out of control

There are a few topics that can fall under this category. The beauty queen contestant in South Carolina who horribly flubbed the question about why 20% of Americans can't locate the US on a map. The Idaho Senator's arrest of lewd behavior. The "diaper-free" movement (no pun intended). The obesity rates increasing in 31 states.

This ramblin originates from Seattle, WA. Last week, the local newspaper evidently ran a photo of 2 men on a ferry (the picture was taken by the captain.) who were acting suspiciously. The FBI was requesting assistance in identifying and locating them for questioning. The article made no reference as to the nationality, race or religious preference. The photo was clear, however, that the men were of middle-eastern descent.

To most of the security conscious and concerned citizenry, this was a most logical and efficient means of law enforcement's requesting aid. The captain of the vessel was concerned enough to take a photo, for pity's sake. By the way, no mention of the captain's nationality, race or religious preference was made.

This dastardly deed sure seemed to pucker up the Arab and Muslim-American leaders in this community. (Well boo, the damn, who!) (Nothing like a little racial profiling accusation to get the juices flowing.) They want the FBI to apologize for not consulting them before running the photo. Oh the insensitivity.

First of all, I'd be interested in knowing how those leaders knew the 2 men were Muslim? They could have been converted Catholics or even Jews. How can one tell by a photo? That's some unbelieveable anaylsis.

Secondly, when is the last time we heard of any of those leaders, either local, national or global, condemn any of the actions of the terrorists (who last time I checked were of middle east backgrounds)? Maybe when they get a bit more vocal, then I'll get more concerned by their pucker factors. Then again, if the terrorist activities continue by Arabs, I'll remain totally unmoved (and even more pissed off).

Besides, I thought we were only looking to question them not send them to Gitmo which might not be a bad idea either.

For what it's worth, the letters to the editor in the Sunday paper were overwhelmingly condemning those leaders. Finally some rational thought in that part of the country.