On Voting Present

Seems as though some right wing bloggers are getting their collective panties in a bunch over Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum voting "Present" on resolution supporting the right of Israel to defend itself as well as supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The biggest problem with their actions on this vote is that a “present” vote might as well be a “no” vote. They did not have the backbone to just turn their back on Israel, they instead took the cowards way out.

If rockets were flying into the United States, would Ellison and McCollum vote present?

Really Ryan? Does anyone believe that Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum would vote "Present" if rockets were flying into the United States?

We'll play Ryan's little game here.

Back last May, I reported that Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline voted "Present" on a pretty important defense and Veterans bill.

What did they vote "Present" on?

Anybody remember the horrific conditions our Veterans were housed in at Walter Reed?

What about the recent Fort Bragg housing problems?

The amendment offered $500 million for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM).

$3.6 Billion to address the increasing price of fuel and other petroleum products. Keep in mind, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gets just over 2 miles per gallon of JP-8 Diesel and an M1 Tank less than a mile a gallon!

$65.4 million for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program helps members of the National Guard and Reserve transition from combat to civilian life. With the enormous increase in Veteran suicides, programs like this save lives.

$52 million to hire more than 200 additional contract managers to prevent waste, fraud and abuse in Department of Defense contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

$102 million for "Land Warrior" equipment to equip one "next to deploy'' brigade combat team with Land Warrior equipment sets.

$6 billion for the procurement of combat aircraft.

Overall, the recommendations total $96,622,127,000 and are structured to maximize support to our men and women in uniform. They meet important force protection, equipment and personnel needs, while fully funding the operational requirements to conduct the Global War on Terror.

And Bachmann and Kline voted "Present".

So, what offends you more? Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum voting "Present" on a resolution supporting Israel?

Or

Bachmann and Kline voting against funding to support soldiers and Veterans?

At least Ellison and McCollum have the courage to tell us why they voted "Present".

Cowards like Bachmann and Kline vote "Present" and won't tell you why...

Doesn't Barb Davis White have anything better to do?

Other than harassing progressive bloggers...

On the basis of her campaign for Congress, it would appear that messing with progressive bloggers proves to be time better spent.

Keep up the great work Jeff! Don't let em get to you!

CD 6 Fundraising Numbers: A Quick Look

With Congresswoman Bachmann's numbers out now, we can start to decipher the fundraising the the 6th.

While Congresswoman Bachmann raised over $382,000 this quarter more than $193,000 came from PAC's and political party committees. More than half of Bachmann's contributions this quarter came from special interest groups.

Bachmann spent about $22,000 this quarter raising $189,000 in individual contributions and more than $12,000 to a Washington DC based PAC fundraising group.

Also of note...she paid Luke Hellier $200 this quarter as well.

Bachmann has nearly $1.3 million cash on hand at this point.

Tinklenberg hauled in about $163,000 in individual contributions this past quarter and about $109,000 from PAC's and political party committees.

Two days ago I talked about Elwyn's good fundraising numbers, they were good not great.

I had a conversation last night with my political Yoda, my mentor.

We had a good long talk about FEC reports and the fundraising trend or mirage activities across the state.

Ashwin Madia killed it this quarter. Anyone who has ever doubted whether or not he's the real deal or not knows better now. I knew it the first time I saw him.

Going into his endorsement in April, he had the support of one sitting Congressman and a strong grassroots support. Madia prevailed and has been running ever since. The endorsement in CD 3 was a tough fight.

Tinklenberg had a relatively easy endorsement fight in CD 6. Other than bloggers like myself asking some difficult questions and supporting "the other guy" for most of the race, the party was unified behind Elwyn with nearly every sitting member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation supporting him.

Why didn't their support bring more money in? Peterson and Oberstar don't have fights on their hands. Neither do Ellison and McCollum. Congressman Walz has significantly outraised his opponent and has a strong cash on hand advantage to go along with a record of constituent outreach that is unparalleled in Minnesota politics.

This is a big quarter for Elwyn Tinklenberg and Steve Sarvi. The incumbents in both races, especially John Kline, experienced lackluster fundraising this past quarter. One big quarter for Tinklenberg will close the cash on hand advantage and build some great momentum in the final days before the election.

But at this point, sadly enough, it's always about the Benjamins...

The CD 2 Race Is Getting More Competitive

Hence Mr Brodkorb's lamest attack piece to date. It's a tough bar to get under, but MDE may have just done it.

Why attack Sarvi now?

It's simple. On the heels of positive polling for Sarvi in the district, the Cook Political Report has elevated the CD 2 race from Solid Republican to Likely Republican. The CPR reflects the DFL growth in CD 2, pushing Brodkorb and his cronies to attack Sarvi on the most mundane subjects out there.

It's good news for Sarvi though. Brodkorb and the right wing blogosphere did a great job taking down Keith Ellison and Tim Walz last cycle.

Walz and Ellison forgotten amongst Bachmann comments

We're so quick to deplore Congresswoman Bachmann's recent insane comments, that many of us missed Congressmen Tim Walz and Keith Ellison got up on the floor of the House and delivered passionate speeches in defense of the middle class.

Bluestem Prairie has the details.

Tonight on C-Span, six democratic members of the House of Representatives, including Minnesota congressman Tim Walz and Keith Ellison, took the podium for an hour to discuss an economic stimulus package for middle income Americans that would pump $100 billion into the economy and target subsidies for health insurance, small businesses, employment, housing crunch victims, and more. Several of the congressmen mentioned that although Americans continue to increase productivity, wage increases have not moved forward.

Here's what Congressman Walz had to say.

Mr. WALZ of Minnesota . Mr. Speaker, it's hard for this Congress to get President Bush to prioritize the needs of the middle-class families when he refuses to face reality and chooses to govern by veto rather than vision.
Yesterday, the President surprised a lot of us when he said the economy is perfectly strong. That's news to them. You don't need the polls to tell you that the American people are deeply concerned about this economy. Who can blame them? With home values and wages dropping, and health care costs, home heating costs, gasoline costs, college tuition costs and food costs all rising, the hardworking American middle class is trying to make ends meet.
This Congress is not satisfied with the economic status quo that serves a very few at the very top. We've made progress over the last year easing the economic crunch. We passed legislation to address the subprime mortgage crisis, increased the minimum wage, passed legislation that cut taxes on middle-class families and made college more affordable by investing in our children. We're proud of these accomplishments, but we know the American middle class is still struggling. And we look forward to working on creative solutions that actually address the problem instead of simply vetoing with no leadership.
Congressional Record, Tuesday, December 18, 2007, 110th Congress, 1st Session,153 Cong Rec H 16648

Note that the floor speech is about a month old. Why no love for Tim Walz? Congressman Walz is in Washington fighting for middle class Minnesotans like those that read this blog.

While it is very easy to jump on the bandwagon and bash Congresswoman Bachmann for her callous remarks, I'm guilty as well, we need to provide our "workingest" Congressman a proportionate amount of praise for doing what he always does...the right thing.

Founders Day fun! (Updated)

Bluewoman and I were able to attend the DFL Founders Day festivities in St Paul last night. Needless to say, it was a great time.

Bob Olson attended the reception event before the dinner before heading over to Minneapolis for the Human Rights event, where Congressman Tim Walz was a keynote speaker as well.

El Tinklenberg was surrounded by Janet Roberts and Bill Luther at the event. I never saw El in the reception area, but he was at the dinner.

Walz and Ellison delivered short speeches before the dinner and it was great to have spent a few minutes talking to the Congressman!

Senator Klobuchar introduced Senator Tester from Montana. The Senator rocked the house! Having ran in a primary in Montana, the Senator implored the Senate candidates and their supporters to unite behind the DFL candidate for US Senate in 08. If Tester can beat Burns in Montana, Ciresi or Franken can beat Coleman here!

Senator Tester repeated a quote from Senator Wellstone's famous 20o2 speech in opposition to military action in Iraq.

This debate must include all Americans, because our decisions finally must have the informed consent of the American people, who will be asked to bear the costs, in blood and treasure, of our decisions. When the lives of the sons and daughters of average Americans could be risked and lost, their voices must be heard by Congress before we make decisions about military action.

Senator Dayton was highly animated at this event. I must say, the last several dinners Senator Dayton has spoken at, the more animated he is getting. Dayton spoke of Senator Wellstone and his vote in opposition to the war in Iraq. He praised Wellstone as the only incumbent Senator to oppose the vote. He also praised the wisdom of Betty McCollum, Martin Sabo, and Jim Oberstar on their votes against the war as well.

I did ponder how that sat with Tinklenberg, as his position on Iraq has been "I would have supported the decision based on the information available at the time."

Seems like most of Minnesota's leaders in Washington knew 5 years ago this war was wrong.

Congressman Oberstar ended the night with a great speech on the GOP transportation obsructionists who have opposed him at every step of the way.

But...Congressman Oberstar is the chair now, those bills got hearings and were passed!

He did take a good shot at the Carlson, Ventura, and Pawlenty administrations for underfunding transportation. Who served as Ventura's Transportation Commissioner?

Finally, while on the subject of Minnesota transportation commissioners, one of the lowlights this past week was former Jesse Ventura Administration Commissioner of Transportation Elwyn Tinklenberg. Mere hours after the bridge went down, he was being interviewed on KARE-11 TV (our local NBC affiliate) standing in front of the dark Capitol building blathering (there is no better word) about MnDOT's "constant deterioration of the budget, constant layoffs, failure to replace people," etc. Most of what he said was not only not true, but it was crass in the immediate aftermath of the bridge falling down. And for the record, the collective opinion on Tinklenberg in the transportation job was much worse than Molnau's.

I must say, it was a really fun night. I was able to talk to a few Klobuchar staffers I had not seen since the last election, talked to Senator Klobuchar for a few minutes as well as Congressman Walz.

We'll be sure to attend the second annual Founders Day event as well!

BTW, it was great seeing liberal bloggers Beyond Sound Bites and Headlines and Bluestem Prairie there as well.

Ellison takes food stamp challenge

Since all the news on Ramstad has broken and dominated the blogosphere, this may have fallen under the radar, but is important.

Congressman Ellison joined two other Democrats in taking the challenge.

Where are the Republicans on this challenge?

While Congresswoman Bachmann has resisted calls to join Congressman Ellison in this challenge, I am hoping that our efforts to support Bob Olson in the 6th will force the Congresswoman into a socio economic status where she can feel the pain of working class Minnesotans who rely upon food stamps on a daily basis.

SC Times Opinion on Bachmann

The SC Times has an opinion today on Congresswoman Bachmann's Iran comments.

While I agree with the Times assessment, I do chuckle a bit inside knowing that the SC Times had these comments 17 days ago, and now are calling for a clarification. I know the Strib and the progressive blogosphere have forced this hand to be played, but I wonder if the SC Times truly knew what it had and attempted to bury it, or they just simply did not realize what they had.

She needs to fully explain either how she knows of a plan to split Iraq in half, or if she was talking over her head — way over her head — in making that statement.

The Iraq war is too important an issue. Any member of Congress, even a junior member of the minority party, must be accountable for such claims.

Again, its about accountability. When a Congressperson steps up and says something, people listen. These remarks are heard across the world.

I think this shows a complete contrast between Bachmann and other Minnesota members of Congress. While Congressmen Ellison and Walz are holding hearings in their district on predatory lending, the Farm Bill, DM & E fight and other important Minnesota matters, Bachmann is finally opening a Congressional office in the state.

Meanwhile, constituent services suffer.

Despite a term and a half in the Minnesota Senate, Congresswoman is a "not ready for prime time player". Other freshmen legislators, Ellison, Walz and Klobuchar, have hit the ground running.

I hope the 6th CD doesn't wallow in Congresswoman Bachmann's extremist agenda. Perhaps if the Congresswoman focused on the "work of the people" and not the shock jock politics she is accustomed to, we'd see positive results for our district.

That's one helluva an if!

GOP attacks on the Secretary of State

The progressive blogosphere has hit back at a neo-conservative plot to defame our newly elected Democratic Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie.

Minnesota Campaign Report has a diary up pointing out the hypocritical nature Minnesota Republicans.

Minnesota Monitor covers the Kiffmeyer era of contradiction.

The GOP attack machine seems to be sputtering a bit already.

How did those all out attacks against Tim Walz, Amy Klobuchar, and Keith Ellison go anyway? Trying to smear Al Franken and now Mark Ritchie, while refusing to discuss the real issues at hand, solidifies the National Enquirer status of the conservative blogosphere.

An Al Franken onslaught

For those that stop by Minnesota Democrats Exposed, Michael has taken a great deal of time to go after Al Franken!

I find it very Tim Walz and Keith Ellison esque, don't you?

Minnesota leaders seek support for soldiers and their families

I heard this on my way home tonight and noticed that both Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline were absent from this letter.

Bluestem Prairie, being the on the ball blog they are, has a post about the letter.

Gov. Pawlenty and members of the state's congressional delegation are
asking for hardship pay for Minnesota National Guard members who will have their
tours of duty extended.

About 26-hundred Minnesota Guard members have been deployed to Iraq
since March and were scheduled to begin returning home in two months. But last
week, they learned their deployments would be extended by 125 days.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Pawlenty and
others ask for hardship pay, as well as funding and resources to help affected
families.

In addition, the letter asks the Department of Defense to eliminate a
hands off policy for returning reservists and instead implement a reintegration
program to help soldiers transition from warrior back to civilian life.

The letter was signed by Pawlenty, Senators Norm Coleman and Amy
Klobuchar, and U.S. Representatives Tim Walz, Jim Ramstad, Betty McCollum,
Keith Ellison, Collin Peterson and James Oberstar.

Notice who is not on this letter. Seems like Congresswoman Bachmann has fully embraced the Mark Kennedy position of Presidential lap dog. Congressman Kline is noticeably absent as well.

Congressman Kline runs some of the harshest campaigns in the nation. If Congresswoman Bachmann thinks she can attempt to follow in Kline's footsteps, she has another thing coming. There is absolutely no reason for Bachmann to not support our soldiers families here in MN and obtain support for them.

This is just another failure of the Congressional reign for Bachmann.

Anyone notice how Senator Tarryl Clark, despite being elected December 2005 in the SC Special Election, and once again this past November, has taken a large role as the spokeswoman for the Senate DFL? Senator Pogemiller is notably absent.

Someones getting prepped for a run against Bachmann in the 6th, me thinks...

Story Chat hits Ellison LTE writer hard (Updated)

Wow, the comments in here are ripping the letter wrtier to shreds, and justifiably so.

GBGirl from St. Cloud
Comment Posted: 1/16/2007 8:25:00 AM
Half the Nation wants the troops pulled out...does that make us all terrorist suspects? Or Muslims?
Get real.
As for racial profiling...there is overt discrimination now against Muslims. I would imagine, based on your ignorant letter, that if you even see a person that looks as though he/she could be Muslim, that you probably glare...freak out...etc. Imagine how uncomfortable you are right now with the climate and war....well your fellow Americans that happen to be Muslim...feel those same anxieties....and they have to feel those while also being looked at as "the enemy". If someone is suspicious...of any race.ethnicity.etc.....then sure, they should be searched, etc.

mattaudio from Collegeville
Comment Posted: 1/16/2007 8:36:19 AM
Yet another reason for me to be ashamed that I live (albeit temporarily) in
Stearns County.

Proud Progressive from Your Neighborhood
Comment Posted: 1/16/2007 8:44:16 AM
Great! A whole family of bigots, and they're proud of it to boot! Let's make them the Stearns County Poster Family, put them on a bill board, and proclaim to the rest of the state just how backward and intolerant we are. That's a sure way to attract a bioscience investment and better professional jobs.I'd trust Ellison far more than any of the Singer family, based on these two letters alone.

Shelly from Cloudy Town
Comment Posted: 1/16/2007 8:57:13 AM
It was Muslim extremists who brought America the tragedy of Sept. 11 using our airlines.
As Mr. Singer states they were Muslim extremists. Not every Muslim is an extremist. Same goes for sayint that not every Christian is an extremest right-wing ultra conservative. At one time (not so very long ago) people thought
we were going to have trouble because there was a Catholic man running the
country.

We'll check more of these out as the day goes on and update. I'm glad that some (and most of the SC Times posters) get what's going on.

*Update*

The comments pouring in supporting Ellison show the changing dynamic of the 6th CD. Years ago it was rather conservative, still is in some spots. St Cloud was notorious as a GOP, right wing hate monger hotbed.

My oberservations are that people are sick of the extremes, and people like the Singers and their astute racist letter writing skills, keep dividing the conservative base.

Check out the story chat. It has morhped into an Ellison parking tickets scramble...

Anti-Ellison LTE in the SC Times

Wow, the racism in the letter hits hard. Congressman Ellison cannot be trusted because he is a Muslim?

My wife asked in a Jan. 7 Your Turn if Minnesota voters could really trust U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison because he is a Muslim.
I say "no" after reading the Jan. 10 news report that says Ellison wants immediate troop pullout from Iraq. Ellison also wants to see a ban on racial profiling.

Yet, Mr. Singer fails to question his own member of Congress, Michele Bachmann.

Thus far, Michele Bachmann has...

Voted against pay as you go rules.

Voted against "pork" reforms.

Voted against implementing 9-11 commission report recomendations.

Voted against a minimum wage increase.

Voted against funding of stem cell research.

Lied on her Congressional Bio, fixed it after the blogosphere pointed it out.

Listed the 7th CD as her home district, not the 6th CD.

Devout pro-lifer who supports the President sending more young men and women to their death in Iraq.

I think the question at hand ought to be whether or not you can trust Michele Bachmann?

Based on her prolific first weeks in Congress, and her disdain for advocating for her constituents vis a vis being the President's lap dog (taking Mark Kennedy's spot), I say no.

The offical Congressional Blackberry, Ellsion's credentials

I guess that's all you need. Credentials schmedentials...I got my Blackberry!

The Hill picks it up from here.

The House swearing-in ceremonies made for a big day, too, for Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the first Muslim to serve in Congress. Ellison’s adventures started when, although he has arguably gotten more press than any other member of his class, the Capitol Police didn’t recognize him.

An unaccompanied Ellison emerged from the throng that was rushing into the Capitol shortly before noon Thursday, when the House convened to open the 110th Congress, but he was stopped before he even got to the door.

At the foot of the marble stairs on the south side of the Capitol, a police officer held up his hand and politely demanded to know who the hurried fellow was. Ellison calmly responded that he was a new member but that he didn’t have any credentials to prove it.

This impasse between the almost-congressman and the dutiful cop was over a split second later when Ellison produced his official congressional Blackberry, which was good enough for the officer.

Ellison letter

How many more of these things are we going to have to see?

The SC Times has published an opinion today discussing whether or not Congressman Ellison can be trusted to uphold the Constitution.

Prior to taking office, Ellison even went back to his home state of Michigan and delivered a speech to fellow Muslims: "On Jan. 4, I will go swear an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. I'll place my hand on the Quran," Ellison said to loud applause and cries of "Allahu akbar." (The same cries 19 other Muslims cried out on Sept. 11).

He continued, in part: "Muslims, you're up to bat right now. ... How do you know that Allah ... did not bring you here so that you could understand how to teach people what tolerance was, what justice was? How do you know that you're not here to teach this country?"

Teach America tolerance? Insulting to say the least.

According to Aafar Sheikh Idris, founder and chairman of American Open University, "Islam cannot be separated from the state," and no Muslim elected to Congress or the White House can swear to uphold the Constitution and still be a Muslim because the law of Allah as expressed in the Quran is supreme.

Can Minnesota voters trust Ellison to uphold our Constitution, our freedoms and our values when the Quran allows no free will and thought and no freedoms to women?

Congressman Ellison, in a ceremonial swearing in, used a Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson. In a ceremonial fashion, Minnesota nice was shed and angry letters such as this have littered newspapers and xenophobic opinions have pierced the conservative radio waves.

Compare Congressman Ellison and his beliefs to Congresswoman Bachmann, a devout Christian. Bachmann has historically been an extremist GOPer, aligning herslef with anti-public education groups, while fighting to oppress the GLBT community and advocates for a woman's right to choose. Bachmann has also supported the Bush tax cuts and "plan" for Iraq. In many cases, she distances herself from the true populist agenda that Minnnesotan's embrace.

Story Chat has erupted today, with close to 300 responses.

Readers are also questioning Bachmann.

smarty from wstearns
Comment Posted: 1/7/2007 9:36:37 AM
Glen, I am with you. I believe that Ellison will work within the Constitution but not so sure about our Pres. I am also waiting to see how Michelle does. If she has the melt downs she had at the state level, the 6th will have little representation at the National level as she will be rubbing her bruised feelings more than representing those who voted her in. Ellison has shown that he will and can work with others for the betterment (probably not a word) of the country and MN in particular. I believe those who elected him were well aware of his beliefs and goals. They chose him over his opponent(s). Time will tell but give the guy a chance. I also am old enough to remember when many felt JFK would never make it in the Presidency b/c he was Catholic. He would not be able to run a country and adhere to his beliefs. He did so in his short time in office. He was a fairly successful President.

Raindog
Comment Posted: 1/7/2007 9:46:27 AM
Keith Ellison may be a good congressman, of he may be a bad congressman. His faith will only be no more of a reason than Michelle Bachman's faith.
But the difference between Bachman's faith and Ellison's faith seems transparent. Bachman claims her faith and uses her faith to make decisions. It is less clear how much Keith Ellison's faith will effect his decisions.
In regard to using Thomas Jefferson's Q'ran, I believe it is a wise choice. One that clearly shows Mr. Ellison to be far more aware than our own retarded congressperson.
And then there is Charlene Singer....
Ohmigawd, where do we start? Her comments are rife with misunderstanding and fear. Deep psychological distress and ignorance. These are mountains that only she can climb. We could show her the path, but ignorance is hard to eliminate without a willingness and a natural curiosity to learn. Traits that our Miss Singer seems to be lacking.

Yet, Ellison gets the brunt of negative attention. Parking tickets aside, the people of the 5th CD elected Congressman Ellison to represent them. He took his oath and swore to upohld the Constitution of the United States. In a ceremony, he placed his right hand on a religious book the majority of Americans do not care to understand.

He swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States, with his hand on a religious book, not swearing to uphold the Koran with his hand on the Constitution.

Let's see what Congressman Ellison does for Minnesota before being indicted by the media.

Wonkette loves Minnesota politics

They have written a bit on Congresswoman Bachmann...

Written a bit on Norm Coleman...

And even Keith Ellison...

Now they discuss Mark Dayton's future.

My favorite though:

Considering that a trained seal could beat current Governor Tim Pawlenty (the Minnesota DFL accidentally nominated a Democrat last year instead) and that Minnesota typically elects the batshit insane as a matter of course, we’re looking forward to Mark Dayton stepping down inexplicably after his single term as Governor. Then he’ll end up President or something.

Wonkette and Keith Ellison

From Wonkette

The best line ever though...

"Today’s Reliable Source reports Ellison’s new plan: he’ll be sworn in with the most patriotic goddamn Koran ever:

Yet the holy book at tomorrow’s ceremony has an unassailably all-American provenance. We’ve learned that the new congressman — in a savvy bit of political symbolism — will hold the personal copy once owned by Thomas Jefferson

MInnesota's new Congressional delegation

The Strib covers Minnesota's newest members of Congress.

Ellison has recieved a lot of attention, based on the neo-con's blowing a fuse over his religion.

His entrance is much different than Bachmann's.

That stands in contrast to Republican Michele Bachmann, an evangelical Christian who told a church group during the campaign that God called her to run for Congress. Her remark barely registered a blip on Capitol Hill, where she has vowed to cut taxes and fight for "life, marriage and family life."

Bachmann has been noticably quiet as she is once again in the minority party. We are all hoping for a flame out though in the first 100 hours as the Democratic agenda moves forward.

The best of the new Minnesota delegation is Congressman Tim Walz. He has avoided being labeled with the Blue Dog Democrats, a moderate group of Democrats, but still embraces a populist, people centered agenda. Walz will be a sponsor on the minimum wage increase bill.

As these members are sworn in this coming Thursday, it will be fun to see populist progressives making waves in Washington once again. Senator Klobuchar and Congressmen Ellsion and Walz were the cure for what's ailing National politics.

A Virginia Congressman's letter

This letter was of interest on Wonkette today. His views on immigration are extreme and his words on Congressman Ellison and any Muslim that would choose to represent their constituents in this participative democracy, are troubling. This Congressman Goode is out of line and needs to apologize!

Dear Mr. Cruickshank:

Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens 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 Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.

The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.” Thank you again for your email and thoughts.

Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.

Congressman Ellison swearing in

Lots of controversey out here about Congressman Ellison, 5th CD Minnesapolis.

Commentary is abundant on the issue. Fort Wayne Indiana chimes in.

Startribune

Swearing-in doesn't go by the book
The use of sacred texts is a matter of personal preference, not protocol, Capitol Hill officials say.
Brady Averill and Steven Thomma

WASHINGTON - When newly elected members of Congress raise their right hands to take the oath of office in January, they won't be placing their left hands on the Bible or any other religious text.

During official swearing-in ceremonies, newly elected members don't place their hand on any book. However, individual members may choose to carry a sacred text.

"Some members carry a Bible. You don't actually put your hand on a Bible. I can't see how anyone would object to carrying a Qur'an," said Senate historian Don Ritchie.

But the blogosphere and talk radio were having a field day Friday criticizing Minnesota Democratic Rep.-elect Keith Ellison's decision to use the Qur'an when he is sworn into office on Jan. 4. Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the House.

The American Family Association, a Christian nonprofit, has called on people to ask members of Congress to pass a law that would make the Bible the only book that could be used during swearing-in ceremonies.

When Ellison took the oath after being elected to the Minnesota House in 2002, he did not use the Qur'an, his spokesman, Dave Colling, wrote in an e-mail. As in Congress, state legislators simply raise their right hand and take the oath, he wrote.

In Congress, the House speaker administers the oath to members en masse on the House floor. It's up to individual members if they want to hold a religious text, said Fred Beuttler, House deputy historian.

First-time members are more likely to carry a sacred text or have their family and religious leader present for a staged ceremony in the speaker's or their own office, Beuttler said.
Protocol in the Senate is similar. The Senate's president -- the vice president of the United States -- usually swears in four senators at a time, who are often accompanied by their state's other senator, said Senate historian Richard Baker. It's up to the senator if he or she wants to place a hand on a sacred text or to carry one.

While religion is not part of the swearing-in ceremonies, the House routinely prays. The House chaplain designates who leads the opening prayer at a House session, often a minister brought in by a member, Beuttler said.

Several rabbis have given the opening prayer, but Beuttler said he doesn't recall a Muslim giving the opening prayer during a House session.

Prager and other right wing pundits are dead wrong on the issue. Regardless if Ellison wants to place his hand on the Bible, the Quran or any other religious book, he will do so in the ceremonial portion of the event. He's not placing his hand on the Constitution and pledging to uphold the Quran or the Bible, but the other way around.