Political mudslinging is commonplace in every election that history has had a pen and paper to record. Mudslinging, however, is different from what we’re seeing with John McCain and the GOP. First, as put eloquently by Dr. James Zogby, even insinuating that Barack Obama is somehow less American, less trustworthy, or less in any way from you and I… purely because he’s an Arab or a Muslim is racist. It is no different from calling someone a nigger, nor is it from claiming the Jews were to blame for Germany’s economic woes in the mid 20th century. Racism is something that this country needs to feel great shame for and overcome in a positive way that reflects the respect that most Americans show toward people of other ethnicities.

If we can’t all appreciate intellectualism and elitism, can’t we at least get behind the idea that denying truths as apparent as “the sky is blue” doesn’t help anyone? Barack Obama is Christian and African American. Sorry folks, he is. As far as the elitism comments go, I heard a great point of which I can’t recall the source. It went something like this. “When we have extraordinary dangers facing us, who do we call in the military to deal with those threats? We call on elite groups of special forces soldiers.”

Why the hell can’t that same logic, which is supported by everyone, apply to picking the people that should lead our country? How is it possible that people actually think it’s better off to leave the really talented and smart people on the sidelines? Darwin would have loved that.

Dr. James Zogby says, “Enough is enough!”

Washington D.C. - October 11, 2008 -We are disturbed by the degree to which ‘Arab’ has become the metaphorical mud to sling against your opponent. This week, for example the Republican Jewish Coalition released a document in which they use the term Pro-Arab as a pejorative accusation. For his part, Rush Limbaugh has joined in by declaring that Obama is in fact an Arab American. Then, on Friday, after a supporter called Senator Barak Obama “an Arab”, Senator John McCain came to the defense of of his political opponent by saying, “No, ma’am. He’s a decent family man and citizen…” From this we are left to infer that an Arab man is less then a “decent family man.”

Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, says, “Enough is enough! From the beginning of this campaign there have been those who have used Muslim and Arab in an effort to smear Barak Obama. This exploitation of bigotry and the stoking of racist fires to forward an agenda is reprehensible. This is not only offensive to the Arab Americans, but to all Americans. As any ethnic group who has ever been used to scare the electorate knows, this is a dangerous game that tragically can ends with innocent people being hurt.

And while We are pleased to see that the senator is trying to dispel rumors about Senator Obama, but we feel the need to point out that Arab Americans are also decent men and women with the full rights of citizenship as enumerated under the constitution. Arab Americans are part of the great melting pot that is this country’s strength. We work towards peace in the Middle East along side our Jewish partners. We raise our sons and daughters to be model citizens of this nation. We serve this country with honor. The suggestion that any ethnic group is treacherous and Anti-American is unacceptable, dangerous, and unbecoming of such a great nation.