Open Thread: The First Obama Fabulist
More than likely, you've already heard about David Maraniss's new book Barack Obama: The Story and news reports that President Obama created a "composite" character of a girlfriend who actually never existed.
It turns out, the fake girlfriend is only one of several fake people with whom Obama pretended to have life-changing moments as Andrew Ferguson writes in a review of Maraniss's book for the Weekly Standard. As Ferguson discovers, Barack Obama was the first person to make up fake warm fuzzy stories about himself, something his subsequent presidential campaign would later make the primary justification to elect him:
Years before Obama haters could inflate him into an America-destroying devil or Obama worshippers spied those rolling swells of greatness that have yet to surface, Barack Obama was carefully fashioning from his own life something grander than what was there. He was the first Obama fabulist.
Obama himself drops hints of this in Dreams. He writes in his introduction that the dialogue in the book is only an “approximation” of real conversations. Some of the characters, “for the sake of compression,” are “composites”; the names of others have been changed. All of this is offered to the reader as acceptable literary license, and it is, certainly by the standards of the early 1990s, back in the day when publishers flooded bookstores with memoirs of angst-ridden youth and there were still bookstores to flood. Yet the epiphany-per-page ratio in Obama’s memoir is very high. The book derives its power from the reader’s understanding that the events described were factual at least in the essentials. Maraniss demonstrates something else: The writer who would later use the power of his life story to become a plausible public man was making it up, to an alarming extent.
At least it should be alarming to admirers of Dreams. Early on Obama signals that his book will be more self-aware, more detached and ironical, than most youthful memoirs, especially those involving the humid subject of race. Thus we meet Ray, a classmate at Punahou School in Hawaii. Ray is black and radicalized, and given to racially charged rants about “white folks,” a term the narrator comes to despise.
“Sometimes, after one of his performances,” Obama writes, “I would question his judgment, if not his sincerity. We weren’t living in the Jim Crow South, I would remind him. We weren’t consigned to some heatless housing project in Harlem or the Bronx. We were in goddamned Hawaii.” [...]
But Ray wasn’t really there—didn’t exist, in fact. Ray is a “reinvention” of one of Obama’s friends, Maraniss tells us. His mother was half-black and half-American Indian; his father was . . . Japanese. His name was Keith Kakugawa, and he had no trouble dating white girls; his girlfriend at the time was the base admiral’s daughter. Maraniss discovered that Obama’s luck with girls, whatever their melanin count, was just as robust as Keith’s. With a Japanese name, Kakugawa would have trouble—more trouble than half-black Barry Obama—identifying himself as an African American and speaking as one. If Kakugawa was Ray, then the rants and the attitudes they represent are in this instance made up, and the story line of Dreams—the story of Obama’s life as we have learned it—loses an essential foil. [...]
What’s dispiriting is that throughout Dreams, the moments that Obama has invented are precisely the occasions of his epiphanies—precisely those periodic aha! moments that carry the book and bring its author closer to self-discovery. Without them not much is left: a lot of lovely writing, some unoriginal social observations, a handful of precocious literary turns. Obama wasn’t just inventing himself; he was inventing himself inventing himself. It made for a story, anyway.
Apparently Jayson Blair, the disgraced New York Times reporter who was fired from the paper picked the wrong career. He should have run for president instead.
- Matthew Sheffield's blog
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Comments
Is anyone surprised?
Submitted by HockeyKid on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:07am.
The World's Emptiest Suit, America's first Affirmative Action president, isn't what he claimed.
Well, knock me over with a feather.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Move "Dreams From My Father" into the "fiction" section
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:14am.
While this tactic is certainly common when transcribing a book into a movie, it certainly isn't isn't legitimate in a "biography."
This book WAS pushed as a biography, was it not?
This is just one more example of Obama's inflated sense of self that determines the rules don't apply to him.
It's hard to believe that Obama's whole life wasn't just a play, planned and scripted by him, to take him where he is now.
Shame on everyone who was hoodwinked by him.
Obama's whole life wasn't just a play
Submitted by CarlosS on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:24am.
Starting to remind me eerily of the 1990s movie "6 degrees of Separation" Have to watch it again to see how it ends
Don't you mean first Obama Fable-ist
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:13am.
His whole life, as far as anybody can tell, is a big fable.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Actually a "fabulist" IS
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:15am.
Actually a "fabulist" IS someone who writes fables. ;-)
Well, Golllllleeeee
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:42am.
Learnt me somthin new today....
I thought a "fabulist" was somthing like a Kardashian... Although, now that I think about it...
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
You beat me to it c5
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:49am.
His whole life is a lie, and, while I'm not a "birther", I do have serious doubts as to his citizenship legitimacy. So much of Obambi's history has been found to have been made up, it makes me wonder about his birth in Hawaii. After all, he doesn't really have any credibility, except to the brain-dead Obamabots who blindly follow him, ignoring facts the whole time.
Unfortunately, there's no way anything will even be done, even if it is proven incontrovertibly that he isn't a natural born citizen, and was therefore ineligible for the presidency. If that were to happen, every single thing he's done while in office would HAVE to be nullified. It's never happened, it was never planned for, no one has any idea how they would go about it, no one can figure the repercussions, and it would completely destroy both the democrats and the dinosaur media. Not to mention the embarrassment it would cause the country.
What baffles me is why people still swear by this proven liar. In droves. Makes absolutely no sense.
Now we know...
Submitted by GeneralAl on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:50am.
Now we know why all his records are sealed! This guy really doesn't exist!
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
Don't you mean..............
Submitted by Herbster on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:52am.
Tell the truth and you don"t need a good memory..........no wonder, at press conferences (Any event minus the teleprompter) we hear constantly, "Um," "Ah," "Er," etc.
Well, well, well. No Shiite, Sherlock!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:15am.
Any day now, someone will grab a hand full of Obama-skin and rip it off, and a full-blown reptile alien will pop out of the sham body we call "Mr. President." The man is a fiction, a fake, a mirage. When will the American people see the light.
Have you ever met someone for the first time, and within minutes of meeting them, started to check to make sure your wallet was still in your pocket? That is the way I reacted the first time I watched Da One speak on TV, and it just got worse. The man is a snake oil salesman, and a damned good one at that! I cannot believe that so many voters bought the BS that he was selling and that he continues to sell.
So we have elected a fraud as president. He has created an administration that refuses to give information to Congress which they are entitled to, yet it leaks Top Secret and other classified information to our enemies that undoubtedly leads to death of our allies, and is a mortal danger to our security.
I am absolutely convinced that he is bent on the destruction of this country and fully intends to "fundamentally change" it.
THAT may be the only truth that he ever uttered.
"When will the American people see the light?"
Submitted by The_Barrel_Guy on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 12:39pm.
The really scary part is that today, after 3-1/2 years of his administration, 28% of Rasmussen's sample (my neighbors and yours) "Strongly" approve of 0bama... That's HIGHER than at any time since January of 2011... What are these people smoking?
Source: http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administra...
Is is just me or...
Submitted by Andante on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:24am.
Does a psychiatric diagnosis of 'nuckin futs' come to mind?
-------------------------------------
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." --Martin Luther King, Jr.
You talking' 'bout Bambi, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:24am.
... or the majority of voters who elected him?
Good question...
Submitted by Andante on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 2:43pm.
The answer is both the empty suit from the hood who is in waaaay over his head and the majority of voters who elected him. Of course my opinion is unimportant because I'm a racist, bigoted, homophobic, gun owning, knuckle dragging, evil , war mongering capitalist who likes to starve children, throw grandmothers under busses and I eat unicorns (the other white meat) and puppies...did I miss any? :)
-------------------------------------
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." --Martin Luther King, Jr.
Yeah.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 2:59pm.
Add "kitty fritters" to the list and you're there!
10/1 Odds
Submitted by scottyusmc on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:34am.
...that BOB gets a TV drama on NBC after leaving the WH. In the same manner as "The West Wing" he'll be able to confront a scripted problem and within an hour solve all the worlds ills with creative flair and license alwys ending with music and a moving speech. Then he'll be able to watch himself in reruns and collect on all those residuals... The perfect "made-up" for TV President...
This sounds too good - I claim the idea!!!!
Get a lawyer and claim it quick, Scotty!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:26am.
It could top The Truman Show!
everything about the man is a lie
Submitted by wizardjr on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:47am.
fake but accurate
[the Dims have become the Potemkin Party]
Soon, in the not too distant future...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 10:57am.
The socialist/liberals will not even need to manufacture a real person to become their figurehead President to get all their programs passed. They will be able to just make them via computer graphics.
Imagine where we would be today if not for the rise of the Tea Parties and the splitting of Congress back in 2010? Imagine Obama's masters with complete control of the House and the Senate and the Administration...
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
If you look at his whole life
Submitted by I hate marxists on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:04am.
He was set up for this entire episode to smash any good will between blacks, whites and hispanics. This is the marx ideology and anyone who reads Marx writings will be able to understand how this puppet landed on us. The Marxist belief is that there's no paper trail but instead to use sympathy for the puppet's (Obama) sad life. The plan is for you to feel that here's a person that will bind all races together, deliver a positive personality and have people understand that when all people combine ranks then the people will rule guided by the main engine in this case the govt. After you get suckered in then they start the indoctrination process of having you believe that without the govt. you'll fail in your pursuit of reaching any goals you set for yourself. In a way they try to dummy you down and then they put blame on the one common enemy that the govt and poor people envy, "successful" working class people. Remember envious starts the motor of failure, then dislike, then hatred , then the worst of all taking your success away from you. If you have any doubts on this look at Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin who were ardent followeers of Marx. And if not done already read Marx's writings and you'll see and hopefully agree with me. Reagan said it best; the Statists will work on your fears in these cases it starts with healthcare and then the bubble gets bigger. It's time to put politics away and start thinking about the attempt of the destruction of this country as we know it.
Obama, the Marxist Invention
Submitted by jqc1985 on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:06am.
Thingamajig Obama's entire miserable life is an invention of his handlers right down to his beard wife. Choom. Choom.
And now for something completely different...
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:25am.
The plan for the breakup (collapse) of the EU:
http://news.yahoo.com/eu-movement-money-people-limited-144836122--financ...
"Movement of people and money can be restricted"
Oh, this sounds like a happy plan, doesn't it?
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Don't they do that already?
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:45am.
"Movement of people and money can be restricted"
Don't they do that already via immigration and currency laws?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Not really.
Submitted by c5then on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:50am.
Movement around in the EU is almost unlimited. No visa required just present passport upon entry.
They are actually talking about limiting ATM withdrawls by individuals and imposing travel restrictions.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Or did he....?
Submitted by TheLoudDreamer on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:33am.
He made it all up. Or did he...?
Think about it. The situations and encounters that 'made him who is is now' NEVER HAPPENED, so it follows that the creation of who he is NOW has NEVER HAPPENED! If who he is now ISN'T, then he (in the now) cannot be. THEREFORE, HE (presently) dosen't even EXIST because there is no egg to his proverbial chicken and wasn't there to MAKE ANYTHING UP IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!! (It's a metaphor, people, so ignore the fact that the chicken OBVIOUSLY came first.)
*Cue twilightzone music.*
Or he is a real person putting on a facade different from who he actually is..... You know, "either/or"!
Geez, Dreamer.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:39am.
I'm gonna have a couple of mojito's for lunch and try reading that again.
Maybe three.
Getting close to C.O. Jones Check time for Boner.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:36am.
You just know that he's hating to have to stand up to the Administration over Fast & Furious stonewalling.
Rumor has it that the only reason he's pretending to be tough is because the House (real) conservatives threatened his leadership status if he didn't man up.
Hey, JB, maybe you need to take Eric the Red out and play a round of golf "for the documents."
Barack Obama is truly the world's greatest con man. Bar none.
Submitted by JLin on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:38am.
Remember this?:
"Man On The Run; The racy life of the world's most notorious con man has been immortalised by Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can. "
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-9993478.html
Obama, the first composite President.
Submitted by CobraMan on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 11:40am.
The more we hear about Obama, the more he speaks of his "composites," the more I am convinced that Obama truly is the first composite President. Nothing seems to be real about this guy, other than he's married and has two daughters. Everything else is an invention.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Are you sure?
Submitted by Model850 on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 4:22pm.
Nothing seems to be real about this guy, other than he's married and has two daughters.
Are you sure even those two bits of information are real? Let's see the marriage certificate! ; - )
The two adults seem not to actually like one another's company and the girls get trotted out mostly for photo ops. I understand wanting to keep the kids out of the public eye for the most part, but I swear at times it's almost as if they're sent over from central casting whenever BO and MO need to present the "happy family" image for the press.
But we know two people who are not composites
Submitted by misterbee241 on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 12:16pm.
Obama's BFFs - Bill Ayers and Rev Jerry Wright.
Help is on the way
Submitted by billb on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 12:53pm.
Not to be outdone by Clinton and Booker, Nutter of Philly does his part to help by bragging, "Obama has a record......what does Romney have?"
Klinton, Bookworm and Nutcase et al.
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 12:58pm.
all have a surprise coming over the next few months then, don't they? And since when did a political record come into play? Sure as hell wasn't a factor in '08...
Does this really have to be explained?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 2:14pm.
I've heard about this the last few days and I'm sure some of you have as well, but I defy anyone to keep a clear head when their kid, especially a 4 year old daughter, is getting sexually assaulted.
My hat's off to this father and I suspect the father will be cleared in no time.
Of course, the guy in the article Harrington, who is based in lib-town Austin, speaks like a liberal, saying he was surprised the father wasn't already charged.
Reminds me of a story I heard a few years ago of a father who broke a 2x4 across the head of a guy who was raping his teenage daughter.(if I remember the details, this was over 10 years or so ago) He didn't get charged either.
Texas Dad/Grand Jury
-Jon
Once Zero is gone.................
Submitted by BEGRUNT on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 8:13pm.
watch for all of the "turds" of this invented life to bob to the surface!!
"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"
Cicero
Interesting Polling History
Submitted by GregE on Tue, 06/12/2012 - 8:59pm.
Economy today is in a similar situation as 1980. It stinks.
Reagan/Carter polls in October 1980.
http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4f5e44ab6bb3f74716000003/carter...
And we all know how that turned out.
http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1980
Notice John Anderson, and the percentage he got. He was in the Republican field, then he ran as an Independent, and Reagan STILL trounced Carter with Anderson picking up substantial percentages everywhere, and despite polling showing a close race.
And then 1984 topped it. State margins were unreal.
http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?year=1984