What Is Un-American, Anyway?

While I was surfing the Web today, I came across a blog post on the topic of President-Elect Obama's citizenship. A comment made in response to the post said,

"I’m sure he will eventually prove that he is a citizen though, but what he can’t prove is that he is truly American in his heart and mind. Obama has constantly discarded American values, that recognize, equality, freedom, opportunity and hard work. He is as Un-American as they come there."

Not so long ago, this cry of un-Americanism would have been regarded by most as ridiculous, or at a minimum unworthy of serious consideration. However, since the September 11th bombings, those in power have used this label to smear nearly anyone who questions their policies. And unfortunately, because of people's natural fear in the wake of the attacks, they've managed to turn many Americans against their fellow citizens.

I agree with the author of the comment that freedom and equality are American values; in fact they are the defining American values because they are what the Founding Fathers intended this government to embody above all else. But what he seems to have missed, despite it being right in front of his face, is that by trying to classify those who hold a different point of view as somehow "not American", he is violating those most basic values himself. So when it comes to being un-American, I contend that those who brand their countrymen for exercising their rights are standing near the head of the line.