FL Councilman "unsure" about Muslims holding public office, "would prefer" that Gays do not

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Fla. councilman unsure if Muslims, gays should hold public office

By Andrew McLemore
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010 -- 7:14 pm

http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0421/fla-councilman-unsure-muslims-gays-hold-public-office/



The Human Rights Commission of Jacksonville, Fla. has a mission of ensuring “all residents enjoy a community free of discriminatory practices."

But as the city council reviewed the mayor’s nominees for the commission, one of its members has been accused of discriminating against them, Think Progress reported.

Councilman Clay Yarborough was the sole 'no' in a 4-1 vote that recommended University of North Florida professor and Fulbright scholar Parvez Ahmed, a Muslim, for the commission. Yarborough said in an interview with the Florida Times-Union that he would be uncomfortable with Muslims holding public office.

Do you believe Muslims should be able to hold a public office in Florida?
“I would have to think about that. I would have to think about that. What kind of office? An elected office? Would you consider the human rights commission to be a public office?”

Just in general, do you believe Muslims should be able to hold any public office in Florida?
“I don’t know.”

In the same interview, Yarborough expressed discomfort with gays holding office as well.

Do you think homosexuals should be able to hold a public office in Florida?
“I would prefer they did not.”

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Allow me to express my discomfort with biggots and idiots from holding office.

Directly, I am referring to Mr. Yarborough. Indirectly, I am referring to the Republican Party.

[Dappleganger]

6. Try outrage on for size.

Because that's how many of us feel about these idiots who have turned this city into a ghost town!

[Kerrytravelers]

9. OMG. You live in this bozo's disctict. A big hug for you!

:hug:

[mike_c]

2. I would prefer that white heterosexual assholes be excluded from public office...

...but that carries just about as much weight as this guy's opinion. Of course I'm kidding about excluding anyone, even assholes.

[roguevalley]

17. why are they always sexually ambiguous looking twerps?

[csziggy]

3. Mr. Yarborough, I would prefer that racist homophobic assholes not hold public office

But I don't live in your city and cannot vote against you. So I will not do business in your city as long as you are in office.


Mr. Yarborough's page:
http://www.coj.net/City+Council/District+1/default.htm

<SNIP>

Clay realizes Jacksonville's most important issues are public safety and crime reduction, being proactive when it comes to infrastructure improvements, ensuring that city government is operating as fiscally sound as possible, and working hard to improve the overall quality of life for current and future residents of our city.

Clay is proud to represent District 1, which includes most of the Arlington area, as well as the Regency Square, Fort Caroline, and Hidden Hills areas. Clay works at UPS as a recruiter and he also attends First Baptist Church.

Clay can be reached at [phone] or [e-mail].

[Dappleganger]

8. You won't be hurting Clay by boycotting Jacksonville.

Why don't you contribute to Glorious Johnson's mayoral campaign so that she can help in the counter-attack?

[csziggy]

12. I have no money to contribute this year

And if I were, it would go to my local candidates. I am hoping to be able to volunteer some time, but the last month or so I am barely functioning to do normal things around the house.

[TheOther95Percent]

4. What a tool!

[Aristus]

11. Love your user name!

Welcome to DU! :hi: B-)

[TheOther95Percent]

16. Thanks. I'm happy to be here.

:hi:

[Dappleganger]

5. Want to see a city ruined by republican ideals? Look no further than Jacksonville.

Clay Yarborough is just the tip of the iceburg. The other jerk was the councilman who 'went out for a coke', his absence resulted in a no vote.

Several upstanding leaders endorsed Dr. Ahmed (including a former mayor of Jacksonville) who is a proven community uniter and expert in his field. People like Yarborough continue to embarrass Jacksonville with this kind of outright bigotry and hatred of anyone different from themselves.

BTW, we don't live in J'ville but just south, we shop there (and dh works there) regularly. Many people were very, very upset by the behavior of this council member and the other one who was conveniently 'absent' during the vote.

*Go Glorious Johnson for Jacksonville Mayor!*

[nosmokes]

7. How do these assdouches get elected in the first place? Oh, it's Florida...

[atreides1]

13. Because

People in general are stupid and lazy.

[bullwinkle428]

10. I understand Jacksonville is more or less 'puke central, from what I've heard.

I probably shouldn't be shocked, then, by what this assclown said, but the disgust is still palpable.

[FLyellowdog]

14. Yes, it is. nt

[LiberalFighter]

15. He needs to be told to STFU and read the Florida Constitution

to him regarding Religious Freedom.....

SECTION 3. Religious freedom.--There shall be no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting or penalizing the free exercise thereof. Religious freedom shall not justify practices inconsistent with public morals, peace or safety. No revenue of the state or any political subdivision or agency thereof shall ever be taken from the public treasury directly or indirectly in aid of any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any sectarian institution.