March 8, 2008
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Hussein is a good name
“Hussein” is a good name. My uncle’s name is “Hüseyin” (it is the Turkish
version). It means “good” or “handsome” or “little beloved”. I don’t understand why it has this bad connotation.If you are following the news coverage for democratic campaigns, you know that a few conservative press members (and sadly a congressman) are making a big deal of Barack Obama’s middle name, which is “Hussein”. Since it is Arabic, people are implying that his name may be a liability because terrorists may dance on the street if he gets elected! Claiming Barack Obama is a muslim or a someone terrorists would like
because of his middle name does not make any sense at all.I wonder how stupid you have to be to come up with that bright argument. Some
people in the world happen to have Arabic names. Not all people
having Arabic names are muslims and NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS. Islam is a religion, just like Christianity. And terrorists that commit their crimes in the name of Islam are crazy fundamentalists. I don’t practice religion although my parents are muslims and I was raised as one. It is so sad to see how different people’s perception of Islam in this country is, compared to my understanding of it, which encompasses tolerance and understanding of other cultures.I was thinking about posting on this topic. Reading the featured post on this made me write more (I normally write shorter entries). bayouboy1026 wrote “We have a populace of whom, by a recent Washington Post survey, 45%
believe that the earth was created 7000 years ago. 32% believe the sun
revolves around the earth; an equal number that astrology is very
scientific.”Reminded me of this book review I saw recently. The book is The Age of American Unreason by Susan Jacoby. She shares similar concerns and argues that people’s civic and political decisions emerge from a confused welter of laziness, reckless emotion and prejudice. Often times prejudice coexists with ignorance. What puzzles me most is to see the college educated ignorants. I guess, the education system is failing at raising citizens. But this is a different story…
Comments (6)
Most people don’t know this. But they do know Saddam Hussein, who happened to be a pretty bad character, what with gassing his own people and everything.
@Amandasbiggestfan - Yeah, I guess I rather think of my uncle rather than him when I hear/see the name.
I really don’t think that has lost Obama one vote. The people that impact wouldn’t vote for him anyway. I do think the whole thing cost Hillary a few votes.
RYC: The Axis powers in WWII were Germany, Italy and Japan. It is an old poster.
You’d think by the same logic that Joseph would be a bad name, but I guess people have gotten dumber since Stalin was in power.
RE: Given name;
ah, yes, but I think it’s such an awkward name,
I avoid saying it at all costs, and even abbreviated to Vvn =P
does this mean that no one will name their child George for a long time?
- I saw a comedian once who said that our perception of Islam/Muslim that region of the world is like that region perceiving us as all KKK members.
“…and that was Grand Dragon, of the Klu Klux Klan, with the viewpoint from the American West.”