Apparently, the Washington Post is the problem, too

UPDATED

I don't even know how to explain this abomination of a "news story" on the front page of today's Washington Post.

Despite his denials, rumors and e-mails circulating on the Internet continue to allege that Obama (D-Ill.) is a Muslim, a "Muslim plant" in a conspiracy against America, and that, if elected president, he would take the oath of office using a Koran, rather than a Bible, as did Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the only Muslim in Congress, when he was sworn in earlier this year.

I guess that is one way to talk about the completely outrageous Republican attempt to scare people away from voting from Barack Obama.

Another way would be to point out that Obama does not "deny" that he is a Muslim; he is not a Muslim. That's if you have to write about this ridiculous topic at all.

But when did a world-class newspaper like the Washington Post get into the business of trading in unsubstantiated gossip? How can they not appreciate how irresponsible it is to give these smears exposure and credibility by publishing them in the Washington Post?

UPDATED

Or, as Atrios puts it:

It's shocking that the Washington Post continues to publish the work of Perry Bacon Jr., despite the fact that rumors continue to swirl about his multiple child rape convictions.

That is shocking.

Even more shocking is the fact that Perry Bacon, Jr. has not even gone on the record denying his multiple child rape convictions. Should we therefore assume that those rumors are true?