Dateline at it again?

Older folks might remember the infamous Dateline NBC "exploding fuel tank" story a few years back. Michelle Malkin has been all over a new twist on that old tactic, this time suggesting their intrepid reporters are interested in running some kind of half-arse psychology experiment by sending wired-for-sound Muslims to a NASCAR race to prove racial hatred.

First, what's to say Muslims can't like NASCAR? Is there anything in the Qu'ran that bans racing? Second, the fact NBC wants a NASCAR race as opposed to an Indy Car event suggests they might be guilty of stereotyping against southerners. Howza bout us southern bloggers putting together a wired team to send into NBC for an interview?

Even if NBC runs the story and indeed finds bias against overt Muslims (folks with head scarves or turbans) it won't necessarily be a screaming headline. Most Americans have been somewhat suspect of Middle Easterners ever since they began hijacking our airplanes and snatching people as hostages 30 years ago. Add 9/11 and people are rightfully more suspicious than ever, leaving the innocent Muslims in the lerch. But despite that natural human tendency we are still the most tolerant country on the planet.