Living in this post-911, tri-state area, I've seen the worst in people. The anti-Muslim (anti-foreigner) sentiment thrives here in those whose beliefs are, in my opinion, as fundamentally skewed as those who caused 911, although they might not wear their hatred with the same bizarre badge of distinction; they're more prone to call in radio shows, post online, or keep their racist/bogoted thoughts to themselves but act out in a passive-aggresive manner. Google, “muslim hate crime nj” and you'll see an array of news stories that has happened in recent years after 911, all of which were unprovoked hate and bias crimes. Many Muslims didn't feel comfortable wearing their traditional garb out in public for fear of retribution. How could I not empathize with that? It's like having a big target on your head.

“Ethnic Profiling” became a huge topic here with several different scandals involving the state police and local authorities. The hate crimes perpetrated against innocent Muslim families in this state alone skyrocketed soon after the attacks in NYC. We had a student whose turbin was burned – on his head while he was wearing it – by fellow students. We've had an outpouring of people who chant in online newspaper forums in essence, “Send the foreigners back home.” All of this has caused a backlash against other foreign groups including Latinos. These type of xenophobic thoughts and actions are disturbingly pervasive and deeply rooted.

And yet, if you check out fivethirtyeight.com, you'll see we Jersians are located in a virtual sea of BLUE states. Go figure.

I sat and cheered as Colin Powell made his endorsement, and am thrilled that other intelligent Republicans are now endorsing Obama because they are ashamed of the actions of their party leaders. So, let us remember that there are many upstanding people of both parties who do not believe that people with differing opinions or differing beliefs are to be labeled as “Unamerican”! Just witness the Congressional race in Minnesota where the unknown Democratic challenger has raised over $1 million this past weekend after the incumbant make those ludicrous statements on Friday's edition of Chris Matthews show, Hardball, on MSNBC.

The most bigoted people would have to shoot themselves if they thoroughly investigated their family trees.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily…

I've joked, but sorta meant it, that Tina Fey is the big winner of this campaign season. It's only now that I'm fully grasping how much Muslims in America are the losers. I shake with anger that people believe and spread such blind hatred. I don't feel so much for Obama on this one; he has the thick skin of a politician and the integrity not to put up with such crap. But I feel very much for average Americans who, after seven years of encountering the prejudice of frightened bullies, must now endure it more, and harder, and from gathered masses. Hopefully a win by Obama will serve more than to just reinvigorate the American state, but will also signify an end (or at least the beginning of the end) to the too-long, too-widespread tradition of hate in the U.S.