There is hope. When a disturbed young lady was arrested for making up the story about being attacked by a black man because she was wearing a McCain button, I realized something.

In an election that might have been characterized by hundreds of such stories, by kooks of every description using the racial angle to engender fear, there have been relatively few. Oh, such vile fare is all over the Internet, but most of us, even the most partisan among us, know to ignore the more outlandish stories out there.

I am reminded of the year 2000, when everyone expected catastrophe,...

Log-In to view full story or view our Registration Guide.