It's all over the media, how John McCain dialed back the hatred and incitement at his rally in Lakeville, Minnesota, where he defended Barack Obama and asked for respect for his opponent. The eyes of the world are on Minnesota once again.
Here's how the Star Tribune reported one particularly boneheaded Minnesotan's racist remarks at the rally:
Late in the town hall meeting, Gayle Quinnell of Shakopee called Obama "an Arab." Taken aback, McCain shook his head and, taking the microphone from her, said, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man, citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues."
After the rally, Quinnell was unrepentant. "You can't trust Barack Hussein Obama because he is a Muslim and a terrorist," she said.
Obama is a Christian, and has been all of his adult life.
Moreover, what if a politician were Muslim? Or Jewish? Or Buddhist, or Catholic, or whatever religion? Should it matter in a country where church and state are supposed be separate?
Gayle Quinnell of Shakopee is just exactly the kind of person who has caused this country to sink so far from the Founding Fathers' vision. Ignorance is not bliss, and bigotry is worse. It's harmful to our nation and to the well being of all its citizens.
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