February 29, 2008
Names
One of the more surprising developments in the current presidential campaign is the introduction by his opponents of Barack Obama’s middle name, Hussein.
Out of courtesy and respect for the opposition, Obama’s people have deliberately refrained from implying any possible association with King Hussein I, father of modern Jordan and close friend of the US. They felt that by using that honored name they might be suspect to the possible charge of taking unfair advantage by tilting what had otherwise been their attempt at keeping a moderately level playing field.
Their reasoning, of course, is that mentioning King Hussein I, who has long been credited by his historians with such outstanding leadership as having “brought the wisdom to walk in the path of honor, the courage to follow his convictions, and an abiding compassion for others enriched all by the nobility of his spirit and the vision to which he devoted his life” would clearly suggest similar virtues and qualifications for their candidate. Further, it is not known at this time whether the other party’s apparent nominee has a middle name at all or whether he has one they may simply be keeping to themselves.
For example, in one of his addresses to his nation, King Hussein made such altogether relevant remarks as, “We must shun any continuance of vilification of others, because that would diminish the democratic process (and) give free rein to ignorance… Perhaps what we should resist most of all,” he said, “is the tendency to make quick, emotional and superficial judgments on others — from a position different from theirs and without any responsible or realistic examination of their actions or decisions taken in the course of fulfilling their duties.”
And on another occasion when speaking at a university, Hussein said, “A vast chasm separates objective, constructive criticism, which emanates from concern for the higher national good, from attempts at slander and defamation. Pluralism does not permit any side to claim a monopoly on truth. No side may claim for itself the sole prerogative to confer the quality of good citizenship. None may claim to be more concerned for the national good than another.”
The King was an oustanding champion for democracy in the middle east much earlier and by considerably more peaceful means than some of the more bellicose endeavors of recent times. For further evidence of the rich history associated with his name and leadership, one may compare references on the following website…
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