Progressive Revival

"Barry" & the Downstream Media

Saturday October 11, 2008

In desperation, apparently, Messrs. Hannity, Limbaugh and other principals of the Downstream Media are trying to make hay out of the fact that Barack Obama was known as "Barry" while a child but then opted to use his given name, "Barack," as an adult.  This is suggested as evidence that Obama is, in fact, a Muslim.  An article to this effect, purportedly written by a concerned citizen - "This election has me very worried" - is circulating the internet, advancing this argument.

In this case, I think the Downstream Media may have a point.  Anyone who goes through childhood with a nickname (in this case, "Barry") and then chooses to use his given name ("Barack") as an adult surely can't be trusted and is probably a Muslim.  What further proof do we need?  As nearly as I can tell, no one in history has ever done that, certainly not in American history.   I'm sure that the sainted Ronald Reagan was "Ronald" from birth; no one ever called him "Ron" or "Ronnie."  That would be un-American and probably Muslim.  Gerald Ford was never "Gerry," and Richard Nixon was never "Dick."  I mean, do you think that Herbert Hoover's mother ever called him "Herb" or Herbie"?  Of course not!

This is worrisome indeed. Anyone who goes through childhood and into adolescence with a nickname and then  elects to use his given name as an adult certainly has no right to be president of the United States.

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Comments
Scruffy
October 12, 2008 6:31 PM

I mean after all When people mane their children such thing as "Rush" they have no right to critize others for their names. I am often more weary of people who don't use their given first names and go by middle names or nicknames instead.

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About Progressive Revival

Diana Butler Bass and Paul Raushenbush both stand firmly within the Mainline Protestant tradition and, along with guest bloggers of all religious backgrounds are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics.

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Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass is a commentator and scholar in American religion. She is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009).
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Paul Raushenbush
Moderator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University.
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