While their vile undertones and scurrilous attacks are now directed against our African-American Standard Bearer, there should be no doubt that this bigotry that oozes from their mouths and their computers is a fungible, if detestable commodity.
The Beast, once unleashed, cannot be told to 'sit' or directed in a particular way.
It is time--NOW--IMHO--for all people of good will to recognize and be heard. Latinos, Native Folks, Asians, Muslims, Middle Easterners, Sikhs, GLBT Folks, and Anglos with a conscience and a care must see this Evil and understand its terrible potential.
McCain and Palin have not and will not be responsible in any way to check this sickness. It's their only hope. Their words and deeds give a permission slip to the sickest and most hateful among us.
We, therefore, must stand up, say "STOP!!", "NO!!", and it cannot be only African-Americans raising objections. Hatred and bigotry are not American values--they are, in fact, contrary to the very American Spirit we all profess.
We DO share a common responsibility for one another, and, at this critical time, none can afford to remain silent.
Fortunately, as an important start, one strong online voice, at least, has been raised. Alfredo Gutierrez, editor of the new online daily "La Frontera Times", a bilingual, though English-based Journal of the American Immigrant has proclaimed "Ya Basta" (Enough Already) to this sickness. ("http://lafronteratimes.com/")La Frontera Times
In an editorial up now on the site,La Frontera Times Alfredo stands against this hatred in clear and straightforward terms:
"John McCain finds himself on the wrong side of history. The future is rarely witness so clearly against the dimming backlight of the past as it is in this campaign...And if hate with its horrible consequences was your only chance would you seize it? John McCain has. He and...Sarah Palin, gleefully pull off scabs from America's ugly racist past.
What we are reliving are mobs that gathered under magnolias to anticipate Billie Holliday's strange fruit...His silence will condemn him. If we do not speak out now ours will condemn us as well."
I call on Folks of Good Sense and Good Will of every Hue and Creed to stand together with us against this insidious and vile strain.