Let me see if I can clarify a point for some of our friends overseas or up north:

When you say, "you Americans," let me point out that a substantial number of Americans don't care if Obama is a Christian, a Muslim, or doesn't go to church at all. There ARE, however, SOME Americans who would not vote for someone who is not a member of their particular denomination, for example, say, a Southern Baptist who would not vote for a Methodist or a Lutheran.

And there is a substantial percentage of Americans who don't give a hoot if Obama—or any other candidate—is black, white, or purple with yellow polka-dots. They want to know what he thinks, what he's for, what he's against, and what he is going to do about it.

Unfortunately, there are some who care very much. But the same prejudices prevail all over the world, they are not unique to Americans.

I just wanted to make that clear.

Don Firth