truth. Everyone believes what they want to believe. You make your own reality. Meanwhile, people die because of bad decisions made by powerful men. The infrastructure of the country crumbles because a corrupt executive pushes through tax cuts to benefit his wealthy supporters. The atmosphere clouds with pollutants, the ice caps melt, but for all we know, it might not all be the fault of carbon emmissions. Your disgusting enabling of smears and lies and your insane evasion of the truth costs lives and endangers the well being of the United States of America and planet earth. There are real consequences when you peddle lies and smears, and excuse your despicable behavior with pseudo-philosophical feints and twisted logic. You should really stop before you hurt any more people.

Lies? Smears? You may want to identify one before you climb upon the soapbox. It's much more effective if people know what the hell you are talking about. The Cult of Obama has risen. Jesus has returned to save us. Drink the kool-aid, comrades.

"They [lefties] both hate this country after being the benficiaries of affirmative action--receiving benefits to which they were never entitled to begin with." "This is sad when platitudes such as "hope" and "change" are the mantra without any real policy positions or a track record of any accomplishments. This just points to the arrogance, ignorance and stupidity of Obama supporters. Y'all must really hate your neighbor to be voting for such a fraudulent, America-hating elitist race-hustler." Your comments are 100% accurate petty b

I say the author of this piece likes to make love to farm animals, and since he's unable to prove otherwise it's in the realm of possibilities.

big deal Ron so what? many of us happen to be in the military and elion Obama is a muslim his father is a muslim and Obama is a balck rat inside the dead/want-to-be a police state like monkey Red China, do you understand what he will do to you and your life? and Ron you can stereotype any person but you are the real stereotype of hate the usa. the coming mass murder that will take place here will make Iraq look like a fun day at the park. buy guns for life with people like Ron who hates your freedom and wants evil here to rule you as a prison bitch is ruled will help in all obama evil acts against human and civil right.

Yeah, OK, so Obama is a nominal Christian. So fucking what. I think most people accept this. But get a load of that ridiculous 'hate Whitey' pseudo church he attended and financially supported FOR YEARS until it was politically incovenient, the fucking hypocrite. Pretty sick I would say. And Obama supporters are hanging their hats on shit like that? Idiot losers. And no self-respecting man writes a book called 'The Audacity of Hope'. The title alone is enough to make me want to puke. Not to mention that absurd speech on race he gave, where he criticized his granny for crossing the street to avoid young black men. He might want to ask Eve Carson's parents or the family and friends of that pair in Knoxville whether that's a good idea or not.

Obama is our enemy he hates our world and hates this nation and you may say he is not a muslim but most of the white and foregn black and yellow world understands how the muslim works inside a nation and obama is doing the work of evil here.

I don't think Obama's a muslim OR a christian. If you read what he has actually written on his "faith," he comes across much more as an atheist or agnostic with political ambitions who shopped around for a church to belong to.

John Smith you can be a muslim and still be a red many are.