"..what exactly is more "exacerbating of tensions and turbulance" than flying jet airliners full of passengers and jet fuel into tall buildings.."

You seem to be saying that AMERICANS of middle-eastern descent and AMERICANS who practice the religion of Islam are to blame for the events of 9/11. I would like to remind you that Arab and Muslim Americans are just that - Americans. They are not the terrorists who flew those planes, they are not terrorists of any kind. These people don't dislike the idea of McCain/Palin because they are the enemy, they dislike them because they are racists, and fear discrimination and maltreatment in their own country (AMERICA).

That fact being considered, I believe that when an AMERICAN is afraid of increased tensions between himself and his fellow Americans, it matters in a presidential election.

You're right, this ISN'T Europe. Here in the United States, people of every background are free to practice any religion they please, and when those people have opinions about the government, those opinions matter. If you don't like that, go back to Europe in the 1600's, or Hell... Nazi Germany. See how much you like that kind of world.

How does one respond to people that see America through the relativist prism that Laith does? Some of what he says is reasonable, until, of course, he began to slide into the chasm of liberalism that sees the theopolitical ideology of Islam as having anything to do with race, or its goals to have anything to do with other than the submission of non-Muslims to Islam and its followers. And if such people as Laith actually believe that the majority of Arabs and Muslims in the ME are our friends, there is nothing that can be said to cure such blindness. Obviously, Laith has never spent a day in the ME, and most certainly he has never fought a day in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Laith, albeit obviously sincere, is terribly naive. Although McCain was certainly not my first choice, I realize that we have no alternative. By happenstance we end up with an Obama presidency, Laith would be soon down on his knees with the rest of us praying, "If only we'd have known."

I learned a long time ago that trying to convince folks like Laith of the error of their thoughts, is less than productive. It's like trying to teach a first grader calculus. He simply lacks the mental and mathematical maturity to comprehend what is necessary to comprehend what is necessary. In other words one might say, Laith just can't "get it," for now.

Dear Laith:

The essence of Nazi Germany has materialized in Honolulu. Please review the Akaka Bill thread for amplification. As a non-Jewish, White American I fear exiting my residence for fear of being murdered by Drop Breed Hawaiians, supporting the Akaka Bill. In over eight (8) years, no one has providing me with the promises of Democracy.

The Akaka Bill will produced a race-based government in contradiction to the US Constitution. Racism will reign in Hawaii. And, if I might add, it will be malicious racism in which non-Drop Breeds Hawaiians will be persecuted.

Now, Obama and Biden support the Akaka Bill and will enact it into law, if they gain the White House. McCain (as Bush) will veto any suggestion of the Akaka Bill.

Accordingly, I find it difficult to equate McCain with racism; whereas, I can easily deduce racism as a central tenet in the Obama/Biden Team. Please keep in mind that some 90% of Black Americans support Obama. That constitutes a pretty impressive racial preference.

Lastly, the land of the racist Akaka Bill is where Obama (or whatever his name is) was born (allegedly), raised and educated in his teenage years. Michelle Obama says to know Hawaii is to know Barry. Well, peruse the Akaka Bill and all you will uncover is malicious racism (without Barry's grand oratory).

Now, whether or not Islam will take center-stage in American culture with an Obama victory might still be up for debate. However, one thing I feel is certain, malicious racism will evolve and flourish under Obama.

Laith, McCain & Palin are not the racists in this election. If the fear of racism is your primary concern, then vote Republican!

With Aloha,