Naming a President

Thought for the day:

• In 1860, would voters in the United States have elected a President with an Irish last name? Almost certainly not.


• In 1900, would voters in the United States have elected a President with an Italian last name? Almost certainly not.


• In 1940, would voters in the United States have elected a President with a Jewish last name? Almost certainly not.


• In 1980, would voters in the United States have elected a President with an African last name? Almost certainly not.


• In 2008, would voters in the United States elect a President with an Arabic last name? Almost certainly not.

Does this represent progress, or an embarrassing backwardness?

Mike Treder