I usually stay out of "political" discussions because, in my role as an academic and writer, I feel it's important to be able to present multiple perspectives on an issue -- to present the "evidence" so to speak and allow my students or readers to make up their own minds. However, today, I feel compelled to comment on the firing of Shirley Sherrod and the discussion that has followed. Today, prior to his conversation with Ms. Sherrod, one of the questions posed by the media was whether Mr.