Keith Ellison: US Must 'Get on the Right Side' of Middle East Democracy Wave

[marmar]

from The Nation:



Keith Ellison: US Must 'Get on the Right Side' of Middle East Democracy Wave

John Nichols
January 29, 2011


When Congressman Keith Ellison was elected to the US House in 1986 as the first Muslim to serve in Congress, he was immediately challenged by Virginia Congressman Virgil Goode, a Republican who represented a district that included Thomas Jefferson's home at Monticello. Goode demanded to know whether Ellison would place his hand on a Koran when swearing his oath. It was an attempt, cheered on by many conservative commentators, to paint Ellison as"the other," as somehow un-American.

Ellison countered masterfully.

The new congressman arranged to borrow a Koran placed in the Library of Congress almost two centuries earlier.

Prior to becoming the property of the American people, the Koran had belonged to one Thomas Jefferson.

Ellison's deep and nuanced awareness of American history, and his regard for the best of the nation's ideals, has from the beginning of his congressional tenure served him and the country well—but never so well as in recent days. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blog/158143/keith-ellison-us-must-get-right-side-middle-east-democracy-wave

[justiceischeap]

1. Nice article. nt

[Drale]

2. Remember the repukes in texas are trying to discredit

Jefferson because of his views on separation of church and state. I don't think at this point many of the tea baggers let along regular repukes care about facts.

[leftstreet]

3. K&R Thanks for posting this

Very interesting that he and McDermott & McGovern made the stmt about watching for any US support, in assistance or equipment, in suppressing the protesters. Hmm!

K&R