You know, I think you might have hit the mind-set right on the bull's-eye. Sad, that so many people are only now realizing the power of the Black Preacher...clearly the ruling group in the US.

canuk5, are you from Alberta? I'm just curious.

Do you understand what a meaningless statistic is? Thought you did.

That was about the stupidest argument I've ever seen raised here, and I can't figure out whether it's something you actually believe, or just think that people are too dumb to see through. I'm just not sure...

Ahhh, Northern Ontario. Where in Quebec? And did you see a lot of "Anglo on Francophone" racism there?

I'm only asking because I really have to question what you're seeing down in the States, man.

"I truly believe if you speak more than one language your tunnel vision opens up."

Sadly, I know for a fact that isn't true. I don't think it hurts, but it's definitely not a cure-all. I do think more people (well, in North America) should speak multiple languages. And travel more.

But seriously, you say you had all these friends from different backgrounds and never really saw any racism? Did you and your friends ever go out into society in general? Because I've seen outstanding examples of racism that way. Something about mixed groups drives racists crazy (well, more crazy).

I see Calif Mike acknowledges the power of Jesse. Yep, he's a shaker and mover of Billionaires, no doubt about it.

I've been wondering for years when they would start. I think Americans should have been rioting since 2000.

No offence, but I'm not quite that old. And why stop at 1963? My point isn't that Americans should have been rioting because things were wrong (well, actually, that's happened a few times). My point was that when they're just telling you that you don't matter, that they're not bothering to hide their contempt for you, maybe that's a point you have to take a stand. It hasn't happened.

I've never seen spam in the letter columns here before.

Not because I want to read the gruesome details; I don't. I do really want to see what the fallout is though. How terrible do actions have to be before people really care?

Maybe we'll find out. I hope someone reacts to this, when it breaks. Thanks Glenn.

That's pretty much what it's come down to - the US treats prisoners worse than the Taliban, who are violent extremists. No doubt there are many who don't understand, or want to understand, that point.

Many people around the world have pointed out for years that American's behaviour is helping fuel the behaviour of the people doing the bombings. It's been said many times in the States. The only real conclusion is that this is exactly the behaviour the people in charge want.

I guess so long as the weapons get made and sold, and there's still access to more oil, nothing else really matters.

Good post Glenn. No doubt people will be ignoring the arguments and saying silly things any time now.

Clearly, the vanguard of people missing the point are already here.

That's a point far too few people seem to get. Well done.

That saying something that is an honest opinion, and likely demonstrably true, is considered putting his foot in his mouth. Politically unwise, sure. I have no real doubt it's the truth though.

And yet, it's funny at the same time. Michael Steele is probably the least-likely black man in America for them to be afraid of.

I can't figure out what would cause that kind of reaction. I wouldn't have thought what she was wearing would have been considered that out there in Brazil, or in a lot of other hot-weather countries, truth be told.

How would those students react at the beach? I mean, wtf?

It's just sad that it's even necessary to say it.

The neocons are traitors, and someone should say that too.

I appreciate that you're reading Friedman so I don't have to. I know it must be quite the sacrifice. Good column, and no, Friedman is never going to understand how twisted he is. How could he be twisted? He's AMERICAN, damn it!

I think the point you make in the letters might be even better; there is a lot of time spent by people trying to figure out THE reason for things like Iraq, and the world is just more complex than that.

I'm stunned the US was even on that list of dangerous countries, considering who they were asking. Seems like a very "unserious" belief to me.

I like it. I think you could make a stronger case than some of the schools that are out there right now.