Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA 5th) has made a fool of himself, insinuating in constituent letters that the recent election of Kieth Ellison (D-MN) is somehow a threat to American culture. Why? Because Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to Congress, and is planning to use the Qur’an in his swearing-in rather than the traditional Christian Bible.
Goode, in a great feat of rhetorical acrobatics, attempts to link Ellison’s election with a need for better immigration policies and enforcement. I’m all for better immigration policies and enforcement, but I fail to see the connection between Ellison—a Muslim convert born in Detroit—and immigration policy.
I bring this up for a number of reasons.
First, Representative Goode was my representative when I lived in southern Virginia (and he continues to represent both my and my wife’s immediate families). I voted for him twice before moving my residency to northern Virginia, so I have a personal investment in his congressional actions.
Second, this kind of discriminatory BS—usually coming from certain morons who misunderstand their own religion’s gospel and insist on putting an R after their name—gives the entire Republican party, greater Conservative movement, and Christianity a bad name. Virgil has singlehandedly added more fuel to the Democrats’ argument that Republicans, conservatives, and Christians represent antiquated, close-minded ideas. This despite the fact that many conservatives and Christians—me, for example—are perfectly rational, intelligent, and modern people.
Thanks Virg’; you’re a big help.
Resources
- Va. Lawmaker’s Remarks on Muslims Criticized (Washington Post).
- Text of Letter Sent by Virginia Representative Goode to Constituents Warning of Muslim Immigration (via Fox News).
- Information/Contact Representative Virgil Goode (via Congress.org).