The recently published In My Opinion by J.W. Wiley (Aug. 11) was offensive, if not for its blatant hypocrisy, then for its thinly disguised contempt of local voters who happen NOT to be African American.

Only Wiley could emerge unscathed after writing, "... the White House is headed for darker days," a juvenile reference to the possibility that Barack O'Bama and his family might one day occupy the White House. Whether it was intended as humor or not, imagine the reaction if a white author had penned similar words. That poor soul would be labeled as "insensitive" and a "closet racist." The Press-Republican would be forced to apologize for having published such drivel, and Wiley himself would describe the entire affair as "troublesome."

But Wiley doesn't stop there. The author, whose job is to direct the effort at PSU for "Diversity, Pluralism, and Inclusion," presses on with a prediction of stereotypical blacks who loiter on the White House lawn beading their hair into cornrows, while friends of Obama are "fluffing out their afros" in the hallways of the Executive Mansion. This racist contrivance is presumed to frighten the reader and so Wiley scolds us for not wanting a president who "looks more like the majority of people in the world."

And then, in a breathtaking display of specious reasoning, Wiley declares that any "questions about his (Obama's) ability are moot" -- as if the only litmus test for presidential candidates is the color of their skin -- and further asserts that Obama is the "Jackie Robinson" of American politics.

Obama's supporters should be insulted by Wiley's sophistry, and fans of Jackie Robinson should be equally incensed.

For the record, when Robinson was still in junior college ,he was designated as their Most Valuable Player. From there, he went on to excel in the so-called "Negro Leagues" and was batting a .349 in the International League when he was finally recruited to play for the Dodgers in 1947. During his brief stint in the Army and again when he joined the major leagues, Robinson's life was transformed into a pure hell, by the government, the media, the fans and even his fellow players.

By contrast, Barack Obama had served just two unremarkable years in the United States Senate, when he began his campaign for the presidency and since that time has been treated more like a "rock star" than a candidate for public office.

Barack Obama is no Jackie Robinson.

And no one, especially J.W. Wiley, should argue that the color of a man's skin is more important than his ability.