[Added 10-18 3:55PM]
[It has been expressed to me that individuals may not wish to provide their names, thus exposing themselves to public scrutiny.
Because of this possibility, I am inviting you to register using any identity you wish, and sign that identity to the statement "All men and women are created equal."]
Americans across the
country, and across the political spectrum, are expressing alarm and
dismay at the McCain campaign's tactic of linking Barack Obama with
terror and attempting to stoke racial anger and fear.
This tactic has resulted in increasingly violent rhetoric among the crowds at McCain/Palin rallies. I know you have heard it.
Regardless
of where you stand politically, with Senator McCain or with Senator
Obama, this kind of racially divisive politics must not be allowed to
succeed - for the good of our country, for the good of our children.
As
I have said, I do not believe that John McCain is personally
responsible for this. And much to his credit, Senator McCain has
challenged his supporters and repeatedly told them that Senator Obama
is a fine American, and a good and decent man who loves his family and
his country.
As is Senator McCain.
We all know the sad history of race relations in
this country, and there is legitimate fear that some deranged
individual could take violent action against Senator Obama, which this
nation would long regret.
I ask you, Lake Country;
If
you believe that we need to stand up against this tactic of using race
to divide and frighten Americans, I respectfully ask you to make yourself
visible.
I am asking you to register on this site, and send me your name - your real name - as a comment. and send your comments.
It
only has to be your name. If you wish to make a personal statement, by
all means do so, but what we want to do is to put our names on record
as denouncing [denounce] the use of race as a political issue by any party or campaign.
Please add
your name [identity] to this list of Lake Country residents who are re-confirming
their belief in this core American value: that all men and women are
created equal.
Thank you.
(Remember, I have to personally publish Comments, so your name will not appear immediately.)