Huckabee vs Obama/Muslim Myth

For most Republicans, the Colbert Report is not on their radar. They probably lump him in with Stewart and all that is the scary Liberal media. Unfortunately, Republicans do come on the show, so it would benefit them to hear what has to be said, whether through ridicule, truth, or both.

During the interview, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee was asked about the poll that showed Republicans split on whether or not they thought Barack Obama was a Muslim. The poll from last year said that 46 percent of Republicans believe Obama is a Muslim.

To this, Huckabee had several outstanding answers.

1. "I do not believe that."
2. "I just think they have come to a conclusion that is not based on fact" in reference to that 46 percent of Republican voters.
3. "He has articulated repeatedly that he is a Christian."
4. Not only does Huckabee believe that Obama is a Christian, but the said that he also thinks it is irrelevant, even if he were Muslim.

So for all you Republicans out there who are Huckabee supporters AND believe Obama is a Muslim, you have some serious soul searching to do.

Local News Drumming Up Gun Paranoia

Over the last few months, all three local news stations in my area, KTAL (6), KTBS (3), and KSLA (12) have reported on gun ownership worries. What's going on? Assault rifles are flying off shelves. Ammunition is too.

So what's the problem?

The local news frames the worry in light of the recent gun violence. Let me give you an example of poor journalism. Three officers were killed in a shooting in Pittsburgh last week. Instead of our local news covering it as a tragedy, they start out their week end news cast with something like this.

(Paraphrasing)
The gun violence in Pittsburgh has gun owners worried.

So instead of addressing gun violence, the real problem, they drum up right winger paranoia over assault rifle bans.

They completely disregard the fact that no legislation is currently in the works in Congress to institute an assault rifle ban. No legislation is on the table to take away guns. Maybe one or two members of Congress have plans to bring certain ideas to the table, but that's the same as Dennis Kucinich standing in front of Congress pushing for the impeachment of President Bush. It's one guy trying to push an idea that is dead in the water.

But oh no, southerners need to have their paranoia validated and news organizations do it in the name of ratings. When the news reports it, one can only assume it's the truth. Unfortunately, it's not. It's spin. We should demand more from our local news organizations, but we don't.

So KSLA, KTBS, and KTAL, would you mind dusting off those journalism degrees and make an attempt to actually do some legitimate fact checking before making hearsay newsworthy?

Another Rumor to Debunk: Obama Voting Present

I see this point being used by the McCain campaign and his Conservative supporters. The supporters like to say that Obama voted "present" the majority of the time he was in the Senate. This rumor is based on a number floating around out there. I'm pretty sure the number they use is 130.

What they forget to tell you is that out of over 4000 votes, Obama voted present 129 times. According to FactCheck.org, his "present" votes only account for about three percent of his voting record.

Where did you learn math? Redneck Institute for the Dimwitted? Explain to me how three percent is considered the most of anything?

I have two links for you to read. Of course, I am assuming you learned how to read at a different school. I sure hope your reading comprehension is better than your skills in mathematics.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/24/fact_check_obamas_present_votes/

http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/how_many_times_did_obama_vote_present.html