No doubt my junk mail filters have been working diligently, so I haven't received one of those vile and false emails spreading lies about Barack Obama's family and record - no, I had to read them in a report today from Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin in The Politico. This is a classic softening up campaign months before Obama is likely to face John McCain, and it's aimed at sowing doubt about his patriotism. The Clinton supporters who gather here should condemn this kind of behavior, since it's been used against Hillary for years. Here's one of the quotes the emails have been circulating:
“There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message.”
Of course, Obama never said it. And he didn't take the oath of office on the Koran, either. But these emails have become exceedingly viral in the worst sense of the word. The only way to fight back is to condemn them loudly - and correct anyone you hear repeating one of these cowardly whispers.
