30 Good Minutes – Melissa Rogers – Free Exercise for All

John Bracken points me to this article on John McCain where he seems to be putting a lid on the racist rhetoric his campaign has been hinting at. Over at TPM they have video of the exchange and some analysis of what is going on now. Regardless of why, I’m glad McCain said what he said. Haroon seems to be a bit more bitter about this. I think he’s reading too much into it, but he is a smart guy, so who knows. Election 2008, McCain

Peter King’s Obsession – NYTimes.com. Not much spreads fear and bigotry faster than a public official intent on playing the politics of division. On Thursday, Representative Peter King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, is scheduled to open a series of hearings that seem designed to stoke fear against American Muslims. His refusal to tone down the provocation despite widespread opposition suggests that he is far more interested in exploiting ethnic misunderstanding than in trying to heal it.

Go Back to Your Country – Global Experts. You never forget the first time you’re told to “go back to your country.” It’s like being punched in the heart and stomach simultaneously.