The Name Game

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/elections/2009/01/21/obama-called-different-names-inaugural-ceremony/

Ever since Barack Obama's middle name, "Hussein", was made public knowledge people have feared the worst, being reminded, of course, of Saddam Hussein. As this article points out, Obama's middle name was downplayed during his campaign, supporters obviously worried it would cost him votes. But I was surprised to read this article after the election, in which the author claims significance behind the announcer calling Obama "Barack H. Obama" and the Rev. Joseph Lowery's addressing him simply as "Barack Obama." I thought we'd moved beyond the matter of his second name. To be honest, I hardly noticed the fact that Obama was addressed in three slightly different ways throughout the inauguration. It didn't seem significant to me. Obviously to some people it is though.
"The tradition is that they use all three names and I will follow the tradition," said Obama on the matter, after he became the President-elect last November. I'm glad he decided this. I see no reason why he should be feared for a name. He didn't name himself after all, and it's his decisions that we should be judging by as he prepares to lead the country.