Naked or not.

Who believes someone really wrote to Prudie asking her how to set the record straight on Sen. Obama's religion?

I've observed this before about Prudie: she has an agenda (which is OK) and does not disclose it (which is not OK).

Reader beware: Prudie is not an honest broker. She is a dishonest columnist.

Yeah, first time I've really been disappointed by Dear Prudence.

At first, I just noticed the difference in the tone of her reply -- so different from her usual clever answers.

But, then, hyperlinks?!

While the blatant political plug is disappointing, her answer itself is downright disturbing:

"It's okay, everyone, he really isn't a Muslim..."

Now, THAT is scary. Sounds like Prudie should get added to the Grandfather's email list.

Wow! I've seen her post link several times (to articles, to books, to medical advice). Granted, maybe I'm too náive, but, this letter seems like several others in her line of practical solutions.

As for "it's okay everyone," I'm not sure if you can recognize sarcasm, but that's what that was. And clearly. Basically saying, "Give me a break." She's known for a little sarcasm here and there, too.

as someone whose family is from the deep south, i am getting downright vicious "spam" from family members about both hillary and obama, specifically from uncles (who happen to be in iraq) and grandfathers. i don't think at all that this letter was a fake. the phenomenon is pretty dang real. and if you think me writing back a "reply all" email about how it shouldn't matter even if he was a muslim will get me or obama a.n.y.w.h.e.r.e...

...ha, well.

the best the kid can do is point out obama is indeed a christian (because it really matters to his audience, whether it's PC or not is moot), and then shut up and keep deleting.

Ah, yes, on re-read, I think that clearly Prudie was giving advice on what the LW should write to family, "don't worry..Christian, etc." A family that is obviously concerned about a candidate's religion.

That is true on her extensive linking to articles/books/advice. Specifically, I've never seen her link to information about an actual political candidate. (Granted, I've never seen a question about politics, either.)

As for the sarcasm.... as much as I usually enjoy and admire it, in this instance I felt she utilized it at the expense of giving a solution to the actual issue, which was unrequested and unrequited political emails.

To reply as specifically as she suggests would give legitimacy to the fears of the Relatives (and many other 'Americans') by saying, "Obama as a Muslim would be a bad thing, but -- phew! -- he's not! Really, it says it right here! And here!"

Not only would the Relatives (and some column readers) miss the sarcasm of such a reply.... but they might be relieved he was a Christian, and thus consider voting for him!

And here is where I smelled the political plug. But perhaps I should not unload my ire on poor Prudie.....

The idea these folks are gonna go, "Oh? He's not a Muslim? He's actually Christian?....Well, then, I guess I'll vote for him!" is pretty ridiculous.

First, folks who send these emails aren't Dems. They will never ever vote a Dem ticket.

Second, not one of the family members that I have happened to get one of these emails from would ever vote a woman or a black man into office. The Muslim issue is just a smoke and mirror thing started by someone very canny who knows exactly what hot buttons to push in this particular demographic. It's playing into their fears by hyping something they consider okay to feel (anti-islamicism), in order to mask the deeper biases they have that they can't express (against women or blacks representing them).

Take away the Muslim issue and they will just find something else. Thinking Prudie's recommended answer will change anyone's mind is silly. All it does is give the letter writer permission to take a stand and feel better about himself. And that's all the guy/girl needs.

My own sarcasm, gone undetected. :(

Yes, I was being silly about the changing-of-the-mind. That would never happen.

And, yes, engaging in debate with narrow-minded folks won't get anyone anywhere, least of all the poor Obama-supporting Grandkid.

Which is exactly why Prudie's suggestion, to confirm to the ignoramuses that He Is A Christian, doesn't solve the real problem: Unsolicited and purposely offensive emails from 'well-meaning' relatives.

Soooo... I'm still looking a applicable solution to my own similar spam problem! Ideas? -- other than debating w/my idiot relatives!?

As much as I might dislike President Bush, Mickey Mouse, or anyone... I absolutely hate receiving deceptive, spam E-mails. Period.

First, folks who send these emails aren't Dems. They will never ever vote a Dem ticket.

Bob Kerry's a Democrat, isn't he?

Someone on Slate has an agenda?

Say it isn't so.

Oh the humanity!

First, folks who send these emails aren't Dems. They will never ever vote a Dem ticket.

Snort. These e-mails are coming out of the Clinton campaign.

Snort. These e-mails are coming out of the Clinton campaign.

That may be. But you're talking about who originated the emails, not who is sending them now. The people passing them, in my experience, on are not Dems, never will be.