On April 6, 2007 the state of Texas watched as the heirs to the prestigious Iota Delta “Instant Death” dynasty were unveiled to a packed University of Texas auditorium. The crowd and other Greeks witnessed the unveiling of a tradition of excellence and greatness that is only found in members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Five new members, introduced as the “Kritically Acclaimed”, were specifically chosen to continue to run the yard on campus. Within these men were the same values, moral character, and intellect seen in members in the previous lines that are currently active on campus including:
° Final Kut - Spring 2004
° The Takeover - Spring 2005
° Kase Klosed - Spring 2006
Each member of this noble fraternity upholds the purpose and objectives established by the ten illustrious founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on January 5, 1911. The ten founders including: Elder Watson Diggs, "The Dreamer”, John Milton Lee, Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Guy Levis Grant, Ezra Dee Alexander, Henry Turner Asher, Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, Edward Giles Irvin, and George Wesley Edmonds successfully developed a fraternity that could be enjoyed by college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin.
The objectives the founders set forth:
° To unite college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity.
° To encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor.
° To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of members.
° To assist in the aims and purposes of colleges and universities.
° To inspire service in the public interest.
These are the same objectives that are continually promoted by the 27 doctors, 34 lawyers, and 18 CEO’s, who are lifelong members of this esteemed chapter. Over 200 men have become integral parts of this elite group of individuals and they continue to uphold the rich history of the Iota Delta chapter since its inception on December 3, 1977. Although the fraternity is predominantly African American, members of Iota Delta have come from various cultural backgrounds and differ in their skills, abilities, and intellectual assets. To this day, Iota Delta prides itself on its diversified membership because Iota Delta men individually and collectively achieve in every field of human endeavor.
Kappa Kool
The Iota Delta chapter actively participates in a number of community service activities and holds various programs and events throughout the college year that distinguish itself from all other campus organizations. Iota Delta men are recognized by their Kocky and Konvinced, yet not conceited attitudes. They achieve in any and every situation and are characterized as the ideal gentleman. Through their diligence, outstanding moral character, and dedication to their college and community, members of this chapter continue a 30-year legacy of excellence. Being a part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is much more than a name, it’s a way of life…Many are Kalled, but few are Chosen.
Probate: Every so often, a number of distinguished men who have proved themselves worthy become members of this noble klan. These initiates are introduced to their college communities for the first time in what is known as a probate. The Iota Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. always exceeds expectations when unveiling initiates with their traditional, yet original probate events. View Spring 2007 "Kritically Acclaimed" Probate here 275px 250px
Kappa Splash: Every year, Iota Delta concludes the spring semester with a refreshing pool party. It’s a perfect opportunity for students to come together and relax prior to their final exams. In April of 2007, Iota Delta had the first annual Kappa Splash Boat party. Guests received transportation to Lake Travis, free catered barbeque, and a memorable party on the water featuring two of Austin’s most renowned deejays.Check out the event live here 250px 250px 250px
Ms. Black University of Texas Scholarship Pageant:
The Iota Delta chapter has always felt the need to give back to the community and recognize the importance of strong African-American women. Each year, the chapter celebrates the academic achievement, moral character, and strength of the black woman through this scholarship pageant. The top three finishers are awarded over $1500 in scholarship funds. Also, Iota Delta members make sure that the program’s guests are treated well. Traditionally, the chapter always provides transportation for people attending their programs, but for Ms. Black UT 2007, all guests were chauffeured in a stretch limousine to the Radisson Hotel, where the program was held.
Jackets:
The members of Iota Delta are always known for being well-dressed for all occasions. Many Greek organizations wear jackets displaying their Greek letters, but few if any are comparable to Iota Delta jackets. Each year, the Iota Delta members arrive fashionably late to popular Greek events, and unveil a new head-turning, stylish, and klassy jacket.
“Nupes on the Stoop"
During this annual gathering, both past and present brothers come together and celebrate the legacy of brotherhood exhibited through the Iota Delta chapter. This event not only builds internal strength within the chapter, but it is also a showcase event for the UT community.
Texas Relays: Texas Relays is the second largest event in Austin, TX following New Years celebration. During this first week of April, Iota Delta holds their “Founders Week,” dedicated to involvement in the UT community through service and socialization. The week traditionally culminates with the Probate and the Kappa Blast and Block parties. These events are the highlight of the African American college community social experience during Texas Relays. In 2007, the Blast and Block parties brought in over 4500 partygoers. More importantly, the culminating events of the Iota Delta Founder’s week serve to unite colleges and universities along the Interstate-35 belt.
Kane Theory
° Final Kut - Spring 2004
° The Takeover - Spring 2005
° Kase Klosed - Spring 2006
Each member of this noble fraternity upholds the purpose and objectives established by the ten illustrious founders of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on January 5, 1911. The ten founders including: Elder Watson Diggs, "The Dreamer”, John Milton Lee, Byron Kenneth Armstrong, Guy Levis Grant, Ezra Dee Alexander, Henry Turner Asher, Marcus Peter Blakemore, Paul Waymond Caine, Edward Giles Irvin, and George Wesley Edmonds successfully developed a fraternity that could be enjoyed by college men everywhere, regardless of their color, religion or national origin.
The objectives the founders set forth:
° To unite college men of culture, patriotism, and honor in a bond of fraternity.
° To encourage honorable achievement in every field of human endeavor.
° To promote the spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of members.
° To assist in the aims and purposes of colleges and universities.
° To inspire service in the public interest.
These are the same objectives that are continually promoted by the 27 doctors, 34 lawyers, and 18 CEO’s, who are lifelong members of this esteemed chapter. Over 200 men have become integral parts of this elite group of individuals and they continue to uphold the rich history of the Iota Delta chapter since its inception on December 3, 1977. Although the fraternity is predominantly African American, members of Iota Delta have come from various cultural backgrounds and differ in their skills, abilities, and intellectual assets. To this day, Iota Delta prides itself on its diversified membership because Iota Delta men individually and collectively achieve in every field of human endeavor.
Kappa Kool
The Iota Delta chapter actively participates in a number of community service activities and holds various programs and events throughout the college year that distinguish itself from all other campus organizations. Iota Delta men are recognized by their Kocky and Konvinced, yet not conceited attitudes. They achieve in any and every situation and are characterized as the ideal gentleman. Through their diligence, outstanding moral character, and dedication to their college and community, members of this chapter continue a 30-year legacy of excellence. Being a part of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is much more than a name, it’s a way of life…Many are Kalled, but few are Chosen.
Probate: Every so often, a number of distinguished men who have proved themselves worthy become members of this noble klan. These initiates are introduced to their college communities for the first time in what is known as a probate. The Iota Delta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. always exceeds expectations when unveiling initiates with their traditional, yet original probate events. View Spring 2007 "Kritically Acclaimed" Probate here 275px 250px
Kappa Splash: Every year, Iota Delta concludes the spring semester with a refreshing pool party. It’s a perfect opportunity for students to come together and relax prior to their final exams. In April of 2007, Iota Delta had the first annual Kappa Splash Boat party. Guests received transportation to Lake Travis, free catered barbeque, and a memorable party on the water featuring two of Austin’s most renowned deejays.Check out the event live here 250px 250px 250px
Ms. Black University of Texas Scholarship Pageant:
The Iota Delta chapter has always felt the need to give back to the community and recognize the importance of strong African-American women. Each year, the chapter celebrates the academic achievement, moral character, and strength of the black woman through this scholarship pageant. The top three finishers are awarded over $1500 in scholarship funds. Also, Iota Delta members make sure that the program’s guests are treated well. Traditionally, the chapter always provides transportation for people attending their programs, but for Ms. Black UT 2007, all guests were chauffeured in a stretch limousine to the Radisson Hotel, where the program was held.
Jackets:
The members of Iota Delta are always known for being well-dressed for all occasions. Many Greek organizations wear jackets displaying their Greek letters, but few if any are comparable to Iota Delta jackets. Each year, the Iota Delta members arrive fashionably late to popular Greek events, and unveil a new head-turning, stylish, and klassy jacket.
“Nupes on the Stoop"
During this annual gathering, both past and present brothers come together and celebrate the legacy of brotherhood exhibited through the Iota Delta chapter. This event not only builds internal strength within the chapter, but it is also a showcase event for the UT community.
Texas Relays: Texas Relays is the second largest event in Austin, TX following New Years celebration. During this first week of April, Iota Delta holds their “Founders Week,” dedicated to involvement in the UT community through service and socialization. The week traditionally culminates with the Probate and the Kappa Blast and Block parties. These events are the highlight of the African American college community social experience during Texas Relays. In 2007, the Blast and Block parties brought in over 4500 partygoers. More importantly, the culminating events of the Iota Delta Founder’s week serve to unite colleges and universities along the Interstate-35 belt.
Kane Theory
The Congressional Trinity is a fictitious group from the multi-media series of the same name, and the flagship title of Moo Cow Industries.
History
The Congressional Trinity was created by Adam Hamilton and Matt Fastnaught, who also founded Moo Cow Industries. The series is loosely based on events that occurred to the duo and their group of friends. They referred to this group as "The Congressional Trinity." The name was chosen as a portmanteau of some of the friend's favorite words; "Congressional" for Hamilton and "Trinity"' for Fastnaught. The latter was reinforced by the fact that the group started with three members.
The next step for the group was to tell its story. With Hamilton being an aspiring artist, and Fastnaught being into computers, the means of expressing were split. Hamilton started part one of the major story arc, a comic detailing a war between The Congressional Trinity and their nemesis, a rival group known as The Red Underground. Fastnaught then began part two, a RPG Maker XP game showing what became of The Congressional Trinity after the war, and the mysterious disappearance of member "Dr. Long."
Story
The main story arc of the series is of the struggle against The Red Underground and the after-effects of their evil. The series is split into a planned six parts spanning multiple media outlets.
The March of The Red Queen
The first part of the arc explains the war against The Red Underground. This part introduces "Apple Comma The IIIrd" to The Trinity. This is the first comic in the series.
The Search for Dr. Long
Part two tells of the mysterious disappearance of "Dr. Long" after the war had ended. This segment introduces villains "Death" and "TRU Juggernaut." Although developed for RPG Maker XP and therefore unmarketable, Fastnaught has expressed plans to remake the game on a more respectable and profitable system.
The Hunt for TRU Juggernaut
Part three is a continuation of the comics and explains the events that happen while the Trinity is at war with TRU Juggernaut.
The Curse of Zombie Island
Part four is a sequel to The Search for Dr. Long. The game stars the honorable doctor whom must survive an island resort unexplainably over-run by zombies.
The Red Badge of Revolution
Little is known about part five other than that it will be a comic again, and will detail a civil war between the members of The Trinity.
The Scarlet Letter U
The planned final part to this story arc. Little is know about this movie, but Fastnaught has hinted at a return by The Red Underground. This makes sense, considering the Underground's logo is a large red 'U.'
History
The Congressional Trinity was created by Adam Hamilton and Matt Fastnaught, who also founded Moo Cow Industries. The series is loosely based on events that occurred to the duo and their group of friends. They referred to this group as "The Congressional Trinity." The name was chosen as a portmanteau of some of the friend's favorite words; "Congressional" for Hamilton and "Trinity"' for Fastnaught. The latter was reinforced by the fact that the group started with three members.
The next step for the group was to tell its story. With Hamilton being an aspiring artist, and Fastnaught being into computers, the means of expressing were split. Hamilton started part one of the major story arc, a comic detailing a war between The Congressional Trinity and their nemesis, a rival group known as The Red Underground. Fastnaught then began part two, a RPG Maker XP game showing what became of The Congressional Trinity after the war, and the mysterious disappearance of member "Dr. Long."
Story
The main story arc of the series is of the struggle against The Red Underground and the after-effects of their evil. The series is split into a planned six parts spanning multiple media outlets.
The March of The Red Queen
The first part of the arc explains the war against The Red Underground. This part introduces "Apple Comma The IIIrd" to The Trinity. This is the first comic in the series.
The Search for Dr. Long
Part two tells of the mysterious disappearance of "Dr. Long" after the war had ended. This segment introduces villains "Death" and "TRU Juggernaut." Although developed for RPG Maker XP and therefore unmarketable, Fastnaught has expressed plans to remake the game on a more respectable and profitable system.
The Hunt for TRU Juggernaut
Part three is a continuation of the comics and explains the events that happen while the Trinity is at war with TRU Juggernaut.
The Curse of Zombie Island
Part four is a sequel to The Search for Dr. Long. The game stars the honorable doctor whom must survive an island resort unexplainably over-run by zombies.
The Red Badge of Revolution
Little is known about part five other than that it will be a comic again, and will detail a civil war between the members of The Trinity.
The Scarlet Letter U
The planned final part to this story arc. Little is know about this movie, but Fastnaught has hinted at a return by The Red Underground. This makes sense, considering the Underground's logo is a large red 'U.'
Brahmanical See refers to the domain of certain Hindu leaders in the Indian subcontinent. Because it is essentially an Anglicized term (compare episcopal see), this nomenclature has begun to fall into disuse.
Much like the former Indian principalities, which varied in scale from small estates to vast kingdoms, the brahmanical sees range from minor parishes to quasi-states.
With Hinduism itself lacking any central organizing institutions, it is common for brahmanical sees to geographically overlap with one another, just as the sees of different Christian denominations can coexist within a shared geography.
A religious leader over a Brahmanical See is typically known as a maharaj, or in European terms, a prince of the faith. The office is generally passed down the generations in the male line within an extended family, though not necessarily from father to son.
Again, similar to the tensions which existed in medieval Europe between the papacy and the aristocracy, tensions between the brahmanical maharajs and the royal maharajas constantly were an issue throughout much of the history of India. The brahmanical maharajs could bestow or withhold the legitimacy without which royal maharajas could not reign, and the royal maharajas could extend or withdraw the military protection without which brahmanical maharajs might not survive.
The longest established brahmanical sees are the Brahmanical See of Rajasthan (which contains a large number of kingdoms), the Brahmanical See of Mysore (whose borders are coterminal with those of the Kingdom of Mysore), and the Brahmanical See of Dabra (which is one of several sees contained within the Kingdom of Gwalior).
With the dissolution of the old kingdoms and the coming of modernity, the importance of the brahmanical sees declined sharply in the last quarter century. The see of Rajasthan is now held by an Indo-Canadian, the see of Mysore is disputed by three claimants, and the see of Dabra has been allowed to lapse entirely.
Much like the former Indian principalities, which varied in scale from small estates to vast kingdoms, the brahmanical sees range from minor parishes to quasi-states.
With Hinduism itself lacking any central organizing institutions, it is common for brahmanical sees to geographically overlap with one another, just as the sees of different Christian denominations can coexist within a shared geography.
A religious leader over a Brahmanical See is typically known as a maharaj, or in European terms, a prince of the faith. The office is generally passed down the generations in the male line within an extended family, though not necessarily from father to son.
Again, similar to the tensions which existed in medieval Europe between the papacy and the aristocracy, tensions between the brahmanical maharajs and the royal maharajas constantly were an issue throughout much of the history of India. The brahmanical maharajs could bestow or withhold the legitimacy without which royal maharajas could not reign, and the royal maharajas could extend or withdraw the military protection without which brahmanical maharajs might not survive.
The longest established brahmanical sees are the Brahmanical See of Rajasthan (which contains a large number of kingdoms), the Brahmanical See of Mysore (whose borders are coterminal with those of the Kingdom of Mysore), and the Brahmanical See of Dabra (which is one of several sees contained within the Kingdom of Gwalior).
With the dissolution of the old kingdoms and the coming of modernity, the importance of the brahmanical sees declined sharply in the last quarter century. The see of Rajasthan is now held by an Indo-Canadian, the see of Mysore is disputed by three claimants, and the see of Dabra has been allowed to lapse entirely.
Various claims, half-truths, and innuendo about the background and loyalties of Barack Obama, U.S. Senator from Illinois and 2008 U.S. presidential candidate, have circulated since 2004, often through the Internet. Challenges to Obama's own account of his upbringing and religious beliefs, thinly attributed to anonymous sources, the campaign of rival presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton, or Republican operatives, were amplified in 2007-2008 by Fox News Channel, CNN Headline News, CBS News, and The Washington Post. This resulted in a media controversy, including charges that mainstream news outlets had not met their journalistic responsibility to adequately assess or debunk anonymous and unverified claims.
Origins
Barack Obama is a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and identifies himself as a Christian who has never been a Muslim. However, allegations disputing Obama's account of his past appeared during the 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois. A press release issued by Republican candidate Andy Martin accused Obama of concealing his family history and the religious influences of his childhood years in Muslim-majority Indonesia in order to maintain political support among Jewish voters. Said Martin, "His Muslim religion would obviously raise serious questions in many Jewish circles." In December 2006, as speculation on Obama's possible 2008 presidential bid was growing, writer Debbie Schlussel posted a column on her website postulating that because his father was born to a Muslim father, people in Arab and Islamic countries would regard Obama as a Muslim, rendering his loyalties to the United States suspect. The appearance of a similarly themed chain e-mail, accusing Obama of being a radical Muslim who was educated in a Jakarta Wahhabi school, has been dated to the same month as Schlussel's column.
A second rumor began circulating in October 2007, after a photo in TIME magazine showed Obama standing at a political event without his hand over his heart during the singing of the national anthem. Adding the middle name passed down to Obama from his paternal grandfather, an anonymous chain e-mail charged that Barack Hussein Obama was not worthy of the office of U.S. Commander-in-Chief. Other e-mails, including one proposing that Obama could be part of a treasonous Muslim conspiracy, have also been reported.
=="Madrassa" media controversy==
On January 16, 2007, Obama announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his candidacy in the 2008 presidential election. The following day, a web magazine named Insight, owned by the Unification Church's News World Communications, published an article saying that the campaign team responsible for preparing Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid was investigating Obama's "Muslim background." Attributing its findings to anonymous sources "close to the background check," the Insight report used the politically loaded term madrassa to refer to the government-run elementary school (SDN Menteng 01) Obama had attended while living in Indonesia between the ages of 6 and 10, and also stated that Obama had been "raised as a Muslim" by his stepfather, Lolo Soetoro. Two days later, material from Insights report appeared in television broadcasts by the Fox News Channel and Headline News networks, as well as in the New York Post the following day.
An Obama spokesman responded by saying "the allegations are completely false". An article about the controversy in The New York Times said that there was no evidence that the Clinton campaign intended to spread the accusations, British newspaper The Times suggested the Insight report "may be wishful thinking on behalf of Republicans", stating to its readers "The Clinton camp is determined not to be accused of digging dirt on Mr Obama because they fear such tactics could backfire."
CNN correspondent John Vause visited SDN Menteng 01 and interviewed the school's deputy headmaster, as well as one of Obama's former classmates. Vause reported his findings on the January 23, 2007 edition of newscast:
I came here to Barack Obama's elementary school in Jakarta looking for what some are calling an Islamic madrassa ... like the ones that teach hate and violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I've been to those madrassas in Pakistan ... this school is nothing like that.
Obama had in fact mentioned SDN Menteng 01 in his 1995 memoir, Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, writing "In Indonesia, I had spent two years at a Muslim school, two years at a Catholic school. In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell my mother that I made faces during Koranic studies."
A December 2007 Insight column criticized news media discussions of its January article:
We at Insight demand a correction from CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post for their repeated distortions or incomplete recital of our story. The focus in our story in January, 2007 was Hillary’s campaign strategy, not Obama. We were right in our January report about Hillary’s activities, the facts continue to prove us right that Hillary will do all she can to sabotage Obama, and we will ultimately be fully vindicated. Once again, the liberal media will have egg on its face.
Katie Couric on CBS News
On January 25 the Insight story was mentioned on CBS News video blog "Katie Couric's Notebook". Katie Couric read (she does not write her own blog): Last week, a magazine called Insight printed a story claiming that Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was enrolled for "at least four years" in an Indonesian "madrassa," a school that promotes radical Islam... a false story. Obama was never enrolled in a madrassa. And during the years he lived in Indonesia--with a nonpracticing Christian mother and a nonpracticing Muslim stepfather--he attended two schools, one secular, the other Catholic. In fact, Obama has never been a Muslim... Let's fact-check first and broadcast second.
In April 2007, "Katie Couric's Notebook" again mentioned Obama's childhood. Couric cited a Los Angeles Times article which reported that according to childhood acquaintance Zulfan Adi, Obama had "prayed in the mosque." Couric further asked "Is America ready to elect a president who grew up praying in a mosque?" The video was later taken down from CBS's website and the transcript amended with "In a later Chicago Tribune article, however, the source said he was not certain whether they prayed together."
Washington Post article
In November 2007, The Washington Post ran a front page story by reporter Perry Bacon Jr. headlined "Foes Use Obama's Muslim Ties to Fuel Rumors About Him." The story was soon criticized by Democratic blog sites for recycling previously discredited rumors.
Involvement of Clinton supporters
The Clinton campaign asked for the resignation of two volunteer Iowa county coordinators in December 2007 following reports that both had forwarded anti-Obama hoax emails accusing Barack Obama of being a Muslim who might be intent on destroying the United States. A Clinton spokesman said the campaign had no previous knowledge of their coordinators' involvement: "We’ve made it clear to all paid staff and volunteer leaders that the senator and the campaign have a zero tolerance policy for this type of activity," she said.
In December, 2007, shortly after his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, former Senator Bob Kerrey praised Obama for his experience with Muslims, saying "I like the fact that his name is Barack Hussein Obama, and that his father was a Muslim and that his paternal grandmother is a Muslim. There's a billion people on the planet that are Muslims, and I think that experience is a big deal" and, on a separate occasion, "I've watched the blogs try to say that you can't trust him because he spent a little bit of time in a secular madrassa. I feel quite the opposite. I feel it's a tremendous strength..." Kerrey insisted that his intention had been to praise Obama, but media reaction included the observation that he had "stirred the pot", and "create a misleading impression." On December 20, Kerrey apologized to Obama for unintentionally "insulting" him.
Responses by Obama campaign
The New York Times reported in November 2007, on efforts by the Obama campaign to combat misinformation about their candidate, including an open letter signed by three Iowa ministers, two rabbis, a Catholic nun, and the Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, saying: "Senator Obama is a committed Christian who found Christ long before entering politics and has been outspoken about his faith ever since." The Times article quoted Obama telling his supporters: "You have e-mails saying that I'm a Muslim plant that's trying to take over America. If you get this e-mail from someone you know, set the record straight." In the same month, the Washington Post quoted Obama strategist David Axelrod saying: "He understands that there are scurrilous attack e-mails going on underground that distort his religious affiliation and worse, but his judgment is that he trusts the American people more than that."
Impact on voter opinion
An August 2007 CBS News survey reported:
When asked early in the questionnaire what comes to mind when they hear the name Obama other than running for president, one in 10 voters mention his name—that it is a foreign-sounding name, or that it reminds them of Osama bin Laden or terrorism. 9% mention that he is a Senator, and 6% say that he is African American.
And some voters perceive, incorrectly, that Obama is a Muslim. When asked what his religion is, 7% volunteer that he is a Muslim, as many as say he is a Protestant (7%). The latter includes 1% who correctly identify him as a member of the United Church of Christ. Eight in 10 don’t know.
Citing the CBS poll as one indicator that anti-Obama chain emails have influenced the opinions of some voters, an October 2007 article in The Politico also notes:
"barack obama muslim" is the third most popular Google search for the presidential candidate's name, behind "barack obama" and "barack obama biography," according to Google Suggest, which tracks the frequency of word searches.
Satire and parody
The Comedy Central television network lampooned Fox News Channels handling of the Insight report on a January 2007 episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In November 2007, cartoonist Gary Trudeau penned four Doonesbury comic strips portraying the reactions of the strip's characters to reading anti-Obama chain emails on the Internet. Later that month, Washington Post political cartoonist Tom Toles mocked his employer's front page story with a cartoon showing a man reading a newspaper article headlined: "Obama's eating of vegetables fuels rumors about him."
Origins
Barack Obama is a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and identifies himself as a Christian who has never been a Muslim. However, allegations disputing Obama's account of his past appeared during the 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois. A press release issued by Republican candidate Andy Martin accused Obama of concealing his family history and the religious influences of his childhood years in Muslim-majority Indonesia in order to maintain political support among Jewish voters. Said Martin, "His Muslim religion would obviously raise serious questions in many Jewish circles." In December 2006, as speculation on Obama's possible 2008 presidential bid was growing, writer Debbie Schlussel posted a column on her website postulating that because his father was born to a Muslim father, people in Arab and Islamic countries would regard Obama as a Muslim, rendering his loyalties to the United States suspect. The appearance of a similarly themed chain e-mail, accusing Obama of being a radical Muslim who was educated in a Jakarta Wahhabi school, has been dated to the same month as Schlussel's column.
A second rumor began circulating in October 2007, after a photo in TIME magazine showed Obama standing at a political event without his hand over his heart during the singing of the national anthem. Adding the middle name passed down to Obama from his paternal grandfather, an anonymous chain e-mail charged that Barack Hussein Obama was not worthy of the office of U.S. Commander-in-Chief. Other e-mails, including one proposing that Obama could be part of a treasonous Muslim conspiracy, have also been reported.
=="Madrassa" media controversy==
On January 16, 2007, Obama announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his candidacy in the 2008 presidential election. The following day, a web magazine named Insight, owned by the Unification Church's News World Communications, published an article saying that the campaign team responsible for preparing Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential bid was investigating Obama's "Muslim background." Attributing its findings to anonymous sources "close to the background check," the Insight report used the politically loaded term madrassa to refer to the government-run elementary school (SDN Menteng 01) Obama had attended while living in Indonesia between the ages of 6 and 10, and also stated that Obama had been "raised as a Muslim" by his stepfather, Lolo Soetoro. Two days later, material from Insights report appeared in television broadcasts by the Fox News Channel and Headline News networks, as well as in the New York Post the following day.
An Obama spokesman responded by saying "the allegations are completely false". An article about the controversy in The New York Times said that there was no evidence that the Clinton campaign intended to spread the accusations, British newspaper The Times suggested the Insight report "may be wishful thinking on behalf of Republicans", stating to its readers "The Clinton camp is determined not to be accused of digging dirt on Mr Obama because they fear such tactics could backfire."
CNN correspondent John Vause visited SDN Menteng 01 and interviewed the school's deputy headmaster, as well as one of Obama's former classmates. Vause reported his findings on the January 23, 2007 edition of newscast:
I came here to Barack Obama's elementary school in Jakarta looking for what some are calling an Islamic madrassa ... like the ones that teach hate and violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I've been to those madrassas in Pakistan ... this school is nothing like that.
Obama had in fact mentioned SDN Menteng 01 in his 1995 memoir, Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, writing "In Indonesia, I had spent two years at a Muslim school, two years at a Catholic school. In the Muslim school, the teacher wrote to tell my mother that I made faces during Koranic studies."
A December 2007 Insight column criticized news media discussions of its January article:
We at Insight demand a correction from CNN, The New York Times and The Washington Post for their repeated distortions or incomplete recital of our story. The focus in our story in January, 2007 was Hillary’s campaign strategy, not Obama. We were right in our January report about Hillary’s activities, the facts continue to prove us right that Hillary will do all she can to sabotage Obama, and we will ultimately be fully vindicated. Once again, the liberal media will have egg on its face.
Katie Couric on CBS News
On January 25 the Insight story was mentioned on CBS News video blog "Katie Couric's Notebook". Katie Couric read (she does not write her own blog): Last week, a magazine called Insight printed a story claiming that Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was enrolled for "at least four years" in an Indonesian "madrassa," a school that promotes radical Islam... a false story. Obama was never enrolled in a madrassa. And during the years he lived in Indonesia--with a nonpracticing Christian mother and a nonpracticing Muslim stepfather--he attended two schools, one secular, the other Catholic. In fact, Obama has never been a Muslim... Let's fact-check first and broadcast second.
In April 2007, "Katie Couric's Notebook" again mentioned Obama's childhood. Couric cited a Los Angeles Times article which reported that according to childhood acquaintance Zulfan Adi, Obama had "prayed in the mosque." Couric further asked "Is America ready to elect a president who grew up praying in a mosque?" The video was later taken down from CBS's website and the transcript amended with "In a later Chicago Tribune article, however, the source said he was not certain whether they prayed together."
Washington Post article
In November 2007, The Washington Post ran a front page story by reporter Perry Bacon Jr. headlined "Foes Use Obama's Muslim Ties to Fuel Rumors About Him." The story was soon criticized by Democratic blog sites for recycling previously discredited rumors.
Involvement of Clinton supporters
The Clinton campaign asked for the resignation of two volunteer Iowa county coordinators in December 2007 following reports that both had forwarded anti-Obama hoax emails accusing Barack Obama of being a Muslim who might be intent on destroying the United States. A Clinton spokesman said the campaign had no previous knowledge of their coordinators' involvement: "We’ve made it clear to all paid staff and volunteer leaders that the senator and the campaign have a zero tolerance policy for this type of activity," she said.
In December, 2007, shortly after his endorsement of Hillary Clinton, former Senator Bob Kerrey praised Obama for his experience with Muslims, saying "I like the fact that his name is Barack Hussein Obama, and that his father was a Muslim and that his paternal grandmother is a Muslim. There's a billion people on the planet that are Muslims, and I think that experience is a big deal" and, on a separate occasion, "I've watched the blogs try to say that you can't trust him because he spent a little bit of time in a secular madrassa. I feel quite the opposite. I feel it's a tremendous strength..." Kerrey insisted that his intention had been to praise Obama, but media reaction included the observation that he had "stirred the pot", and "create a misleading impression." On December 20, Kerrey apologized to Obama for unintentionally "insulting" him.
Responses by Obama campaign
The New York Times reported in November 2007, on efforts by the Obama campaign to combat misinformation about their candidate, including an open letter signed by three Iowa ministers, two rabbis, a Catholic nun, and the Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, saying: "Senator Obama is a committed Christian who found Christ long before entering politics and has been outspoken about his faith ever since." The Times article quoted Obama telling his supporters: "You have e-mails saying that I'm a Muslim plant that's trying to take over America. If you get this e-mail from someone you know, set the record straight." In the same month, the Washington Post quoted Obama strategist David Axelrod saying: "He understands that there are scurrilous attack e-mails going on underground that distort his religious affiliation and worse, but his judgment is that he trusts the American people more than that."
Impact on voter opinion
An August 2007 CBS News survey reported:
When asked early in the questionnaire what comes to mind when they hear the name Obama other than running for president, one in 10 voters mention his name—that it is a foreign-sounding name, or that it reminds them of Osama bin Laden or terrorism. 9% mention that he is a Senator, and 6% say that he is African American.
And some voters perceive, incorrectly, that Obama is a Muslim. When asked what his religion is, 7% volunteer that he is a Muslim, as many as say he is a Protestant (7%). The latter includes 1% who correctly identify him as a member of the United Church of Christ. Eight in 10 don’t know.
Citing the CBS poll as one indicator that anti-Obama chain emails have influenced the opinions of some voters, an October 2007 article in The Politico also notes:
"barack obama muslim" is the third most popular Google search for the presidential candidate's name, behind "barack obama" and "barack obama biography," according to Google Suggest, which tracks the frequency of word searches.
Satire and parody
The Comedy Central television network lampooned Fox News Channels handling of the Insight report on a January 2007 episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In November 2007, cartoonist Gary Trudeau penned four Doonesbury comic strips portraying the reactions of the strip's characters to reading anti-Obama chain emails on the Internet. Later that month, Washington Post political cartoonist Tom Toles mocked his employer's front page story with a cartoon showing a man reading a newspaper article headlined: "Obama's eating of vegetables fuels rumors about him."