Politics as Usual?

So I heard a snippet of a rather well known reporter, (Brian Williamson) ask current Presidential hopeful Barack Obama about rumours on the internet that he grew up Muslim, and even lay his hand on the Koran and tried to hide that fact. Okay first of all folks, as Jon Stewart pointed out, on whose show I saw this snippet, so wittingly quipped, since when do internet rumors count as professional journalism? Oh, I know, I love the internet as much as anyone else, probably more so, but aren't professional broadcast journalists supposed to gather their own information and not rely on rumors circulating on the internet? Also, second - what if it is true? What if Barack Obama has some Muslim roots? I actually thought he may have all along with a name like that. Not meaning that in a derogatory way at all, just that it simply sounds like it may. So since when did being a certain religion or culture become a crime in this great country of ours? Isn't that what America is NOT all about? I mean isn't that what we're fighting for over in Iraq? There are some that say all their problems stem basically from being a 'religious' state. Something that our founding fathers and the Constitution warn very strongly against. If our country or even one state or one county becomes a religious entity, then it's through! I believe the American people have enough common sense to know that if something like that even hints at happening, it's time to bring out the true spirit of America. I believe enough in America for that to happen if something goes too far. But back to Barack. One more thing - it sounds like the old Communist witch hunts back in the 40's and 50's here in America... are you or are you not a Communist? One other thing - if indeed Mr. Obama has a Muslim background, and if he were to become President, would that not instill a little bit of confidence in our Middle Eastern Muslim allies, I am not talking about the extreme revolutionaries who care not a whit about anyone's life, including their own, I am talking about the obvious allies we have in the Middle East who have become increasingly mistrusting of the United States intentions at times. I am sure that has been happening somewhat. Why not, when it seems that our country is willing to attack a country for almost any reason, whether the facts are right or not and even if the country has not directly attacked our country in the first place. Isn't that against the Constitution somewhere anyway? Sorry, the truth hurts I know. But, the bottom line is just how far political jabbing will go to try to bring the opponent down. But come on guys, at least use the facts. I was disappointed in this one journalist at that point, even if he was told to say that. He should know better. If the news or journalists don't know better, though, it's up to the rest of us to know better. Thanks Jon Stewart for being one of those people.