Only one or two people may have seen the cross that was allegedly burned at the Weed Trailer Court Thursday night, but that is one or two too many.

If such a deed was done, it was proof that not all terrorism takes place overseas and not all terrorists are from other countries We have our own home-grown variety as well.

We sincerely hope it was a mistake, that no cross was burned, or that it was a prank someone misunderstood.

If it did happen -- well, that was a mistake, too. It was a mistake for someone to let hatred and prejudice dictate their actions.

It was a mistake to let ignorance and evil override tolerance and compassion.

We find it ironic that when these acts of domestic terrorism occur -- which is, thankfully, much less often these days -- that it is a cross that is burned.

Ironic -- and symbolic -- that when the fire dies, the cross falls to ash and cinder. It is as though hatred disguises itself as some Christian purpose, then destroys its very foundation. No deliberate and unprovoked act of cruelty can be based on compassion.

No one who truly understands what the cross stands for could set it on fire for the purpose of terrorizing others.

Alabama's history of race relations is not a pleasant one, but while we bear the stigma of the attack dogs and church bombing in Birmingham. It is out of those ashes that change was born and heroes emerged. We can also claim Parks and King.

In so many ways our state is struggling, not only to progress, but just to maintain the status quo.

The last thing we need is to regress to senseless and malicious acts of racism and hatred.