One Nation, Under Water

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Where is Mitt's birth certificate? I heard he was Mexican.

Nope, Mitt's a guy from Britain. He said so himself.

[rocks 494]

Nope, Mitt's a guy from Britain. He said so himself.

Even though he doesn't know that "England" isn't and island?

Either way, I want to see his papers... and his tax returns.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Get over yourself.

It's defamation. While Obama is a public figure and the burden of proof that such defamation is causing him harm would be greater, imagine if your neighbor started calling you, for example, "the rapist," to everyone in the neighborhood. You would have the legal right to sue him for defamation. Maybe you're not very social with your neighbors, and wouldn't care so much, but lets say you own and operate your own business in that neighborhood and the reputation of being the neighborhood 'rapist', thanks to your libelous neighbor, your business suffers. Now he's caused you financial harm.

So calling Obama, "the kenyan" in the context by which it is used, is offensive and slanderous. It also infers racism, as it is a refusal to accept Obama's legitimacy as an American born citizen and a child of a Caucasian mother. During the time of slavery, children born of mixed race were regarded as slaves. There is a definite element of racism towards Obama's presidency - as many bigots and racists are infuriated that a Black man is in the White House. Turning a blind eye to that reality only helps allow it to perpetuate.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It's defamation. While Obama is a public figure and the burden of proof that such defamation is causing him harm would be greater, imagine if your neighbor started calling you, for example, "the rapist," to everyone in the neighborhood. You would have the legal right to sue him for defamation. Maybe you're not very social with your neighbors, and wouldn't care so much, but lets say you own and operate your own business in that neighborhood and the reputation of being the neighborhood 'rapist', thanks to your libelous neighbor, your business suffers. Now he's caused you financial harm.

So calling Obama, "the kenyan" in the context by which it is used, is offensive and slanderous. It also infers racism, as it is a refusal to accept Obama's legitimacy as an American born citizen and a child of a Caucasian mother. During the time of slavery, children born of mixed race were regarded as slaves. There is a definite element of racism towards Obama's presidency - as many bigots and racists are infuriated that a Black man is in the White House. Turning a blind eye to that reality only helps allow it to perpetuate.

I don't see the moderators supporting your case.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Where is Mitt's birth certificate? I heard he was Mexican.

Imagine if some people on the left referred to Romney, only as "the Mormon." Would that be right? Should we just accept that level of public slander that attacks a person's religion, ethnicity, gender? Those on the right need to show a little more Christian spine (if that is where they claim to come from) and stand up against such anti-christian hatred and slander. This goes beyond just political bickering during an election year. This calling of Obama as "the kenyan" runs much deeper.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Imagine if some people on the left referred to Romney, only as "the Mormon."

As long as they don't call him Willard.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Imagine if some people on the left referred to Romney, only as "the Mormon." Would that be right? Should we just accept that level of public slander that attacks a person's religion, ethnicity, gender? Those on the right need to show a little more Christian spine (if that is where they claim to come from) and stand up against such anti-christian hatred and slander. This goes beyond just political bickering during an election year. This calling of Obama as "the kenyan" runs much deeper.

It would have to be a derogatory term to be slander. Do you have a problem with Kenyans and Mormons? Sounds more like a diminutive in your mind, rather than in the mind of a correct thinking person.

Edited August 23, 2012 by The Patriot

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It would have to be a derogatory term to be slander. Do you have a problem with Kenyans and Mormons? Sounds more like a diminutive in your mind, rather than in the mind of a correct thinking person.

Context

Calling a black man, "boy", is another example of slander, depending of course on the context.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Commie Appeaser

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Context

Calling a black man, "boy", is another example of slander, depending of course on the context.

Who called Obama "boy" here?

BTW: It is not slander to use racist language. It is bigoted and racist, but it is not slander.

Edited August 23, 2012 by The Patriot

[MyLittlePony 340]

Face the harsh reality another 4 years on the way.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Who called Obama "boy" here?

BTW: It is not slander to use racist language. It is bigoted and racist, but it is not slander.

I gave an example of an otherwise, innocuous word, "boy" to show that in the right context, could be slanderous.

There was a black fireman who was subjected to being called 'boy' by some of the other firemen. He filed a lawsuit. Whatever you want to classify it, it is offensive, wrong and shouldn't be tolerated by left or right.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Commie Appeaser

[Teddy B 17,252]

It's defamation. While Obama is a public figure and the burden of proof that such defamation is causing him harm would be greater, imagine if your neighbor started calling you, for example, "the rapist," to everyone in the neighborhood. You would have the legal right to sue him for defamation. Maybe you're not very social with your neighbors, and wouldn't care so much, but lets say you own and operate your own business in that neighborhood and the reputation of being the neighborhood 'rapist', thanks to your libelous neighbor, your business suffers. Now he's caused you financial harm.

So calling Obama, "the kenyan" in the context by which it is used, is offensive and slanderous. It also infers racism, as it is a refusal to accept Obama's legitimacy as an American born citizen and a child of a Caucasian mother. During the time of slavery, children born of mixed race were regarded as slaves. There is a definite element of racism towards Obama's presidency - as many bigots and racists are infuriated that a Black man is in the White House. Turning a blind eye to that reality only helps allow it to perpetuate.

In order for a statement to be defamation or slander, it has to be false and malicious. There is nothing false about referring to Obama as "The Kenyan" because he is half Kenyan. No different than anyone referring to me as "The Italian", I am half Italian. In order for the use of the term "The Kenyan" to be malicious, you would have to prove that the person using the term intended harm towards the person being referred to as "The Kenyan". I certainly don't see that here, do you? In order to sue someone for defamation or slander you must prove libel, or some type of loss or personal harm, that does not exist either. There are also a whole different set of standards for defamation and slander against public figures, the burden of proof becomes much tougher for a public figure to pursue a defamation or slander case.

Edited August 24, 2012 by Teddy B

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

In order for a statement to be defamation or slander, it has to be false and malicious. There is nothing false about referring to Obama as "The Kenyan" because he is half Kenyan.

He is? So my daughter should be referred to as either the German or the Ethiopian or the American? I thought having been born here, she's an American. Period.

[Teddy B 17,252]

He is? So my daughter should be referred to as either the German or the Ethiopian or the American? I thought having been born here, she's an American. Period.

Yes, he is, his Father was 100% Kenyan. We are all Americans if we are born here, but that does not change our ethnic backgrounds. If someone were to refer to your daughter as the German or the Ethiopian, would it be slander or defamation?

[JohnR! 5,495]

So calling Obama, "the kenyan" in the context by which it is used, is offensive and slanderous.

I look at it from the bright side. It helps Identify birthers right away, thus precluding the need to take their comments seriously. It is a time saver, oftentimes.