Connections

Racism alive and well in America

This week Rep Virgil Goode became the bigot of the month in a letter to his constituents in Virginia. Republicans regularly deny that they are racist anymore and yet somehow, pockets of America keep sending representatives to lead our nation that clearly need to be removed from office. His letter responded to the swearing in of a new Congressmen from Minnesota, Rep, Keith Ellison, who happens to be Muslim. Because of his religion, he, of course will not be putting his hand on the Bible for his swearing in, but has requested the Quran. As a result, Rep. Goode sent out a letter warning people that if they "don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Quran." Regardless of the fact that Rep. Goode doesn't understand the Constitution he should be defending, it seems that Rep Ellison is not an immigrant but can trace his ancestry to the 1700s in this country and converted to Islam in college. In spite of the negative press, Rep Goode will not back down and has caused many others to rear their ugly heads. Republican talk show host, Dennis Prager, for example, said publicly that Ellison should quit if he refuses to use the Bible. Prager continually uses Mormons as his example of choice, stating that they don't request to use the Book of Mormon. Of course, Mr. Prager, obviously doesn't know that Mormons use the Bible too as their fundamental canon as well. Later Rush Limbaugh got into an argument with his own call screener over this issue. Rush, attempting to support Rep. Goode told his screener, "He's voiced a concern that many Americans have. They probably don't have the courage to say it, but (interruption). My own staff, even in the spirit of Christmas, sees fit to argue with me. (interruption) ... as I understand it: If we don't get a handle on immigration, we are going to end up like Europe -- and if you don't think that there are a lot of people that think like that, then that's why you're screening and why I'm hosting because you are out of touch." Now moving on to another Republican talk show host, Sean Hannity, we hear even more vitriolic hate-mongering. Regarding the issue, Mr. Hannity stated, the swearing-in of Ellison "will embolden Islamic extremists and make new ones" and suggested that using the Quran for a swearing-in is comparable to using "Hitler's Mein Kampf, which is the Nazi bible."