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Via Powerline:

Americans increasingly are convinced — incorrectly — that President Barack Obama is a Muslim, and a growing number are thoroughly confused about his religion.I love that “incorrectly.” The AP has evolved into an opinion machine, so it’s rare and a little startling to see it stand up so boldly for a “fact.” He’s not a Muslim, dammit!

More on the poll data:

Nearly one in five people, or 18 percent, said they think Obama is Muslim, up from the 11 percent who said so in March 2009, according to a poll released Thursday. The proportion who correctly say he is a Christian is down to just 34 percent.

The largest share of people, 43 percent, said they don’t know his religion, an increase from the 34 percent who said that in early 2009. …

In a separate poll by Time magazine/ABT SRBI conducted Monday and Tuesday — after Obama’s comments about the mosque — 24 percent said they think he is Muslim, 47 percent said they think he is Christian and 24 percent didn’t know or didn’t respond.

So, what is going on here? First, we are seeing fallout from the Jeremiah Wright affair. I would never presume to pass judgment on Obama’s spiritual life. But one thing I will say with confidence: Jeremiah Wright is no Christian. His ideology of hate disqualifies him. So many millions of Americans, learning that Wright was Obama’s spiritual mentor, must have wondered where Obama himself was coming from. I think that is the main source of confusion, coupled with Obama’s lack of connection to any identifiable Christian tradition.

And these people would know a lot about being Christian (the emphasis is mine).  After all, real Christians hold Quran burning rallies, and shun those whose religious affiliation differs from their own.  I don’t know how this guy has the guts to put forth such drivel–especially when it’s easily rebutted.  There’s a difference between opinion and ignorance.  Powerline’s got a whole lot of ignorance happening here.

I’m convinced there is no changing the minds of those Americans on the president’s faith, or nationality.  We’re too far in the woods for that now.  What is important though, is to hold those who command influence accountable for their smear attempts.   You all know what Powerline is about:  The perpetuation of hate speech, not conducive in any form or fashion to bridging gaps, or solving problems.  Perhaps I’m the fool for thinking anything otherwise.

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“An enormously complex and emotional issue — but ultimately the right thing to do. A president is president for every citizen, including every Muslim citizen. Obama is correct that the way to marginalize radicalism is to respect the best traditions of Islam and protect the religious liberty of Muslim Americans. It is radicals who imagine an American war on Islam. But our conflict is with the radicals alone,” - Michael Gerson, former speech-writer for George W. Bush.

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The auto industry was on the verge of collapse.  Hundreds of thousands of jobs were on the verge of disappearing.  The government auto bailouts–much like those given to the banking industry–were used as political fodder by conservatives, and castigated as more big government, and the nationalization of private industry.  Sometimes tough choices need to be made–and despite the political consequences–this president made the tough choices.  A year after their implementation, it looks like he might just have a winner on his hands for the American people:

Both companies (GM, Chrysler) and Ford each posted profits in the first quarter, the first time that has happened in a quarter since 2004. G.M. has already repaid a $6.7 billion loan and it is talking about going public in the fourth quarter, a move that would give the government a way to slowly sell its majority stake in the company’s stock.

Nine of G.M.’s 11 plants, including the Hamtramck, Mich., facility that Mr. Obama is to visit on Friday, canceled the usual summer shutdowns to keep up with consumer demand, and G.M. and Chrysler have added shifts.

It would be hard to dismiss the success of the auto bailouts– unless you’re simply arguing in pure political terms– as most opponents are.  The bailouts saved jobs, streamlined the industry for 21st century innovation, created new opportunities for the big three to be competitive globally, and saved a region of the country from desperation and collapse.  This sounds like a winner in my book.

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Save America!  Elect Glenn Beck president of the United States.  In one of the creepiest spots I’ve ever seen, a group called Main Street Bites Back is organizing a petition to get irritating, alcoholic, crybaby curmudgeon Glenn Beck to run.  The front woman for the group Robin Potwora, showcases her terrifying skills before the camera to make their case.  It’s like watching a circus clown talking about politics–only the clown has a thing for point of view close-ups.  Watch:

George Washington indeed.

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The winding path that led to health care reform was maddeningly vicious– due mainly to the intense rhetoric and numbingly personal attacks on the product, and the people responsible for it.  The fact that this legislation was even crafted and signed into law at all was miraculous, considering the most polarizing political climate in 50 years.  But there was a clear, determined focus that steadied the reins of the rapidly sinking ship.  Barack Obama has secured his place in history as one of the most resilient, and potentially successful presidents in American history.  This fact is beyond dispute.  And the manner in which it was accomplished is as remarkable as it is American.

Examining the achievement from a distance does not quite allow for the examiner to adequately recognize its significance.  Health care reform has been contemplated for decades, yet it’s always managed to find itself left on the political scrap heap.  The number of special interests and lobbyists to overcome– as well as the sacred cow that is the employer provided system– represented a hellish Gordian Knot, not likely to be untied at any time.  Previous administrations–democrat and republican–have been left gasping for air, drowning in a pool of their own sweat hustling to reform this system.  Obama staked his claim to taming the beast, and did so by daring to think outside the box–imagining what could be, as opposed to what could not.  He dared to restart America’s dynamism.  This quote from James Fallows represents his thinking perfectly:

America has been strong because, despite its flawed system, people built toward the future in the 1840s, and the 1930s, and the 1950s. During just the time when Frederick Law Olmsted designed Central Park, when Theodore Roosevelt set aside land for the National Parks, when Dwight Eisenhower created the Pentagon research agency that ultimately gave rise to the Internet, the American system seemed broken too. They worked within its flaws and limits, which made all the difference. That is the bravest and best choice for us now.

Foresight, and the power to nurture it are testaments to American power and greatness.  We don’t aspire to be incrementalists– we dare to be innovative giants– pushing forward and moving higher in the face of fear and uncertainty.  Obama’s tests were and are many.  He is navigating the waters against a strong tide of opposition.  Today’s republican party is more unified against his policies ( not a single republican voted for the health care bill, even though it is far from a  liberal construct) and most of them freely admit that there will be no cooperation from them on future legislation.  He is governing in an age where partisan-fueled rage grows mightier by the day, urged on by talk radio and grass-roots activists.

Yet in spite of these constraints, President Obama thrives.  Why?  Because democracy is messy, and it sometimes makes for uncomfortable work.  But the work must go on.  We don’t have the luxury of giving in to the uncomfortable, and straying from the fight.  Not if we are to remain exceptional.  Barack Obama,  understands this.  He embraces this.  Andrew Sprung puts it succinctly:

The country passed this test because we have a leader who understands how broken our governmental machinery is and works simultaneously to fix our politics and our policies. We elected a President who appreciates how messy democracy is and understands the manifold constraints as well as the multiple levers of presidential power.  His acknowledged errors notwithstanding, Barack Obama moved this mountain because he knows how to prioritize, strategize, execute and communicate.

And he subscribes to the theory that we must be as bold and dynamic as America herself.  Barack Obama is well on his way.

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A look at the aftermath to history.  Whether you praise it, loathe it, or are indifferent to it– A new thread in the American tapestry has been woven.

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On July 30th, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the epic legislation call Medicare into law. President Johnson’s historic achievement was not without significant contention and venom. Many on the other side of the aisle opposed it as nothing more than government intrusion on the rights of liberties of free people. That idea has been the clarion call for those who demonize major social programs for more than a century. Johnson knew it, embraced it, and challenged it successfully:

“The doubters predicted a scandal; we gave them a success story,” he crowed a month after the law took effect, as hundreds of thousands of patients entered hospitals for treatment covered by the government and some 6 million children and needy adults began getting benefits.

“Where are the doubters tonight?” he asked. “Where are the prophets of crisis and catastrophe? Well, some of them are signing their applications; some of them are mailing in their Medicare cards because they now want to share in the success of this program.”

President Barack Obama, the nation’s first black commander-in-chief, stands on the cusp of making history.  Whether or not his achievement is as successful as Johnson’s remains to be seen.  But in crossing  the Rubicon, he has taken health reform initiatives further than any of his predecessors ever could.  And whether you agree or not with the idea of reform– or the means of achieving it–Obama’s gambit is a remarkable achievement, borne from shrewd calculated strategy and bold, determined leadership.

President Obama, in the face of growing opposition and an unforgiving political climate, decided to eschew an incrementalist approach for more broader sweeping reforms.  Although this bill comes up shorter on some of his aims, it nonetheless will transform America as we know it– A sobering thought quickly becoming reality to those in staunch opposition.   But the reality is government is already a major centerpiece of health care for American citizens:

In 1930, citizens paid nearly 80 percent of the nation’s medical costs from their own pocket. Government at all levels covered a mere 14 percent, with industry and philanthropy picking up the few remaining crumbs. Insurance was barely in the picture.

Federal and state programs now cover half the cost of health care purchased in the country and are expected to go over 50 percent in the next year or two, even absent Obama’s plan. By that measure, the government takeover of health care that opponents warn about is happening regardless of what’s about to happen next.

If the worry by some is about socialized medicine– then your fears have been realized for some time now, even without “Obamacare.”

Senator Edward Kennedy’s lifelong mission was to initiate health care reform.  He came relatively close in the 1970′s, with the help of then President Richard Nixon– who ironically, championed universal health care coverage–much to the dismay of his fellow conservatives.  That effort failed, much like every attempt to reform the system over the last 100 years.  Senator Kennedy did not live long enough to see his dream realized, but his efforts and dedication over  the years, have driven this president to the brink of seeing it through.

The idea that the first black man to live in the white house could be the first president to achieve national health care is startling.  History begets history.  These are definitely changing times.

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I’ll be doing a separate piece on the issue of commercial whaling later this week. For now, enjoy the beauty and majesty of earth’s greatest creatures.

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Let me be perfectly clear here.  REPUBLICANS DO NOT WANT TO SUPPORT ANY POLICIES THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION COMES UP WITH, even when those policies are ones that they actually supported before.  They only believe in obstruction, and obstinance. There is no bi-partisanship.  There is only hypocrisy.

Watch Rachel Maddow eviscerate GOP members of congress for taking credit for stimulus funds– that they not only voted against– but blasted as “terrible for the country.”

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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The National Tea Party Convention concluded this past weekend, and  If you’ve already read part one, then you know that the tone of the convention was set very early on.  Racial paranoia wafted heavily in the air over the weekend, dampening the intended message of anti-tax, and anti-government intervention the movement was trying to focus on.  It’s hardly a surprise that beneath the surface of the angry, pro-liberty message– exists a bubbling brew of right-wing extremist views– and disdain for cultural changes taking place in the country.  As the convention dragged on, more emphasis seemed to be place on social commentary, and divisive issues.  Here’s an example:

The birther meme seemed to be in vogue, as evidenced by WorldNetDaily’s Joseph Farah’s widely praised speech about the president’s birth certificate, and his citizenship:

“The media, the politicians … all say, no, it’s all been settled. I say, if it’s been settled show us the birth certificate. Simple,” Farah’s said, as his remarks were cheered by the roughly 600 activists gathered in Nashville for the event.

Farah’s role as publisher of the ultra-conservative WorldNetDaily, affords him a consistent base to launch virulent attacks on the president’s citizenship, and fitness for office as seen here.  Farah also led the charge in urging the 600 tea partiers in attendance to engage in a cultural war, and to “take over not only the political institutions, but the cultural institutions, like the press, the entertainment industry, the universities, and yes the churches.”

What occurred after Farah’s speech was, in my estimation, the high point of the entire convention.  Farah got into a heated confrontation with conservative media magnate Andrew Breitbart about the birther issue.  The exchange was almost to good to believe, especially if you believe that the birthers have lost touch with reality.  Here’s a few amazing snippets.  Farah is first, followed by Breitbart:

“It is a winning issue!”

“It’s not a winning issue.”

“It is! It becomes even more of a winning issue when the press abrogates its responsibility–”

“You don’t recognize it as a fundamentally controversial issue that forces a unified group of people to have to break into different parts? It is a schism of the highest order.”

“Nothing exposes the president’s–”

“Then prove it!”

“The press isn’t asking the question–”

“Prove it!”

“Prove what?”

“Prove your case.”

Read the full, amazing text here.  I highly recommend it.

I don’t necessarily have any issues with protest and voter antipathy toward politicians.  In fact, it should be a part of our DNA to engage in active civic discourse.  What demeans the entire process is irrational paranoia and fear-mongering.  It disguises the fundamental disagreements we all have, and dilutes political engagement.  This birther issue is being ridden to the point of exhaustion, and there is no salient outcome that would appease its proponents–save the resignation of the president.

In a way, birthers exist in that same parallel universe homophobes do– questioning existing truths already known– and denying the actual realities because of those truths.  The strains of homophobia were present in Nashville, as speakers denounced the president’s proclamation of a “gay pride month.”  The former chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court stated that the president “has elevated immorality to a new level.”  But this one quote takes the proverbial cake:

“[Obama] has ignored our history and our heritage, arrogantly declaring to the world that we are no longer a Christian nation. He has elevated immorality to a new level, setting aside the entire month of June to celebrate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride. He now threatens to change our law to allow homosexuality in our military … He’s apologized to the Arab world for our past, subjugated our national sovereignty by bowing down to the king of Saudi Arabia. He has pursued a socialist agenda by taking control of private companies and pushing a national health care plan with a public option. Backed by a willing Congress, he’s bought off our senators and representatives with our own money in an effort to mandate his agenda.”

Not exactly creating a warm inviting climate in my opinion.  But then, that wasn’t the point here.  The point was to release all of their pent up repression about how this country had the temerity to change, and elect new leadership.  Eight years of ramped up deficits, misguided foreign policy, and illegal torture procedures did nothing to dampen their appetite for more of the same.

And where does Sarah Palin fit into all of this?  Quite snugly actually.  As the keynote speaker Saturday night, Palin pulled out her usual rhetorical assault of President Obama, and the state of the country.  But there was one important difference in her recycled rant this time:  Palin used a black sharpie to remind herself of her talking points.  It wasn’t unusual in and of itself, except for two thing:  She was already reading from prepared notes, and she only wrote down three things on her left hand.  It makes you wonder how prepared she would be if she had to do a Q&A session in hostile territory without the benefit of any prep time (As most politicians worth their salt have to do from time to time).  She couldn’t remember three words?  Maybe she is the right person to lead this movement.

This convention, for all of its blustery, anti-government animus, exposed some seriously dark elements of tea party society. Right or wrong, the meaningful policy arguments this movement may have, will be shrouded under the shadowy hateful rhetoric of many of its speakers.

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