Obama and Florida Jews: Still more proof (as if we needed it) that we humans regularly get it wrong

The presidential campaign is giving us fresh evidence that we humans tend to get our facts wrong, for example when under the influence of anxiety. (Regular readers know this human tendency has strongly influenced my view of some of the stories told in Scripture, especially in the New Testament.) Here's an excerpt from a NY Times story this week about Obama and the Florida Jewish community: 

Among many older Jews, and some younger ones, as well, he has become a conduit for Jewish anxiety about Israel, Iran, anti-Semitism and race.

Mr. Obama is Arab, Jack Sterns friends told him in Aventura. (He's not.)

He is a part of Chicago's large Palestinian community, suspects Mindy Chotiner of Delray. (Wrong again.)

Mr. Wright is the godfather of Mr. Obama's children, asserted Violet Darling in Boca Raton. (No, he's not.)

Al Qaeda is backing him, said Helena Lefkowicz of Fort Lauderdale (Incorrect.)

Michelle Obama has proven so hostile and argumentative that the campaign is keeping her silent, said Joyce Rozen of Pompano Beach. (Mrs. Obama campaigns frequently, drawing crowds in her own right.)

Mr. Obama might fill his administration with followers of Louis Farrakhan, worried Sherry Ziegler. (Extremely unlikely, given his denunciation of Mr. Farrakhan.)

Jodi Kantor, As Obama Heads to Florida, Many of Its Jews Have Doubts, NY Times, May 22, 2008