Obama-hate, and Sarah Palin's War on Terror

The title of this blog is actually the title of a column by Bradley Burston, the American correspondent of the liberal-leaning Israeli newspaper, Ha'aretz. The column is a scathing critique of Sarah Palin and the type of fear/hate mongering that she has chosen to use as part of the Republicans' desperate effort to stave off defeat in this year's election. The following is an excerpt from the column.

Obama-hate is worth a close look not only for what it tells us about political campaigns, but for what it can teach us about America itself, its divisions and the possibility of healing.

This is, as well, about the role Sarah Palin can play in the process. She can, if she chooses, elevate the level of debate on the urgent challenges Americans must face. Or she can say something like this:

"We see America as the greatest force for good in this world," Palin told a fund-raising event in Colorado on Sunday. "Our opponent though, is someone who sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he's palling around with terrorists who would target their own country."

"This is not a man who sees America like you and I see America," she said. "We see America as a force of good in this world."

Since taking the national stage a month ago, Sarah Palin has been subjected to an onslaught of invective, dismissal, insult and smear. Now, the debate safely behind her, she has chosen a new means of response: incitement.

Does she really believe that Barack Obama, and by extension, those who support him, do not see America as a force for good in this world?

If she does not, her statement was obscene. If she does, America as a whole is in trouble. And not because she's right.

You can read the the entire column here.