The New York Times reported yesterday that Obama will not visit the Sikh Golden Temple during his upcoming trip to India because of how he must cover his head in respect of Sikh traditions. The White House is concerned that a turban on Obama's head might play nicely in the hands of 20% of Americans who are convinced their president in secretly Muslim. This is what happens when fear pervades our thinking. The risk now for the United States President is that he might offend hundreds of millions of Indians and undermine relations with an important and strategic ally. This kind of calculated politics is unfortunately a response to the panic around anything Muslim these days because you could easily imagine the Limbaughs, Becks and Gellers of the land using pictures of a turban-wearing Obama as the ultimate 'proof' he's a closeted Muslim. Another equally disturbing implication here is that the White House is telling Indians that Americans don't understand the difference between Muslims and Sikhs. Well, that's a good vote of confidence in the American people. I know an eloquent speech from Obama on fear before Nov. 2 is impossible, but only an inspiring president can stop fear from crippling our lives.