I am writing in response to the slanderous letter from Albert Aniel about Barack Obama, published Aug. 21.

Obama is a committed and active Christian. He has never been a Muslim, or practiced any other faith besides Christianity. In January 2005, he was sworn into the U.S. Senate on his family Bible.

Obama’s grandfather, a World War II veteran, taught him the Pledge of Allegiance, and inspired his strong love of our country. There is a video clip available online of Sen. Obama leading the Pledge of Allegiance in the U.S. Senate with his hand over his heart.

Obama strongly condemned the violent actions of the Weathermen group. He was an 8-year-old child when Ayers and the Weathermen were active, and has roundly condemned their actions. Any attempt to connect him with events of almost 40 years ago is ridiculous.

Regarding the purported endorsement by Hamas – a senior Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, has been quoted as saying, “Hamas does not differentiate between the two presidential candidates, Obama and McCain we have no preference and are not wishing for either of them to win.”

This election should focus on the candidates’ records and platforms. Widely discredited personal attacks such as those published in Aniel’s letter are a disservice to the readers and to the gravity of the choice this nation faces in the November election.

Suzanne McLain, Durham