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Reading this from my window of unbiased clarity in Toronto (tongue somewhat in cheek) I wonder about the bigger problem that these e-mails are symptomatic of. Blatant racism and fear mongering aside, I can't help feel that the reason this is an issue, is the damn length of your election cycle. As some of you may know, In Canada, we have a boom-boom out go the lights system. The whole thing takes about a month. As a result we only have time for the big two (the economy and the environment) if time allows we may have a discussion as to what level we'll be funding arts. Every now and then the issue comes up, but it's really just to fill time.
The point being, we simply do not have the cycles for these kind of attacks to make there way in any substantive fashion. It seems to me (so it must be worse for those of you who live in the states) that this thing has been going on forever. I have to believe that if your entire process from nomination to election lasted four weeks, the level of discourse would be raised enough and tightened up to the point where this kind of attack simply wouldn't have the time to be an issue. Right now, the whole thing reminds of that horrific show which my wife seems to love "Big Brother" with nothing to do but kill endless time, everyone sits around and lies about one another. Just a thought........
