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Another Perspective
George Can’t Tell a Lie
An Obama to remember and admire (with special thanks to Dinesh D’Souza).
A few weeks ago I got into an email skirmish with a Jewish philanthropist here in Miami who was trying to encourage Orthodox Jews to register Democrat to back a particular candidate in a local Democrat primary. This candidate was said to back a particular program in State government that was worth several million dollars a year to Jewish parochial schools. I argued that it was not the role of wealthy Jews to figure out how to get the government to support Jewish institutions; their role is to give and to encourage other people of means to give. If the charitable outlay is still inadequate, let the schools ask the politicians for help themselves, in essence saying: “We’re sorry but our own people won’t cover our bills, can you help?”
He was not thrilled with my attitude and he asked a challenging question: “Do you think you are the only ish emes in Miami?” Ish emes, or Ish Emet in the Sephardic pronunciation, is Hebrew for a Man of Truth. Sadly I did not feel I could live up to the title, but I did feel a surge of ambition when I saw those words in his letter. Wow, wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could attain that status in my lifetime, if I could be remembered that way afterward?
Which brings me to my new hero, George Obama.
I don’t say that humorously or ironically or in any other adverbial format but sincerely. The last thing I expected was to think much of a Presidential brother. Yes, I thought Jeb was the much more impressive Bush went I met him, speaking smoothly without notes and masterful in command of matters in the public realm. But he was a Governor in his own right before his brother became President, so he did not need anyone’s coattails for support.
Beyond that, Presidential brethren tend to fade into the background. Billy Carter was a famous nuisance, Roger Clinton was a troublesome ne’er-do-well, Nixon’s brothers popped into the White House now and then, but the rest stayed in the background, perhaps not always willingly. Ronald Reagan’s brother was never invited to the White House. Bill Clinton found out after he became President about a half-brother through his father and by all accounts never even got in touch with the guy.
For Obama, with half-siblings everywhere, it could turn into a three-ring circus if he tried to invite them all for Thanksgiving dinner. Still, the quirky story of his half brother, George, living in a hut in Kenya on ten dollars a month came to reflect badly on a wealthy man who left his brother in squalor. Now Dinesh D’Souza has gone to Kenya to interview George for a documentary, and the amazing footage shows us a remarkable man, someone we can all admire, an Ish Emes. You might not expect Barack Obama’s brother to be an embodiment of traditional virtues, but clearly he is just that.
First of all, he neither downgrades his brother nor idolizes him. It is not his brother’s job to support him, because he is of age. His brother is taking care of his own family. As a President, his brother is trying to take care of the world and he is part of that world. He praises his father for being a highly educated man but he freely confesses that his mother expected more of him as the son of such an exceptional person.
He takes full responsibility for the opinions about Kenya in a book he co-wrote in 2010. He argues that Kenya would be more developed economically today if it had not pushed out the white man’s guidance too soon, unlike South Africa. He admits that Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea vastly outperform Kenya because of a superior culture promoting education and responsibility.
Once you get past being startled, this is remarkably refreshing. Here is a man poor enough to tell the truth as he sees it — about his life, about his country, about the world — without fear or favor, flouting all conventional wisdom and political correctness. He refuses to blame his shortcomings on his brother, his father, his mother or anybody else but himself. He does all this in a relaxed and thoughtful mode, a man at peace with himself, always on the verge of a smile.
So it turns out that by electing the truth-mauling brother we did get ourselves a role model for honesty. Only it’s his brother on the other side of the world in Kenya. Presumably the book got him out of the hut, but I would love to see him on a tour stateside. On second thought, here he is liable to be corrupted.
About the Author
Jay D. Homnick, commentator and humorist, is a frequent contributor to The American Spectator. He also writes for Human Events. Here he speaks at the Rally for Religious Freedom in Miami on June 8, 2012.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Jay D. Homnick
More Articles From Another Perspective
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/07/11/george-cant-tell-a-lie
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John Navratil| 7.11.12 @ 9:08AM
This is an unappealing piece. George would be like so many other fine people the world over, living peaceful and happy lives within their means but for his accidental relation to his antithesis. Ironic? Poignant, perhaps. Not much meat here as this really isn't about George, is it.
There is plenty with which to damn Obama without bringing his extended family in.
TLP| 7.11.12 @ 9:20AM
Imagine if we could do a Documentary on George's brother - Barack Hussein Obama/Barry Soetoro/Abu Hussain.
I mean a REAL Documentary. Not one of the FICTIONAL Books, like he has Bill Ayers write for him, with all of their LIES about his Mom, his Dad, his Kenyan Grandfather and his Make Believe Girlfriends.
It's amazing that NO-ONE wants to know THE TRUTH about this guy. Was he Adopted by his Indonesian Step Father? (he was) And what does that say about his Citizenship Claims?
Why does he have a Connecticut Social Security Number if he was BORN IN HAWAII? Why would anyone HIDE their Medical Records, their Passport, their College Thesis, their College Transcripts, Entrance Exams and their Fullbright Scholarship Paperwork?
The 2nd Greatest Story Ever Told, is sitting in a Vault on a Volcanic Island in the Middle of the Pacific Ocean, and nobody seems Interested in it, in the least.
It's like he's the little boy from that Twilight Zone Episode, who sends everyone away, in to the Corn Field, when he determines that they're "Thinking Bad Thoughts".
It truly is, remarkable, and unbelievable, at the same time.
Future Historians will look at this time, and wonder how a whole Country could just Close Their Eyes to the Obvious Fact that - this man is HIDING something.
But, he's Black.
And to call him out on this, would just get us called a name.
Better to let the whole Country go to Hell, than to risk that. Than to risk being CALLED A NAME.
Truly Remarkable, and Unbelievable.
Stephanie| 7.11.12 @ 11:39AM
He's mulatto, not black. As Morgan Freeman said recently, obama's mama was a white gal from Kansas and he is NOT the first "african american" president. He's the first BI-RACIAL president. Why are the obvious lies tolerated?!
Doctor Right| 7.11.12 @ 10:27PM
Like I said...the first (or second, who's counting?) to post on practically any topic (9:20am!!), and he thinks I have no life?!?!
BWAH-HAH-HAH-HAH!!!!!
Don't forget your socks when you put on your clown-shoes!!
JStamos| 7.11.12 @ 9:34AM
Jay:
I had the same imoression of George. He had a quiet dignity. I'm not sure what it al adds up to but it was not what I expected.
AllAmericanAmerican| 7.11.12 @ 10:07AM
Homnick writes,
"Presumably the book got him out of the hut, but I would love to see him on a tour stateside. On second thought, here he is liable to be corrupted."
Liable to be corrupted? Haha. More like found dead, which happens to a lot of folks who come in contact with Barry Obama.
Stephanie| 7.11.12 @ 11:40AM
Wasn't his a Clinton fact as well?
Petronius| 7.11.12 @ 12:02PM
No way Hilary and Big Sis would allow George Obama into this country. All the race hustlers would load their britches. Besides, the media wouldn't cover him except to plaster him with the label of Uncle Tom. And the abuse Brad Pitt's mother received from the leftist thugs would pale in comparison to what they would do to him with people like Purp leading the charge. I wouldn't expect to see his book in any stores either. If Barnes and Noble were to stock it, they would invite mass vandalism. And any who buy it online will be flagged by Homeland Security. I'm afraid Mr. D'souza just signed his own death warrant. I doubt he will return from Kenya in one piece.
Tom Kyba| 7.11.12 @ 1:48PM
Interesting comment PETRONIUS. This leads to a small thought experiment. The major bookstore chains don't exactly spend a lot of time trying to represent conservative viewpoints in their selections(putting it mildly). Try to imagine opening up your own store catering specifically to a readership that has been largely ignored. How long before the vandalism starts? How long before the local papers are filled with letteres to the editor demanding more "inclusive" selections of reading material. The place would be physically trashed within a week. Now contrast that with the number of actual Barnes & Noble stores, and others, which have been attacked by rabid conservatives.
Occam's Tool| 7.11.12 @ 3:09PM
To get the book on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Brother-.....orge+Obama
Bob Grant| 7.11.12 @ 5:11PM
Folks,
We've got bigger issue to deal with than the thoughts of one of obama's 85 half brothers.
We have approximately 5 months to remove the razor blade that is firmly planted against America's wrist.
This story is a distraction.
JmsA| 7.11.12 @ 9:00PM
Yes, such could be construed as a distraction, though it also clearly points to both honesty and the lack thereof.