Dean Obeidallah: State Department Propaganda Tool

June 6, 2011

Why is Dean Obeidallah working with the State Department?  Commenting on a recent Ikhras article, he said his work is intended to

“help empower Arab-American comedians and artists”

He then went on to add

“My work for the last few years has been to inspire people in the Arab-American community – as well as Arabs in the Arab world with my work in the arts…”

Has the “Dean of Comedy” actually inspired anyone? And how does one inspire Arabs by producing US government propaganda videos?  This video was produced by the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs in June 2011.   Notice that like James Zogby, the only Arab-American pretending to find him funny,  Dean also pronounces Dubai as “Dew-Bye.”

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KSC3BFZBI2TU5TOB7PEQEGX6EE Moh

    I don’t know what nationality you haters are but you need to get a sense of humor.  Spend time in the Middle East before you criticize Dean’s remarks.  

    • http://twitter.com/umjihad Tammy Obeidallah

      Just got back from a whole summer in the ARAB WORLD. That’s in addition to the year I spent prior and the numerous times I’ve visited before that. And I bet I zaghret better than your mother. I have a great sense of humor, but what the hell is funny about a traitor?

  • blahblah

    Just give the guy a break, but yeah I am kinda shocked by the State Department video. Ehh, whatevs.

  • http://twitter.com/umjihad Tammy Obeidallah

    The “Dean of Comedy” inspires his Starbucks-toting audience to be better House Arabs. All kidding aside, his condescending offer of a discount to his lousy show (I guess he thinks everyone is as motivated by a few greenbacks as he is) for anyone mentioning Ikhras will probably also land them on the State Deptartment watchlist.

    The thing I don’t get is that he harps on “empowering and inspiring Arab-Americans,” not just in this comment but it’s sort of like his mantra. How do you “empower and inspire” a group of people who are already one of the most well-educated and successful minorities in the country? As I said before, his arrogance and condescension make him a good fit as the Obama administration.

    His new group, Comics for Palin, is attempting to distract Americans from the real issues, belittling Palin for her lesser gaffes regarding Alaska giving her foreign policy experience and Paul Revere, instead of making cracks about her car turning around before reaching Bethlehem during her recent visit to the Zionist State–some “Christian” pilgrim, there! That incident in itself could have spawned a plethora of jokes, yet Dean won’t touch it. Of course he thinks a Palin candidacy would make Obama a shoe-in (no pun intended), whereby he could continue Obama-worship for 4 more years and ensure his position as Court Jester. 

  • Jamesholstun

    Hey, Dean–will the US State Department keep hosting you if you start making jokes about US support of murdering thugs from Cairo to Tunis to Tel Aviv? How would that work out for you? Or is there a clause in your contract specifying “all routines must constitute patriotic American anilingus”?

    Please feel free to quote “patriotic American anilingus” phrase. After all, “all press is good press,” as you so wittily say.

  • Gaza_alqassam1

    is this tammy ……good bey tammy….heheheheheheheheh

    • http://twitter.com/umjihad Tammy Obeidallah

      Yes, of course all comments critical of Dean are coming from my fake profiles and aliases. LOL, that’s at least what he seems to think…I don’t know how many poor hapless people have been blocked from Dean’s twitter account because he accuses them of being me. Seems Dean is about as much a proponent of free speech as US-backed Arab dictators. 

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KLANGFSI4R6F37IFBG4TIEAPMI Rodney

        I sent him a message on Facebook saying I was you, Tammy and then he sent me a real nasty message back, I’ll inbox you ’cause it was seriously messed up.

        • http://twitter.com/umjihad Tammy Obeidallah

          Thanks, Rod, but this jerk is seriously not worth your valuable time. The kind of trash he’s spewing is a common tactic used by Zionists against Palestinians, coercing some into collaboration (not that I’m taking up for collaborators, it’s just the Israeli MO, and it’s well-known.) Don’t worry, he has nothing on me so just let him keep talking, it means we’re doing something right ;)

  • http://twitter.com/Deanofcomedy Dean Obeidallah

    Thanks for the press- as they say “All press is good press!” 

    I hope my work has inspired some while ur work is to tell people to literally “shut up” –  we simply have a different philosophy. Also want to share some info with ur readers- the 8th annual NY Arab-American Comedy Festival is Sept 25-29 – this year we will likely have 50 Arab-American and Arab performers – we are now accepting submissions from comedians and comedy writers – If u can write comedy or perform, hope u will submit –  for more details please visit: http://www.arabcomedy.orgAlso I have some shows coming up – if u mention “Ikrhas” Ill make sure u  get a discount – my website is http://www.deanofcomedy.com  - Also here are some more clips I hope u post – These r clips from the MBC tv special about the Amman stand Up comedy festival TV special that just came out

    Part 1 featuring the English speaking comedians:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=541pLnpNuqoPart 2 featuring the Arabic speaking comedians: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD5uGyfEgjU

    • Joey88

      Mr Obeidallah

      Do not care about your differences with ikhras  but you did not say why you work with the state department.  I am not criticizing your work which I have not seen but they did bring up an important point you ignored.