Obama has admitted taking illegal campaign contributions from Mid-East Arabs -

Hello Clrumfelt, Oops! I'm sorry that I inadvertently skipped your response last night. I would offer the suggestion that we not make the leap from two Palestinian brothers having illegally, financially funded BO to Hamas having illegally funded BO -- yet! At this point, the two brothers are denying any involvement with Hamas. So, unless and until an investigation is launched (by somebody) then unfortunately we cannot prove any Hamas link. Your second question is a really terrific one! Why aren't campaign finance officials all over this? I'd like to hope that it's because several gov't agencies are arguing a turf war, i.e. which agency will go after this 'crime'. Although, I do not believe that to be the case. Instead, I suspect that campaign irregularities have become so common-place that too many people are willing to simply turn a blind eye. Your last point deserves serious consideration: If McCain or any other politician admitted on an FEC filing to have been taking foreign contributions, perhaps with a terror link, AND if that politician was found to have knowledge of those contributions, then I would agree with your call for a traitor's punishment. If evidence of knowledge and intent was not found, then I would still insist that that politician withdraw from the current race, and be forever barred from public service. While that may seem a bit harsh, I would argue that any politician who would endanger the USA that way, does not have the judgement, or the willingness to learn and abide by our laws, to lead or represent others.

I think your idea they be forever banned from public service is on target. Convicted felons who serve time in prison are not allowed to vote, so why should those convicted of political treason be allowed to run for publicoffice? This crime should be punished severely to send a strong message to other countries that they are not permitted to meddle with our government.

Hello Mona Lisa, Bingo! That's what first alerted me -- the record breaking contribution rates. I considered that he has urged more 'newbie' voters than ever before. Yet, college student typically have zero cash (been there done that), and newbies are typically deeply skeptical. So, where was all that money coming from???? I like that idea that "I don't play fair". Though, I have to admit that I prefer the sentence of "I got caught cheating". Should he also be prosecuted? Yes, I agree that he should. He broke a law, and he is a lawmaker, which makes his responsible to act within the confines of the law that he participated in legislating, as well as all laws that preceeded him, if those laws are still current. It's a matter of respect -- and if an elected rep cannot demostrate mutual respect, then they are incapable of performing the duties of their job, and should thusly be terminated!

Hello Red, They should be deal killers, shouldn't they? They certainly have been in the past. Geesh, Richard Nixon garnered huge bi-partisan support during the election phase. Yet, the public withdrew every ounce of support he had received for much less of an offense than what Sen. Obama has done here. Heck, 'tricky Dicky' was only trying to 'peak' at his politicial competition. Yet, there were laws in place that deemed that 'peaking' as illegal. So, he went down -- hard. Yet, here we have BO advertizing to the whole world how easy it is for someone to use his website to donate money to his campaign. He's even gone so far as to boldly point out, if you live overseas, here's where to contribute. It's all on his website, in plain sight. Quite frankly, I can't believe that this hasn't already been challenged. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing BO's July campaign reporting -- since he spent at least a quarter of it overseas. Should be interesting! Excellent point about nation's covertly backing candidates who will serve their, and not the nation in question's best interests. There's a reason why political intrigue has created a string of best sellers all the way from Plato's days. Oh, and by the way ... Hsu didn't just bundle for Hillary. He also bundled for BO, and turned BO on to his #1 bundler. So, the Chinese don't have a personal preference on who to back -- just a party preference. Does anyone remember the monk donations 'bundling' for Al Gore???

Hello Lakota, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue. Since yours is the first response, please allow me to make a couple of corrections here, since there is no 'edit' function. 1. In the 'questions' part of my discussion, I erroneously typed Mid-East Muslims. I have no evidence that the Palestinian brothers are Muslim. So, until otherwise confirmed, we should not assume what their religious leanings are, either that they are or are not Muslim. Although, they are Arab. 2. Uhhh duhhh! Yes, I did learn how to count when I was a wee lass. Yup, the number 2 follows the number 1, and 3 follows 2. I submitted this discussion just before I went to sleep last night. I must'a been tired to list the questions as #1, #1, #2 #3. Sorry for the big, 'ol oopses, folks!

lol np I read it my way and I came out 1234

Hello Destiny, You make a really important distinction in your response: Sen. Obama has actively soliticited overseas contributions. Which is a far cry different from an occassional overseas contribution being sent to his campaign headquarters. And yes, you're right the illegal lottery is just another in a long line of campaign irregularities. At what point should the FEC and the USA citizens say "enough is enough -- rules and laws also apply to BO". As do the penalties for not abiding by those laws! Thank you for declaring that charges should be filed after the appropriate investigations. That tells me that you are also refraining from pre-judging this, either for or against. Well done! Wow! This is some really heavy pondering ... Is the Presidency for sale or rent? That we could even consider such a thing is so far beyond sad! Why the heck can't today's political parties vet candidates with integrity?

Hello Ngaspero, To defame is to slander or libel someone's reputation, right? So, how can you equate slander, libel to making public what has already been made public by the alleged victim? In other words, in the USA a candidate's FEC filings are a matter of public record! If Obama's FEC filing lists a total of $29k in donations from these two Palestinian brothers, then there absolutely is no libel involved. Why am I so afraid of BO? Because he has demonstrated, in his very short time in the public arena, that he could do untold, and perhaps irrevokable damage to my country. Not yours (Italy), but mine. More specifically, if he is elected he would be empowered to directly affect my standard and quality of living. What's more, I am 100% confident (that's right, not a shred of doubt) that Obama's ideology and policy goals will have an extraordinarily negative impact on my nation. How can I be so sure? Because everything that he has proposed has already been tried before, and has either failed dismally (USSR, Cuba, China) or has been applied situationally (Venezuela, the United Nations) and is dying from a slow bleed. Over the years, I have studied the political structure of every current government, and most throughout the history of mankind. What BO reprsents is Marxism, which is a failed ideology, everywhere it's been attempted. So, why should I cover my eyes, ears, and mouth to let an inexperienced ideologue, who spouts the most unnatural system of governance in the history of political ideology emerge as the leader of my nation? Ngaspero, let us not confuse governments with individual citizens. Every government who has any current international agreements with other countries will be inclined to assert their governmental divisions into the affairs of nations with whom they are legally bound on any matter. The USA, Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Mongolia, etc... have all inserted their national will into the politics of their fellow sovereign states. That will not change -- nor do I believe it should, if the goal of peaceful coexistence remains front and center. However, infering that individual citizens should be allowed to inject themselves into other nations elections is so irresponsible, that I cannot imagine that you really even support it. Would you really want Americans to fund one candidate in your next national election? And, what if we poured big bucks into getting someone elected that you were absoulutely certain would negatively impact your homeland. Would it be OK then?

It's amazing, isn't it? I don't know how those who start some of these lies get away with it but I guess anything goes these days, it's acceptable to try to destroy someone's character. Annie

It's really amazing, I always wonder about that, but do you think that they believe in what they write? I hope no, but in the case it's also more bad becouse with poupose they report somethink false.. Nun ps(I really hope no but I see it hard for Obama, november is far away and tons of this thinks will still go out)

Hello Laglen, Thank you for raising the question: in these past two months, I have heard zero follow-up on any F.E.C. action against Sen. Obama. Since Sen. Obama filed his FEC filings to include the Palestinian contributions (this was never a question, as Obama's FEC filings are a matter of public record, and he does not dispute the illegal contributions) I have not read any media follow up. At issue is whether or not Sen. Obama actually returned that money. His campaign stated that it had returned the $30k, yet the Palestinians stated that they never received the money back, and Team Obama could provide no evidence (when last I read about activity in this issue) that it had returned the money. So, you raise a really terrific point. Is anyone following up on this? And, has their been an inquiry into the George Clooney's '$10k/plate' Obama fundraiser in Geneva, Switzerland? Uhhhh, how does one NOT question a political fundraiser for a USA politician being held in Switzerland? There is simply too much of an opportunity for abuse. Below is a link about the Geneva fundraiser: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/05/hollywood-megastar-to-host-fundraiser-for-obama/

Hello Whiteheather, You make a terrific point here: If this disregard for the laws of our land are what we are seeing in the race for the White House, what might we expect if Sen. Obama were to be elected to the highest office in the land?

Exactly! This morning (Friday) I am even more disgusted with what is going on in the election.

This sure bears repeating. "If you ever again make obfuscated allegations that I am connected to, linked to, in bed with, or a racist who will or will not vote for a person based on the color of their skin, then I promise you that I will publicly excoriate you for making patently false accusations against me. I will not tolerate these race games, Annie. For the whole of my life, I have walked the talk of color-blindness, to the point where I have made great personal sacrifices in this regard. I will not stand idly by, and allow accusation of bigotry to infuse legitimate political/ideological issues. If you want to cheapen yourself with the race card, then you do it somewhere else -- not in my discussions. For when you debase yourself to capitalize on race baiting, then you infect bigotry into my discussions." I wish I had said this or something similar to some of the people responding in my posts. Good going.

Annie once again you have to resort to name calling, and put downs.

As Rush would say... DITTO! You should be ashamed of yourself anniepa. By charging racism in your post you have shown yourself to be racist. Shame on you!

Thank you, X! I honestly appreciate that you are reserving 'judgement' until more data is available. That is reasonable, it is sound, and it is as it should be! I also respect that you see the inherent risks in 'internet campaigning'. Wow, talk about a potential hornets nest! (Quote- Xfahctor) "I will try to remain fair and say that perhaps the senator may not be aware initially where the money is coming from. I will say though that steps should be taken to insure that only U.S. citizens can access the fund raising section" Again, while it is reasonable to give the benefit of the doubt, it cannot be understated the BO already has a history of taking repeated 'questionable', tainted campaign monies. Add to that the reality that the home page of his web page directs overseas individuals on how to contribute to his campaign. While his overall web page does indicate that only US citizens living abroad 'should' gift their money to him, there is no mention of any evidence necessary to prove one's citizenship. Moreover, his campaign instructions seem to support the idea of giving multiple or scheduled lesser amount donations. If anyone wanted to figure out how to scam the system, multiple, scheduled, automatic credit card contributions would be the most precise way to accomplish such a goal. Lastly, nowhere on his website does it indicate that any contributor will have to prove that they are in fact a United States citizen! None of this should come as any great surprise, since BO has refused to provide any proof of his own citizenship, since before his national Congressional election.

ladyluna quote from your comment " This is most certainly a 'lesser of two evils' campaign. As such, I am not voting FOR a candidate, I am absolutely voting AGAINST a candidate -- and I have made no bones about that fact!!!" I could not have put it better your statement is EXACTLY word for word how how I feel about this election and my vote.

I didn't say that you were wrong in anything that you stated. I'm not one that is big on politics. I just know they have all taken money under the table. Proof if it none cause I'm not into politics. Things that should be on the news are not. That was my point if the information was really true that is one thing that would have been on the news. Not saying that what you have brought to the light it not true. When you look on the tv there is nothing about where his money is coming from. If they really wanted to change the peoples mind on voting for him that is something that would be eating up the air waves. I don't see that, No one is perfect and like I have said before I'm sure that all of them have taken money from donators that they should not have. That is all I was say. Don't get all twisted for my opinion. I'm not one of those that really care for politics. I wish that the whole thing would be over and done with. Vote for the president right now instead of waiting til Nov. Again I'm not trying to discredit anything that you have pointed out. Have a good one.

Hello Jbg45638, Please allow me to welcome you to MyLot. I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your time here. Thank you for bringing something new to this discussion. I know next to nothing about BO's trip to Pakistan/India when he was in college. If I may ask, how did you come by this info? I'd sure appreciate knowing, because I think it is worthwhile to know about that influential time in young BO's life.

Actually I heard alot of rumors about it at first so I did some internet searching on my own and apparently found an old news paper clipping of his trip to Pakistan and India. They told he spent 3 weeks in Pakistan and 1 week in Hyderabad, India. It looked like an old college news paper article. It seems rather hard to find that article now since the news is out but if I find it again I'll post the link. That trip was in 1981. I also found an article where a journalist found out about this around the time Obama just started running for president he tracked down the Pakistani friend Obama stayed with in Pakistan for 3 weeks. That journalist specifically asked that person what he thought about his old friend (Obama) running for President. That Pakistani friend refused to say anything.

Rose, If I were you I would still vote for Obama or a 3rd/Independent Candidate. McCain will be alot worse for the US economy and international respectability. There is only so much Obama can do and I know Democractic Party wont sit still if he crosses the lines. But how Obama is fairing it looks like he will need to choose Hillary Clinton as his runningmate if that is the case we have nothing to worry about at all. I really don't like either Obama or McCain. I liked Clinton and Ron Paul if either of one of those two run as independent I am voting for them. We all know Clinton and Ron Paul has several interesting policies that will save the government billions that will allow our taxes to be cut in half or more.

I asked myself: Should I have really expected an honorable reaction from you? Nope, I guess it was to be expected that you would tuck tail, and run when you are called to the mat. I would urge you to refrain from future challenges to members' integrity without a serious review of their contributions, and the hutzba to defend your allegations!

Liscampll, Let's see if you have a shred of integrity, shall we? I challenge you to disprove any one of the claims in this original post!!! When you have failed to disprove any single claim in my original post -- I will expect a public apology from you for having denigrated my ethics and integrity in referring to my researched content as a "heap of trash"! How dare you, who are too lazy to bother performing even cursory research before flippantly declaring that you won't bother to review provided corroboration until a poster proves or disproves something to you. You've got some nerve. Perhaps you need to surrender your own laziness and commit to honest research before you challenge another member's integrity! Bring it on!!! __________________________________________________________________________________ There may be those who are unaware of Liscampll's confrontationally flippant response (as referenced above) to a discussion titled "Barack Obama, The NEW Kind Of Politician!!!". I would suggest a quick search of the title in the MyLot search feature. It is a violation of the MyLot Guidelines to post a link to another discussion. As such, I will refrain from providing the link. However, the search feature will get you to the discussion.

Like I said, you wouldn't believe the truth anyway, to you it's all one big conspiracy. Why should I disprove it? You don't believe in factchecking websites, right? You are certifiable. Honest research? Are you even serious?!?!? In your eyes, the only honest research is yours. I will not stoop to your gutter politics so I will kindly bid you farewell!