One can "sow the seeds" of hatred for other issues, not just for racism. Sarah Palin's harangues against Senator Obama do, indeed, "create a climate" which rouses angry people to sometimes become out of control. She DOES create an "atmosphere of hate" and definitely is "playing a dangerous game." Proof is that now Senator McCain has stepped in to tone down the ugliness spewing from his supporters. He's finally realized they're "playing with fire" and, I believe, doesn't want to go down in history as the person who reignited the kind of hatred we witnessed during the civil rights era. And even Palin seems to get it based on the speech I saw yesterday.

One can sow seeds, create a climate or atmosphere of hate, and play to people's fears on issues such a job loss to someone who may be Latino, a person who practices a religion unfamiliar to us, a lawful emigree who wears a turban, a man or woman who has an odd name, a colleague or friend of folks whose past is less than stellar, and definitely someone who holds political beliefs different than they do....to name a few.

We have lived the past 7 years under a Bush/Cheney-created atmosphere of fear and hate. They've deliberately used 9/11 to develop and stoke today's hate targets and, so, it's not surprising that those targets are now being invoked to such a degree -- and by two politicians whose thirst for higher office is almost rabid -- that people are getting riled up enough to attack--to take some kind of action! Right now it's just being manifested in writing and/or verbal. But Congressman Lewis' efforts were - ARE - aimed at warning the McCain campaign (and others like them) that if they continue with their rabble-rousing diatribes, things could escalate to physical attacks and, possibly, even the death of someone; not necessarily the intended political "target" but innocent beings like those little girls who died in that church that Sunday morning in Birmingham.

The ongoing campaign of hate in which innocent people were terrorized by bullies under the banner of patriotism hit such a level that the fire almost did "consume us all." Bush realized it and stepped in to calm things down. John Lewis was warning McCain and Palin that they must stop the ugliness now before it escalates to that same post-9/11 level. He used the examples of George Wallace and racism to make his point. It's too bad that McCain jumped on the racism idea and ignored the real reason for the warning.

Oh and, yes, some of the hatred IS racial. If folks think that doesn't still exist within the hearts and minds of residents living in our country's highways and byways, they've been living in a bubble.

Didn't anyone pick up on McCain's reference to Palin being an expert on special needs children who have autism? The Palin baby has Downs Syndrome!!!

...the health of the mother is irrelevant. He practically did, given the sweep of his hand in a dismissive manner. And that snarky smile he plastered on his face throughout most the "discussion" made me want to throw something at the TV!!

Fifty and Fabulous said: Did anyone else hear McCain snorting throughout?

My husband and I heard it. Three or more times, in fact--the last time being the loudest. Given McCain's famed nasty temper, my thoughts ran to the image of a worked-up bull getting ready to charge. Wish I could have seen him while that was happening.

He looked snarky throughout. The fake smile didn't come across to me as someone amused. It looked like a cover for a temper that wanted to flare up.

And to the other writers who commented on the autism issue I, too, wondered if McCain realized he was wrong and that Palen's baby has Downs Syndrome. Plus, there is no way anyone would be able to detect Autism in a baby that young, Downs Syndrome or not. However, I did some googling afterward and discovered that Palin's sister has a son with Autism and that some Downs children are also eventually diagnosed with Autism.

Nevertheless, to say that Palin is an expert (or whatever word he used) on Autism or Downs - and, thus, all special needs children - is no better than saying that she's an expert on energy. What Sarah IS is an expert on BS!

I wish the media folks at MSNBC and CNN would stop giving this woman air time. Has anyone noticed the creepy smile she plasters on her face when she's not talking? That, in and of itself, is reason enough to drop her. It's downright creepy!

Following your advice, I finished up my post and went right to the Tinklenberg website and made a donation. Liked his stance on issues, in addition to the fact that he's opposing that creepy Bachmann. Hope he unseats her. Fortunately for him, she's already unraveled.

Haven't felt this good about a contribution since the one I made to Planned Parenthood in the name of Sarah Palin, asking that the thank you be sent to the McCain headquarters.

Wow! In 24-hours time Bachmann's opponent, Elwyn Twinklenberg, has raised (this is a revised figure) almost $490,000. And, I discovered in reading his website that she isn't really campaigning either. Guess, with that creepy smile, she's decided she'd rather audition for the role of poster model for the Far Right. But she's likely to be shoved aside by Sarah Palin who, after all, must do something to keep her egocentric self in the spotlight. Besides, Sarah's smile is more geniune.

Again, YIPPEE! You did good, folks!!!