Thanks for the rational answers, Pontooner. I'm glad you're taking the time to educate those few of us out here who have an open mind.

When I read that somebody HATES democrats, or really HATES anybody with a different belief system (i.e., religion) or a different perspective, it make me sad. And more than a little scared for the future of our country. The radical muslims use their hate to justify terrorism. There are plenty in this country that are using hate speech to incite violence at this very moment. Is this what America has become, too?

Diversity of belief, culture, religion, ethnicity, etc. is one of the great things about our country, and is a tremendous source of strength with regards to innovation and adaption to the certainty of radical change we are facing as a country and as a planet. We are living in a different world than we were just 10 years ago... people oughta to wake up and let go of the narrow thinking and hate speech. We are in this together.