Lawmaker (Rep. Goode) stands firm on Quran criticism

[rodeodance]

Lawmaker stands firm on Quran criticism

By SUE LINDSEY, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 16 minutes ago

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. - A congressman said Thursday that he will not retract a letter warning that unless immigration is tightened, "many more Muslims will be elected" and use the Quran to take the oath of office.


Republican Rep. Virgil Goode (news, bio, voting record) triggered angry responses from a civil rights group and some colleagues with a letter this month to constituents concerned about a decision by Rep.-elect Keith Ellison of Minnesota, the first Muslim elected to Congress, to use the Quran when he is sworn in.

"I will not be putting my hand on the Quran," Goode said at a news conference Thursday at the Franklin County Courthouse.

Goode, who represents Virginia's 5th Congressional District, said he is receiving more positive comments from constituents than negative........

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061222/ap_on_go_co/ellison_quran

"One lady told me she thinks I'm doing the right thing on this," he told Fox News. "I wish more people would take a stand and stand up for the principles on which this country was founded."

[rodeodance]

1. claims he has more positive comments from his district than neg.

.....Goode, who represents Virginia's 5th Congressional District, said he is receiving more positive comments from constituents than negative.

"One lady told me she thinks I'm doing the right thing on this," he told Fox News. "I wish more people would take a stand and stand up for the principles on which this country was founded."

[rodeodance]

2. cnn: Ellison: Lawmaker has 'a lot to learn about Islam'

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/21/quran.congress/index.html?section=cnn_topstories&eref=yahoo


Ellison: Lawmaker has 'a lot to learn about Islam'

POSTED: 9:30 p.m. EST, December 21, 2006

Story Highlights
• NEW: Keith Ellison implores colleague to learn about Islam
• NEW: Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, called for tolerance
• NEW: Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode doesn't want Quran used in swearing in
• Goode refuses to apologize

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Virginia lawmaker criticized for writing an "Islamophobic" letter to his constituents would be wise to learn more about Islam, the first Muslim elected to Congress said Thursday.

Minnesota Rep.-elect Keith Ellison told CNN that he is not angry about a letter Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode wrote that said Ellison should not be allowed to place his hand on the Quran during his unofficial swearing in ceremony.

"I think the diversity of our country is a great strength," Ellison told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "It's a good thing that we have people from all faiths and all cultures to come here." (Watch Ellison play down Quran flap Video)

Goode wrote that to "preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States," an immigration overhaul was necessary to avoid "many more Muslims elected to office demanding the use of the Quran."

[Joe Bacon]

19. I e-mailed Goode asking if he hates Superman too...

I reminded him that Superman was an illegal alien, too. :evilgrin:

[cboy4]

3. I wonder if this racist (and boy is he a blatant racist) from Virginia

understands there is NOTHING in the constitution that states a member of congress must be sworn in using the bible?

I saw him on TV and he sounded like one ignorant piece of trash.

What a disgrace he's allowed to hold such a high office.

[POAS]

4. Doesn't it say right there in the Constitution

"Thou shall have no other gods before me"?

All you Obama lovin libruls best git a copy and read it!

Next thing we'll have them Buddhist people rubbin on that Buddha fella's belly in Congrass.

[cboy4]

6. I would pay to see that happen. Do you know how many

Republican heads it would cause to explode?

[POAS]

8. News Flash

Buddhists in Congress: Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Hank Johnson of Georgia.

GEORGIA???

[wake.up.america]

7. Another example of what Bush and his type of thinking has wrought upon America.

[emanymton]

5. Ugly Bigotry Alive And Well In GOP.

§
.
.
Hold Representative Goode accountable. Allow him to speak all he wants, but hold him accountable for his ignorance.
.
.
§

[gitchel]

9. What book SHOULD a Muslim bring???

Would Goode feel better if a Muslim swore in with his hand on a Bible?

What an ignorant man. I know there are no religious tests for Federal office (though Goode seems confused on that matter) but I wish there were EDUCATIONAL tests for the job.

And then I heard some other Republican bozo claim that Christianity is the de facto state religion of the United States.

Remember that survey a while ago where they asked officials what they knew about the enemy? I wish someone would do a survey asking them what they know about the CONSTITUTION!

[GeorgeGist]

10. This country was founded on the principles...

of avarice, theft, genocide, enslavement, chauvinism, deceit etc. etc. etc.

[jahyarain]

14. whoa there

little too much truthiness. i can hear the gnashing of gop teeth as the freepers read that one.

[tanyev]

11. Oh Jeez. "I will not be putting my hand on the Quran," Goode said

Nobody will ever ask you to! That's the whole point of having a SECULAR democracy, asshole.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Tell this moran that that's a major part of the reason for OUR Revolution

You know, the one that created the FOUNDATION for The United States of America.

"Freedom to worship as one chooses" ... Dumbass Right Wing Republicans would declare Christianity as the State Religion. :puke: Did he pay attention when he swore allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic?:(

[David__77]

13. Good. Solidify Muslims and Jews as Democratic voting blocs.

This Christo-fascism repels even a majority of self-identified Christians. But it is abhorrent to almost all non-Christians.

[treestar]

15. From immigrating to being elected to Congress is a pretty long road

In fact, the immigrant wouldn't be eligible, so he's talking that their US citizen born children are somehow tainted, in his mind.

The immigration law is blind to what country people come from, except for longer quotas on countries that send the most. It is totally blind to what religion they are born in or currently profess.

[badgervan]

16. Redneck With a Tie

The spirit of Nathan Bedford Forrest and Jefferson Davis seems to be well represented in this bigoted hater. Congressfolks should have to actually read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and take an exam on their meaning and content before taking office. What a hateful dipshit.

[UTUSN]

17. Stand FIRM, Representative A-Hole!!!11111

[PittPoliSci]

18. "I wish more people would ... stand up for the principles on which this country was founded"

i could just rip my hair out.

has anyone ever opened a history book?

[Malikshah]

20. Malikshah stands firm in his view of Goode as

a pustulent boil on the cankerous cold sore on his (Goode's) syphilitic sphincter. :)

[dazzlerazzle]

21. Congressman Goode creating controversy to get noticed?

Here is a logical explanation of why Ellison has precedent to cite from State of Massachusetts:
Chapter 233: Section 19. Oaths of non-Christians

Section 19. A person believing in any other than the Christian religion may be sworn according to the appropriate ceremonies of his religion. A person not a believer in any religion shall be required to testify truly under the penalties of perjury, and evidence of his disbelief in the existence of God may not be received to affect his credibility as a witness.


So, in a court you have the threat of purjury, making an atheist or non-christian swear over a bible is meaningless.