Alas, those of us who thought that racism was on the wane are now disappointed beyond disappointment.

The something that's "going very wrong in the heads of a substantial number of Americans" has been there all along it seems, and that's surprised me.

I honestly thought an African American could be elected to be President of the United States, and aside from the usual differences among political parties, respect for the president would still be there.

But it isn't there, and its absence among his detractors swirls within a racial hatred so divisive reason is nowhere to be read or heard.

Joe McCarthy must be sitting up in his grave stirred there by the likes of Karl Rove and his many desciples who've taught the members on their side that thuggism, like an AK-47 against a 38 revolver, works. It drowns out the opposition.

And above all, it captures the attention of the media who thrive on differences and gives mostly equal voice to both sides, but sometimes an unequal voice to the loudest, in spite of the fact that Obama was elected by a large majority with a mandate for change.

To listen to reports I'm hearing these past few days, one would think Obama didn't get elected, but somehow got appointed by a plotting few against a vast majority of dissidents who are the only true patriots and protectors against a myriad of anti-American schemes Obama has up his sleeve.

Maybe it's good the festering boil has ruptured. Obama may be right that a discussion needs to be had about differences among the races.

For that's all I see this is, what I thought were remnants of history, turns out to be a fullblown repeat of a past I though we had gotten by.

I saw the havoc and horrendous aftermath of Dr Martin Luther King's assassination.

I pray we exit this decade in peace.