Colin Powell is black. Powell is a Republican. Barack Obama is black. Obama is a Democrat. Powell supports Obama. Therefore, Powell must support Obama because he is black.

This simple reasoning betrays a simple mind. If Rush Limbaugh really is intelligent, he is clearly not trying to be now. Instead, he has added his voice to the shrill chorus of many (but not all) Republicans trying to divide and anger Americans and keep them focused on something other than remedies to our common ills.

Colin Powell provided clear reasons for supporting Barack Obama. Limbaugh addressed none of them. Instead, he threw an incendiary accusation supported by a logical fallacy. To paraphrase the Democratic candidate, this says much more about Limbaugh than it does about Powell.

Whether he realizes it or not, Limbaugh's latest venture into warped logic perfectly illustrates — and validates — Colin Powell's rationale for supporting Barack Obama.

Aaron M. Anderson, New Brighton