...born with the gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad

Family ties: Those who have read Bambi’s touching autobiography, Dreams of My Father, may recall his loving comments about his Aunt Zeituni, his not-so-loving papa’s Kenyan half-sister. Ah, yes. Bambi spent many an hour at Auntie Z.’s knee, imbibing her words of wisdom. One would assume that, since he and his Aunt were so tight, he’d be aware of her current circumstances—like where she’s been living, and the fact that she living in the country illegally. But then, you know what they say about those who dare to “assume”: they make an “ass” of “u” amd “me”. From CNN:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Barack Obama didn't know his aunt might be living illegally in the United States, as media outlets are reporting, his campaign said Saturday.

Sen. Obama has no knowledge of her status but obviously believes that any and all appropriate laws [should] be followed," campaign spokesman Bill Burton said.

According to The Associated Press, a court refused four years ago to accept the asylum application of Zeituni Onyango, 56, the half-sister of Obama's Kenyan father. However, she has continued to live in a public housing complex in South Boston, AP reported.

Onyango's refusal to leave the country would be an administrative violation, not a criminal matter.

CNN has not been able to independently verify her immigration status. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said the agency "is prohibited from commenting on any individual's status."

Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan fired off a letter asking Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to investigate whether someone leaked the information to the media in an effort to damage Obama.

"The AP reports that it 'could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved,' a very disturbing (suggestion) indeed," read the letter from Conyers, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

"This leak is deplorable and I urge you to take immediate action to investigate and discipline those responsible."

The Department of Homeland Security had no immediate response to the letter.

The Obama campaign did not indicate whether Obama has been in touch with his aunt, whom he describes in his book "Dreams from My Father."

The Boston Housing Authority did not return calls or an e-mail from CNN on Saturday…

Of course it didn’t. I’m sure it’s planning to do so—as soon as the election is over. But, really, does it matter? It’s obvious that poor old illegal Aunt Zeituni as just another Bambi relative who’s useful to help him sell his life story and his candidacy, but who, having served her purpose, probably gets very actual face time with her illustrious nephew. (Gee, I wonder what Aunt Oummah’s been up to lately.) And anyway, what do you want Bambi to do about it? Is he his Auntie’s keeper? ‘Course not. That’s the government’s job.

Update: A song for Aunt Zeituni.

Update: Oh, wait, it gets better. Looks like Aunti Zeituni made a bunch of illegal campaign contributions to her nephew's campaign. An illegal making illegal donations--what are the odds (of such a thing ever being detected)?

Posted by: scaramouche at 17:36 | link | comments

Comments: