Trent Franks Proposed What? His Amendment to Survey Islamic Thought Shot Down in House

[DonViejo]

Source: Phoenix New Times




FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017 AT 10:58 A.M. BY JOSEPH FLAHERTY

Arizona Congressman Trent Franks is no theologian. But he wanted the U.S. government to parse Islamic doctrine and survey Muslim religious leaders in an amendment that failed on Friday morning in the House of Representatives.

Franks added the amendment Thursday to a Defense Department spending bill. The draft language would instruct the Pentagon to identify "violent or unorthodox Islamic doctrine" for the purpose of combating extremism. Franks' proposal also would have directed the Pentagon to identify Islamic thought leaders associated with doctrines that support extremism.

No Democrats supported the measure, and 27 Republicans broke ranks to defeat the amendment, 217-208. Even though the amendment failed, critics say its underlying rationale invites discrimination against Muslim communities, at home and abroad, and dances with a violation of the First Amendment.

Robert McCaw, the government affairs director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), applauded the amendment's defeat. "Whether it targeted one religion or three, it’s inappropriate for the U.S. government to assess and qualify what is good and bad religion," he told Phoenix New Times. "It’s a victory for the American people that Congress stands by that principle of not elevating or marginalizing one faith community."

Read more: http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/house-rejects-trent-franks-crazy-amendment-on-islamic-thought-9499949

[Thomas Hurt]

1. another fascist run amok

[Midnight Writer]

3. Looks like at least 208 fascists. This vote was way too close.

[LuckyLib]

11. How many of them actually read it? They are like the kid in school who raises his

hand when he sees the kids next to him raise theirs.

[longship]

2. Trent Franks is a real fucking lunatic.

A total douchebag. The man is not in his right mind.

There is nothing good to say about this guy. NOTHING!

[Vinca]

4. It's kind of neck and neck for most deranged between Franks and Steve King.

[longship]

5. Admittedly, you are likely correct.

Somehow, I take no comfort there.

My best to you.

[Perseus]

6. There can be no other conclusion drawn from something like this

Republicans are demented, they are truly mad. I don't think they are born with it, it is mad parents passing down the craziness and it must be done in a brain-wash fashion for it to be ingrained so deep in their characters.

I understand their immense love for money, even some people who are good love money, but they won't crash anyone else to get it, but the hate, the willingness to do wrong to others, it is mind boggling.

[riversedge]

9. The fish rots from the top. Trump permits and even encourages this vile behavior!

[elleng]

7. from Jamie Raskin, my congresscritter:

UPDATE: We just won a big victory in the Defense Authorization bill, defeating 217-208 the anti-Muslim amendment I railed against in this speech. Original post: The First Amendment compels government neutrality among religions. Rep. Trent Franks' (R-Az) amendment would direct the government to do a study exclusively on the Islamic religious doctrines and texts that have been used by terrorists to justify violence. But what about the religious doctrines and texts from other faiths that terrorists have used to justify violence? If we are going to study the way terrorists have exploited religion to justify violence against innocents, let's not understate the vast enormity of the problem or exacerbate it by targeting and vilifying a single religious group. The First Amendment prevents governmental scapegoating of a single religion which the Framers knew was a recipe for civil discord and state repression. Details: http://politi.co/2uf5NJ4.

[riversedge]

8. ONLY 27 in the US House Repubs voted NO to this discrimination amendment. That is shameful!

[riversedge]

10. Rep. Trent Franks' (R-Az) should resign NOW

[Ray Bruns]

12. Don't thses SOB's have anything better to do?