Here's a letter that ran today in the Arizona Republic, the state's largest paper:
Who needs a 'Hussein' running nation?
Jan. 31, 2008 12:00 AM
Barack Obama can unite America. Huh?
I have looked up this man's congressional voting record, among the most liberal in history.
Liberal media are trying to hide his middle name (Hussein) and cloudy religious background quicker than Sen. John Kerry's military records, but the truth will eventually prevail.
A "Hussein" in the White House would create a cavernous divide. - Rich Carroll,Scottsdale
My letter to them in response after the fold.
Update: A reply from the Republic and my response presented below.
Here's what I sent them:
Bigoted letter
Do you have standards for the letters you print? The letter titled "Who needs a 'Hussein' running nation?" smears an individual, a heritage, and an entire religion. The letter presents no facts or logic, only innuendo and bigotry. I won't advance its scurrilous purpose by repeating and commenting directly on any of its statements. The title says enough. But your editorial board must know that the letter does nothing to enlighten readers or further any legitimate debate. It only appeals to the worst human instincts. Using bigotry to affect the presidential campaign could have been your only purpose in running it.
You owe Muslims, those of middle eastern extraction, Barack Obama, and your readers an apology.
I wish there was some better way to call them on this, start a boycott if they don't apologize, bring their bigotry to the attention of a national audience, whatever. Not sure what to do.
Update: Just received this from the assistant editorial page editor:
My goal in selecting letters to the editor is to reflect the subjects and
sentiments of our readers. In recent weeks, we've received a surprising
number of letters with views of those similar to Mr. Carroll. (Have you
seen the "Who is Barack Obama?" e-mail that appears to be spreadling like
wildfire over the Internet?) Clearly, these ideas are a factor in this
political race. Is it best to bury these ideas or deal with them openly? In
days to come, I'm sure there will be letters that agree and disagree with
Mr. Carroll.
Letters to the editor is a fascinating public forum. I believe people
should know what their neighbors are thinking -- even if it's a little
frightening.
Thanks for caring.
Here's what I wrote back:
By presenting that letter (or any letter) without context or comment, you
endorse its content to the extent of telling readers that its ideas are
worthy of consideration on their merits, not as examples of bigotry. Readers
would not assume you were running the letter as an example of bigotry
because they would expect you not to run bigoted letters. If you find ideas
in this and similar letters frightening, maybe you should run a news article
exposing them. You certainly should not further the smears by repeating them
without comment.