Last week, I was saddened to read the following excellent diary from Chris Rodda, which details how the anti-muslim DVD Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West was being distributed with serious consequences in Ohio:
http://www.dailykos.com/...
I had not heard more about the DVD (and media attention seems to have died down based on my current search for relevant recent articles), until this afternoon, when I found one of these DVDs in my own afternoon mail.
Now, I don't know how the Clarion Fund, the people distributing the DVD, got my contact information (and it was specifically addressed to me, by my full name). I don't know if it is because I live in suburban area outside of Charlotte in what looks to be one of the presidential elections key swing states. I don't know if it's because I'm a registered Democrat. Maybe it's because I and my family are Muslims. I have no idea.
What I do know is that, as a Muslim, the distribution of this material scares me on behalf of my entire family and community. It makes me think that the kind of despicable fear-mongering and racism we have been seeing in recent days from the McCain campaign and its surrogates will intensify as the weeks progress.
I wish I could give you more details on the DVD or its contents; however, I was so pissed off when I saw it, that I immediately wrote the word "RACISM" in red marker on the front cover and "return to sender" and put it in my apartment's mail slot.
I just wanted to get the word out, that these dangerous and hateful anti-Islamic smears are still going strong and to suggest that they may be tied to the upcoming election. Has anyone heard more incidents of the DVD's distribution? Do we know if this group has fundamental ties to the McCain campaign?
Let's help stop the hate people.
Peace.
EDIT: I found an article from yesterday discussing the DVD's being distributed in Kalamazoo, Michigan: http://www.mlive.com/...
UPDATE: sc kitty points out in the comments that Chris Rodda recently posted a follow-up diary to his/her original: http://www.dailykos.com/...
UPDATE 2: It seems from multiple comments and linked news stories from commenters that the distribution of this DVD both in the mail and in newspapers has been going on for at least a few weeks and across the nation. Writing this diary was cathartic for me and reading all of the thoughtful responses has helped calm me down a bit and channel my energy to something more useful (Obama phone-banking!).
As this diary is about to scroll off the front page for many, I wanted to say thanks to all the commenters for being part of the discussion.