Michelle Obama's Whitey Video--Does It Exist?

[BPSCG]

And yet you feel it necessary to talk about it and start a thread. No agenda here...

Are you going to criticize Delphi Ote for starting a thread about Loose Change? And here I thought this was a skeptics' forum, which means that of necessity most threads should be dedicated to topics which we doubt personally.

I think it's important to recognize that there are people who:

• Lurk here and/or;
• Are new here.

Some people may be unfamiliar with this story (I was until a few days ago). Some may be familiar with it but aren't familiar with the skeptic's tools, and don't have the BS detector that most of us have acquired over the years.

In short, some people are here for an education - that's what the "E" in JREF is about - and just because someone might have an "agenda" in bringing up a topic doesn't mean it's unfit for discussion.

I'd love for this story to be true, but I also recognize that it sets off skeptical alarm bells galore. That's why I think it's important for people who won't vote for Obama - especially for people who won't vote for Obama - to openly state their skepticism. It helps teach the lurking newbies something about spotting confirmation bias.

Would that some of the Bush-haters here would show the same open skepticism when presented with some tale about their bete-noir.

 

[mrbaracuda]

...easier to throw up into it that way. I endured about 30 seconds of that video...

..you know the rules and so do I..

/me sings

 

[BPSCG]

The women's luncheon, at which any collection of influential Chicago area women might show up, was held in 2004.

Hence if the video is purported to say, "Why'd he let New Orleans drown?", then the comments could not have been made in 2004.

Again, that earlier link is to an article that attempts to explain how, hypothetically, something she hypothetically could have said, such as "Why'd he let New Orleans drown?" could easily have been heard as "Whitey let New Orleans drown." I haven't seen anything that suggests she actually said anything about New Orleans.

Or even that she said anything at all about "whitey."

 

[mrbaracuda]

I think this is the video you're looking for.

Actually it's this.

 

[Cleon]

Actually it's this.

You're both wrong.

 

[SpitfireIX]

I think this is the video you're looking for. This is the most vile, disturbing thing I've ever seen God help us if this woman gets into the Whitey, I mean White House.

You got me; I assumed you were linking to the fake that Tsukasa Buddha was talking about. Good thing the sound is out on my computer at work.

 

[Brainster]

The women's luncheon, at which any collection of influential Chicago area women might show up, was held in 2004.

Hence if the video is purported to say, "Why'd he let New Orleans drown?", then the comments could not have been made in 2004.

The "why'd he" for "whitey" formulation was a suggestion by a blogger as to how the story could have some basis in fact, but be innocent at the same time. It's speculation.

 

[Pardalis]

Are you going to criticize Delphi Ote for starting a thread about Loose Change? And here I thought this was a skeptics' forum, which means that of necessity most threads should be dedicated to topics which we doubt personally.

Quite true, maybe I'm over-reacting in anticipation of the smear campaign that has begun.

My apologies.

 

[SpitfireIX]

You're both wrong.

Outstanding; I'm using that one from now on. (Even though I don't have audio, I can tell just from watching that it's hilarious.)

 

[mrbaracuda]

You're both wrong.

What an interesting turn of events.

 

[Brainster]

Quite true, maybe I'm over-reacting in anticipation of the smear campaign that has begun.

My apologies.

Thanks. I may wear my politics on my sleeve, but I do at least try to start threads on topics that are buzzing in the blogs, because I do value the opinions of most of the posters here.

 

[Lithrael]

(...) That's why I think it's important for people who won't vote for Obama - especially for people who won't vote for Obama - to openly state their skepticism. It helps teach the lurking newbies something about spotting confirmation bias.

Would that some of the Bush-haters here would show the same open skepticism when presented with some tale about their bete-noir.

Well, I've seen so much of his stupid first-hand that I don't feel like bothering to be thoroughly skeptical on stupid I've only heard about. I expect you're talking about more extreme cases though.

 

[Brainster]

A reporter asked Obama about this today and got the "non-denial denial" routine:

“We have seen this before. There is dirt and lies that are circulated in e-mails and they pump them out long enough until finally you, a mainstream reporter, asks me about it,” Obama said to the McClatchy reporter during a press conference aboard his campaign plane. “That gives legs to the story. If somebody has evidence that myself or Michelle or anybody has said something inappropriate, let them do it.”

Dave Weigel looks at the changing story from Larry Johnson:

Let's rewind it back. Johnson, on June 2:

It features Michelle Obama and Louis Farrakhan. They are sitting on a panel at Jeremiah Wright’s Church.

Johnson, two days later.

I do not know where this occurred.

 

[Puppycow]

Sounds like a classic urban legend/rumor to me.

 

[jberryhill]

Again, that earlier link is to an article that attempts to explain how, hypothetically, something she hypothetically could have said, such as "Why'd he let New Orleans drown?" could easily have been heard as "Whitey let New Orleans drown." I haven't seen anything that suggests she actually said anything about New Orleans.

Or even that she said anything at all about "whitey."

...hence my use of the word "purported".

 

[quixotecoyote]

A reporter asked Obama about this today and got the "non-denial denial" routine:

Calling it "dirt and lies" is a non-denial denial routine?

 

[greymatters]

I'm skeptical (but then, you all knew that!) about the existence of this alleged tape. It sounds too much like the alleged video of Kitty Dukakis burning the flag, then the alleged video of Hillary Clinton burning the flag, then the alleged video of Theresa Heinz-Kerry burning the flag.

There are pictures of Michelle Obama with Farrakahn, but this "shocking" video of presidential candidate's wife story feels way too familiar.

 

[BPSCG]

Calling it "dirt and lies" is a non-denial denial routine?

He doesn't do himself any favors with that answer. What's wrong with a simple, "No, it's not true; it's ridiculous. Next question."? Instead he goes on and on about how these things get started and lectures the press on how to do its job, blah blah blah. Does he love the sound of his own voice that much?

 

[T.A.M.]

I'm skeptical (but then, you all knew that!) about the existence of this alleged tape. It sounds too much like the alleged video of Kitty Dukakis burning the flag, then the alleged video of Hillary Clinton burning the flag, then the alleged video of Theresa Heinz-Kerry burning the flag.

There are pictures of Michelle Obama with Farrakahn, but this "shocking" video of presidential candidate's wife story feels way too familiar.

What difference does it make if it is true or not? Do you think the people who start such rumors care if it is true? Do you think the "Obama is a muslim" rumor/falsehood was created by someone who gives a rats ass about it validity?

Once it is out there....

TAM

 

[NotJesus]

He doesn't do himself any favors with that answer. What's wrong with a simple, "No, it's not true; it's ridiculous. Next question."? Instead he goes on and on about how these things get started and lectures the press on how to do its job, blah blah blah. Does he love the sound of his own voice that much?

He's working the refs. He knows this isn't going to be the last of these rumors and he doesn't want to be constantly denying things that are ridiculous -- "No, I didn't hold fundraisers for the Taliban. No, Michelle never applied for Zimbabwean citizenship... "