This is just too funny!

I saw this as I was going to brush my teeth and get ready for bed. Just too much! Who thinks of this?

Being Biracial and Black in the Age of Obama

Being Biracial and Black in the Age of Obama – Jack & Jill Politics

Defining “Electability” and the Dissing of Howard Dean – Jack & Jill Politics

Assalamu alaikum, I’m not awake enough to really comment on this as much as I’d like, but my initial reaction (which is not necessarily the best or correct one) is to say that perhaps it’s not about “change” after all. Though I’m still waiting to see what happens.

And why wasn’t Howard Dean given a position? I don’t think I’ve even heard anyone mention his name. Yet Hillary got something? Perhaps Hillary got a cabinet position to keep her from undermining Barack in 2012? Which IMHO, she’ll probably do anyway! There’s nothing saying she won’t try to run again, and there’s nothing saying that she won’t employ the same slimy tactics she did in 2008. There is Hillary we’re talking about, remember? And the “silence” of Obama on the current crisis in Gaza right now is leaving a pretty sour taste in my mouth, but truthfully, given his previous statements, I’d not expected anything miraculous on that front.

Defining “Electability” and the Dissing of Howard Dean – Jack & Jill Politics

Thoughts from an American Muslim Obama Supporter

Assalamu alaikum, I wanted to blog more about the Presidential election (as if there’s not enough of that going on at the moment), not so much to talk of the “historic” nature of it, as we all know that, but to express my thoughts as an American Muslim, and to touch on some reactions I’ve seen by Muslims.

Firstly, I supported Obama, with reservations. Perhaps I could have, and maybe should have, taken the high road and supported a third party candidate such as Cynthia McKinney, and I gave a lot of thought to that. However, I live in Florida, which is considered to be a swing state, so my thinking was that if too many people went for the third-party candidate, it could have swung the state for McCain, and I knew I didn’t want that. Other people living in other states perhaps made other decisions, based on their conscience and the political conditions where they were. However, for me, it was all about not seeing a McCain-Palin administration. And also the fact that I actually liked many of Obama’s policy positions.

He is a very eloquent speaker (something that is a refreshing change from the past 8 years imho), his background has the potential to bring many different kinds of people together, not to mention also giving him the insight that I don’t think any other Presidential candidate could have had. He’s not a perfect candidate (and I don’t think any of them are), but I think he’d at least listen to people’s concerns.

As a Muslim who voted for Obama, I didn’t see him as the “mahdi”, I didn’t have this vision of grandeur in my head that my life, and the lives of others, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, would all of a sudden, miraculously, get better upon his election and/or his assumption of the office of President come January 20th. And I have to admit feeling indignant when I see “oh he’s appointing a Zionist as his chief of staff”, or “Muslims shouldn’t have voted at all, now they deserve what they’re going to get”, and other sentiments along those lines. Or this idea that Muslims just blindly supported Obama, because his middle name was Hussein, or because he spent time in a majority Muslim country, or because he has Muslim family members, etc. And this “Muslims deserve what they get” stuff really bothers me, I mean, do you really want worse for your Muslim brothers and sisters than what we’ve already had?

I’d like to know, exactly, what should Muslims do in this country? If we don’t vote, or otherwise make our voices heard, then we risk being marginalized, pushed aside, being spoken for, and having people with agendas antithetical to us as Muslims framing the discourse. I’d like to no what the “anti-voting”, “voting is haram” crowd expects us Muslims living in the US to do? Aside from making hijra, of course. Because as 9/11 showed us, keeping to ourselves, awaiting the day when we could “make hijra to that glorious Muslim eutopia”, or awaiting the establishment of the kalipha, or awaiting the coming of the mahdi, never got us anywhere. And not that those three things aren’t laudable goals that Muslims should strive for (the eutopia part notwithstanding), while we’re waiting on those things, we also need to learn how to live in the here and now, the reality of the situation, the time, and the place we happen to find ourselves in. And not some eutopian dream, based on fantasy.

And in this country, having a voice that’s media-savvy and politically astute, that’s what gets your voice heard and your message out there. So imho, not that it means much, but Muslims should first endeavor to rely on Allah, strive to change the condition of their own selves, then perhaps Allah will give us the tools with which we could cope with the reality in which we find ourselves.

As far as the issues regarding Obama’s cabinet and governing choices and how they will affect Muslims both here and abroad, I’m taking a wait and see approach as far as that goes. Because as much as we want to say Zionist this (and nothing like that word to get Muslims’ attention), and “he’s not good for the Muslims” that, could you honestly say that any other candidate who actually had a chance at the Presidency would have been any better for us?

It almost seems as though some of us aren’t happy either way it goes and we just want something to complain about! As if we’d have rather had McCain-Palin in the White House, and let me tell you, that scares me more than Rahm Emanuel’s “Zionist” leanings, or any other problems or faults that we’re already finding in the upcoming Obama administration, before it’s even had its first day in office.

Let’s just wait and see what happens, and just be vigilant. Because even if Cynthia McKinney were elected, imho, even she would do something that some Muslims wouldn’t like, there’d be some cabinet pick they’d call her out for, some policy decision they’d have an issue with. So to me, it’s all about who’s going to be better or worse for the Muslims, and Americans, in general, as much of the time, I tend to focus on domestic issues anyway, and not necessarily who’s going to be the “perfect candidate” for us, because let’s face it, there just isn’t one. Even if a Muslim were elected to office some of us would still find a reason to complain.

President Elect, Barack Obama, Yes We Did!

Assalamu alaikum, and what more can I say? Obama may not be the mahdi (lol), however, he does give me hope, and Inshallah, he will do a lot of good for this country. And if he doesn’t, we all have the power to “un-elect” him in 2012, however, I’m not going to even think about that, let’s give him a chance first.

If he runs as good of a Presidency as he does or did, his campaign, then Inshallah, we’re in good hands.

Alhamdulillah, though, that McCain-Palin did not prevail, else, well, I’d have been extremely upset, lol.

Bridges TV and Other Thoughts (will try to keep it Ramadan-related)

Assalamu alaikum,

Perhaps I should take down or redo my Ramadan Journal post for today, I really didn’t mean for it to go in the direction it went. It was, I felt, more negative than I’d intended it to be, though I’m still mulling over the “meeting” with Yahya earlier today, having a fellow Muslim call you something along the lines of “hey taliban”, presumably because I was in a head scarf and abaya I find to be quite troubling. I don’t even think he asked my name, just walked over and started talking to me about how “oppressed” women are in the masjid and how “we’re not taking care of our women, we’re just oppressing them” *sigh*. I have a feeling that perhaps some discussions are going on in the masjid that I’m just not privy to, and maybe he thought I was. Though I’m kinda glad that I don’t know what’s going on.

Anyway…

I’ve been watching a lot of Bridges TV lately, pretty much because I have it, and I can, but I kinda wish they’d put their programming in blocks, i.e., all of their news programming, kids’ programming, religious programming, etc., at various times. Because it seems strange to me to be watching Democracy now one minute and some kids’ program the next.

I’m also tempted to say that perhaps they should have more religious programming, especially as it’s Ramadan, though I couldn’t really tell you any ideas I have. They have “Prominent Scholar”, “Keys to the Qur’an”, etc., how much more “religious” can you get? I do like watching the Tarawih prayers from Makkah (as does my husband and mother-in-law), and I’m not sure if I like the cricket and FIBA basketball or not. I guess they’re wanting to put on a variety of programming, but I don’t know, the basketball I can watch, the cricket, well, not so much. The documentaries aren’t too bad, though I find some of the cooking shows to be quite interesting (especially as one dish had wine in it, and I thought, presumably, Muslims wouldn’t be making this dish would they?). I also though tit interesting that they were having cooking shows on during the day as most of their viewers would presumably be fasting.

While I like some of thier programming, Bridges TV is just, well, all over the place, and it’s like they don’t know whether they want to be a religious channel, cultural channel, or a little of both. And I wish I could give concrete ideas on what I’d like to see “changed”. Perhaps put more religious-related stuff, like coverage of Islamic conferences, lectures from scholars, perhaps they could have a forum discussing some of the issues in our community, kinda like some of the bloggers have been doing. Maybe have a daily talk show, with an audience, that could discuss issues relevant to the Muslim community. Those are just a couple ideas. Maybe they could put the kids’ programming on in the mornings or on weekends, the religious programming on in the afternoons and evenings, and put the news programs on when news programs traditionally come on. And save the sports programs for the weekends. And don’t re-air news and pubic affairs programs when they’re clearly out of date, like tonight on “Talking Points”, they were talking about the Republican National Convention “just getting started”, when clearly it had ended on Thursday night.

It’s one thing to air the news programs again, the next day, after the night they initially aired, in case someone missed them the night before, but re-airing them on the weekends when the news is out of date? Also, they show the same episode of Democracy Now, it seems, like 2 or 3 times a day, why? Isn’t 2 times enough?

Maybe if they came up with some more original programming they’d not have to repeat what they already have so much.

On the whole, though, I have to say that I’m glad we have Bridges TV, and Inshallah, they will get better as they go on, but as an English-speaking American Muslim, I’m glad that we have a network liek this, despite its shortcomings, it’s better than having nothing at all on “regular” cable TV.

Although I’m telling you, if I see John McCain and Sarah Palin one more time! I’d vote for Obama just so I won’t have to see these people again! Sarah Palin reminds me of my school librarian, on her worst sarcastic day, and Joh McCain remind me of some old guy who scares kids off of his lawn, and his use of the word “friends” when he speaks just bothers me! And if you’re so wealthy that you can’t remember how many houses you have, how can you say you’re in touch with what the “average American” is going through? And not that I fault Sarah Palin for the actions of her teenage daughter, but how can you still talk about “family values” and “abstinence” when, well, it didn’t work in your own home? Seems a bit hypocritical to me. And you wanna tell the rest of us how to live?

It’s also funny to me that all campaign long, we were hearing about “Obama’s lack of experience”. And who does John McCain get as his running mate? A person who’s been a governor for about as long as Obama’s been a Senator (I think), and before that was mayor of what many would consider a small town. And has all kinds of scandals swirling around her, and no matter what the McCain camp says, doesn’t seem like she was properly vetted? It’s like McCain said, “oh my gosh, I gotta show up Obama, ’cause he just made this historic, ground-breaking speech, Heck, Pat Buchanan even loved it, I gotta do one better than that, can’t have my opponent upstaging me can we?” So he did his own version of “change we can believe in”.

I’d like to hope that the voters won’t buy it, but… Who knows what will happen when you throw in a “hockey mom” with a pregnant daughter and a child with Downs Syndrome (how is that for pulling on the heart strings and making someone seem like “just a regular guy?) And you can play up Obama as the “scary Muslim black guy with a funny name”. And oh yeah, throw in some election rigging and fraud (ala 2000 and 2004), and we might just be looking at a McCain/Palin Presidency.

I don’t want to seem to be playing the “chicken little”/the sky is falling mantra again, but gosh, I’m just not sure how much many Americans can be trusted to vote for what’s best for them, especially when, even when the truth is presented to them, many still believe that Obama is a Muslim, or that he went to a “madrasah” as a child, or many of the other rumors/lies put out about Obama. Perhaps I’ve been watching many of the media pundants too much. Perhaps I’ve been letting the Sean Hannitys/Rush Limbaughs of the world get the best of me. Anyway, all I know is that if we vote for McCain, we’re asking for Bush 2.0 or worse. And Inshallah, that doesn’t happen. And I know that as Muslims, there is a lot we can dislike or disagree with Obama on, but he’s got to be better than McCain/Palin, IMHO.

And I know I said that I’d stay away from politics, but I had to get this off of my chest. I just wish someone would wake me up on Election Day so I can go and vote. And let’s get this over with!

I’m thinking about going and making me a cup of tea, or is it orange juice I want? I’ve already had my quota of Pepsis for the night, so can’t have any more of those. So I think it’s orange juice, because it sounds better at the moment.

And I think I might actually eat a “meal” for suhoor in the morning, it’s either going to be a chicken sandwich or some food my husband brought from the masjid. I’ll decide in the morning. It all depends on how I feel. So there, I said I’d make it Ramadan-related didn’t I?

Obama’s Campaign Tightens Control of Image and Access – NYTimes.com

Assalamu alaikum,

The Obama campaign said it quickly called the women to apologize after learning of the incident. “It doesn’t reflect the orientation of the campaign,” said Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to Mr. Obama. “I do not believe that mistake will be made again.”

But the incident, first reported Wednesday by Politico.com, pointed to pitfalls the campaign faces as it moves into the general election and seeks to maintain control of Mr. Obama’s image by tightly managing his public appearances.

The Obama campaign is vigilantly fighting erroneous information that has spread on the Internet that he is Muslim — he is, in fact, Christian — and emphasizing his patriotism and American story, with flags in abundance. In Washington on Wednesday, he invited photographers to his meeting with new members of his national security team and retired military officers supporting his candidacy.

So what I’m reading is “we didn’t want the Muslim women to be seen because, well, too many people think he’s a Muslim already, and having these women appearing on TV or in photographs would be, well, not good for Obama”.

All of this “this mistake won’t be made again” and “calling the women to apologize” etc., is just well, they have to do it to look good.

And the more I think about it, the more offended I am about it.

As my husband said “he’s not actively going to court Muslim voters, and you shouldn’t expect him to”. Though my husband didn’t share my outrage at this incident (but then again, he’s very laid back, too, Mashallah).

Obama’s Campaign Tightens Control of Image and Access – NYTimes.com

Obama’s Campaign Apparently Dissing Hijabis…

Assalamu alaikum, I wanted to elaborate more on this piece that Aaminah also linked to as well.

Because the more I think about it the more it bothers me. It’s like “yeah we want your vote, but we don’t want to associate with you, and God forbid that an identifiably Muslim person actually appears in a photograph”… Because ya know, “it’s just not politically expedient for us to associate with you Mozzies anyway”.

And I can say yeah, perhaps Obama doesn’t “agree” with this action or “condone” this sort of thing, but then again, how did these campaign staffers get the idea that Muslim women wearing head scarves should be excluded from sitting behind the stage or appearing in photographs because it would not be “politically expedient”. I’m not sure I buy the “we don’t condone this and it didn’t come from the top” statements and the “we deplore the actions of these people who don’t reflect what we stand for”, etc., etc., especially when I get the feeling that Obama is all but running from anything resembling Islam and Muslims.

And as an “Obama supporter with reservations”, well, this just gives me one more reason to pause and ask myself, “what kind of change will there be, as a Muslim woman, if I help elect this guy in November”?

I am almost sure that emailing the Obama campaign about my concerns will get me nowhere (as it did last time I tried this), perhaps I should post something on my blog over at http://my.barackobama.com.

IMHO, the women offended in this story should be first on the list to be allowed to sit behind the stage, be offered a private audience with, or whatever it will take for them to air their concerns. And as the original piece linked to suggested, why would you do this in an area predominated by Arabs and Muslims, people who could conceivably be one of your core constituencies? Does getting the so-called “white, working-class” read “I won’t vote for a black guy anyway so what’s the use in trying” vote mean that much that in so doing, you could alienate another constituency?

The problem is, being “Muslim” is a “bad thing”. Muslims are terrorists, Muslims want to impose their values on the “rest of us”. Muslims are violent people, and in the mainstream media, and in mainstream political circles, this is how Muslims are viewed. It’s sad but true and Obama knows this. If he can disassociate himself from his church (rightly or wrongly), a church he was a member of for 20 years, whose head pastor married him and his wife and who baptized his children, all for political expediency, then why should Muslims think that he would give our issues the time of day?

And I’m saying this with a profound sense of sadness and disappointment. These thoughts are coming from someone who is inspired by Obama’s speeches, who is hoping against hope that Obama can bring some kinda “change” for the better to this country. Who has signed up and is schedule to attend the Polk for Obama Organizing Meeting scheduled for June 28. I can truly say that I’ve never been as interested in the political process, or as excited about a candidate, as I have been, but events like this, along with a seeming lack of concern about the plight of the Palestinian people, which I’ve talked about before, do much to dampen the excitement that I feel.

Reading the article about the treatment of the Muslim women made me wonder how I, as a hijab-wearing Muslim, would be treated? Would I, too, also be discriminated against, would I, too, be pushed to the back, pushed out of sight, because the way I looked wasn’t “politically expedient” for the Obama campaign?

Which then brings me to think that would my support, my excitement, my volunteering, my donations, or my vote be “less exceptable” to the Obama campaign because I’m a Muslim woman? And I can’t help but think that, given the way these Muslim women were treated, that the answer would be “yes”, my support, as a Muslimah, is less acceptable, dare I even say, not wanted, because the support of Muslims, in general, isn’t wanted, because “there’s just too many people who think that Obama is a Muslim anyway, so vocal, visible support of Muslims just isn’t wanted right now”. And that was what that article said to me, deep down.

That Muslims just aren’t good enough to be seen with Obama, that Muslims aren’t good enough for our issues to be discussed, etc., etc., why? Well, let’s face it, because “other constituencies are more important than you”. Or, maybe “not good enough” isn’t the right phrase, more like “you’re just too radioactive right now, being associated with you will damage us right now”.

And that, in a nutshell, was what these two Muslim women were told at the campaign rally in Detroit. Yeah, they could come to the rally, they just couldn’t be seen, in a way that could be dredged up later, as visibly supporting him, headscarf and all. I guess I’ll keep that in mind the next time a rally is nearby, or the next time they have the “dinner with Barack” promotion (which I’d probably not ever be a part of as one look at my picture, that of a blind Muslim woman with a Leader Dog, would probably throw me out of contention right then and there).

So I’d say that my support of Obama at this point is a bit, well, cautious. And I’m still glad that it’s him that won the nomination and not Hillary, and I just wish that his campaign would have been a bit more sympathetic to the women, and more outspoken about how this sort of treatment toward their supporters shouldn’t be tolerated, etc., etc.

Here We Go Again…

Assalamu alaikum, a while back, some TV commentators were making jokes about “the fainting person”, usually, if not always a woman, fainting during Obama’s speeches. There’s actually a clip up on YouTube which has a montage of various appearances where Obama has to literally stop in the middle of his speech, ask for a paramedic/EMT, because someone has fainted.

I don’t know if this is a normal occurrence during political gatherings or not, but something about the attention being drawn to the “episodes of fainting” bothers me, because it portrays Obama supporters as cultish, fanatical, that Obama is just some kinda “rock star politician” that people who support him are not serious, that he is not serious, has no experience, etc.

The only reason I’ve even mentioned this is that Obama is speaking right now in South Dakota, I think, and well, whadaya know! Someone fainted, Obama asked for a paramedic, and after everything was ascertained to be OK, he went right on talking. it’s one thing to see this on YouTube, but to see this on live TV? I was like, Wow!

Are people standing during these rallies, or sitting? Are they in venues where it can get pretty hot, like gyms, auditoriums, etc.? Or are they held outside? I’d just like to know why you have the high incidence of fainting during these sorts of gatherings? And if it’s just unique to Obama?

I just need a good visual description of this, because in my mind, I see a cool, well-ventilated venue, and can’t understand why in the world fainting has almost become a staple of an Obama rally?

Although if it’s anywhere near as hot in South Dakota as it is here in my part of Florida today, I can definitely see why. I’m currently looking at my Weather icon which tells me that it’s currently 97 degrees! Yeeew!!!

Not sure if the humidity though it sure feels hot enough outside…

Perhaps we’ll get some rain/storms later on today, Inshallah, though, the lightning won’t be too bad. I’m terribly afraid of lightning.

Tomorrow is my birthday … Chloe is so cute! … and Other Thoughts

Assalamu alaikum, yep, tomorrow (well technically today as it’s after midnight now) is my birthday! I’m not of the “birthdays are haram” crowd, yet I don’t expect anything too extravagant either. Although admittedly, if every single person forgot it was my birthday, I’d feel a little sad… Not that that’s ever happened. Last year, I received emails from people who I’d not talked to for ages who thought enough of me to send me happy birthday cards, emails, and phone calls. And Mashallah, that was enough for me. That, and when I lived with my parents, my father letting me pick what I wanted for dinner, and either him or my mom bringing home a red velvet cake *yum!*. I’ll have to ask my husband if he can find one, perhaps Publix would have them?

Anyway, I’ve always seen birthdays as a time for reflection, to be thankful that I’m here and healthy, and that there are people who love and care about me. I’m not the kind of person to go “oh my I’m that much closer to being (insert whatever age you’re dreading)”. I tend to get a feeling of awe, that just yesterday I was graduating from high school, or college, or well, was just a small child. And now I’m, well, in my thirties. And it scares me that in many respects, I feel like I never quite grew up. Perhaps that is why I don’t have any kids of my own yet. Because I still wanna sleep in on the weekends, ’cause I still wanna spend my money on some new electronic toy (I’m actually trying to resist the temptation of upgrading my phone, well, ’cause it’s got windows mobile 6 and is supposed to be 3-g capable, etc.), ’cause when I get home from work, I’d rather watch TV, take a nap, read a book, anything but “deal with kids”, well, I don’t mean it like that, but I have to say that at this point, I’m thankful that I don’t have to come home and do the “parenting” kinda stuff.

A part of me feels bad about this, I’m supposed to want kids, and I do, however, I’m not terribly upset that I don’t have any children of my own. It’s funny as I’m thinking about this, that I had gotten this same sort of ambivalence about marriage and then I met my husband, so not sure what that means but… Inshallah, when Allah decides, if He does decide, that I am to have children, then Inshalah, I’ll be mentally prepared for them, and I won’t feel so much like a kid myself.

I just still feel kinda immature, still like, I don’t know, like I’m not quite “grown up” yet. And I can see God’s wisdom in not bestowing me with kids yet. Because I don’t feel like I have the maturity or skills or patience, and perhaps I never will.

The closest I’ve come to having a child myself is my stepdaughter and my Leader Dog. Which brings me to Chloe…

Who is curled up in a ball (never thought a 60-pound dog could get so small), on the futon. She is so cute! Her other various sleeping positions involve various methods of either sprawling or curling up, sometimes she’s completely sprawled out. And she dreams… Complete with barking and growling in her sleep. Abby used to do this too. And I’ll hear Chloe smacking her lips like she’s eating something.

It’s too bad I’m too visually challenged to take pictures or video of her, because if I could, I’d post it online. She’s just such a funny, happy dog.

Anyway, I won’t touch the “Hillary assassination” comment, though I’ll say that I made a comment to my husband about a month ago, that “they won’t let him win”, and also thought to myself that I’d not put it past Hillary to, well, I don’t even want to say it outright. But she’s referred to staying in the race in case he’s assassinated, on more than one occasion. Which, well, makes me wonder if she’s hoping this will happen, at the very least. Some people say that Hillary’s evil, calculating, etc., however, certainly she’d not go so far as to, well, let’s just say, try to get rid of him in order to get the nomination for herself?! Hillary’s struck me as an “Amanda from Melrose Place” kind of a woman, probably wrong I know, but certainly, well, I feel badly for having the thought that she’d push anyone out of the way, would literally stop at nothing, to get what she wanted. And this includes, in my fleeting thoughts, well, the dreaded word “assassination”. And as soon as I think that, that hillary would do someone in in pursuit of the Presidency, I push the thought from my mind, tell myself she can’t be that conniving, perhaps check myself for any signs of self-misogyny or sexism, tell myself that I’m being too melodramatic, or that I’ve watched too much TV, or something… But all of this just brings up in me my worst fears/feelings about race (that America is still fundamentally a racist, white-privileged place, and thus it would be difficult if not impossible for an African-American to succeed in getting the Presidency), and brings out my worst feelings about Hillary Clinton (and not women in general).

The assassination comment speaks to both of those feelings, because while Obama is poised to get the Democratic nomination, while he has a darn good chance of getting the Presidency, there is just this nagging feeling of “they” whoever that “they” is, won’t let him. Either “they” will make up some new criteria for him, some new hoops for him to jump through, or “they” will just prevent him from the Presidency all together, by hook or crook or any means necessary.

And Hillary’s assassination comment sure didn’t help in allaying my fears any, in fact, I got the distinct feeling that it would be to Hillary’s advantage, if Obama were somehow, “miraculously” in her mind, eliminated from the race somehow. And then when I’ve read articles to the affect that it’s Bill who’s pushing her to stay in, ’cause he wants a whiff of some of that Presidential power, well, that’s just wracking up the tally on the many reasons why I will not support Hillary if she somehow gets the Democratic nomination and is a candidate for President in November.

Now speaking in terms of reality as we know it now, Obama will get the nomination and he will be on the ballot in November, and stands a chance of winning the election. But living my life as a blind Muslim woman has made me ever-vigilant, ever on the lookout for the machinations of the powerful who don’t want to give up that power without a fight. Obama represents to many people a change, and represents a loss of power for some, who may not want to give that power up very easily.

And yeah, I said I’d not address Hillary’s latest, well “comment”, but I did anyway. Now, I’ll just go and give Chloe a hug and get this ugly feeling I now have out of me. Ugh!

Obama Plans Three Days of Campaigning in Florida Tour | TheLedger.com

Obama Plans Three Days of Campaigning in Florida Tour | TheLedger.com

Clinton Wins Indiana … Barely…

Assalamu alaikum, some morning blogging, just to update that Clinton did, in fact, eek out a win in Indiana.

The mainstream media is finally starting to talk about the math not being in Clinton’s favor (like it was suddenly out of Clinton’s favor after last night), “exit strategies” for Clinton, whether she’s going to exit gracefully or engage in a “scorched earth” policy. We’ll have to see…

Interesting stats from Indiana, though, Obama won the cities, and some of the surrounding counties, and there was a few smaller counties (Montgomery and Vanderburgh counties?) where he won, but a lot of the smaller more rural counties, Obama lost those.

Even though Clinton won, as the BBC World Service put it, this is a “setback”. Jack and Jill Politics has some analysis on how pivotal the African-American vote was, and also the affect of Rush Limbaugh’s “Operation Chaos”, which, some say, perhaps gave Clinton the victory in Indiana… If you’re Clinton, how’s that gotta feel, that your victory was because of Republicans/dittohads who hate your guts anyway? That if it wasn’t for them, you possibly could have lost Indiana too? I’ve heard some site that Operation Chaos could have netted Clinton 19,000.00 votes? And how’s it gotta feel that the African-American vote lost the election for you? So much for pandering to white prejudice, race-baiting, and other tactics that you thought would get you the nomination…

Obama might not be Salahudin, but at least I can vote for him with a better conscience than I could for Hillary, which as I’ve said, I can’t possibly vote for…

And now I’m off to get ready for work (and boy I’m tired, I don’t know how much sleep I got last night).