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Again, good points. Basically, what needs to change is the political climate where such language, whether hateful or merely overheated, is viewed as effective rhetoric for a political candidate to employ. In other words, what we gotta work on is this culture where someone can say some of the crap that has been said because they think it's a good idea to do so. As you and I both know, that will take time and patience in educating the public. I'll be honest; I had the typical American ignorance about the Middle East in general, and the Israeli-Palestinean conflict in particular, until 9/11 and my subsequent befriending of a wonderful and knowledgeable Bangladeshi gentleman (and I use "gentleman" in a literal sense) who patiently and generously educated me on the true nature of the Palestinean issue. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to have been exposed to him and people of other cultures whom have taught me not to generalize and demonize people.
My hope, and it is perhaps a naive one, is that the election of Obama will serve to remind those abroad that Americans, while sometimes ignorant, are well-intentioned, and, at heart, a good people. On our end, my hope is that as our nation becomes smaller, more people will have the chance that I've had to interact with those who were born in other lands, but whom, in many ways are what America is truly all about.
Forgive my Kumbaya moment there :)
