129 Comments

• Monsoonman | Aug 31, 2010, 10:44 AM EDT

  Too complicated lad, the checks and balances should come after they're in office, not before the elections and you are now getting the results. But I suppose it is good with this form of gridlock, at least they can't do anything...Don't just do something, sit there.

• seanomelbourne | Aug 31, 2010, 06:06 AM EDT

  Like the U.S. anyone can stand for office,but we do not have a "first past the post" system. We have proportional representation whereby preferences are distributed. It is possible to obtain majority first preference and loose on 2,3or fourth preferences,even if you garnish 40% of first preference votes.

• Monsoonman | Aug 30, 2010, 01:06 AM EDT

  I think you have too many parties me boy, it's real easy to get hijacked by a fringe group like the greens when you spread yourself thin like that and have to build a coalition around their demands. Regarding my liberal friends, it's a program of attraction rather than promotion lad.

• seanomelbourne | Aug 29, 2010, 08:53 PM EDT

  You have me worried Moonsoonman how do you sway your liberal friend. Leave us be their are not many of us left,we cannot afford to shrink our base. Have a hung parliament in Aus 72 Labour 72 liberal(conservative) 1Green I? 4 ind notionally conservative will know by end of week. The Green Party hold the balance of power in the senate they are perceived left of the Labour party.

• Monsoonman | Aug 29, 2010, 08:09 PM EDT

  Lad, if I travel down under I will be sure to look you up, you are my favorite liberal minded fellow around here, at least you open your mind... A lot of my associates think like you do, I wouldn't be in business if i shrank my market base down to political beliefs....Besides many of my liberal acquaintances turn conservative after being around me for a short time.

• Monsoonman | Aug 29, 2010, 02:09 PM EDT

  Do you see a bead of worry sweat on my brow? What do I say or do to be so misinterpreted?...Do I need to snoke crack in order to be understood by my liberal brethren?

• maireadinmelb | Aug 29, 2010, 06:33 AM EDT

  IF it truly is a nuisance suit it wont get very far what are you worried about??

• seanomelbourne | Aug 28, 2010, 08:08 PM EDT

  Moonsoonman !let us not get ahead of ourselves let the legal system take its course. As a retired hotel owner i can assure you "collared shirts and dress shoes" are not a requirement to enter a bar over here. You are correct you will not see aborigines in native garb working in a five star hotel,nor will you see African-American wearing grass skirts or 25 rings around their collective necks in a bar in the U.S.A. Aboriginal Australians with a bones through their noses!!! I'd like to see that. You have an incorrect stereotype (New Guinea I believe).Maybe you would have a Peruvian bartender wailing around a bar with a severed head from Machu Pichu tied to his waist. Your argument lacks common sense and practicality my man. Come visit I will take you on the tour of your life.

• Monsoonman | Aug 28, 2010, 07:32 PM EDT

  I see that you are not a US citizen by asking such a naive question: "If Disneys actions were legal why is she able to sue??"....One of the dirty parts of our society are the rampant number of lawyers who are more numerous than locusts. We were even finding oiled lawyers washing up on the beaches of louisiana and mississippi during the gulf oil spill. If you lived here under our tort system you would know that anyone can sue anyone or anything for any silly reason, it doesn't mean that there is any validity to the suit as countless nuisance suits are filed every hour of every day.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 28, 2010, 06:47 PM EDT

  I have never seen an aborigine with a bone in their nose!! Grasping at straws going with the stereotype there!! THere is a difference between freedom of religious practice in line with the Federal Law of the land! Indigenous Australians are frequently seen in Parliament house in their traditional dress. If Disneys actions were legal why is she able to sue??

• Monsoonman | Aug 28, 2010, 12:03 PM EDT

  Lad, lad, lad!!!! It is a theme park where the employees are actors dressed up in the outfits of cartoon characters, where the public can go and escape into another reality. Employees know this ahead of time and can choose to work here or not. Do you let your native aboriginal people dress in traditional garb(naked, body painted, bone through nose and unwashed) when they work in your 5 star hotels? Or fly your Quantas aircraft? I understand many bars and clubs have strict dress regulations, such as requiring collars and dress shoes for men....seems a bit extreme and unreasonable to me to not let people express themselves freely, lad. Can you tell me how you can live in such a "racist" and "repressive" society and yet throw stones at Disney because it has an employee dress code? ...can you offer me logical frickin' reasons why? Thanks in advance.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 28, 2010, 04:36 AM EDT

  sorry for the spelling mistake but the hypocrisy gets me a bit upset!!

• maireadinmelb | Aug 28, 2010, 04:35 AM EDT

  Jamielm and monsoonman I hope you remove your cross or crusifix before leaving the house I do not want to be bombarded by your religious belief!!!!!

• seanomelbourne | Aug 27, 2010, 10:48 PM EDT

  Now Monsoonman! give the dog a bone. She is not enforcing Sharia law, but using the "American legal system" to justify HER religious beliefs. Mman no need to loose it. I have been to Disneyland I never noticed what the staff were wearing. In the fifties it was a red under every bend and that proved fruitless and counter productive. Now the fear masters see a Burkha round every bend, how history stupidly repeats itself and the same types foolishly follow it's crazy mantra. Freaking! Moonsonman I'm hurt.

• Monsoonman | Aug 27, 2010, 10:50 AM EDT

  Has anyone been in Disneyland on Ash Wednesday? Did you notice any of the cartoon characters sporting a smidge of ash on their foreheads? Jes askin'.

• jamieLM | Aug 27, 2010, 09:46 AM EDT

  NO ONE forced her to take a job where there were uniforms and restrictions on hair and jewelry, etc. Disney has always tried to promote a "clean-cut" mage. People go to Disney to see the characters and to be entertained - not to be bombarded with every employee's religious and political beliefs, no matter what they are. Disney has always tried to promote a clean-cut image with no political or religious agenda. Now a Muslim expects the entire Disney company to change their rules to accomodate her, making an exception for her when all the Christians, Jews, and non-religious employees have followed Disney's rules for decades. Typical.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 27, 2010, 06:01 AM EDT

  NO ONE is forcing america into Sharia law an employee of an american company wants to exercise her democratic right to freely follow a religion!!!!!

• maireadinmelb | Aug 27, 2010, 06:00 AM EDT

  All the carry on about building a mosque? all the carry on about migration? All the carry on about what religion the president is?? All the fear of muslims and the automatic acceptance of Israel's illegal acts!! States of America passing laws in violation of Federal laws based on Fear!! I remember 1 further line of american history "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"

• Monsoonman | Aug 27, 2010, 12:23 AM EDT

  Lad??? She is suing on behalf of all muslims to bend Disneys longstanding company rules and policies regarding the wearing of uniforms that enhance the ambiance of the parks. They want to force Disney to submit to sharia law. You're a freaking atheist and a non US citizen me boyo, you really don't have a dog in this game.

• seanomelbourne | Aug 26, 2010, 11:47 PM EDT

  Moonsoonman "they" ;;; one person is suing Disney for the right to wear a veil,an American citizen i might add. Why blow minor scenarios out of proportion,is it because it is Muslim?.I do believe that Mairead was a little over zealous, maybe she should have said that she was referring to the 40% of the GOP who are racist bigots.

• hancock | Aug 26, 2010, 11:04 AM EDT

  Sorry, why dont you check with moderate Moslem countries aropunf the world and see their concepts of freedom.

• hancock | Aug 26, 2010, 10:08 AM EDT

  As far as I can tell America is bending over backwards for miroities. Why dont you check with moderate

• Monsoonman | Aug 26, 2010, 09:59 AM EDT

  Just who is getting "persecuted" here in the USA? You people throw these inflammatory words around without any thought. How much more tolerant can this society get for its minorities, we have a negro as president, bulldykes on the supreme court, the presidents cabinet looks like the bar scene from Star Wars, have you been into a post office lately?....How can anyone dare say the US is persecuting minorities and have an ounce of believability? I am incredulous. Now the muslims are suing Disneyland, for their civil "right" to wear burkhas during their work hours as employees. Just what I want to see when I visit Disneyland a burkha wearing Daisy Duck....Head hurt!

• maireadinmelb | Aug 26, 2010, 06:07 AM EDT

  Hancock, isnt that the name of a signatory to teh Declaration of Independence, a document talking about how all people are equal. A founding document of america wants all to be treated equal, so therefore why are americans continually persecuting those who are different, religion, race belief???? I am sure the original signatories are rolling in their graves!!

• hancock | Aug 24, 2010, 11:48 PM EDT

  Yeah thats never happened before, glad to see you're only sensible when you agree with Obama and the Aussie

• seanomelbourne | Aug 24, 2010, 08:31 PM EDT

  Nice common sense article Irishlassred.Unfortunately the naysayers are waiting to pounce on anyone with a sensible point of view. they are not interested in doing what is best for the U.S. only in demonizing the President and his administration. "Rather he fail and we gain power" is their mantra regardless of the consequences for the American public.

• Irishlassred | Aug 24, 2010, 12:57 PM EDT

  The article posted earlier - wondering if America is becoming a third world country - makes its point in the comments written here. What a sad, depressed and demoralized lot of people we've become where you can't even have a discussion without name calling and bashing. Me, personally, I don't care who the President prays to, just so long as he prays. To me all religions, at their core, are the same. How has it that one man - one man! has become such a lightening rod? Is it more because we, as a nation, became comfortable with our cars, houses, toys, etc. and lost sight of what America really means? Now we're afraid of everything and everyone. Doesn't this remind anyone of the 1930's and all the madness that followed? How come people who post here so profoundly dislike the editor, but keep posting and reading (and posting and reading?) If you don't like these opinions (and no one, Mr.O'Dowd, should call anyone names, starting with you) why do you both to read and then post? Surely there are sites more comfortable for you and your opinions just as easily found as this one. The name calling and trashing is exactly what this country's enemies are counting on: we can't keep a civil discourse going, how in heavens name are we suppose to keep up an defense - against anyone - when we can't keep a civil tongue in our heads? I read this site because I relish all that is Irish in me. Except for this: I disliked the former President intensly but I never, ever, called him a bad name. (or an alien or anything else). You don't have to respect the person in office but you must, as Americans, respect the office. That's the ONY way we'll survive any attack from aliens or anyone else.

• hancock | Aug 24, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT

  Which way do you want it? i cant tell.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 24, 2010, 08:28 AM EDT

  So americans attempting to conquer Iraq, Afghanistan, taking land from Mexico, taking parts of the carribean, vietnam AND attempt to convert them to be american ( I cannot say democratic cause teh discussion forums here make me question the commitment of americans to the basics of democracy) is OK!! But if any one else wants to conquer or convert well that's bad?? WHich way do you want it guys!! What is good for the goose is good for the gander!!

• IrishAndProud | Aug 24, 2010, 05:15 AM EDT

  And thank goodness Reagan did what he did in Afghanistan. Perhaps you were not born at that point in time susanna and/or you're just a bit unaware of the reality back then, but Afghanistan in the 1980's had been invaded by over 100,000 Soviet troops to prop up its communist government (that happened in '79), and the mujahadeen were the resistance to it. Reagan was not content to merely 'contain' the cancer of Soviet expansionism but to actually fight it and roll it back -- which he did. The mistake the USA made was in abandoning Afghanistan after the Soviets left and communism fell...and the Taliban eventually filled that vacuum. I'm no neocon but the USA could have at least supported a more moderate Muslim government there (like, for instance, composed of those who'd fought the Soviets) and then the Taliban -- and bin-Laden -- wouldn't likely have had the opening that they did, and the USA might not be there, today. American short-sightedness in the post-Soviet world is largely to blame, here.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 24, 2010, 12:16 AM EDT

  It'd be nice, Polin...but the Muslims have already been quite verbally and physically clear about their intentions to conquer earth and either A) convert you, or if not then B) at least conquer you and then subject you to what's called a 'jizyah' tax. When one side is expansive, aggressive and relentless it becomes rather hard to just ignore them away. And the only religion that can truly be said about on a worldwide scale today is Islam.

• PolinDeB | Aug 23, 2010, 11:48 PM EDT

  Yeah, and they say Islam has weird ideas... I think the Christian right give them a run for their money.. wonder if we could dump them all in some desert somewhere to have their final battles and let the rest of us live in relative peace and harmony ')

• seanomelbourne | Aug 23, 2010, 11:05 PM EDT

  Very interesting isn't it IandP.

• susanna | Aug 23, 2010, 08:24 PM EDT

  In 1982, Ronald Reagan dedicated the Space Shuttle Columbia to the resistance fighters [Taliban] in Afghanistan. --Taliban still have Reagan's Stingers. One of the most dangerous weapons Western pilots could face in Afghanistan is an anti-aircraft missile provided by the United States during the Reagan presidency. Some 1,000 Stingers were supplied to the mujahideen from 1986 onwards after Ronald Reagan overcame CIA objections that they were too dangerous to be given to the rebels.

• susanna | Aug 23, 2010, 08:12 PM EDT

  2borishnot2b - dont' worry about the Muslims, we are already China's b_ _ ch! Over 40% of our international deficit is with China thanks to the moronic Republicans starting with Reagan who deregulated EVERYTHING. They own us! The Saudi's (the ones who were responsible for 9-11) own 11% of America. However, you won't get this because you are one angry mo fo and won't accept that all you believed in (Bushie Boy, Ronnie the B actor, Dan Quayle who couldn't spell) are nothing but 2 bit idiots. Oh and did you see where the 42 Republicans turned down dying and deeply ill first responders to 9-11 - their health care??? Gads, mean people those Repubs and they claim to be so "American" hahahahahahahahha!

• IrishAndProud | Aug 23, 2010, 08:07 PM EDT

  So, let me see if I have this right, seanny...if anyone diagrees with you, they're 'bigots' and 'playing G-d.' Interesting.

• susanna | Aug 23, 2010, 08:06 PM EDT

  2borishnottobe -Muslims worship every day in our dear Pentagon in the chapel you fool!

• susanna | Aug 23, 2010, 08:03 PM EDT

  2borishnot2b - and I can see you as a fat (YOUR projection- looks like Bushie boy but fat) un-educated white male racist who never gets any - jealous of a great looking brilliant black man - I bet you voted for the Bush boy - it's ignorant folks like you who voted for Bush and took this country down. SHAME SHAME ON YOU!

• susanna | Aug 23, 2010, 07:56 PM EDT

  haywraps - Obama's bull??? Can you say "weapons of mass destruction?"...enough said!

• seanomelbourne | Aug 23, 2010, 07:45 PM EDT

  Your like a parrot IandP have you no views of your own Mairead got it right. I'm sick of you bigots playing God.Hancock if you are born in a stable anywhere it matters not what is your point.

• hancock | Aug 23, 2010, 07:10 PM EDT

  If you were born in a stable in Ireland what does that make you?

• SeamusRua | Aug 23, 2010, 04:28 PM EDT

  As the Duke of Wellington used to say 'if a a man is born in a stable does that make him a horse?' ************************************************* The quote from Wellington was to deny his being Irish. Makes me wonder why it was chosen.

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 23, 2010, 03:03 PM EDT

  oldbear: the problem is that oVomit is neither a Christian nor a leader and therein lies the problem, yet so far he's shown himself to be more sympathetic to muslims giving rise to the well-founded suspicion that he's one of them. Literally a plant in the American system that the muslim arabs want to destroy.

• othonogo | Aug 23, 2010, 02:46 PM EDT

  Graham is just another opportunist trying to establish himself as an oracle of the gods. He has so much in common with other non productive collection plate scoundrels.

• rcrdskpr@aol.com | Aug 23, 2010, 11:56 AM EDT

  does the first amendment come to mind? oh, thats right, the uk doesnt have that.

• DLW12183 | Aug 23, 2010, 10:39 AM EDT

  More inaccurate BS from liberal Niall. You could at least report the story accurately. It's like the administration telling the people what the health insurance bill or the Arizona law says without reading it. I was born Irish/American, raised Catholic/Democrat but after the 2008 election you won't claim me as one of yours.

• Monsoonman | Aug 23, 2010, 10:17 AM EDT

  I actually read what Franklin Graham really said and his crux was that obama was a Christian, in spite of his muslim beginnings....so where is the fowl?

• willieboy | Aug 23, 2010, 09:08 AM EDT

  Love the anology. Stupid tho it is. Maybe you should go back to writing Puff Pieces. That's your calling.

• oldbear | Aug 23, 2010, 08:00 AM EDT

  As a Christian I must take a hit from others whenever those in the "limelight" make remarks that are subject to critiscm from the public, including other Christians. Of course I'd like my Prez to be a Christian but what ever faith he is or isnt integrity and talent is most important to me in a leader.

• maireadinmelb | Aug 23, 2010, 07:20 AM EDT

  I thought the Constitution enshrined a right to free religious practice! What does it matter where he goes to church? Its about what he does as leader of the country! IF his religion is all you have to complain about you really need to get a life!! And all you Christian(?) or should I say alleged christians, should practice your own faith and leave each to there own and not judge for is judgement not the role of God???

• patrick1945 | Aug 23, 2010, 04:31 AM EDT

  If you would do a little research you would find, that if your father is a Muslim you are considered a Muslim under Islamic law, no matter what you consider yourself to be. If you leave Islam you are looked upon as a disgrace subject to death. Obama may not consider himself a Muslim, but ultra conservative Muslims do. And thus they have no respect for him. So you want to attack Graham for viewing Obama as Muslims do.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 23, 2010, 03:04 AM EDT

  "I'm amused at the way CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC (especially Bob Schieffer)swoon over Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the rest of the racist, left-wing, sanctimonious hypocrites. They are only interested in lining there pockets with other peoples hard earned cash." Your own post right back at you sean...albeit slightly adjusted for accuracy...

• caroline logue | Aug 23, 2010, 01:26 AM EDT

  First Lady Michele Obama's uncle is a Rabbi. I guess she must be a Jew. I was baptized a Catholic but I married a Protestant and was confirmed an Anglican.I did not agree with the doctrines of the faith I was raised in and converted in adulthood. President Obama was raised by his Chritian Grandparents and his Mother. His faith was determined by them. Many people calls it as they see it but apparently they need glasses.

• lovemusic | Aug 22, 2010, 11:53 PM EDT

  Mr. O'Dowd ~ I am really disappointed in your journalistic skills, or lack of them. You have reduced yourself to name-calling ~ "right wing nuts"??? Apparently, you don't understand the way the Muslims think. In addition, you apparently did not read or hear Mr. Graham's entire statement. Vincem13 outlines below what Mr. Graham said.

• mrkennedy | Aug 22, 2010, 10:05 PM EDT

  In the Muslim faith you are automatically a Muslim when your father is a Muslim!!!!

• haywraps | Aug 22, 2010, 09:41 PM EDT

  Not everybody Belives OBABAs Bull****

• seanomelbourne | Aug 22, 2010, 07:57 PM EDT

  I'm amused at the way fox (especially Hannity)swoon over Graham ,Robertson and the rest of the evangelical sanctimonious hypocrites. They are only interested in lining there pockets with other peoples hard earned cash.

• vincem13 | Aug 22, 2010, 07:26 PM EDT

  Just curious, did any of those critical of Mr. Graham actually READ or listen to all of what he said (this includes Mr. O'Dowd)? I didn't think so. I did. Mr. Graham makes it quite clear that he is NOT calling Pres. Obama a Muslim, merely that, according to the way Muslims reckon things, he was born a Muslim. Mr. Graham also made a point of affirming that Obama says he is a Christian and Mr. Graham has no reason to doubt him. Mr. Graham went on to say, and national polls on the issue bear him out, that if there is any confusion concerning Obama's professed faith, perhaps the answer lies in the President's own conduct and statements.

• IRISHKNIGHT110 | Aug 22, 2010, 07:21 PM EDT

  Mr. Dowd I don't know why you write articles about things you don't really know about. I live in America you don't, so you might not be getting all the information you need before you make comments like this. Franklin Graham just calls them as he sees them. and isn't afraid to tell the truth. just because President Obama's father was a muslim certainly dose not make him one but he sure seems to be making a lot of policies that will help them come closer to destroying or should I say taking over America.

• mayoman | Aug 22, 2010, 07:08 PM EDT

  What truly amazes me is the persistent audacity and stupidity of the lunatics on the right with their endless insistence that President Obama is a foreigner and a Muslim. Where is your evidence? Put up, or simply shut the hell up. We've all heard quite enough of your moronic slander. I suppose the crazy people believe that if you repeat a lie often enough people will believe it. Aye, complete fools will believe it.

• cartersmate35 | Aug 22, 2010, 06:12 PM EDT

  I am not, like others, surprised, at the comments of Franklin Graham. The fruit does not fall far from the tree.

• killowen | Aug 22, 2010, 05:35 PM EDT

  Obama is muslim - so what. Better than believe a chap who came to commit suicide for our sins. Nutty fruit cakes.

• stasakova | Aug 22, 2010, 05:30 PM EDT

  All this crap about what religion Obama is or whether he was born in the US - all these right wing nuts need to get a life and move on.

• BishopSean | Aug 22, 2010, 05:23 PM EDT

  I agree Nazism was a religion; since Modernism (Nietzsche, Darwin, Marx & Freud dropped God, we have Western worldviews that are non-theistic religions (Supreme Court Decision Torcaso v. Watkins 1961)just as are Taoism, Buddhism, Secular Humanism, Churches of atheism. When we "fire" God, we deify either the State (Communism) or man (Aryian as per Nazism). But Jesus was the only sinless human.Blessings!

• knowthyself | Aug 22, 2010, 04:42 PM EDT

  LOL I ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN I HEAR ---HES A MAN OF GOD ! OR HE,A MAN OF THE CLOTH. THEY ARE ONLY MEN NOT SAINTS OR GODS. ALL ARE SINNERS AS WE ARE, THEY ARE NOT BETTER THEN US, AS ONE MAN SAID ALMOST 2000 YRS AGO. NO MAN WHO WALKS THE EARTH IS GOOD. SO WHY DO YOU SAY I'M GOOD ? ONLY THE FATHER IN HEAVEN IS GOOD . The Man was Jesus Christ,

• jgirl120 | Aug 22, 2010, 03:20 PM EDT

  Thank goodness for the "right wing nuts"!! They're not trying to portray Obama as an alien----He IS an alien...from what planet has yet to be named.

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 03:18 PM EDT

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 03:17 PM EDT

  Put the following link on your browser and hear and see what he himself says, straight from the whorse's mouth: http://www.youtuve.com/watch_popup?v tCAffMSWSzY

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 03:04 PM EDT

  britfether, what planet did you just arrive from? The economy may not be booming, but it's steady? Your won't be taxed more if you make less than 250K? You will have better health care that guarantees pre-conditions will not matter? -- For starters, the national debt is in the trillions, and the yearly payment on interst to the chinese will be a trillion. That alone will total the economy in no time at all. People making over 250K and not paying taxes don't really exist; that number was lowered to less than 180K shortly after the lying bastard could not support his fib. And that figure includes a lot of families of two income professionals. -- The charge for obamacare is already a reality, just look at your taxes when you'll have to declare the payment of health benefits from your employer as income. --And btw if you are a brit, you should let Americans fix their own problems and focus on those your country has, such as fixing the bucked and uneven teeth of the majority of the brit population.

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 02:47 PM EDT

  Don't you love it when people like SUSANNA get into the free for all to teach 'those morons on the right' a thing or two. The style of her prose ("Georgie, Bushie, Billy Boy, W") is classic of any one of those fat opinionated women who have little to do but sit around salivating at the thought of finding a place to vent. --She just happens to be a bit more forgiving of oVomit's 'qualifications and talents' proclaiming him 'very smart' since he was able to get into Columbia and Harvard.-- Yes, he also got into Occidental College, where his name was Barry Soetoro, by virtue of scholarships granted to black 'brainiacs'; especially those with an added hyphenation like: black-muslim. Of course, from that we know 'nuttin' since his handlers have sealed his records and have so far spent something like 2 mill to keep them away from 'those who want to know.' --Neither do we have any of his records from Columbia or Harvard where he was 'curiously' the first black editor or the Law Review to have never published a single thing, and yet given a pass.-- Yeah, truly smart... but nonetheless s-t-r-a-n-g-e!

• brownejt | Aug 22, 2010, 02:43 PM EDT

  Obama supporters should read his whole Franklin Graham comment...By Islamic Law and the Koran he was born to a muslim ftaher so he was born a muslim. President Obama acknowledges this himself, that he was born and raised Muslim. Franklin Graham goes on to say he became a Christian and is a Christian. I guess the author of the article missed that informatiom

• peterson | Aug 22, 2010, 02:21 PM EDT

  Obama's mouth is one of many whs spew forth crap !!

• maryjeandc | Aug 22, 2010, 02:15 PM EDT

  He should be ashamed of himself. But the Graham's father and son have had too much influence on politics in America is spite of their ignorance

• JamesMurphy | Aug 22, 2010, 01:59 PM EDT

  When a man lays down with fleas....

• luckysusan | Aug 22, 2010, 01:48 PM EDT

  Well said, Niall.

• jamthecat | Aug 22, 2010, 01:39 PM EDT

  You assume the word "shame" has any meaning to the people who hate Obama, people who will make up anything to tear him down. And I say this as someone who did not vote FOR the man (I voted AGAINST John McCain). If you have issues with his policies, fine -- scream it from the rooftops. I do...tho' mine are based on facts (and the facts have a liberal bias). But to just make crap up and ignore the reality of the situation? That's how the devil works, not men of God.

• Hannrick | Aug 22, 2010, 01:24 PM EDT

  frank1933 well said, that about sums it up

• LizFlady | Aug 22, 2010, 01:16 PM EDT

  He's not far off when obama himself proclaims in his book the "audacity of hope". "I'll stand with the muslims when the political winds shift". Does that sound like a christian statement?

• Monsoonman | Aug 22, 2010, 01:09 PM EDT

  If you want to know what obamas beliefs are, study the pastor and church he attended for more than 20 years.....then get back to me.

• feeneycj | Aug 22, 2010, 12:54 PM EDT

  Obama's father was Muslim, true. He was partially raised in a Muslim country, true. Obama's influences are quite obvious, however what he is today seems quite malleable, politically. Who can trust him?

• hancock | Aug 22, 2010, 12:53 PM EDT

  He is a moron no matter what God he prays to.

• britfether | Aug 22, 2010, 12:52 PM EDT

  You stupid, stupid right wing nuts. Obama's birth certificate is on line. Go look it up you lazy, complaining sheep. Obama is not a Moslem you fools. You were fully ready to comaplain about his Christian minister Rev. Wright less than two years ago when you wanted him out of the White House, now your grasping at straws and listening to this Graham bigot, who is making hateful and untrue statements that shame his mother and father. You people must rejoin the human race and start to look for facts in your lives, instead of pursuing dreams of discrediting a President because he is Black and you have nothing better to do with your lives. You won't be taxed more if you make less than 250 K, you will have better health care that guarantees that preconditions will not limit your care, the economy may not be booming, but it is stable and will continue to dip and rise no matter what anyone does. The fact that none of you can stand any Democrat in the White House does not mean that you have to turn of the "intelligence switch" in your head. Your Americans. Act like it and stop complaining and save it for the ballot box in November. Everyone is tired of hearing the bleating and complaining from you right wing lackeys that keep on repeating the same old lies and hatred.

• Nicomax | Aug 22, 2010, 12:44 PM EDT

  Article VI, clause 3 of US Constitution: ."but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States." False prophets like Franklin Graham would, if he could,have that article repealed.

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 12:44 PM EDT

  If oVomit is not a muslim, what business does he have then attending a ramadan dinner. Would he just as gladly honor the Knights of Columbus, or the Nat. Conference of Catholic Bishops by sitting with them at table during their national conference? Why did he refuse to attend the 'national Prayer Breakfast which is purportedly 'non-denominational?' Why did he say to Clinton's press secretary on a TV interview: "McCain has not talked about MY muslim faith.."? -- Just go to YouTube and you'll find a myriad of videos showing OBummer portraying vividly his pro muslim leanings, and talking glowingly of the faith he grew up in, and which now very unsuccessfully tries to minimize the influence it plays in his global policy. Basically, this guy can be blamed for the rapidly coming of nuclearization of the Mid-East and with it a lot of brutal terrorist governments.-- I attempted to post the link to a long video evidencing what the oVomit apologists try to cover up or ignore, but this website in cahoots with oBamaniacs will not allow the post.

• MotherIrish | Aug 22, 2010, 12:24 PM EDT

  Naill - once again you have your head up your rear. Obama has definately not kept his mouth shut on the subject of Muslims. He does not take his wife to Muslim countries and what you spout is so much claptrap. My Irish father, may he rest in peace, would clobber you up the side of your head for the hatred you so often spew. There are thousands of people who think that Obama uses religion - either Christianity or Islam - for his personal gain and it has nothing to do with religion in and of itself. What happened to freedom of speech in this country? It is people like you with blinders on that can not see what is happening to this great nation thanks to the curbing of freedom of speech. Franklin can say what he wants and believe what he wants just like you MotherIrish

• GeorgeDillon | Aug 22, 2010, 12:22 PM EDT

  So what's your religion, TomSwinford? The Church of Dunkin' Donuts? And you attend services there most mornings? I suppose your religion is your own business, Tom, though to be honest your idea that all life is a religion just makes you look like you missed out on a lot of English classes back in Swinford. Are you a native speaker of English? Or maybe you're the character in Alice in Wonderland who says "the word means what I want it to mean, not what everyone else means"?

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 12:22 PM EDT

  @ Tom Swinford -- When lacking in, or refusing to see facts that contradict the biased tales they read, every atheist, quasi or real, joined by every antagonist libtard trots out the same old saw: Christianity is EVIL, the Crusades and Inquisition prove it!!! That of course followed by the ultimate idiocy: Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Ho, et al (who were not only non-religios and anti-religion, but tried forcefully to impose atheism murdering hundreds of millions in the process) are in some twisted way set up as more worthy than 'those Christians' who went to war against muslims (practicants then of the same retrograde and brutish religion they do today) to stop the harassment and behadings of pilgrims who wanted to visit the Holy Land.--- And surely those tyrants, in their view, are more 'virtuous' than the Inquisitors, whose victims (as written on existing records) were less than 4000 (and who btw were not 'murdering clerics' as the black legends portray them, but military executioners at the service of the state; except in prot countries where people accused of 'witchery' were lynched and burned at the stake by mobs)--If as Swinford says Nazism was "a crude and brutal form of religion" why try to conflate it with Christianity which is neither of those things? There may be people who call themselves 'Christian' doing all kinds of evil deeds, (which pale in magnitude and brutality to anything done by those with no religion), but as Christ said: 'you shall know them by their fruits.' There's a diff between calling oneself a Christian and actually being. As much as insisting one is not muslim and acting like one.

• susanna | Aug 22, 2010, 12:17 PM EDT

  Barnabas -and I bet you were one of the morons who voted for "W" Bushie?

• susanna | Aug 22, 2010, 12:12 PM EDT

  "W" Bush asked his mother if Jews would go to heaven since they did not believe in Jesus. His mommy called Billy Boy Graham (since they were family friends) and had Georgie ask him the same question and Billy Boy told him no- Jews would not go to heaven. what a crock! There are as many idiots out there who listen to Billy & Franklin as those who listened to "W" Bush- and look where Bush led this country. They're all three charlatans!

• judiron | Aug 22, 2010, 12:07 PM EDT

  Have you ever heard of our lst. amendment. It's called freedom of speach. You have no idea how many Americans agree with him. Sorry

• susanna | Aug 22, 2010, 12:05 PM EDT

  frank1933- This is how you spell Quayle- not Quale (like potatoe is spelled potato!) Now who is stupid? I bet you never attended such prestigious schools as Columbia and Harvard (law school no less). You have to be very, very smart to get into these schools and you can't even spell! No one, and I mean no one will ever be as stupid as "W" Bush. He and the Republican congress ruined this country and we are paying dearly for it now. It was "W" Bush who couldn't hold a job and everything he tried, including being missing for over a year from the cushy job his daddy got him in the Texas Air National Guard (do I hear AWOL?). You're pathetic and a racist Frank, and oh so jealous that not only did a black man, but a very handsome black man is now the President of the United States of America, something you could never achieve! The people of the U.S. spoke and I am so glad he is MY President!

• 1661996usmc | Aug 22, 2010, 11:58 AM EDT

  Sounds like the English that crucified the Irish in Ireland and in the nineteenth century in the United States (Catholics need not apply)

• susanna | Aug 22, 2010, 11:50 AM EDT

  In a recent interview with the "Humanist" magazine, the editor asked Gore Vidal what he thought was special about Americans - he said "They're stupid." My being an American, he is so spot on and Franklin Graham and all the right wing nuts cases prove it!

• AmericanPatty | Aug 22, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT

  What about Richard Nixon being Quaker??? Who cares? This is America and we can worship or not worship as we like...called the ERA so get used to it!!!

• Barnabus | Aug 22, 2010, 11:30 AM EDT

  I agree, I think he is a muslim and also think that he is not a citizen of the usa.

• pounder | Aug 22, 2010, 11:16 AM EDT

  Six years in a Madrassa (sp) from ages 6 to 12. Then 20 years in a Black Liberation Church from the ages of 26 to 46.So, from age 12 to age 26, after unexplained trips to Pakistan,we don't know ANYTHING about this guy.But, what the hell,he's black so to assuage our'racial guilt'we elect this incompetent.God save America.

• 2BorNot2B | Aug 22, 2010, 11:10 AM EDT

  Franklin Graham is ONLY RESTATING what oVomit himsef has declared on many occasions and to various people in the media. See the man himself say it; http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY

• jmchrystal | Aug 22, 2010, 10:56 AM EDT

  Any one who thinks and whines that Obama is a Muslim, is missing the point of America. Who cares whether he is or not, it should not matter in a democracy, where we are to judge people by the content of their hearts and not the color of their skin (or religious beliefs). No wonder many of the loony radical Muslims believe that America is in a "holy war" against them. It's not America per se, it's the insecure and hateful Christian Taliban and their puppet masters that do.

• VWalter | Aug 22, 2010, 10:55 AM EDT

  Can't O'Dowd and IrishCentral stand against honest criticism? Evidently you won't publish my comments because I will call a spade a spade and don't mind pointing out the fact that this "article" is anything but responsible reporting. It's a pity that your followers seem so willing to believe what you write. You misrepresent the truth in content AND context. Here are the comments in context. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41292.html

• wjb1tex | Aug 22, 2010, 10:40 AM EDT

  And when Mitt Romney was campaigning who was it that was so concerned about his being a Mormon ? Not the "right wing nuts"

• Mairin67 | Aug 22, 2010, 10:37 AM EDT

  I read today that 18% of Americans believe Obama to be Muslim. 18% also believe in Bigfoot. 16% believe the governement knew about and was involved in 9-11. 34% believe in ghosts and 24% in witches. Where does this end? Obama's father was Muslim and his son bears the middle name Hussein. So what? Who's judging who?

• athlonejackie | Aug 22, 2010, 10:37 AM EDT

  Is this opinion from a "Left Wing Nut"?

• erieshark | Aug 22, 2010, 10:30 AM EDT

  How can the Irish forget JFK and the charge that the Vatican would run the White House? And now you try the same slime with Obama? As Ronald Reagan said, "Facts are stubborn things." And the fact is Obama's father abandon his wife and child and he was raised by his Christian grand-parents and mother. Obama met his father just once and he met his father's family as an adult when he sought to learn more about his roots. But even if he was born to a Muslim father what difference does it make? His father was not a part of his life. Obama is a man of letters and those who wish to know more than read his autobiography. But that would take some effort rather than relying on blogs.

• ciarrai | Aug 22, 2010, 10:04 AM EDT

  Hey, frank1933: read something other than those crazy right wing folks and Fox and there might still be hope for you.

• ciarrai | Aug 22, 2010, 10:00 AM EDT

  WoundedKnee, the thesis of Nazism as religion is not my creation. It has been advanced by many scholars and there are some excelent books on the subject. Nazism was indeed a crude and brutal form of religion - where the established religions were surpressed and absolute loyalty to the new "savior" enforced. In this sense, all totalitarian regimes have much in common with religion. Surely you would not argue that Islam is not totalitarian. And Christianity, in its inglorious past, used nothing short of terror (the Inquisition comes to mind) to keep the faithful in line. Folks like Hitler and Stalin and Mao could not tolerate even a devine competitor so they became the Deity themselves. But baseball a religion? Come now WK, don't be a dope.

• frank1933 | Aug 22, 2010, 09:57 AM EDT

  Niall O'Dumb should keep his stupid Irish mouth shut and tend to the massive problems in Ireland... Obama is probably the sorriest president ever....There is absolutely nothing in his resume' that qualifies him to be in the White House....He has never held a real job, no one knows where the money came from to finance his education, and his academic history, for the most part, is a mystery.... Obama is not only making Bush look like a genius but, Carter, Quale, and Nixon are looking very smart in comparison.....

• VWalter | Aug 22, 2010, 09:39 AM EDT

  Mr. O'Dowd, You have misrepresented Graham's words and position. He stated correctly that being a Muslim is passed doen the paternal line. This is true. There is a difference in how many become Christian. As the saying goes God has no grandchildren. Each comes on his own. But this is not relevant to the content of Graham's statement anf your abuse of his words. You tell on yourself when you blatantly misrepresent the content and context of someone else's words. It is a pity that this passes for journalism these days. Maybe your readers would like to know F. Graham's actual words, the bottom line, ""He has renounced Islam, and he has accepted Jesus," Graham said. “That's what he has said he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't, so I just have to believe the president is what he has said. Regarding Obama,”He has renounced Islam and he has accepted Jesus. ...I just have to believe the president is what he says." And more,"But the confusion is because his father is Muslim. The Islamic world see him as one of theirs... calls him his son." I hope your reader will read the whole of the article and stop trusting you for news. You are grinding an axe. Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41292.html#ixzz0xLCUrw2A

• johnconnolly | Aug 22, 2010, 09:26 AM EDT

  There may be some valid substance to Graham's remarks but it seems rather strange to me that Obama will not come forward and admit to his beliefs what ever they may be. Being Muslim may be preferable to his religious activities while he was a Community Organizer in Chicago. He fails to disavow either one.

• bronxjames | Aug 22, 2010, 09:24 AM EDT

  The guy in the white house has been asked a million times to show his birth certificate but never has. Why? What's he afraid of? By the way Ireland has problems of it's own so if you want you can have ob..mama

• cval4312 | Aug 22, 2010, 09:17 AM EDT

  True christians could care less about Obama vs Right Wing political subterfuge. True christians can see that our world is a chess board and the Devil is moving his pieces into place for the final battle to control Jerusalem to prevent Christ from returning to regain the throne of David and drive out the Anti-Christ and the impostors living in Palestine (Zionist Israel).

• mcdolan | Aug 22, 2010, 04:38 AM EDT

  Thumbs up, Niall. Disgraceful antics by someone who should know better, or if he doesn't should keep his mouth shut.

• WoundedKnee | Aug 22, 2010, 02:53 AM EDT

  TomSwinf: What utter nonsense comparing Naziism to a religion. By your definition everything and anything can be a religion. Baseball? Yes, it's a religion. Vegetarianism? Oh yes, that's a religion. Going camping? Why, that's a religion. Garbage? That's tomwinford's religion...

• WoundedKnee | Aug 22, 2010, 02:50 AM EDT

  First time I've ever agreed with O'Dowd. Billy Graham was a sanctimonious old fraud, looks like Franklin is following the tradition.

• WatchJackie | Aug 21, 2010, 11:38 PM EDT

  I don't care what his private beliefs are! This Muslim label is just another smokescreen thrown up by the Zionists who control his every move. If he doesn't dance to their tune, they'll arrange another motorcade!

• IrishAndProud | Aug 21, 2010, 11:21 PM EDT

  Mairin67: I'm neither Repub nor Democrat. I'm also not a Xtian. Like my Irish forebearers, I make my own decisions and neither party nor any one religion tells me what to think. And yes, like every other human who's old enough to, I make judgement calls every single day, on any number of people and/or issues (as you've just done with Republicans, btw...both your posts below were nothing BUT judgements, against Sarah Palin personally, and against Repubs and conservatives, both of whom you've broadbrushed). Franklin Graham can say what he pleases, just as you can -- and you can accept it or reject it. And finally, if Obama is a Muslim, then he is also a liar -- because he has stated that he is NOT a Muslim but a Xtian. So if it turned out he is indeed a Muslim, that would indeed matter because it would make him a liar. He would have been better off being honest about it.

• IrishAndProud | Aug 21, 2010, 09:28 PM EDT

  Again, laid bare before us, is the absolute curse of religion. Down through these many centuries I believe it fair to say that more people have been slaughtered over religion than perhaps any other single cause (even Nazism was, by most definitions, a religion - in its devotion to Hitler as savior, with the Fuhrer perversly assuming the role of a new Christ). All three major monotheistic religions are built upon oceans of blood and mountains of bones. And yet the madness continues, fundamentally, because of our dreadful fear of death - and a desperate hope that our God is the one true path to eternal life. What pathetic fools we are. Clearly, I have lost my religion but I have not yet lost my faith. Too many of us confuse both as being the same - they are not. I agree with Obama that faith is a personal, private matter. When we go beyond this it inevitably leads to bigotry, racism, bloodshed and war - ... and, of course, what we are seeing today.

• hancock | Aug 21, 2010, 07:13 PM EDT

  I dont get it , I wish I lived in such a great, successful country like Ireland. Everybody is so smart and witty . I know a country like America could learn so much from Ireland. I will certainly do whatever the Irish people on this website advise me to do for now on. After all, coming rrom a long time success story like Ireland , how could we Americans go wrong?

• mhichil | Aug 21, 2010, 06:07 PM EDT

  hancock, it's like driving on the other side of the street... your republicans are our democrats,.. get it? ... political well intentions succumbing to greed. As for politics in america, it is like the Special Olympics.... we encourage everyone to try their hand at running the government for a short time, and sometimes a real genius will shine! As much as we try to separate church and state, they are seeking the same control of we the people.

• hancock | Aug 21, 2010, 05:37 PM EDT

  So all people of Irish heritage should blindly vote democrat?

• Mairin67 | Aug 21, 2010, 03:45 PM EDT

  Is it a wonder that these people worship Sarah Palin instead of hanging their heads in shame and apologizing to the country for exposing her to us?

• Mairin67 | Aug 21, 2010, 03:43 PM EDT

  Republicans/conservatives are hypocrites. They spout all this self righteous rhetoric and then back themselves into corners that they can't get out of. This "man of God" (Graham) or this nation should not sit in judgement of anyone. Isn't that what we are based on? I don't understand anyone of Irish heritage being Republican. It tells me that they have long forgotten where they have come from, not that a lot of them know in the first place. So what if Obama might be Muslim. I don't believe that he is but if her were, don't we have freedom of religion in this country?

• IrishAndProud | Aug 21, 2010, 03:37 PM EDT

  Well...considering one in five Americans (and growing)now thinks Obama is a Muslim -- and considering they've arrived at that conclusion on their own, by simply being exposed to Obama and how he's acted and what he's said over the last two years -- does it really matter what Franklin Graham has only NOW come out and said...particularly when he bases that assertion directly on the Q'uran, itself (which states that if you're born of a Muslim father, you're Muslim)? Now watch...some Obamanik will come along and accuse me of being part of the 1-in-5 kook fringe I just mentioned (which I'm not, necessarily), whilst of course they have no problem being one of the mere 26% who support the Ground Zero Victory Mosque.

• mandokeith | Aug 21, 2010, 01:02 PM EDT

  If you have ever "bothered" to read the transcript of the Nixon/Graham comversations, they were talking about the liberal jews in America and in the media. They both held respect and support for Israel and for God's chosen people. Frankiln Graham has noted that even though Obama's people claim he is Christian, he does not attend church regularly, or associate with the Christian community. He does however associate with the Muslem community and is seen in several sound bites on you-tube referring to scripture from the "Holy Quran", and hosting Ramadan observences in the White House. "You shall know a tree by it's fruit", and his fruit is unclear. By the way, wasn't this the site who was mad at Israel a few weeks ago over the Gaza blockade? Now it's poor Israel being beat up by the Graham's? What a magnet for liberal whiners. Get a backbone.

• Monsoonman | Aug 21, 2010, 01:01 PM EDT

  Have any of you ever read and listened to "reverend" wright? Yes he is the pastor of the church where obama and his wife attended for 20 years. Listen to some of his sermons, then wonder how anyone could sit in those pews for 20 years if they didn't agree with his philosophy.

• hancock | Aug 21, 2010, 12:52 PM EDT

  Over 50 percent of the voters put the current moron in the presidency.

• bcoc1124 | Aug 21, 2010, 12:18 PM EDT

  Many people will believe the ravings of this nut! There are many "birthers" and "Obama is a Muslim" crackpots out there. Are we surprised then that these same people think Sara is a saviour and that immigration is the downfall of the USA? Yes, there are uncountable Irish Americans out there who buy into this rhetoric. Aren't we (Irish Americans) lucky that the USA allowed our forefathers and foremothers in - mine were poor,dirty, hungry, illiterate, unschooled, unskilled, Irish speaking, with no job or source of income in sight, but they, like so many present day immigrants, wanted to live in a land of opportunity where they could be Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, or Atheist, and where their children and grandchildren could lead a better life than they could in Ireland. God bless them all.

• Woodkern | Aug 21, 2010, 10:42 AM EDT

  "Graham is just cozying up to the right wing nuts" Undoubtedly, there are plenty of "Irish" Americans among them... Just wait and watch the charming comments come in...

• sailmaker | Aug 21, 2010, 09:44 AM EDT

  Just because Graham clothes himself in the fabric of religion, we should not suppose that he is Christian. He may think so, but the gospels suggest otherwise. Physician, heal thyself! If you can . . . .

• DennisQ | Aug 21, 2010, 12:38 AM EDT

  Pastor Graham is of the belief that faith is more important than knowledge. There's a lot of tradition behind that belief, and you have to admit, it's a lot less work. I remember seeing a bumper sticker, "God said it. I believe it. And that's that!"
  
  What you might call Lazy Man's Religion seems to be a Republican thing. Why else would people be taking Sarah Palin seriously? She's as stupid as a stick, but so was George W., but right wingers love both of them.
  
  It's likely that Franklin Graham is trying to mend fences with the Jews because his father was a raving anti-Semite. Calling Obama a Muslim may be Graham's understanding of how to ingratiate himself with the neocons, who are nearly all Jews. Maybe he's working the ref to get an attack on Iran.