Americans should be better than this

News out today shows that people here in the US--California, as one example--are apparently killing Sikhs under some bizarre and mistaken idea that they're Muslim--or something. Two men in in Elk Grove, California, a 78 year old man and his 67 year old friend, were shot and killed while taking a walk in their neighborhood. "The men had long beards and were wearing turbans, both traditional symbols of their religion. Police are investigating whether their killing was a hate crime." More: "Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Sikhs have reported a rise in bias attacks, both verbal and physical, against them. The backlash that hit Muslims across the country has expanded to include them and their faith as well, with some assuming the sight of a long beard and turbaned head can only mean one thing." I think we always thought of ourselves, we Americans, as a rather proud "melting pot" of open-mindedness, acceptance and tolerance. I hope we haven't lost that. And if we have lost that, I hope we can get it back. And quickly. Link: http://news.yahoo.com/post-9-11-sikhs-mistaken-targets-091708623.html