The Audacity of Name Calling: President Obama and the Detractors

By Onuwa Victoria Ogbolu

The current name-calling parading itself as political discourse has not only dominated American politics but also that of other nations. This ugly side of politics is threatening governance, impeding progress, and confusing the electorate. Disguised as a policy dialogue and dismissed as a political norm, name-calling is an endemic epidemic that has commandeered the real political agenda in America and it is more so in Obamas presidency.

To dismiss vitriolic name-calling as an uncontrollable part of the political process, is to make a mockery of politics, destroy governance, and ultimately; it is an aberration of justice. Political name-calling is a sign of a serious ill within the larger society, especially when it plays a significant role in the outcome of elections and places uncooperative elected officials in a position of power.

Thus, the book documents and exposes the vicious political utterances of people, who abuse their political powers and thereby encourage hate, divisiveness, and perhaps violence. Further, it reminds the readers of politics gone severely wrong, of bigotry re-enacted, of democracy stretched to its limits, and of a freedom of speech abused.

This book directs Americans and the world to the ills of name-calling and the political vindictiveness that results from it. It takes the stand that civility has to be reintroduced into politics if any sociopolitical catastrophe is to be averted. It is therefore hoped that by presenting a comprehensive documentation of ugly political practices so prevalent in todays politics, readers will have a written reference point that may allow them to fully understand the dangers and consequences of name-calling as infused into politics.

After all, to remain on a political path to human destruction
through a dogmatic selfish agenda is not sustainable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 22, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524602994

Onuwa Victoria Ogbolu

Onuwa Victoria Ogbolu is a Nigerian Canadian who currently lives in Toronto, Canada. Previously a professor of fine arts, she moved to Ottawa, Canada, in 1989, where she trained as a computer network engineer and worked as a network manager and computer trainer. After a severe head injury and a protracted medical rehabilitation, Onuwa moved to Toronto in 2006. She trained as an entrepreneur and received the 2007 Microskills Award for Best Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Ms. Ogbolu is an entrepreneurship consultant and focuses on women and community empowerment through business development. With a postgraduate diploma in culture and heritage management, she has written several articles on management issues, especially as it relates to government, business, and society. A proponent of the more human side of politics, Onuwa is a keen observer of political activities around the world, especially in Canada and the United States, and studies their societal implications. She writes related articles and commentaries about her daily observations of the political process and how it affects individuals in the larger society. Onuwa is currently a PhD candidate in business management and writes about global businesses, focusing specifically on cultural entrepreneurship and social responsibility. She is driven by keen love for writing as propelled by the true values of a humane and civil society.

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Published by AuthorHouse    04/20/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0300-7 (sc)

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

PART 1

Chapter 1    Introductory Commentary

Chapter 2    President Obama’s Predecessors

PART 2

Chapter 3    Enters President Obama

Chapter 4    The Jubilation, the Assaults, and the End of the Euphoria

Chapter 5    Is It Racism? You Decide

PART 3

Chapter 6    Introducing Name Calling and Name Callers

PART 4

Chapter 7    Animated Statements of Bigotry and Deception

Chapter 8    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 2

PART 5

Chapter 9    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 3

Chapter 10    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 4

Chapter 11    The Animated Statements of Deception Part 5

Chapter 12    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 6

Chapter 13    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 7

Chapter 14    The Animated Statements of Deception, Part 8

PART 6

Chapter 15    The Emboldened

Chapter 16    Obama’s Family is not Exempt

Conclusion

References

About The Author

To my late mother, Catherine Adafor Ugbo. Thank you.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book was inspired by my belief in civility and human kindness, respect for every human and a life of peace, unity and love. However, I could not have written this book without the help of God Almighty, who empowered me and guided me all the way. As he led me on, he sent others to cheer me on and motivate me. For this reason, I thank all the people in my life that believe in me. Particularly, my sincere gratitude goes to the following:

Onome Ifechukwude Natufe, my son, who continuously told me that I could do it. He stood by me and reminded me that I should not look down on my gifts, especially the gifts of art and writing. When I thought that I had taken on an area in which I had no professional background, he reminded me that I could take on any subject because he thought that I had an all-around intelligence. He always said, Mom, you have the research capacity, and that is all you need to complete the job. This encouragement kept me going strong.

Rosaline Ifesiokwu Ogwu, my dear sister, who never wavered in her support. There were a few down days where I wanted to abandon this project, but she constantly reminded me that she had never known me to be a quitter. She gave me financial, moral and physical support, and she prayed with me regularly for God’s guidance. She is a sister indeed and in need.

PREFACE

Watching, listening and absorbing information from media sources today gives one a good glimpse into the rights to free speech and democracy at its finest in the United States of America. However, sometimes it appears as if freedom and democracy are tested as incivility takes centre stage. As a result, some individuals engage in inappropriate and uncontrollable behaviours by spewing outrageous utterances aimed at damaging political opponents. America and the world are thus captivated by the highest level of hate and bitterness infused into today’s politics, especially during President Obama’s era.

As a consequence, politics become an ugly game of bashing, attacking, and disparaging-laced with hate and bigotry. Thus, politics degenerate into vindictive name calling and expose the dishonest, the obnoxious and the ludicrous. In all, the electorate is confronted by lies, dishonesties and egregious misinformation that leave them totally confused as they face serious sociopolitical divisiveness that threatens both governance and the progress of the country.

PART 1

CHAPTER 1

Introductory Commentary

S OME MAY SAY that political bashing is fair game, and the bashing of presidents and other politicians can be traced through history to contemporary times. However, any political tradition that encourages vindictive name calling, with a capacity to undermine governance, is a dangerous one. The ability to pour out malicious and outrageous words at elected officials (or anyone, for that matter) and then get away with it, is a serious sign of societal decay. Hateful words that deliver political punches and defame others ought to be rejected and considered inappropriate. Those who utter ugly political vitriol and delight in destroying the character of their fellow human beings can be likened to vicious name callers and antagonists of progress.

When people resort to destructive and hateful name calling, with words that pierce the hearts of others, they set up a society where hate and divisiveness are encouraged. They also provide ammunition to deranged individuals in society, who have been looking for reasons to hurt others both physically and mentally. Dangerous and insulting words that can lead to physical and mental abuse, which cause socio-political upheaval within society should not be accepted as a norm under any circumstance. Name callers who pour out steady streams of dreadful magniloquence can be dubbed encouragers of societal disruption. These detractors, who claim to be partaking in the political process, somehow, possess a strong willingness to misinform, instil fear and cause discord.

These are people who take delight in mocking, lying and enjoy confusing the public before, during and even after elections-with the ultimate hopes of distorting issues after influencing election results. Besides, they disagree with anything and everything that may move the country forward, as long as it is does not originate from their side of the political hallway. Sadly, these individuals are not particularly interested in the progress of the country, but rather in sowing the seeds of hate and division. They focus on convincing the public that their opponents are to blame for all that is wrong with politics and governance. They project a cruel and conscienceless attitude as they manipulate the system consistently and diligently, using name calling as a tool for distorted political deliberations. In doing so, they call attention to themselves in an attempt to gain some weird media popularity (and they do). Unfortunately, at the receiving end are their targets, in this case, elected presidents, other lawmakers, and any other individual they may have vowed to bring down at all cost. Such name callers enjoy holding down the necks of their victims until they see the political blood of victory.

Is it no wonder the euphoria of voting the first African American president into office dissipated as quickly as it came? Indeed, the jubilation that came with the election of the first black president was quickly swallowed by malicious name calling, and slowly and consistently, joy gave way to bitterness, hate and disharmony. As a consequence, these name callers succeeded in redirecting the focus from a historical event to everything that is wrong with the elected president. Thus, the sense of unification that could have been realized from the historical event swiftly morphed into serious acrimony. Similarly, the initial jubilation expressed by well-meaning Americans and others around the world about the election of President Obama was somehow replaced with confusion and some sense of insecurity. As well-intentioned Americans discussed real political issues that would advance the country, the detractors nurtured and propagated the politics of revulsion and bigotry.

On the other hand, it is hard to make the case that this is all about President Obama or that he was the only president who endured brutal name calling. As already stated, some have insisted that presidential bashing is nothing new, and vowed that it is a norm passed down from history. Some may have dwelled on the idea that mugging presidents and other elected officials is a long-time practice, used by abusers who would rather disrupt any political process that is not going their way. In the interest of objectivity though, whether horrible political behaviour is a tradition or not is insignificant, what is important is that it ought to be disavowed and condemned as incongruous within any progressive political society.

It does not matter whether nasty political behaviours come from people on the right or the left, it should not be encouraged in any way. When political opponents turn to name callers in order to throw insults on presidents or other legislators on the opposing side, the country and the citizens suffer the underlying consequences. A doctrine of hate developed from resentment, hostility and contempt should have no place in any political process. It should not matter whether partisan aggression is perpetuated by Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Centrists or any other group in-between, it will always derail healthy political agendas.

In all, Obama’s era may to some extent, be a period of a despicable political process marred by vile name calling. It could be a period when some individuals moved freedom of speech to a contemptible echelon and made a mockery of democracy. One may even be tempted to conclude that it is a period when democracy was pushed to its limit and sounded more like a demonstration of pure craziness. While it may be possible for some to conclude that deranged name calling is an exercise in democracy and free speech, it is also possible to infer that it degenerated to a foolish exhibition of serious idiosyncrasies. An idiosyncratic behaviour that allows some individuals in the society to silence those they hate, is one that undermines the very substance of democracy. No matter what side you are on, name calling is a vicious cycle that only mimics a political dialogue and therefore, an atrocious exercise of bullying, vicious attacks and public humiliation. It is a culture of intimidation that has no boundaries and attacks anyone and everyone who attempts to condemn it, and forces the deafening silence of some citizens. With intimidating tactics, name callers gain the upper hand as they receive media recognition. Simply put, aggressiveness, absurdity and ugly utterances seems to be selling well in today’s media. This is further exacerbated by the fact that ugly politics has high value and a devout following—and therefore high ratings.

What is more, the value of vindictiveness and evil political rhetoric excels, making atrocious name calling a booming business. Furthermore, hateful and dangerous words full of lies and distortions besiege the airways—television, radio, social media, the blogosphere and other information distribution channels. The more outlandish the utterances, the more public recognition the name callers gain. Sadly, it has no doubt become quite lucrative to take to the public podium and spill hateful, dishonest and false grandiloquence.

Unfortunately, name calling has become a commercial venture that allows individuals make quick money. This is because some media organizations end up hiring them as political contributors because of their provocative utterances. Therefore, they sign up for radio talk shows, reality TV shows, magazines opinion writing, online blogging, and so on. As a result, some political name callers quickly rise to prominence as long as their followers and funders are standing squarely behind them. Usually, there is never any scarcity of supporters as long as the wrong arm of divisiveness pushes them to the right or left of a political base. In a very contemptuous way, name calling has become an exercise in outrageousness and vindictiveness that promotes a level of influence. More so, louder voices of incivility seem to always prevail and suppress the voices of reason. It may be safe to imply that presidential bashing is not only lucrative, but it also leads to fame and name callers are smart enough to feed off this notion.

The crux of the matter is that spreading false information can be hard to resist, especially when they are usually salacious and dramatic, and can gain public attention very easily. Likewise, because the more vicious the statement, the more attention it draws-name callers often compete amongst themselves to make the most dramatically bizarre statements. Regrettably, the aim is usually to undermine real political agendas and perhaps encourage the failure of governance in order to label whoever is in charge a failure. This becomes obvious when name calling stalls progress by crippling well intended political policies as soon as they are presented.

What’s more, with President Barack Obama, as with other presidents, unscrupulous name callers have flourished. But, it may be appropriate to say that the name Obama seemed to fuel the name callers anger and wrath if one considers that name calling seem to be at its highest in his time. During this time, detractors have enjoyed promoting ugly cynicism, perhaps incubated by a hateful rejection or by something so subtle that may still be lying behind the shadows. While it may be hard for some to accept that the politics of hate has taken over the American political system, its obviousness is very telling. While some may even want to brush off name calling as fair game, it is difficult to see anything fair about a political vendetta ingrained in hate and bigotry. A political name calling that rests on intimidation and bullying is not only disruptive but also dangerous. Although the bullying of presidents has been ignored to an extent or sometimes seem harmless and farfetched, it takes its toll when it reaches a dangerous limit. When political bullying at presidential level (or any level for that matter) is condoned (as it is sometimes), it could encourage schoolyard bullying and lead children to believe that it is an appropriate behaviour. If schoolyard bullying starts mimicking political bullying, the school become a conflict zone, devoid of tolerance, fairness, and good judgment.

Further, if political bullies gain political victory in a very sinister way, why should anyone believe that an election is clean and fair? Is there anyone out there that is incapable of the very reasoning that elections won through misinformation and distortion could empower precarious and habitual name callers?

Likewise, if a political system believed to be the envy of the world can be tainted by those unconcerned with efficient governance and policies, then the world must be degenerating into a politically dangerous bubble. If that becomes the case, (as it is shaping up to be) governance will be at a standstill, and obstructionism will be continuously paraded as sincere legislative engagement. To some, political insult may be fair game, but when it strangles policies that could lift up the country, citizens suffer the hardship that results from it.

Thus, to ignore horrifying political behaviours that have the potential to destroy the fabric of society is to destroy societal progress. People who engage in political hate-mongering in any civil society could be equated to destroyers of constructive societal values. In their society, the recycling of political vindictiveness and the perpetuation of evil are usually adequate and welcomed. For this reason, bringing such ugly phenomenon to an end, (or to at least reduce its intensity) is warranted and something or someone has to break the vicious cycle.

Again, it is important to emphasize that political name calling is nothing but manipulation and it is up to society to decide when enough is enough and reject it as a dreadful political game. After all, the sociocultural and socioeconomic well-being of all citizens is at stake and the progress of the country can quickly be in jeopardy when legitimate political issues are commandeered by name calling. It is therefore critically important for all citizens interested in the progress and welfare of their country to reject the ugly spectacle of name calling that parades itself as a political process. This indeed is the aim of this book: to document name calling as a dreadful political distraction, capable of destroying both citizens and country. It is believed that by documenting name calling and calling it exactly what it, name callers will know that their tricks are no longer hidden. Thus, the book will serve as a reference for understanding the connotations and excesses of name calling and perhaps deter future name callers, (doubtful but possible) who harbour political bitterness aimed at rendering governance impotent.

Why This Book?

This book highlights issues of name calling and the uncivil political discourse that threatens governance. It points to the issues that have dominated not only the American political podium but also that of other nations for a very long time. The reasoning is that it will not be ideal to simply dismiss name calling as a political norm, when it is indeed, an aberration and mockery of politics and justice. Accordingly, this book takes the view that political name calling is a sign of a larger ill within a society, especially when it plays a significant role in the outcome of elections. I seek to document and expose the vicious utterances spoken by a few people with intent to promote hate, discord and perhaps violence within the nation. It is intended to remind the readers of politics gone severely wrong, of bigotry re-enacted, of democracy stretched to the limits and ultimately, the abuse of freedom of speech.

The contention here is that in reminding Americans and the world of the ills of political vindictiveness and falsehoods, more people may choose better actions that can promote a civil and better society. By presenting a comprehensive compilation of misguided utterances that could and may have led to divisiveness and possibly violence, society will have a written reference for a reflective change. It may also help to point society in a different direction, a direction aimed at promoting a much more civil political dialogue, an effective governance with a country-first approach. After all, remaining on the perpetual path to human destruction through politics and dogmatic agenda, can hardly be sustained. If it is, at some point something or someone may explode, pitting citizens against citizens, race against race, communities against communities and so on. Ultimately, I hope that this book could provide a deeper understanding about name calling and its innate danger, with the intent of advancing civil political discourse that includes self-control, honesty and respect-worthy and befitting of any nation that thrives on peace and freedom. The kind of freedom that can condemn any measure of name calling and discourage the mentality of winning at any cost. Moreover, any victory gained through hatred, bigotry and dishonesty is a victory that cannot lead a nation in the right direction. With that in mind, the book advocates peace and love in its cleanest form and truth in its most unpolluted state. The substance of the book is directed to individuals with conscience who care about political civility through an honest discourse. Further, the book encourages the kind of political discourse that enhances human dignity as well as institutional progress.

Accordingly, this book will present an in-depth list of utterances from individuals represented as name callers. It will discuss name callers and Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, while focusing mostly on President Obama. Specifically, the book explores in some detail a list of words and phrases used by name callers over the years to describe Mr. Obama and members of his family. It makes no claim to any political affiliations and I make no claim to any professional political expertise. Instead, I simply present a commentary based on hours of research and observations. The focus is on what is perceived as societal political incongruity, and not on an attempt to promote the pervasive balancing game or false equivalences that often legitimizes political name calling. Even though it is impossible to document all the name calling labels out there, there was no name too small to mention. In doing so, it is expected that the very rawness of this discourse may lead to more positive political reactions. Meanwhile, it is hoped that the utterances documented here will expose an unfortunate political spectacle dangerous enough to warrant urgent change.

Further, whether you are on the left or the right side of the political debate, having the ability to see beyond the political façade and question the real motives of political name callers is not only smart, but it is also good citizenship. Readers are led to a name calling zone, where they can quickly recognize the name calling tricks of the trade as perpetuated by not only the rank and file, but also highly placed individuals, such as politicians, media moguls, oligarchs, and corporate entities. It is assumed that readers will be able to see through the masks worn by high-profile name callers, whose intentions are usually displayed through their hateful utterances and arrogant apologies. They will be able to pinpoint individuals engaging in the grandiose and lofty exercise of political bullying and intimidation. Thus, readers will have clear and first-hand information about the kinds of individuals that peddle influence by dividing the country. They will perhaps, reject such political ploys that ultimately destabilize peace and stability, while tearing through the boundless walls of unity.

Above all, this book calls on the readers to decide for themselves whether religion, race, sexism, and ignorance-or hatred, bigotry and divisiveness have a role in today’s political discourse. Also, readers are encouraged to decide whether the office of the presidency deserves to be preserved and respected no matter who is sitting in that office. They should decide whether the greatest nation on earth can allow the politics of hate to thrive in the 21st century. Therefore, the question the readers may want to answer, is whether a few bad people can decide the fate of the world’s largest democracy and turn it into a place where illicitly constructed political utterances hijack an entire political agenda. It is within this perspective that I insist that Americans and America are better than the ugly politics that leads to either the left or right political extremism. Finally, and most significantly, this book calls on readers to carefully examine and weigh everything they see, hear or read. In today’s political climate, it is very easy to consume and digest lies masquerading as truths or distortions concealed as facts.

The material for this book was derived from free materials from the media, books, the Internet, the blogosphere, public opinions, public actions and attitudes. Materials were also gathered as events occur and used in their raw form without trying to separate made-up narratives from jokes, bizarre storylines from any other type of odious insinuations. With name calling, it is extremely difficult to separate facts from fiction or jokes from real insults because facts and truths are often carefully woven into fallacies and fictional inventions. However, rhetorical and ideological issues surrounding name calling were considered in order to get to the heart of the politics of hate and distortions. It is important to note that this book offers my personal opinions in the form of an independent commentary. Where political views are considered, it was purely for the practical purpose of placing utterances in their ideological positions.

Finally, I was not interested in political correctness but rather in the narratives stemming from raw words and phrases constructed and embellished by political name callers. Readers are encouraged to make a distinction between the politics of real policy agenda and the politics of dangerous political utterances laced with hate. The focus on Obama is mainly because name calling may have risen to an all-time high during his era. The name callers of his time may have promoted political and human injustice, persecuted the innocent and enacted a dangerous political real-life drama, capable of taking politics back to the 19th century, if not beyond.

CHAPTER 2

President Obama’s Predecessors

President George Walker Bush

E VEN THOUGH THE focus of this book is