Boy, Les, you managed to get in all the prejudicial catchphrases and some of the Republican talking points (HDN, Aug. 29). First, you claim Obama is a bad man because he was unfortunate enough to have had parents who abandoned him. Let's blame the victim.

Then you have to point out that his mother was white and his father was "dark-skinned." Horror of horrors, he is the product of a mixed racial couple. That should get the xenophobic among us to think twice. You also refer to both his father and step-father as "dark-skinned Muslims." Of course, everyone knows that light skin is the only really "human" color. All those others are definitely less than human, right? Oh, my. Definitely a disqualification for a presidential candidate.

A "mixed-race" high school friend wound up in jail for drug use. Whoa! That sure gives me pause. I sure wouldn't want to vote for someone whose high school friend became a drug addict. But, gee, if I vote for McCain I will be voting for the candidate whose wife stole drugs to support her addiction and was sentenced to community service. But, I forget myself, she is a rich white woman, so that makes it OK.

And I find it really strange that you would consider it terrible that in an American college Obama actually might come into contact with all kinds of people, with all kinds of points of view. I guess you believe that only conservative, white, Christian Republicans are qualified to get an education. Or maybe we should segregate public colleges so that the "real" people do not have to associate with all of those "undesirables." (Really, Les, take a deep breath and repeat: First Amendment, First Amendment, First Amendment.) I went to a fairly small Christian college, but you know, we used to have some wonderful discussions there because we had students with all kinds of experiences, points of view and, in a few cases, very radical ideas. I never thought of myself as a bad person for sitting around in late-night bull sessions, but I guess by your criteria, I am.

Muslims! I am amazed that in 21st century America, the melting pot of the world, you would somehow find it really bad for a person to have associates who were Muslim. I know people who are Muslim. I have even employed people who are Muslim.

Again, Les, take another deep breath, breath out slowly and repeat, "First Amendment." Les, I can remember the 1960 election when many people were very concerned that Kennedy was a Catholic. Many of my Protestant friends believed firmly that the Pope was the antichrist and that Kennedy would take orders from him. They were convinced that he would usher in a new American inquisition. I didn't think they were right then, and I don't think you are right now.

John Binder

2220 E. 27th