Ugly is ok; dangerous is not

A plea to the Secret Service: Please keep your security very tight around Obama and watch those crowds. It's gone beyond ugly and is now dangerous. And John McCain and Sarah Palin are directly responsible.

100% of the McCain ads now running are negative attacks on Obama. That's to be expected when they are losing as obviously as they are and have nothing that the voters are buying.

But McCain and Palin are shamelessly and dangerously whipping up their crowds' racial hatred. It is bordering on criminal when they encourage shouts like "treason" and "off with his head" by talking about Obama as "not like us," and "palling around with terrorists," and using his full name with contemptuous emphasis on "Hussein."

They know what they're doing -- and then are cynical enough to turn around and have their campaign issue a statement condemning violence. Then they go right back to the rallies and whip up some more hatred.

Most voters see it as a cynical ploy and condemn it. But there's going to be a real crackpot in one of those crowds who might decide to become a "hero" and carry out what he thinks the crowd wants. This is a chilling thought and I hesitate to even put it in writing. But it is a real and present danger.

And John McCain and Sarah Palin are directly responsible for encouraging it.

Ralph