Today is the day I snapped

[T Teeter]

Today is the day I snapped.

Like most of you, living in the Joplin area means more than your share of Obama email rumors (he's secretly Muslim, et al) or Obama jokes via email that are acts of thinly veiled racism (Photoshop of Obama shining Palin's shoes, etc). I get these from friends, co-workers, and family. I tried to ignore the ignorance... and did so until today.

Today I got a "fwd fwd fwd re: Obama" email that has clearly weaved its way throughout Joplin. The forward list is a who's who of our metro. It's an eloquent weaving of all the old and new Obama rumors into one well thought out smear. It talks about a lifetime of secret motives including Obama's Pakistani college roommate that has created an international ring of backdoor contributions from those with terrorist ties, to Obama "acknowledging" he is secretly a Muslim when he misspoke last month during an interview.

I encourage each of you to have the courage to "reply all" and spread the truth, as I did today, using the www.stopthesmears.com website as a tutorial for the ignorant. I went this tack:

"It appears you all are pawns in a desperate attempt to spread misleading rumors about Barack Obama. Ignorance breads fear and fear breeds hate. Educate yourself before forwarding false information. Go to http://stopthesmears.com to find the truth."

[Bill Fleischaker]

Here is a great article in this weeks Rolling Stone about McCain. It is not smears - just the truth. Seems like some of his fellow POW's don't see him in a very good light. And as for character - do you want a person who treated his first wife the way that McCain did to be your President?

[Katharine Spigarelli]

Thank you. I appreciate this information. I always cringe when I hear people say things and often don't know what to say. It is okay to make racial comments in this area and most don't even realize what they are saying is racist. At the beauty shop the other day, one of the beauticians said, "She (Michelle Obama) doesn't even like white people." Where did that come from? I always hear that "..you know, he's a muslim..." and now, of course, the accusation (via our favorite, Sarah Palin, that he hangs out with terrorists.... So, thanks for the information. I'm thinking about writing a letter to the editor. But, in this area, people wouldn't be fazed.
Katharine Spigarelli

[T Teeter]

I've decided to fight racist and smear emails going forward like this: every time someone forwards a racist or smear email about Obama, I'm going to purchase another TV spot in the Joplin market for this commercial:

http://joplin.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2218539%3AVideo%3A863

The spots are $34/each. It was filmed last week in Joplin by two film makers from LA and NYC. I want to turn each email message of SWMO hate and fear into a vote for Obama from a swing voter who will connect with this ad spot. In fact, after looking through today's inbox I need to buy four more spots. :-)

[Dirk Gerdes]

Its so frustrating to receive those emails or be constantly slammed in my Facebook account. As the better person you just let it go.. let it go.. But finally you have to speak up.. you have to speak out. And of course when you do speak out you will be accussed of "drinking the kool aid".. But stay strong!!!

No one ever said Change was easy.