How the summer of 2010 became the GOP's season of bigotry, blatant lies and hate

It's not just New York. Today, the Washington Post takes a look at the opposition to a mosque in Tennessee. The article examines the increased intensity of the bigotry aimed at Muslims across the country. It's really a sad reflection on this country. But, it feels like something we've read about in our history books aimed at people of different religions, races and ethnicities:

"It shouldn't be surprising that there's a negative reaction to this mosque," said Richard Lloyd, a sociology professor at Vanderbilt University. "Because you can connect it to this global media event in New York, it just reinforces this siege mentality local residents have."

Akbar Ahmed, chairman of Islamic studies at American University, said a Florida church's plan to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of Sept. 11 is emblematic of the country's new mood.

"Something more is happening," Ahmed said. "We are becoming aware that the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims is wider than it was after 9/11, and that's a frightening prospect."

You'd like to think our leaders were trying to tamp down this kind of hatred. But, as we've seen, from Newt to Palin, that's not the case. There are, of course, GOPers more than willing to do their part to stir the pot with lies. It never ends:

Last Friday, a Republican National Committee woman Kim Lehman, responding to an article about the polls in Politico, accused the publication of trying "to protect Obama" by denying his true religious heritage.

"BTW he personally told the muslims that he IS a muslim," wrote the Iowa RNC member. "Read his lips."

Lehman wrote this on twitter. Her exact words were:

@politico you're funny. They must pay you a lot to protect Obama. BTW he personally told the muslims that he IS a muslim. Read his lips.

Sam Stein talked to Lehman and she stands by her accusation -- even if there is nothing to back up her claim. She just lied.

This seems like it's part of a new GOP strategy. Kirsten Powers calls it "The GOP's long, hot racist summer." Unfortunately, there's a market for this message.