Should We Be Scared?

I am the first to admit that I am not totally informed on the presidential candidates for 2008. My interest is growing in the process and I am defining a few favorites. I am taking an effort to know what they stand for and more about their party "line".

That being said. I had a very scary conversation with a co-worker yesterday. One that makes me worry about several things:

• the basis of decisions being made not just in this election but life issues in general
• the intelligence level of of Americans decreasing (yes I need to watch Idiocracy - I've already been told)
• this person in general (but then I already was a little)

Let me set the stage:

Another co-worker and I were discussing the results of the Iowa Caucuses. The discussion centered on Obama and our likes/dislikes - worries/concerns - etc.

This particular co-worker had approached and was listening.

After several moments she said "he's a Muslim". Matter of factly with no real
emotion, no questioning.

I responded - "No he isn't. Everyone thinks so because of his name. If his
name was John Doe we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"His father is and he spent two years with him in Muslim school. They implant
supercells. They lay dormant for years and then boom - he is a murderer."

"You've been watching too much TV."

"Yeah, that is where I saw it."

"No, I mean too much sci-fi channel."

"It was on Zoolander, didn't you see it?"

Dead silence as I stare at her trying to figure out if she is really
serious.

"You realize that was a comedy?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Fiction?"

"Yeah."

More dead silence.

Are you as worried as I am friends?