# What's with this disturbing trend (Obama assassination) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 3, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879 "2008-11-03T16:35:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/81 "2008-11-05T09:33:54Z")
I feel that all the feather-ruffling about a theoretical Obama assassination attempt, though spread by seemingly well-meaning people, is racist at the core of it. The propagation of the idea achieves three things: First, it puts it in the public imagination. Second, it acts as a covert scare tactic to prevent people of color from taking leadership-- cross-burning in the abstract. Third, it distracts from the actual harms inflicted by modern racism, of which (even for public leaders) political assassination ranks extremely low, relevance-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/82 "2008-11-05T12:42:26Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Der Trihs’s comments addressed his perception of the mindset of people who have expressed approval for violence; he made no claim that any assassination plot was the direct result of those views. In a word, bullshit. He made direct reference to assassinations. > [@](#): > > The Right is the side that drove around with “Where’s Lee Harvey Oswald When We Need Him” bumper stickers during the Clinton years, that implies the Democratic President might get assassinated for visiting the wrong state ( don’t recall the name of the Congressman that did that ), that preaches violence against the government, that already has people calling for Obama’s death at McCain rallies. Right wingers assassinate doctors who perform abortions > [@](#): > > There have been cries of “Kill him” against Obama at McCain/Palin rallies. Again, a false statement. > [@](#): > > But even before Obama cited “reports” of the threats at the debate, the U.S. Secret Service had told media outlets, including NEWSWEEK, that it was unable to corroborate accounts of the “kill him” remarks—and according to a law-enforcement official, who asked for anonymity when discussing a political matter, the Obama campaign knew as much. [Cite.](http://www.newsweek.com/id/164512?tid=relatedcl) > [@](#): > > While generally limited to the fringe, more folks on the Right than on the Left have advocated violence against the governmnet following Ruby Ridge and Waco. Please provide a credible cite, giving verifiable numbers, of this allegation. > [@](#): > > Doctor’s at abortion clinics have been murdered, ostensibly to “save lives.” In other words, **Der Trihs** ’ allegation that they were doing so because they regarded socialism as the anti-Christ was false. As I mentioned. > [@](#): > > I disapprove of people posting insults in **GD**. I also disapprove of people posting and then defending false accusations against other posters. It happens, but it hardly makes you a victim in this case. Where did I claim to be a “Victim”? Or is this a false accusation of which you approve? ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/83 "2008-11-05T13:47:44Z")
with w. bush there was the spectre of pres. cheney to chill the flames. being a kenyan-american does put the odds a bit higher, but all presidents have a risk of assassination. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/84 "2008-11-05T15:02:24Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > The Right is the side that drove around with “Where’s Lee Harvey Oswald When We Need Him” bumper stickers during the Clinton years, that implies the Democratic President might get assassinated for visiting the wrong state ( don’t recall the name of the Congressman that did that ), that preaches violence against the government, that already has people calling for Obama’s death at McCain rallies. Right wingers assassinate doctors who perform abortions None of those is a reference to an _assassination plot_. You have asked for evidence that any attempted assassin has been motivated by a belief that capitalism is demonic. Such a request is irrelevant, since Der Trihs never said that any attempted assassin has been so motivated. The above represents your evidence that Der Trihs _did_ make such a claim. But none of the above comments are about _attempted assassinations,_ much less assassination _plots_. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/85 "2008-11-05T15:08:13Z")
Many years ago, when Jesse Jackson was running for President, it came up in conversation with some friends that the first black president was likely going to also be the first assassinated black president. It certainly had nothing to do with anyone _wanting_ that outcome, simply the acknowledgment that there are a frighteningly large population of people in America that are uncompromising in their racism and hatred. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/86 "2008-11-05T15:14:51Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > Many years ago, when Jesse Jackson was running for President, it came up in conversation with some friends that the first black president was likely going to also be the first assassinated black president. It certainly had nothing to do with anyone _wanting_ that outcome, simply the acknowledgment that there are a frighteningly large population of people in America that are uncompromising in their racism and hatred. You can go to the Freeper place and find them. some are already beating their chests about opposing foreign and, their own emphasis added, DOMESTIC enemies. He won’t last a full term. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/87 "2008-11-05T19:24:29Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > What’s with this disturbing trend I’ve been noticing lately? Where is this originating from? Is this from right-wing doomsday prophets on the radio? It’s nothing new. All my life it has been a “foregone conclusion” that the first black president will be assassinated. I hope to god it doesn’t come to pass. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/88 "2008-11-05T19:29:25Z")
All my life I’ve been hearing about how the US will NEVER have a black president…so, you can see where the powers of prediction can fail wrt what everyone knows, ehe? -XT ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/89 "2008-11-05T19:44:25Z")
Genuine question here - my impression is that the vast majority of US Presidential assasination attempts are made, essentially, by crazy attention-seeking people. Conspiracy theories aside, have there been any in the 20th century which were made for serious political reasons? ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/90 "2008-11-05T19:54:29Z")
I have been saying that out loud to coworkers and family since he won the Dem nomination- It’s one of the reasons I think he should have picked Hillary for a running mate- I think the same people who would try to kill him might back off a bit if she would be the one replacing him… ---
**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/91 "2008-11-05T19:54:58Z")
I confess to having a bit of trepidation on this subject, regardless of the assassin’s motives. Here’s why: My wife works part-time doing computer work for a woman who manages rental properties. She’s 70 years old and generally a reasonable, sane person (or so I thought). Last week, they had this exchange: Boss: “Well it looks like Obama’s going to be President.” My wife: “Yeah, looks like it.” Boss: “I swear to God, I hope someone _puts a bullet in his head!_” :eek: Now, I know that people talk a lot of shit sometimes, but you can understand why I have only about 80% confidence in his safety. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/92 "2008-11-05T20:51:19Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > In a word, bullshit. He made direct reference to assassinations. He did not say what you demanded a citation for him having said regarding assassinations. You can make up whatever you choose to believe to defend your actions and refer to stories that a specific organization could not “corroborate” cries (cries that are actually audible on [this video of a McCain speech](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVFWahLTdUo) at the 8 second and 13 second marks). However, that makes your position, not mine, bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/93 "2008-11-05T20:55:34Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Genuine question here - my impression is that the vast majority of US Presidential assasination attempts are made, essentially, by crazy attention-seeking people. Conspiracy theories aside, have there been any in the 20th century which were made for serious political reasons? No successful assassination has been part of a serious political plot and I know of no attempts that have been. You are correct that it generally has been loons and idiots who have made actual efforts to assassinate U.S. presidents. (Even Lincoln’s murder, to the extent that there was a real plot, was carried out as an act of vengeance with no serious political goal.) ETA: (The Puerto Ricans, in 1950, might have had a political motive, but they, again, had no actual goal beyond expressing their hatred for the occupying power.) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/94 "2008-11-05T22:56:26Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > He did not say what you demanded a citation for him having said regarding assassinations. So, no cite from you either. And I listened to the video. I didn’t hear what you think you heard. So I can either believe my own ears, and the results of an investigation by the organization responsible for determining what is serious and what is not, or you. Tough call. Not. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/95 "2008-11-05T23:19:09Z")
> [@tagos](#): > > He won’t last a full term. What a sick and disgusting way to talk about the single most inspiring public figure of my generation. Have some respect, will you? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/96 "2008-11-05T23:22:10Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > So, no cite from you either. I’m afraid **tomndebb** ’s mod powers don’t include access to parallel universe communication, so he could then access an alternate Straight Dope where what you are asking a cite for **was actually said**. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/97 "2008-11-06T00:05:44Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’m afraid **tomndebb** ’s mod powers don’t include access to parallel universe communication, Cite? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/98 "2008-11-06T00:29:20Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Cite? > > 🙂 Well, if he had access to Universe Gamma-1111TX-549, he’d probably ban me right now. I don’t think that prank involving subliminal mind control via the Internet and greased ferrets is something he’d want to risk. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/99 "2008-11-06T00:36:57Z")
Obama may or may not be assassinated, but McCain sure wouldn’t have gotten any younger. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879/100 "2008-11-06T00:56:15Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Obama may or may not be assassinated, but McCain sure wouldn’t have gotten any younger. that gotta lol outta me (the McCain part, eh) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-disturbing-trend-obama-assassination/470879.md?page=6)