Comments on: Obama's family in Kenya moving to the White House

By: keemie

keemie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:22:54 +0000

Honestly, I had a kick out of it based on the context not because of the suffering and poverty like scene. There's no hard feelings and everyone is entitled to their respected views.. But dude out of purity it was funny but I pray for all the people in reality. One word can describe this situation… Talk about "BITTER IRONY" at its best… LOVE IS LOVE…PEACE!!!

By: banda

banda — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:59:08 +0000

relax ppl , just a picture, and it is a real live picture of the miserable life of africa, live with it.

By: Curious

Curious — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:58:59 +0000

Elias,

You make fun of yourself. I think your "kotet" back home will be like that, or may be more than that.

By: DC Man

DC Man — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:13:03 +0000

This is very offensive and tasteless. What are you trying to accompolish? We all know the level of poverty in Africa and the limitation of resources.
But why do you have to relate this to Obama. Poverty is not something to make fun of. This is sensless and stupid. You are one of those idiots who think you people are better than other Africans and African Americans, and are the chosen ones. This gives the immpression that the misfortune of others is funny to you. How come you never post any "satire" about your owen people who are starving while their brothers and sisters are living comfortably in the US, who don't even bother to help them but wait for others to pick up the tab to feed them.

By: Aden1

Aden1 — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:33:03 +0000

Elias:
The immediate site of it made me laugh and why lie if it makes us laugh?. Laugh all you can when there is a non malicious message to it.

After the 60 minutes interview this past Sunday with the Obamas and the tactful humor exchanged between journalist Steve Kroff and Obama about dogs and mother in laws moving to the white house, one might wonder “ how about his side of the family”?.

This picture and title after that interview and especially after some back ground story of the Kenyan side documented in Obama’s, book,” PROMISE OF MY FATHERS”, it is not only a satire, but nearly believable. In the book, Kenyan relatives who never saw him were openly asking, “what did you bring me”?. That was then, and he was between Chicago and Harvard, young and in search of his roots. My favorite of his relatives is his half Kenyan sister who was teaching at the University in Kenya at the time. She was also present in his wedding in his second book, “” THE AUDACITY OF HOPE”. His books are fun and informative that most people may not put down once they start to read it.

One major progress and curtsey to their native SON Barrack Obama Sr.’s SON President elect B. Obama is the government had initiated for electricity to be installed in the rural village he came from. Obama’s next visit with all his entourage will not be in the thick of darkness.

By: Gizew

Gizew — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:32:32 +0000

LOL

By: Eritrea

Eritrea — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:47:09 +0000

Even if Eritrea was not in the headlines, is there any doubt what Obama’s position is going to be on the Eritrea-Ethiopia dispute? How is his position going to be any different from that of the UNSC and Bush’s state department? How are Anthony Lake and Susan Rice, the brain trust of Obama’s African policy, going to accommodate the rigid requests of Isaias? The Obama Doctrine is already announced: don’t be afraid to meet your enemies without setting preconditions. And talk, talk, talk. Eritreans should talk to Ethiopians; Ethiopians should talk to Somalis; Somalis to Djiboutis; and the Kenyans to everybody. The conditionality of Isaias Afwerki will face the wall of Obama's unconditional talk…and within months, Isaias will be back to badmouthing the State Department.

By: Solo

Solo — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:12:33 +0000

Africans lough at Africans! Is that pan-Africanism we are taught by our forefather??? Shame on You!

By: Nequariw

Nequariw — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:37:28 +0000

I read completely sick comments. This is the reality we have to face. Obama has to see how his African families live. I feel so sad. Good job Elias

By: Tezibt

Tezibt — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:56:26 +0000

Actually Obama on his first visit as tourist to his village he discribed the method of transportation similar to this. He talked about how he was squeezed with chickens and animals in a lorry that carried him. Elias did very well in bringing this picture to us. Yes, either joke or reality, we Ethiopians like to hid the truth. The picture represents the facts on the ground and in the mean time it is funny. I don't care if Elias got it from a white supermacist site or from any where. A fact is a fact but nothing else. Face it or leave it. If you think it is too hot get out of the kitchen. No one is pushing you to look at it, you can ignor it.

By: Isoloda

Isoloda — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:41:55 +0000

Half of them are ETHIOPIANS!! I can spot my cousin!!

By: Gabra

Gabra — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:35:08 +0000

Mr. Elias.. Thank you for showing this sataricak picture on your website. There is nothing untrue about it. These individuals who I see crying foul here are nothing but nitwits. Instead, they should turn their big mouths to their fellow countrymen urging them to get off their lazy asses and go to work. But it is very very funny. My family and I could not stop laughing. Elias…Get'em!!!!!!!

By: weqaw

weqaw — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:46:22 +0000

Isn't it amazing how we sometimes want be "More Catholic than the pope"? those of you who find the satire, are you telling us that you care about the plight of Africans than Elias, for example. Hey, we are all Africans and we do care about the plight of our people. But this is satire which does not hurt anybody. Just relax and enjoy it and laugh your heart out for laughter is a commodity that is sorely missed in our part of the Africa!

By: Zenash

Zenash — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:06:32 +0000

It is funny and educative. This fact. How can we forget commuting in Addis Ababa public bus crumed like a sandwich. there is no difference to this and it is a reality in the dark continent Africa. How can this be offending unless the person who said he is offended has completely forgotten where he/she comes from.

By: me

me — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:08:47 +0000

SBS, get over yourselves…its funny

By: Tazabi

Tazabi — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:41:23 +0000

I don't think there is anything wrong with satires once in a while. However, the problem with ER is that it posts anything without referencing source. This is a double-edged sword. If the story or depiction is controversial, you get vilified for it. On the other hand, if it is in good taste, you get credit for it.

If you want to be taken seriously or not, for heavens sake please always provide your sources…as that is the ABC and fundamental principle of basic journalism.

By: Tedla Asfaw

Tedla Asfaw — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:01:28 +0000

I watched Obama last night on "Sixty Minutes" on CBS, his fist interview after he beats McCain to become the 44th president and also read his 2005 famous book "The Audacity of Hope" I recommend for all to read if they have not done it and from what I know so far I can conclude that he is hardly talking about his father who left him when he was two years old.

However, Obama visited Kenya and met his relatives with Michelle many years ago as a tourist and if he has communication with his relatives I have not heard so far but I will not be surprised because this is a good man who loves people.

Yesterday on sixty minutes, however, he never mentioned Kenya and many Kenyans and I can say all the black race are highly supportive of him for becoming the strongest black man in the world and celebrated exorbitantly here and in Africa and am not surprised for the "Obama family packing to settle in the White House " if they pass the DNA test.

For the lucky ones here who would like to be part of history and participate on the January inauguration of Obama you can go to http://www.7online.com and participate on the lottery.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:54:57 +0000

Shame on you!!!

By: nuru

nuru — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:34:42 +0000

I wish you guys leave the politics and enjoy the satire. Life is short guys. We need to relax when ever we can. good job elias.

By: KOKO

KOKO — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:55:23 +0000

This is a complete nonsense and shows your moronic mind, which is of course, does not think before doing something.
You can’t post such kind of baloney as news. You should know the difference discussion forum and main News outlet. Sometimes I could not understand your freaking mind.
Try to be mature and act mature, if you can not act like someone who is responsible you could try to get help from others; I am sure there are so many Ethiopians who will help you.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:15:46 +0000

Elias,

This shows again that you are a useless moron. Your web is full of psycho people as well.

By: Shemsu

Shemsu — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:04:58 +0000

[riffly_audio]12721C24B48411DDB911D7618271DB70[/riffly_audio]

By: Abiy

Abiy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:59:57 +0000

This is fuuny .

By: Merebai

Merebai — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:48:08 +0000

Well guys, this picture is not created by Elias. It is the reality of African life. It doesn't mean Africa is civilized by not publishing this picture. Africa will remain Africa. Leaders after leaders and dictators after dictators have come and gone. Did they alleviated a fraction of misery of their repective people. No. Big No. remember we still from the Dark continent. Not a flicker of light at the end of the deformed and cracked tunnel.

By: kb

kb — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:39:19 +0000

Mock at africans' misery?? Shame on you!

By: Old airport

Old airport — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:25:40 +0000

I'm a huge Obama supporter and I find this hilarious. We gota laugh at ourselves sometimes. Good job Elias. Funny stuff.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:03:04 +0000

It is funny. Enjoy it guys. Thank you Elias. We have to relax some times.

By: Zeritu

Zeritu — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:36:02 +0000

Elias I admire your guts for posting such a reality-based satire. No other Ethiopian editor would dare post such a thing. The truth of the matter is that perhaps over 90% of Africans live in such a state of destitution. This photo may be a posted in humor, but it carries a gravely seriously message that change must come to Africa. To the politically-correct crowed who get bent out of shape over this, get a life, ok?

By: sirak

sirak — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:22:53 +0000

Elias, I know this picture, they are refugees from Daefur.

By: tec

tec — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:58:40 +0000

What would you say if a white person post this picture? Shame on you!

By: yenatulij

yenatulij — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:55:47 +0000

Come on guys,

Be a good sport. This ride is probably one of the "Lucky" trips over the Sahara desert that are sadly being done in increasing frequency by many abused Africans to cross to Europe in search of good opportunity by merciless Arab bedouins. This happens all the time. That is the reality and it will remain so until something drastic is done to correct the political/economic situations many Africans find themselves. That being a reality, what is wrong if it was presented as a harmless political satire with no harm whatsoever? Just because no one satired it, the problem doesn't go away? Does it?

By: aytalnewzendro

aytalnewzendro — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:52:56 +0000

Is this not a misuse of freedom. I think you are like some white racists and making fun of a black winning US Presidency.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:49:03 +0000

It is unfortunate, and unproductive. What those red necks did more than this?

By: Metene

Metene — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:47:40 +0000

send it to AP; you are dying to get a cheap popularity. No media is going to take a look at this picture and cite you. I received this picture a week ago. I did nothing but delete it. What in God's sake are you trying to convey? What are you trying to achieve? Feud the administration and Ethiopians? Very sad, remember, the NY times so called satire did not bring Obama down. Please I beg you take to it off your page. Otherwise Elias we are going to boycott ER.

By: tezibt

tezibt — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:16:37 +0000

elias, it is funny and I have no idea why some are lost or offended by the satire. It was not created by you, let them go to the source. Yes if you have a comment on it you would bare responsibility. People, relax and take it easy. We came from a land where even the poorest of the poor knows how to giggle from ear to ear. What has come of people.

By: Hillal

Hillal — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:16:11 +0000

I used to have high regard for ER, but not any more. I was disgusted when I first got it in my hot mail. But finding it again, in the only Ethiopian website that I used to admire, is sickening.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:12:21 +0000

funny, at the same time a stark reality that Obama must face as a president. most of africa is in abject poverty. the bush administration has been a good friend of dictators in africa, and my hope is that obama will stand with the people and not those blood sucking regime

By: Jimma

Jimma — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:56:09 +0000

Thanks Elias,
This is funny but also very sad because it reflects our life back home, from Kenya to Sudan, from Ethiopia to Somalia.
The dictators and tyrants of the Horn sent congratulations to Obama without a shame but the life of their citizens in the Horn gets from bad to worse without the simplest right to vote.
Elias, you are indeed our mirror, please keep on showing us our real image. Only hypocrites and ignorants would as usual dispute you.
Keep up the good work

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:55:43 +0000

Really ridicules, making fun of our poor family is not satire! Elias I think you are really in crisis!

By: getu

getu — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:47:38 +0000

it is bullshit to put this kind of picture you are insulting yourself