Obama’s aunt Zeituni Onyango Living in a Slum in Boston
The British newspaper The Times reported Wednesday that it had tracked down Barack Obama’s aunt Zeituni Onyango. Although born in Kenya, Onyango now lives in the United States, in Boston. The report of The Times shows her living conditions are not exactly grand.
Zeituni Onyango is affectionally described by Obama in his book Dreams from My Father. Today, however, it seems that Obama and Onyango have little to no contact. The latter now ‘lives in a disabled-access flat on a rundown public housing estate in South Boston.’
Another relative of Obama, whom he also affectionally described in his best-selling autobiography, also lives in Boston, in even worse circumstances than Zeituni. Uncle Omar, as the uncle is called by Obama in his book, ‘was beaten by armed robbers with a “sawed-off rifle” while working in a corner shop in the Dorchester area of the city. He was later evicted from his one-bedroom flat for failing to pay $2,324.20 (£1,488) arrears, according to the Boston Housing Court.’
As The Times pointed out in its report, ‘the US press has repeatedly rehearsed Mr Obama’s extraordinary odyssey, but the other side of the family’s American experience has only been revealed in parts. Just across town from where Mr Obama made history as the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, some of his closest blood relatives have confronted the harshness of immigrant life in America.’
Aunt Zeituni indicated that she was willing to talk about Barack, but only after the November 4 election. “I can’t talk about it, I just pray for him, that’s all,” she said, adding: “After the 4th, I can talk to anyone.”
George Hussein Onyango, Barack Obama’s half-brother in Nairobi, confirmed to The Times that aunt Zeituni was who she said to be. He explained that his and Barack’s aunt “left to find work and I suppose she thought her life would be better there.” He added: “She was kind and caring.”
Although it is ludicrous to argue that an individual should help all his relatives, all the time, it seems a bit strange that the man who accuses ‘the rich’ of being unwilling to help ‘the poor,’ and who described Zeituni Onyango so affectionally in his autobiography has done nothing to help her in any way.
Why can’t she talk? More secrecy in the Obama Camp? The poor lady is being hushed by them? I don’t like this at all.
Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign says his campaign will bring a new level of “honesty and transparency” to the White House. Obama proudly touts he passed a law requiring more transparency via a public database of all federal spending.
But when it comes to offering the public documents about his own public and private activities, Obama’s record for openness gets an “F” grade.
I don’t think that anyone in his right mind buys Obama’s selling point that he’s open and honest anymore Jay C.
Hmm, let’s see, MVDG, October 17th
And on September 2nd
Wow. I wish I had the kind of moral compass you do, Michael. To be able to determine when it is right to go digging around into the private life of distantly related family members in order to attack and try to discredit a candidate. Hard to believe that some on the left would dare to accuse the right of hypocrisy, isn’t it?
Out of curiosity, now that not-Joe the not-plumber has decided to join the McCain campaign, give interviews, hire a publicist, and sign a record deal, can we poke around a bit? The last thing I would want to do is offend anyone, and it seems you have such a good grasp on when this kind of behaviour is appropriate.
BJ, as long as you “poke around” as much around Obama’s past (or more actually since he is the one running for president, and not Joe)
While it’s a sad story, none of us knows to what extent he has helped his family or to what extent people have asked him for help. So they uncovered impoverished relatives – what would you have him do? Maybe his aunt doesn’t want to talk because she’s worried the press will twist her words around. Re-read the sentence – it doesn’t say she said she “can’t talk” – it says she is willing to, but only AFTER the election. You are reading stuff into the article and it is very cleverly worded Mr. van der Galien. Did she say she “couldn’t” talk about it Mr. van der Galien?
There is a lot at stake and if she had something bad to say about Barack then it would make sense for her to say it BEFORE the election.
Such conspiracies!
I’m sure part of the reason Barack wants to be president is so he can help everybody, not just his relatives.
Jay C, I am voraciously reading everything I can about Obama’s past. Why just today I learned that he’s the secret love-child of Malcolm X! Granted, I don’t know how that reconciles with his secret birth in Kenya or why he’s such a big fan of Farrakhan, but I’m sure there’s an explanation in there somewhere. Also can’t figure out why that would be a reason to vote against him, but then I’m not as caught up over the issue of bloodlines as some.
Maybe something happened the family; maybe there is something we do not know.
Maybe there was some kind of feud, or something in the family; when the whole truth comes out; it could be something to explain this.
Funny this happens to come up the weekend prior to the election.
I don’t think we know enough about the situation to make any judgments at this time. Perhaps the aunt didn’t want Obama’s help. Who knows?
UPDATE: This could be why he doesn’t help:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iVVj5SjAgqpjIbqdmcOB74FtqRIAD945TB601
She’s here illegally. Could you imagine the firestorm Obama would get for appearing to financially support an illegal immigrant?
like the firestorm he’s getting by receiving non-verified funds? He won’t get bashed by liberal media MM, plain and simple.
In either case, I do not see why it’s even an issue myself, I understand Mvdg’s point, but I know of no person who would help every single person in their family.
True but… Obama isn’t helping anyone in his family. That’s the point. He gives virtually nothing to charity, but he’s a millionaire. Yet he preaches about how ‘the rich,’ which he is by the way, should be helping ‘the poor.’
He’s a hypocrite.
Hmmm, Obama say’s I’m “selfish” because I don’t want him to raise my taxes, yet he has millions and can’t pull some strings or “spread his wealth” to help out his Auntie or his downtrodden brother? He’s a real piece of work.
True but… Obama isn’t helping anyone in his family. That’s the point. He gives virtually nothing to charity, but he’s a millionaire
Any citation or defintion of “virtually nothing”. This critical post at Huffington, and other links, gives actual numbers.
Huffington
taxBlog
Tax PDF
Obama link
I wonder if the same zeal is spent on McCain…
LOL, ahh Rudi, you never fail with the nonsensical stuff.
So Rudi, Obama suddenly jumped donations for 2006.
when exactly did he announce candidacy for President?
What nonsense are you talking about Inter? I cite a critical piece at Huff, with actual numbers. Obamama donation did increase after his book, but he has a immediate family to raise. Lets see how the daughters turn out, and if they tag along to push their own Lane Bryant clothing designs.
The Huff post said: Obama’s family donated a relatively minor amount of its earnings to charity.
Where is the equal time in looking into McCain’s side at say NRO?
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mccain+charity+-kerry+-%22McCain-Feingold%22donations+site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalreview.com%2F&btnG=Search
I wonder how many of these post addressed McCain “lack of charity”?
What is that supposed to mean, Rudi?
Who cares.. Nothing would change the mind of democrats…
Nothing would change the mind of the union. Anyone do you take
care of all your relatives. ?
@Jay_C
I believe that people have to help themself first in order to help others better.