Met a guy named Ossama today!

[De Lorimier]

Back from work. I've seen and talked to a lot of people flying back from Lebanon. The look in their eyes reminded of the look I saw in the face of people coming back from South-East Asia after the Tsunami. It's the same look my great uncle had on his face we we asked him to talk to us about his experience in the war. Tense and out of it at the same time, weird.

Anyway, I also met a kid coming back from visiting family in Tunisia and his name was Ossama! Had he travelled by himself, I would have asked him a few things, but he was with mom, dad and little sis so I didn't mentioned it.
But can you imagine living with that name? He was 18, so he spent all of his teenage years with that name (after 9/11). No matter how tolerant and respectfull this city is, we all know how cruel and rude people can be, especially teenagers.

What do you think? I know there's not a lot of Adolph walking around these days. Would you keep that name?

 

[Mr. Dictator]

it is the name he was given. he did nothing wrong. he isnt osama bin laden. no connection.

 

[Stylesjl]

I would change it. Sanctity of names be damned.

BTW: Imediately after World War Two lots of people named Adolf changed their names

Edit: If i found out that the name Jay Genko was associated with Terrorism i would probaly change it

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

Or Worse, can you imagine having the last name bin laden? Without the osama, i mean.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

To be honest, I've always liked Latin or Greek names the best. They just sound nice. But at this point in my life, a name change would be a pain in the butt.

Although I personally think there is nothing inherently wrong with naming yourself or your child Adolf, Osama, etc most people would probably find it weird. I would avoid those names just for the sake of avoiding any flak.

Funny how some mass murders have last names that are revered throughout the world and are even copied. For example, having the last name of "Khan" is popular in Pakistan and Northern India.

 

[Stylesjl]

Or Worse, can you imagine having the last name bin laden? Without the osama, i mean.

I can imagine the looks now

Or someone with a last name of dun dun dun Hitler.

 

[Riesstiu IV]

You know there is an "Adolf Hitler" in Newark, New Jersey? I randomly did a search through the hotel database at work for guest profiles related to its rewards program.

Not sure about any relation to the original though.

 

[amadeus]

Kind of like that "Seinfeld" episode, eh?

I probably would, because I'm not emotionally attached to my name at all. I'd change my name to Rambo McCool.

 

[mrtn]

...Funny how some mass murders have last names that are revered throughout the world and are even copied. For example, having the last name of "Khan" is popular in Pakistan and Northern India.

Khan means King, more or less.

Do you think Martin Luther King should have changed his surname, just because Henry VIII was a bastard*?


*I'm not meaning he was illegitimate.

 

[ybbor]

would I? probably. Do I see it as a given or would I fault someone who doesn't change? certainly not.

 

[Narz]

This chick changed her name after the attacks :

(it's Osama Bin Laden's neice by the way)

 

[gotreg]

Anyway, I also met a kid coming back from visiting family in Tunisia and his name was Ossama! Had he travelled by himself, I would have asked him a few things, but he was with mom, dad and little sis so I didn't mentioned it.
But can you imagine living with that name? He was 18, so he spent all of his teenage years with that name (after 9/11). No matter how tolerant and respectfull this city is, we all know how cruel and rude people can be, especially teenagers.

wow! Cool!
I´v met an american guy named George.

 

[Narz]

wow! Cool!
I´v met an american guy named George.

I wouldn't change my name if it was Ossama, but George, I dunno, I might have to think about it.

 

[Rambuchan]

Yeah, what gotreg said. This guy's name is totally insignificant. Is it the character of the boy - or - his name and your own baggage that you met? No answer required btw.

I used to work with someone called Jesus. But he never walked on water, never multiplied loaves of bread and fish, never told any moral tales. And I never expected him to either.

Voted: No.

 

[gotreg]

I used to work with someone called Jesus. But he never walked on water, never multiplied loaves of bread and fish, never told any moral tales. And I never expected him to either.

He did not? Well, you should ask Vatican really serious questions! );-))

 

[Rambuchan]

Wouldn't it be easier to just nail him to the cross myself for his lack of performance?

 

[silver 2039]

No I wouldn't change the names for some stupid reason like that.

 

[MamboJoel]

A clear right wing - left wing issue.

 

[Till]

If he gets teased, it won't stop after the name change. They'll just say he went undercover and became a sleeper...
In his case i'd tackle the issue head first. Whenever sombody makes a stupid comment i'd claim to be related to bin laden and heir to his fortune.
Then i would offer to trade his wife/daughter/girlfried for a camel (two if she is good looking).

 

[Willowmound]

Or Worse, can you imagine having the last name bin laden? Without the osama, i mean.

Osama's brother's got that name.

I'm not trying to be funny! Osama's got many half-brothers, and one of them makes perfume in France. He was just about to launch a perfume called 'Bin Laden' in 2001. This is a true story. I saw an interview with this guy on TV a few years back. He decided to rename it.

Something inoffensive.