U.S. President Barack Obama makes a point during the final U.S. presidential debate in Boca Raton, Florida.She calls herself "feisty and outspoken" on her columnist profile. On Monday evening, she didn't disappoint.
Sun Media political columnist Sue-Ann Levy caused an on-line stir for a Tweet during last night's Presidential debate where she appeared to imply that Barack Obama was a Muslim.
Obama says he "will stand" with Israel if attacked and they are a "true friend." His nose is growing again. #MuslimBS
— Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) October 23, 2012
Calling Obama a Muslim is nothing new in United States. Many fringe right-wingers have propagated this conspiracy theory about the President having lied to the American people about his Christian roots.
But for a 'journalist' to imply it on Twitter is a little brash and rather irresponsible.
What's worse, instead of clarifying her tweet or explaining what she meant by using the #MuslimBS hashtag, Levy just dug-in deeper as other Canadian journos and bloggers attacked her.
Shameful for "columnist" @sueannlevy to use hashtag #MuslimBS. Racist, ignorant and shameful. — Ian Gordon (@iangordon) October 23, 2012
Tim Hudak should consider himself very lucky that Sue-Ann Levy didn't get elected when she ran for his party in that St Paul's byelection. — Adam Radwanski (@aradwanski) October 23, 2012
I dont think I have ever seen a person so determined to self-destruct in a single unrepentant hate-Twittering session as @sueannlevy tonight — Jonathan Kay (@jonkay) October 23, 2012
Here are some of Levy's responses to her detractors:
@ddale8 Daniel ... all I suggested was perhaps there's another side to the story..that there are still unanswered questions on Obama. — Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) October 23, 2012
@matthewp57 @mattgurney @cselley Guess it makes Matt/Chris feel manly to attack me. So informed about what's going on in Israel. Jerks.. — Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) October 23, 2012
And it continued on Tuesday morning:
Guess I hit a raw nerve. Always know I do when I'm accused of being bigoted/racist/chubby/idiotic/etc. etc. — Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) October 23, 2012
@jonkay I refuse to pick a fight with you on Twitter. Happy to speak to you face to face when I'm back in T.O. — Sue-Ann Levy (@SueAnnLevy) October 23, 2012
At the end, it just got nasty. Here's a Tweet from the well-respected Susan Delacourt of the Toronto Star:
Hint: @sueannlevy likes attention. You're all giving it to her. #cdnpoli —Susan Delacourt (@SusanDelacourt) October 23, 2012
If it was "attention", Levy was after on Monday night, she definitely got it.
Update:
The Toronto Sun issued this Twitter statement on Tuesday in response to Levy's use of the #MuslimBS hashtag:
Sue-Ann Levy's tweet on the U.S. presidential debate had an inappropriate hashtag. The tweet doesn't reflect the views of the Toronto Sun.
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) October 23, 2012
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