Presidential candidate Donald Trump's recent call to ban all Muslims from entry into the United States has shocked not only Americans, but all reasonable, fair-minded people around the world. The full repercussions of Trump's exclusionary, prejudicial comments are still coming into focus, but the world should take note of America's polls showing support for comments unbecoming the leader of any country, much less such a powerful one.
Because Trump's comment to block all entry for Muslims is so blatantly, unapologetically discriminatory, it marks a new low in the worsening political atmosphere in the U.S. Because blocking entry to all Muslims, or any religious, cultural or ethnic group would be impossible, it also marks a frightening shift toward unreality. That poor grasp of the actual situation of most Muslims, not to mention his contempt for the traditions of American openness and acceptance of immigrants, needs to be refuted.
The backlash against Trump's vast empire of developments, name-brand products and other enterprises may serve him right, but that is little consolation to the millions of U.S. Muslims who will suffer an increase in discrimination in their own country and to the millions of refugees from Muslim countries who need a safe haven. Sweeping generalizations are no way to run a country. Responsible, fair-minded and effective actions are.