Don Desbien's letter of Nov. 24 is one of the most offensive, racist bits of writing that's appeared in this paper for a long time, and that's saying something.

First, all reliable sources verify that Obama is not a Muslim, and second, every responsible American knows it wouldn't matter if he was, because America doesn't discriminate based on religion.

To point out, as Desbien does, that Obama "is the product of miscegenation" suggests that only people with pure racial ancestry make good leaders. If that's what you believe, then the Ku Klux Klan has need of your services.

How much more of this nonsense is The Hays Daily News going to print? I know newspapers have an obligation to run controversial or unpopular opinions, but are you obligated to print things that are just plain wrong?

Would you print a letter claiming the earth is a giant cube and Kennedy was killed by aliens, or one filled with prejudice toward Catholics or German-Russians? If you did, it would be no less insulting or outlandish than the conspiratorial garbage about Muslims and "liberals" expounded here almost daily.

Bottom line is it's a free country where everyone can spew what they like, but the rest of us are free not to pay attention.

It's too bad that The Hays Daily News has become such a forum for crackpots that serious readers have to look elsewhere for intelligent dialogue.

Jim Leiker

Eudora