We are writing on behalf of the Rolla Area NAACP to express our disappointment with Mr. David Weinbaum's article that was posted on the Rolla Daily News website on or about Oct. 1, 2009.
Mr. Weinbaum referred to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran as an "Islamofascist."  We object to Mr. Weinbaum’s association with Islam with Fascism, especially since Fascism was born in Italy, a Roman Catholic country.  We refuse to accept the assertion that every adherent of Islam is a Fascist or a terrorist.
In his clumsy attempt at satire, Mr. Weinbaum implied that President Barack H. Obama and President Ahmadinejad have a close relationship that includes an agreement that allows President Ahmaddinejad to deny that the Holocaust happened in Germany as long as President Ahmadinejad didn't deny that slavery occurred within the United States. 
Mr. Weinbaum quoted President Obama as saying, "Hey, Mad, what's up with the slavery lie?  Thought we agreed that it was OK to denounce the Jew Hallycoaster thing, but why are you calling slavery a fake?"
Mr. Weinbaum also implied that President Obama uses the legacy of slavery as a tool to manipulate people.  Mr. Weinbaum attributed the following words to President Obama: "Mad, you can’t ridicule slavery.
It's the basis of my power."
Mr. Weinbaum (and other Americans, for that matter) should understand how African-Americans feel after centuries of mistreatment that includes slavery, rape, discrimination, murder, and intimidation, among other things. 
In spite of this, Mr. Weinbaum quoted President Obama as saying, "Yeah, but if you look, walk, and talk like an angry slave victim..."  One would think that Mr. Weinbaum's strong feelings about the Holocaust would contribute to a feeling of empathy toward other victims of mistreatment.
For the record, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) does not deny that the Holocaust has occurred. Neither does the NAACP try to minimize the crimes that were committed during the Holocaust. 
Neither does the NAACP deny that slavery occurred.  Neither does the NAACP attempt to use guilt to manipulate anyone.  We do, however, advocate political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all Americans.
Mr. Weinbaum should have found a way to express his opinions in a way that was not so bigoted (toward Blacks and Muslims), inflammatory or insensitive. 
As a nonpartisan organization, we (the NAACP) would never oppose Mr. Weinbaum's right to express his political views.
However, given the multitude of issues that our nation faces, this is no time for acts or statements that only serve to turn Americans against each other.  In the famous words of Abraham Lincoln, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
The Rolla Daily News should have never posted or printed Mr. Weinbaum's article online. When the Rolla Daily News publishes this type of article online, the Rolla Daily News detracts from its own credibility-and as a consequence, its profitability. 
We ask that you exercise whatever prerogative you possess to ensure that this type of article is not brought to the online readers of the Rolla Daily News.
We invite you and other members of the community to contact us at unit4093@naacp.org concerning this matter.
— Officers and Executive Board, Rolla Area NAACP