I agree. Many people wonder why Thurmond was there. There are too many wasted seats in congress.

Anyway, I agree, those are good suggestions. As for:
Just be friendly to the Arabic guy at work (no more or less so than the black, white, oriental, or purple guy, though)

I've already got a head start on most people here. My girlfriend is Iranian (not a country we're supposed to like very much). She has a cool family that is quite liberal (in the same way I am) but not extreme. She did feel some negative attitudes after 9/11, but it isn't as prevalent now, at least in our areas.