Hawaii Democrat poised to be elected first Hindu in Congress

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Washington Post

Hawaii Democrat poised to be elected first Hindu in Congress
By Omar Sacirbey| Religion News Service,
Updated: Thursday, November 1, 2:50 PM

Hindu Americans have run America’s major companies and universities, won Nobel prizes and Olympic gold medals, directed blockbuster movies, and even flown into space. But one profession has so far been out of reach: Member of Congress.

That may change next week in Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, where Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is poised to win an out-of-nowhere bid over Republican opponent Kawika Crowley. Gabbard was leading Crowley 70 percent to 18 percent, according to an Oct. 12 poll by the Honolulu Civil Beat.

The heavily Democratic district also elected one of two Buddhists to have ever served in Congress, Mazie Hirono, who won her seat in 2006 but is now running for the U.S. Senate.

Gabbard, 31, was born in American Samoa to a Catholic father and a Hindu mother, and moved to Hawaii when she was 2. In 2002, at age 21, she was elected to the Hawaii state legislature.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/hawaii-democrat-poised-to-be-elected-first-hindu-in-congress/2012/11/01/65d66cac-245c-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html

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[JRLeft]

1. I love history. Please do not not get upset with me, but she is very attractive.

[Cha]

3. Yes, she is and she's going to be my CongressWoman!

[JI7]

7. i didn't know you were in Hawaii

one of Obama's homes.

[Cha]

8. Yes, J17.. I came back in 2010 after being in upper State New York

for 12 years. I'm on Kaua'i not on Oahu the Island of PBO's Birth place(for any lurking birthers..Ha!)

[AAO]

11. I loved Kaua'i the only time I ever could afford to go.

So beautiful, yet so small. I love small!!

[Cha]

12. It is beautiful small..but, there are challenges

living here when you're not just on vacay. Just like everywhere else.

My son has been here since '85 when he got out of high school in Cal and wanted to surf here..so I came back for him, too.

[AAO]

20. There are challenges everywhere, but at least the scenery is nice!

[Cha]

2. YAY Tulsi! I voted for her in the

primary and will do again on Nov 6th! I did not know she was Hindu.. good for her. And, Mazie's a Buddhist! Great! So we'll have a Buddhist Senator!

Thanks Judi Lynn~

[AsahinaKimi]

5. Sugoi!

That's just awesome!

[SoapBox]

4. I love it!

This is what America is supposed to be about.

And a Buddhist too?

The Pukes and Baggers are gonna freak.

[onehandle]

6. Very Cool. nt

[libdem4life]

9. Vote Gabbard ... And a shout-out to Keith Ellison-D ...Minnesota Muslim !!!

Hopefully we'll have Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim representatives in our government, and probably some Atheists, just like in our nation. Progress.

[JI7]

17. yes we have at least one openly atheist Pete Stark

[LibertyLover]

18. From your mouth to the Gods' ears -

and hopefully we'll have a Pagan representative in government one day soon as well. I'd love to be able to vote for a practicing Wiccan, Witch, Heathan or Pagan.

[cosmicone]

10. Some reporter didn't do his homework...

"Tulsi" means red basil -- it is not a tree but a bush.

Also, Bhagwad Geeta's message is not war or "spirituality" but a focus on dharma (being a good person), karma (duty), sankhya (existentialism) and personal detachment from material possessions while using material wealth for common good.

I support Tulsi not because she is a Hindu but because she is a bright person with empathy who understands the values of the democratic party and can articulate them well.

[Cha]

13. And, she grew up in a very republican household

and changed when she joined the military and was stationed in Kuwait. That's what I read in the paper here.

[jonthebru]

15. Me too.

I heard her speak twice in one day in the early primary race. She really has her act together.
So I voted for her.

[Omaha Steve]

14. I don't know how she got on our radar

Marta and I donated to her back in July. Act Blue makes it so easy.

K&R!

[brooklynite]

16. Met her last week; very promising addition

[-LOKI -BAD FOR YA]

19. this news is very good,it looks like we are developing a deep diverse bench n\t