Is Obama a Socialist?

[DuncanONeil]

You mentioned facts. Then I am to presume that; "Remember General Jack D. Ripper, who wanted to start a nuclear war because the Commies were poisoning Americans by fluoridating drinking water? Someone really should do a study on the way these paranoid fantasies survive from generation to generation with only the superficial details changed." was meant to be facetious?

I agree, dipped in briefly and can see that this is a dialogue of the deaf, people are not going to let their beliefs be confused by facts.

The really sad thing is that these people's fears have not changed substantially since they were saying the same things about the New Deal or the Kennedys.

"He surrounds himself with people who believe American populations should be regulated by putting birth control chemicals in our drinking water."

Remember General Jack D. Ripper, who wanted to start a nuclear war because the Commies were poisoning Americans by fluoridating drinking water? Someone really should do a study on the way these paranoid fantasies survive from generation to generation with only the superficial details changed.

[leo9]

You mentioned facts. Then I am to presume that; "Remember General Jack D. Ripper, who wanted to start a nuclear war because the Commies were poisoning Americans by fluoridating drinking water? Someone really should do a study on the way these paranoid fantasies survive from generation to generation with only the superficial details changed." was meant to be facetious?

Inasmuch as one has to laugh about these things so as not to start screaming. And yes, as it happens, I was aware that he was a fictitious character: I was also aware that he was a not very exagerated satire on a very real and widespread scare among the right wing of the time. I followed it in its day with wonder and incredulity, which is why I was so fascinated by its new incarnation.

[DuncanONeil]

"a very real and widespread scare among the right wing of the time."
I do not believe it was that limited. I lived through most of that, including the Atomic Bomb drills. I even was taking cover when the cities weekly test of the alarms was activated.
Just in case there is an inclination, I grew up in Chicago in the family of a worker for the CTA and related to Richard J Daley.