Kaufman’s reference regarding the influence of conservative voters of Dutch origin in Western Michigan prompt this comment. Apparently, their Dutch cousins, many of whom live in Friesland, a Dutch Province, are going bonkers over a story emanating from research done on Obama’s ancestors. According to “sources”, Obama’s African father was a one-time resident of South Africa, spoke Afrikaans, and has Frisian roots. Therefore, one does not pronounce his last name as O-BAH-ma, but OH-bah-ma like all the other “mahs,” “strahs,” and “gahs, as in the common Frisian names Hoeksema, Dykstra, or Huizinga (as in Wayne!)” Incidentally, House respresentative Pete Hoekstra, a staunch Republican, comes from the Western Michigan area (Grand Rapids/Holland) Should we worry?
Probably not! But, just think – a tall, thick-headed, stubborn, Frisian in the Whitehouse as a resu lt of a “swing” in Western Michigan. The residents of the Dutch Province of Groningen (which abuts Friesland), have this running battle with their Frisian neighbors to the west. They appear to be unimpressed with OH-bah-mah and apparently are hoping McCain will be the new POTUS. Stay tuned. This could get interesting.
