The Truth... It does matter, doesn't it?

I know everyone is getting sick of politics. Personally, I can't wait for November 4th for all this to be over. However, after reading different comments from blogs, getting emails, and comments from coworkers, I feel it is important to put out the facts on certain issues regarding Barack Obama. I am amazed how many people get an email or hear something and take it as fact, and then base a vote on misinformation. So, in response to the specific comments I have had come my way recently, here is the truth. PLEASE NOTE, the intent of this post is not to persuade anyone to vote for Obama. It is simply to clear up facts in the hope that people will base their vote, whoever they choose, on facts not rumors. I have also included links to credible sources for additional details.

1 – Obama is a Muslim and was sworn into the Senate on the Koran, not the bible – FALSE

Obama showed little interest in organized religion until his 20’s when he joined the Trinity United Church of Christ.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2008/06/was_obama_a_muslim.html

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

He was sworn in using the bible.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/238/

2 – Obama is a member of a “racist” radical church – FALSE

While it is true that the church Obama attended until recently mainly consists of African Americans, it is not true that whites and others are not allowed or welcomed.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

In regards to this accusation, ask yourself this, “If I was running for President and the media came in and took a photo of my congregation, could they make the claim that we are a church for whites only?” Couldn't they also exploit the fact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints didn’t even allow African Americans full fellowship in the church until 1978. Does that prove that Mormons are racist? Absolutely not! What about polygamy? The media could have a hay day, and often do, in regards to these issues. Yet, all of this information in no way shape or form accurately represent what Mormonism truly is. In fact, here is a link to an article that discussed the misinformation that Mitt Romney faced during his campaign due to the fact that he is Mormon.

http://www.slate.com/id/2155902/

It shouldn’t happen to Obama or Romney, but to get to the truth, it takes a little work and time to research.

I will also note here that it is true his former reverend, Jeremiah Wright, has made inflammatory, controversial statements from the pulpit. This one is up to you to decide how to view that. Keep in mind that from 20+ years of preaching from the pulpit, they maybe have 15 minutes of footage of this. I would caution judging his entire belief system on just 15 minutes of footage.

3 – Obama “refused” to put his hand over his heart and recite the pledge of allegiance. – FALSE

There are variations on this one, including he “refused” to put his hand during the national anthem and he refuses to say the pledge of allegiance all together.

While it is true that he doesn’t always put his hand over his heart during the national anthem, it is not true that he “refused” to. Check the links below for videos of him doing all that he supposedly “refused” to do.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/obama_nabbed_by_the_patriotic.html

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp

4 – Obama refused to have an American Flag on his campaign plane - FALSE

Flag on Obama's Plane

There is an American flag on his campaign plane. It is true that he removed the flag from the tail of the plane due to the fact that they leased a plane from American Airlines and the flag on the tail was a registered trademark of American Airlines.

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

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/airplane.asp

Obama's Plane

McCain's Plane
I don't think it is fair to base either candidate's patriotism by the design of their campaign plane. Both have flags on them. However, McCain's campaign colors aren't even red, white, and blue. Does this mean he is not a patriot? NO! I mean really, isn't it irrelevant?

5 – He refused to wear a flag pin on his lapel – Somewhat true, but misleading

Obama took off the flag pin from his lapel because it felt it had “become a substitute for true patriotism.” However, he does now wear the flag on his lapel.

Obama in the first debate against McCain, wearing a flag pin.

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/story?id=3690000

Personally, I think that someone wearing a flag pin or not is irrelevant in this election considering what we are up against. However, I guess the value you place on this is up to you.

So, those are the main rumors or issues that I have come across during this election. There are many many more, but I won’t go into all of them. Please keep in mind that anyone can sit behind a computer and create a controversial email on anything they want! I would hope that with the challenges we are facing in this country, as voters, we would take the time to look up these rumors on the internet, looking for valid sources to get to the truth. I also hope that we are looking more to issues and policies to base our vote on than rumors like this.

Most of what Obama has been accused of questions his patriotism. So, in the name of patriotism, I felt it was my duty to set the record straight. I am in no way saying that because Obama is the candidate of my choice that he should be the candidate of your choice. All I am asking is with 25 days until this election, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE look for the truth before coming to a decision and don't give validity to information you read in an email or heard at the water cooler.