It really doesn't matter if he made up stuff
By AnjaP
@Rollo1 (16679)
Boston, Massachusetts
July 5, 2012 7:02am CST
"It really doesn't matter if he made up stuff"
That's the opinion of Gerald Early, professor of English literature and African-American studies at Washington University in St. Louis when it comes to Barack Obama's autobiography "Dreams from my Father".
He was responding to the findings of Washington Post editor, David Maraniss, in his new book "Barack Obama: The Story". In it he details several instances where Obama's claims about his life simply do not match the facts.
I am not going to detail the inconsistencies because that isn't the point of my discussion. What I am concerned about is the lack of concern shown by everyone (even the author of the book which points out the falsehoods) about whether or not Barack Obama is telling the truth. The author and Green both think it's about how he sees himself. But if he's made up a story about his grandfather being imprisoned and tortured by the British and he's developed an entire worldview based on that story, isn't it important that it isn't true?
Worse, it is the media's position, the position of his supporters, the position of the members of his party - no matter what Obama does, says or how many times he is inconsistent in his policies. No matter what happens, the response is the same. Ignore it, nothing to look at here, move on.
When it comes to the president of the United States, do you think that the right response of the voters and the media ought to be "It really doesn't matter if he made stuff up"?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/07/04/obama-american-story-faces-fresh-scrutiny/
2 people like this
5 responses
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
5 Jul 12
Has this book already been published? Do You suppose Could this perhaps be some kind of cunning marketing strategy,so as to get fans to buy it,and Haters too,so they can nitpick the details?
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
5 Jul 12
Obama's book was published in 1995. That should tell you something in itself. Few people who are not yet famous and have not yet accomplished anything feel that they ought to write their autobiographies at the very young age of 34. Obama's book was about how Obama wanted to think of himself, how he wanted others to see him.
But my question was why the attitude about Obama is that it doesn't matter if he lies or not. Not about his book.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
5 Jul 12
Publishing a fake autobiography in 1995 when you've accomplished nothing in life of any note is so you CAN accomplish something of note, like get elected president?
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
5 Jul 12
The statement about it not mattering whether Obama lied or not in a book (does it still count as autobiographical if events portrayed within have been outed as fabricated or fictionalized?) obviously doesn't ring true with you...The statement is one Literature Prof's opinion..You'd be better asking him to clarify that statement.
It's not a Presidential decree..
@laglen (19759)
• United States
7 Jul 12
I agree that in writing a book, there should be editorial license, you obviously at times have to try to make something a little more interesting than it actually is. I am aware of some of the falsehoods. Things that there is no way that this book should categorized as anything other than fiction. He put himself on the block. He pushes and gives away his book, at taxpayers expense no less. As you said, his policies being formed by these "experiences" he didn't experience. The falsehoods regarding his father, kind of like he "saw himself being born in Hawaii"? Did he also "see himself" living in Connecticut when he obtained a social security card?
The MSM is only enabling our liar -in-chief.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
7 Jul 12
His books are marketing tools, the product? A fundementally different America.
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
5 Jul 12
Obama's world view and what he wants for the U. S. is socialism with the government having all the power and the people having none. His policies and the legislation that he has tried to get passed are all aimed in that direction. Of course he sees himself as the leader of the government that has all the power.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Jul 12
I think that attitude is not only wrong, it's a reflection of our society. If you lie and it doesn't hurt anyone it's okay, if you want to dress like a Nazi it's okay because you're expressing yourself, if you want to paint your house purple with orange stripes that's okay. Everything is okay now, nothing is wrong, or so it seems. And excusing the leader of the free world of deception is one more symptom of a very, very sick society that as a whole no longer has any moral compass and denigrates and ridicules those who do.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
5 Jul 12
He really IS the manchurian candidate. He was marketed by those who felt it was time to step up the game. What game? The game that started decades ago, killing America.
