The Difference between Obama Critics and Obama Defenders

I am so asking for it by posting this, but I can’t just pass up sharing this observation. If you browse the comments of “Phantom Birth Certificate,” you may notice an interesting trend.

Obama critics cite sources, examine evidence, and are generally courteous to others.

Obama defenders, on the other hand, parrot lies, run away when proven wrong, and disparage character via ad hominem or simple insult. Those who would berate me and claim that I’m committing credibility suicide have done little to support that claim, nor have they done much to build up much credibility for themselves.

The mainstream media would have me to believe that the situation should be the other way around; critics of Obama are supposed to be the hateful and ill-informed. Big Media gets it wrong again. Big surprise.

I’m posting this to ask the simple question: What is it about posting a, if valid, very serious criticism of Barack Obama’s presidency that makes Obamapologists bear their teeth and lose all signs of rational thought?

And is it the same irrationality that would lead them to elect such a despicable, obamanable man to the highest office in the land?

Thanks for reading, and thanks to the Intellectual Redneck, lukemcgook, Dave C, and Scott for bringing their patience and insights into the comments thread in question. (Oh, who am I kidding: Thanks to everyone who commented; I enjoy all of your comments, no matter who you are or what view you bring to the table… Unless that view is of selling viagra; straight to the spam bin for you!)

And now an exercise in following directions: Please don’t use the comments form on this post to discuss the issues raised in “The Phantom Birth Certificate”; this is a separate post for a reason. Organization FTW.

20 thoughts on “The Difference between Obama Critics and Obama Defenders”

  1. Honest question: why do you find Obama “despicable”? I am also a Christian, and have friends that cannot find it in themselves to support Obama, based entirely on his abortion policy — I can understand that. But for you, is this the sole issue, or does it go farther than that? If so, please explain.

    Note: I am not “baiting” for a flame war. I actually like your site. I’m not politically motivated — my “official” stand (from an online web test FWIW) is that I am smack-dab in the middle between left and right regarding politics (so I guess I am always correct ;-).

    I just want to understand your thoughts.

    1. His abortion policy has a lot to do with it. Regarding it, I have to agree with Alan Keyes who described Obama as “abominable.” His support for not only abortion but also partial birth abortions is barbaric.

      Other aspects of his character color my opinion as well, such as his support for homosexuality. The Scriptures teach that not only are sinners guilty, but also those who teach others to do the same. By advocating for so-called alternative lifestyles while at the same time calling himself a Christian, he makes a mockery of Christ, taking His name in vain.

      The bottom line is Obama knows better — or perhaps he doesn’t… depends on whether the church he was loyal to for decades ever actually taught the Bible or if it just stuck to Africa-centric teachings (no, I’m not being racist here; when I first learned who Obama was, I visited his church’s website out of curiosity only to find a statement of faith which mentioned all sorts of pro-Africa doctrines and only one biblical doctrine. Such does not a Christian church make.)

      If you have follow-up questions, feel free to post them. You didn’t come off as a troll at all, and I appreciate your courtesy!

    1. When it’s as easy as clicking a thumbs up button? Heck yeah, I stumbled myself. :D

      If you don’t like it, feel free to give the page a thumbs down, or join in the conversation. That’d be cool too!

  2. Thesis Customer

    1. “Obama critics cite sources, examine evidence, and are generally courteous to others…”

    What are you smoking. Listen to the talk radio circuit for 14 minutes or Fox News. Curteous? Yah, right.

    2. “Those who would berate me and claim that I’m committing credibility suicide….”

    Use the past tense not the present tense. You have ALREADY committed credibility suicide.

    3. “Thanks for reading…….”

    FYI, this is a trademark sign-off in the conservative media world. Oh, thanks to our listeners/readers, you are the ones who make this blog/show what it is today. Without you we would not be nearly as successful in spreading our “Crazy Christian” message.

    You are free to speak your mind but don’t expect that people will respect you afterwards. You have lost all the goodwill and respect of the community. You are the new poster boy for Crazy Christians!!!

    1. 1) Please go back and re-read my post. I wasn’t talking about the media at all — never mentioned ’em, but I’m sure they’d be flattered they were on your mine. Actually, I was referring simply to those who commented on my other post. Your reaction to this post sorta proves my point, too. Thanks for that.

      2) With you perhaps, but even you keep coming back, shrouded by anonymity. That’s your right, of course, but if you’re going to complain about someone voicing their opinions, you might as well identify yourself when you do so, extending to the people you complain about the same courtesy they’ve extended to you by revealing who they are (in this case, me).

      3) So no liberal media anchors, authors, bloggers, and so on thank their readers? I thought you guys were the courteous ones? You may not be able to genuinely thank people who disagree with you, but please don’t assume that others lack that ability. Stereotypes get you nowhere and definitely don’t serve to help your case.

  3. Thesis Customer

    I don’t believe in God. Prove to me s/he exists.

    I’ll accept a birth certificate form Hawaii as proof if you so choose.

    1. I have absolutely no idea what this has to do with the topic at hand; however, your demonstrated refusal to deal with facts leads me to believe that no matter what I say here will be quickly dismissed by you. If you legitimately want to discuss the existence of God, let me know and give me a valid e-mail address and we can discuss it. I would like to keep these comments on-topic if at all possible; I hope you understand.

  4. I appreciate that you were willing to post about this. Do you think that you will do a “Part 2” to this post? I think many of us would like to hear from you again on this.

  5. It’s possible your use of the terms “Obamapologist and Obamacolyte” and my favorite “Obamessiah” may have set the tone for the discussion. Your choice of those terms means you went into this thinking that people who disagree with you on that issue are irrational. When you look for trouble, you’ll generally find it.

    One other thing is that it is possible to disagree with you on that other issue without being an Obama supporter. I personally don’t support any politicians–I do support good policy.

    1. I wish I could take credit for “Obamessiah.” It isn’t so much a term of derision as it is a reminder that people seem to put a lot of hope in that man — actually, that is how he campaigned anyway. The other terms “Obamapologist” and “Obamacolyte” are perfectly accurate and again are not meant to be terms of derision. If I defend Christ, I am a Christian apologist; if I follow Christ’s lead, I am an acolyte of Christ. I simply applied those terms and meanings to those who defend/follow Obama, and made them into cute little portmanteaus just because portmanteaus are fun.

      By simply posting about this issue, I knew I was asking for trouble, or at least some challenging discussion. The wordplay was the least of my worries, know what I mean?

  6. It’s not surprising that the majority of the comments reflect the attitude you address in your post. I wish I had your patience to try to make a dent in the mind of the intransigents. Kudos. As a true Christian you’re courageously taking the arrows.

    1. Claude, all I can say is that I’m very thankful that it is just digital arrows that we’re talking about. Whether or not the discussion goes anywhere, I can’t say. I said my piece, conscience cleared. :D

  7. Andrew Yu-Jen Wang

    Speaking of Barack Obama:

    Barack Obama is a racial-minority individual, and in his heart and mind he inevitably does not endorse hate crimes committed by George W. Bush.

    George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).

    George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.

    And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.

    Many people know what Bush did.

    And many people will know what Bush did—even to the end of the world.

    Bush was absolute evil.

    Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.

    Bush is a psychological prisoner.

    Bush has a lot to worry about.

    Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.

    In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.

    Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
    B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
    Messiah College, Grantham, PA
    Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993

    “GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY” BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
    ______________________
    I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: “If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Oh wait—off the top of my head—I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.

    1. Thanks for the comment, but I’m not for sure what it has to do with anything. I’m also not for sure how being in a minority makes one, “inevitably,” exempt from committing hate crimes. It seems you have some strong ideas of your own, though, so I encourage you to start your own blog rather than co-opting comment threads on posts unrelated to your point. ;)

    2. Andrew, don’t feel you have to hold back. Reputation means nothing on this blog, so there is no penalty for telling us what you really think of Bush.

    1. Always nice to have you drop by, Jeff! I take it from your incredibly angry comment and the boatload of hateful remarks toward me that I’ve lost all credibility with you as well? :D

      “FTW” stands for “for the win.” I’ve seen it elsewhere, but I’m pretty sure I picked it up from Chris Pearson!

  8. Hi Rick,

    As others noted, the tone of your Birth Certificate post likely has more to do with the types of responses you got than anything. Those who agreed with you probably felt comfortable commenting. They knew they’d have a welcome supportive forum here, so they responded in a mostly civil tone.

    Those who disagreed likely felt unwelcome (or even mocked) and I suspect most just rolled their eyes and moved on… leaving you with only those who were annoyed enough to post snarky comments to represent the counter point.

    But don’t judge the whole based on a small and distorted slice of both sides.

    On a personal level, I had a quite rational response to that post typed out, then decided it just wasn’t worth it. The attitude and terms you used (specifically “Obamapologist” and Obamacolyte” and “Obamessiah” ) made me feel that my comments wouldn’t be welcomed, and would likely be mocked or dismissed. I’m sure it’s unintentional, but even the tone in this current post and comments make me feel uncomfortable here… from the remarks about the “irrationality” of electing Obama, to what appears to be a belief that you’re qualified to judge what defines a certain, a church or an individual as Christian. Based on your judgment of Obama, I’m afraid you’d find me pretty despicable and “obamanable” too, so I’m not likely to speak up often, just on that count.

    But maybe more importantly, I didn’t want to be drawn into a snarky political argument with a person who I may be begging for coding help from next week, so I closed my browser instead of hitting submit.

    Bottom line, the comments on that post aren’t representative of the attitudes of Obama’s critics or supporters… they’re only representative of the people who were moved to comment on that post. All political orientations have their share of snarky, mean spirited, hateful and even dangerous people, but their visibility varies depending on the forum and the current political winds.

    In anycase, thanks for reading ;) and I think I’ll go back to the original post and provide you with a few of the sources you’ve asked for!

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