Obama’s gone and radically changed the White House website. Gone are the days of static content and a conservative look. The new website embraces the new technologies and the spirit of his campaign – it’s very Web 2.0, mobile and social networking oriented.
However, I noticed a curious anomaly in content. Barack’s page puts down his name as Barack H. Obama. I first thought this must be the convention used across the site – first name + middle initial + last name.
Yet Vice President Biden’s page has his full name Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
I wonder why the Hussein in Barack in hidden?
I noticed that even during the inaugaration ceremony. He was announced as “Barack H. Obama”. Struck me as odd too.
I guess it’s personal choice — George W Bush, John F Kennedy, etc. If I was Biden, though, I’m not sure I’d want everyone to know that my middle name’s Robinette!
A comment I got via email:
“I’ve noticed some skittishness around the Hussein.
During the campaign it was considered bad form to emphasize it. Now, however, I’m hearing it a lot more. It was all over the inauguration and the media today. I guess now it’s too late for it to matter!
I was loosely looped into the transition web site team. I bet someone caved to what they sensed were prevailing pressures and went with the H. It kind of hits you harder to see it in print. That was all done a month ago so it could be ready to launch at noon on the dot.”
It’s a name. Many Americans have foreign names, middle eastern names and religious names. It’s just a name.