I am not from the US. Forgive me, but I cannot understand why so many people are slandering and abusing President Obama. Many people across the world look up to him and see him as a beacon of light for the rebuilding of the US's reputation. It will be a long and slow process. But why are so many people trying to tear him down? It is very sad to see.

One of the worst and most racist attacks came as someone photoshopped a picture of a traditional Papua New guinea Huli tribesman proudly wearing his bilas (traditional costume) with President Obama's head superimposed, pretending he was an "African witch doctor". This shows great ignorance and contempt for the Papua New Guinea culture and traditions stolen for this stupid photo. his has caused great offence to many of my friends in Papua New Guinea and has lead to protests to the US Embassy in PNG.

Papua New Guinea citizens are demanding an apology from the US.

Here is one typical local news report -

"PNG anger over Obama witchdoctor image

* From correspondents in Port Moresby, PNG From: AAP
* September 29, 2009 1:55PM

PAPUA New Guinea has become embroiled in an American race row after US President Barack Obama was depicted as a witchdoctor by opponents of his healthcare policy.

In the offending image, a headshot of Obama was superimposed on a photograph of a PNG Highlands region Huli wigman in full traditional costume, supposedly to portray the black president as an African witchdoctor.

A US organisation known as The Tea Party mocked up the image as part of their three-week series of protests across the US against controversial healthcare reforms.

The image has upset PNG citizens, particularly those living in the US, and ignited a furious debate online and in PNG newspapers.

Popular Detroit-based PNG blogger David Ketepa said the image was disgusting.

"Many Papua New Guineans living in the US and around the world are angered by the picture,'' she said.

David Ulg Ketepa blogged that media organisations have flooded his email inbox seeking interviews.

"The sad thing that I noted from this bunch of emails is that, nobody knew where PNG is,'' he said.

"It gives me an impression that most Americans are ignorant and do not want to reason out things before opening their mouths,'' he said.

US news network CNN asked Tea Party member Joe Wierzbicki whether the image was racist or satirical.

''(It) says to me that a lot of people in this country are angry about the direction that the Administration and Congress are taking us,'' he said.

Former US president Jimmy Carter described Republican Joe Wilson's outburst "you lie'' during Mr Obama's healthcare address to Congress earlier this month as the "aversion to have a black person as president''."

SO, give the guy a chance. From what I've both seen and read (seems like Controlled US Media), Republicans and Palin are surely researched monsters of political levitation against Obama.

Control the media, you control the show.

Decoy

Nevermind.

[edit on 10-10-2009 by Pathos]

While I cannot say I agree Obama, it is not because of his politics, his party, nor his being a black man in office.

To me, I cannot stand to hear those cotton candy dreams, gum drop smiles, and rainbow wishes type speeches.

They mean nothing to me, because back behind those types of speech I begin to wonder, is the man a competant politician, or is he just giving false hope, or is he up to something and wants to hide the reality of his actions.

Those cotton candy dreams, gum drop smiles, and rainbow wishes that you speak of are not false words giving false hopes. Accompaning all those speeches is him saying that he can not do this, congress can not do this, it has to be the american people that do this. He is saying what any leader has said even Bush. He is promoting that we all work together. Not just Rep & Dem but all of America, Black, white, asian, young, old, Rep, Dem, Lib. It does not matter who you are we all need to work together for the betterment of this country. I doubt that we will see many if any things change during Obama's time in Office but what we you see is the seeds of hope and change implanted in our youth who will then bring to fruition what Obama is preaching now.

Obama is as compentent a polictican as any. Personally I say we need some one in power that has not been currpted by DC.

Originally posted by SkepticOverlord
I'm no fan of politicians, and especially many in Obama's administration. Part of the reason for my dislike is the never-ending context of attacking the other party and/or president of the other party. But this current culture of attack-inspired gridlock is, in my opinion, the worst ever. And to compound our feelings of helplessness, it's all too clear that the current bunker mentality of an us-v-them all out war on Capital Hill is inspired by the massive money of special interests. This political war, at a time when so much must be done, is quite possibly the death knell of this nation.
[edit on 11-8-2009 by SkepticOverlord]

Well, I've always feared that this hate mongering propaganda would lead to another assassination with us all in concentration camps the next day. I know some of you say "I would never do that" but have you given any thought to what you are saying to encourage others?
Trust me, he was chosen not to be a messiah, but the last martyr of Free America because it will be easier for someone to want to move against him as opposed to someone like Bush - there was the same hate mongering going on there as well, but no one ever said "lynch him".
More than ever we need to realize that we are being herded into chopping off our own heads playing the game "kill the king."
I've always said if money could not be made from war, there would be no war. Ever.

Seems to me, as an outsider SO, You Americans have VOTED-in the right man for the job. President Obama sure is green but aren't they all when they step into Office?

Seems he has your economy headed up through his leadership and that of his financial Gurus. My point of view remains -- thank god bUSH2's gone and good riddens to the him. Unless others can say for sure.. I'm not sure B2 will have a "presidential Museum"?.

Maybe Daddeo can share his with'm?

Decoy

I didn't read all 36 pages but did want to respond to the topic post.

It was a good post, the description almost freakish of what our government has evolved into, or what it has always been beneath the facade.

Gordions knot political solution: It isn't a political problem, it's a human being problem. It's the reality that one out of every 25 people is a clinical psychopath, lacking empathy. No matter what you build, regardless of of how clever, unique, or even fool proof and fail safe, your building it with human beings. And four percent of those human beings aren't like the rest, even though they look, act, and even smell like everyone else.

That is the core issue. It's also disturbing to the extreme. But it is the reality of this ant farm we call Earth. Personally I think it's designed to be this way, a built-in flaw with a predictable and repeating outcome. I also think it is something we as a species are eventually going to have to confront and address, one way or another. Either as a positive step in our evolution or in earnest for the sake of our very survival.

Voight-Kampf test anyone?

"Damn the county, Obama must fail" - Don't worry, he doesn't need any help at failing

Originally posted by Springer
TERM LIMITS, it's the only way to "clean house". As long as we have career politicians in the Senate and the House we are going to get what we have...

One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

As long as we continue to re-elect the career politician (s)he will continue to do business with the same lobbies for the same money and we will continue to have the same issues.

We have Term Limits within our power, never re-elect the same Representative. Yes, it requires work in researching the other candidates, but I would think with what's at risk it's worth doing the work. Sadly it appears most of us US Citizens are too lazy to be bothered.

Springer...

Then you would be swapping one problem for another...imagine the kind of dedication the incumbents would show knowing they only have 4 years to amass huge wealth and influence...the place would be hectic.

I just love knowing that Rush Limbaugh was right as usual.

People crucified Limbaugh for his famous statement "I hope he fails."

It took a while but most are now are taking Limbaugh's statement to heart!

The ultimate proof will be the 2010 elections, and Obama's removal from office in 2012.

Obama must fail, for the good of the country!