My Congressman Virgil Goode: The Mortification Continues

Yesterday I blogged that I was mortified by my Congressman Virgil Goode (R-Va.) because of a bigoted anti-Muslim letter that he sent out to selected constituents. According to the Washington Post, Virgil Goode (R-Va.) is standing by that missive. The Post reports:

In his written response, Goode said he will not apologize and does not see why his comments could be offensive to some Muslims. "The voters of each Congressional district select the representative that they choose to represent them, and perhaps voters in all districts will now ask prospective candidates whether they will use the Bible, the Koran, or anything else," Goode said.

The Post also points out:

When members of Congress are sworn in, they simply raise their right hand. In a ceremony afterward, they may take the oath of office on a Christian Bible, another religious book or no book at all.

Nihad Awad, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, responded:

Congressman Goode's ignorant and divisive statements are an affront to Muslims in his district and to Americans of all faiths who believe in our nation's longstanding traditions of religious tolerance and diversity.

Sounds about right to me.

Disclosure: For the first time since 1972, I voted a straight Democratic ticket in the last election, which means I voted for Goode's Democratic opponent.

Comments

[plunge]

Unfortunately, Goode's opponent was Al Weed, who sucked.

But while we're on embarrasing statements and claims, here's some pretty outrageous stuff from the people Jacod Sullum slums around with on TownHall

http://mediamatters.org/items/200612200005

How can we trust Barack HUSSIEN Obama when he has had contact with filthy Muslims, says right-wing pundit.

[Aresen]

Well, the Romans used to swear an oath with their hands over their testicles [hence the word "testimony"].

Why not revive that practice?

[madpad]

Why not revive that practice?

Conservatives can't publicly admit they touch their privates in private...so they damn sure aren't going to publicly touch their privates in public.

Got that?

[Aresen]

madpad

Why not, since they're jerking us around anyways.

[crimethink]

I'm mortified that this story is getting so much attention. A congressman from SW Virginia being a bigot is so dog bites man.

[joe]

"I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States..."

Now why would any Muslims find it offensive that the emotion their presence evokes in him is fear?

Let's see, "I fear that in the next century we will have many more Jews in the United States..."

[joe]

Good comment, plunge.

Somebody ought to beat that pundit over the head with Daniel Inouye.

[biggus dickus]

mr aresen,

"testimony" comes from the latin word for witness, not from the body part.

[I.Self.Divine.]

How can we trust Barack HUSSIEN Obama when he has had contact with filthy Muslims, says right-wing pundit.
---------------------------------------------
I like the name Obama bin Laden better.

[David]

How can we trust Barack HUSSIEN Obama when he has had contact with filthy Muslims, says right-wing pundit.

That was an interesting article. Nice to see the old "one drop" rule is alive and well at TownHall.

[mk]

(pl. testes), 1704, from L. testis "testicle," usually regarded as a special application of testis "witness" (see testament), presumably because it "bears witness" to virility (cf. Gk. parastates, lit. "one that stands by;" and Fr. slang t?moins, lit. "witnesses"). But Buck thinks Gk. parastatai "testicles" has been wrongly associated with the legal sense of parastates "supporter, defender" and suggests instead parastatai in the sense of twin "supporting pillars, props of a mast," etc. Walde, meanwhile, suggests a connection between testis and testa "pot, shell, etc."
--http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=t&p=7

[Steve M]

Wow. The comments at that Townhall article are just..out there. Don't these folks realize what they sound like? While I think Obama is a lightweight and not ready for the presidency, accusing him of being part of a vast Muslim conspiracy to inflitrate the halls of American power and send the nation toward sharia (as one of the commenters claims) is just...wow.
Actually, it reminds me of what might have been said about Kennedy. I wonder if Schlussel wants to make that connection?

[VikingMoose]

Virgil is bitter because his older brother, Johnny B. got all the chix.

Posted this on the Obama thread below, but it's about to fall off into archival oblivion (that's right next to the Lando system. Oh - Lando's not a system. He's a man)

HERE

I'm in Chicago, and something like this most likely would have been, um, "news". A google search revealed nothing, much like the xrays of the president's head from back when. Has anybody heard anything like this? Snopes has nothing, nor do the other usual sites.

So it appears as though all sides are making shit up using Obama's name, likeness, shoe size, pets, etc.

TURKEY TROTS TO WATER GG FROM CINCPAC ACTION COM THIRD FLEET INFO COMINCH CTF ... X WHERE IS RPT WHERE IS TASK FORCE THIRTY FOUR RR THE WORLD WONDERS ...

It sure does.

[keith]

Why are out elected public officials taking the oath of office on ANY religious book? Shouldn't they have to take it on the Constitution, then sign an affidavit verifying that they have read the document?

[David]

they're not. That's what's especially ridiculous about all this. Members of Congress take their official oaths in the Capitol Building with their right hands in the air and their left hands at their sides. Goode is not only insane, he's a moron.

[Jew Boy]

"they're not. That's what's especially ridiculous about all this. Members of Congress take their official oaths in the Capitol Building with their right hands in the air and their left hands at their sides. Goode is not only insane, he's a moron."

So why did ELLISON make it an issue in the first place? Is it because he's an anti-Semite? As a resident of Minnesota's 5th district who followed the campaign closely, I am convinced that at the very least, he's a rabble rouser. The folks in my neighborhood just eat that shit up.

[Mike]

Goode's comments were unfortunate, but so is Bailey's quoting of CAIR, an orginization with extremist ties. What's next, is he going to link to Zawahiri's disapproval of Goode's remarks?

[Ruthless]

Virgil Goode sounds like the type of person who would feel guilty because he had slept with his third cousin. He might call the Cable Guy who would advise Virgil, "stop countin'."

[joe]

"So why did ELLISON make it an issue in the first place?"

Why did Tom Delay and Dennis Hastert pose for staged photos in which they pretended they were taking their oaths with their hands on a Bible? Because, like Ellison, they wanted to show that they were religious folk. Which brings us right back to Who Cares?

[Mark Borok]

I don't think Ellison did make an issue of this. As I recall, someone asked him the question (would he swear on the Koran) and he gave a non-answer. Something like, "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," along those lines.

If anyone has any info to the contrary, I'd be interested to hear it.

[bill]

If I'm ever elected to office I'm going to swear on a stack of Playboys.

[Jew Boy]

"I don't think Ellison did make an issue of this. As I recall, someone asked him the question (would he swear on the Koran) and he gave a non-answer. Something like, "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," along those lines."

As someone living in his distict I can assure you, the media -- both local and national -- from the very beginning focused on his religion and what he had done with it for years and years, biginning with his days at the UofM's law school.

As I said, I live in his district and if there's one thing I've learned about hit and run posters, it's that direct, first-hand experience is always trumped by someone's uninformed opinion.

Keith Ellison is a lying media-whore.

[Aresen]

"Keith Ellison is a lying media-whore."

Just how does this distinguish him from every other politician?

[Jose Chung]

Mr. Ellison's past associations with the Nation of Islam, CAIR, and supporters of Hamas make me feel like puking. Add to that his defense of cop killers such as Mumia Abu-Jamal and Assata Shakur and I have to wonder if there is not something sick in the souls of the voters who elected this man. This is not a wise Muslim. This is a dupe.

[Jew Boy]

"Just how does this distinguish him from every other politician?"

And this is what passes for thoughtful, reasoned discourse on this site?

[Jew Boy]

"I have to wonder if there is not something sick in the souls of the voters who elected this man"

There is. It's called hating white folks to the point of self-destruction.

Race is a mythical construct. Ghetto life is a pathology.

[highnumber]

"Just how does this distinguish him from every other politician?"

And this is what passes for thoughtful, reasoned discourse on this site?

Well,

Keith Ellison is a lying media-whore.

is certainly not what passes for thoughtful, reasoned discourse anywhere.

[Jew Boy]

"Well,
Keith Ellison is a lying media-whore.
is certainly not what passes for thoughtful, reasoned discourse anywhere."

Even if true???

[highnumber]

No, Jew Boy, not even if true.

[The Latin Lover]

"No, Jew Boy, not even if true."

otnay ootay rightbay istermay ensorcay anmay.

[highnumber]

Ain't nobody censoring anybody, The Latin Lover.

[Fred]

What an idiot this congressman is. His lack of respect for Muslims and the Constitution render him unfit for public service. He should be impeached. he voted to impeach Pres. Clinton. What's good for the goose is GOODE for the gander. This Nazi lunitic storm trooper is a disgrace to all americans.

[RSDavis]

CAIR has ties to terrorism? Can someone fill me in on that one?

- R

[John Rhoads]

Goode's district is not in southwest Virginia. Just thought I'd point that out.

[plunge]

As far as I know, Ellison hasn't made it an issue. I don't think he's even said what he'll do or use: someone just was just speculating about it, and that was all it took to send fundamentalist conservatives into fits of red-faced screaming.

If anyone has any actual evidence to the contrary, as opposed to calling him a whore, go ahead and post it so we can all be informed.

[Guy Montag]

Wow, heard the morning news about Goode. He is a real wackjob! Glad I vote in Tennessee and I hope the House refuses to seat him.

Now, about that Ellison fellow was a spokseman for The Nation of Islam but denied ever being a member. How about bringing that up instead of calling for religous persecution?

[jkp]

Honestly, I see nothing wrong with judging a man based on the philosophy he chooses. This has nothing to do with prejudice against someone based on irrelevant criteria (skin color, ethnicity, eye color.) If Mr. Goode wants to take a stand against a certain philosophy, frankly, that's a refreshing change from the idea-free, judgment-free attitude one usually finds in DC.

[Jonathan Rick]

Ron: Of all people you coulda quoted to make your point, CAIR is the worst.

[jmg]

Goode sounds like the poster child for a move to "license" candidates. Everyone else (doctors, lawyers, accountants, pilots) who has the potential to do public damage is licensed, even down to the tonsorialists in some states. And this licensing involves taking a test.

So, just like the bar exam, have a good test on the major points of constitutional law, federal history, basic economics, civics, leadership and so on that are relevant to the office. Assemble a panel of discipline experts of all persuasions to assemble these tests. Really tough one for president, little less tough for senator and so on down the line. Heck, even do it like the pilot tests - put the entire question pool on-line and randomly select the test from these. Everyone in the public could comment on test questions and even suggest new ones. Update the test pool regularly.

Then, you want to be a candidate? Fine. You pay your testing fee here and everyone sit down on this date and take the test. Sort of like the big professional exams - everyone does them on the same date. Or may be a big SAT. Don't pass? Fergitaboutit. Try again next campaign season. Or maybe post the scores. Your constituents want to elect an idiot? It's their choice but at least then everyone knows what they are doing, not just the candidate's close friends or former teachers.

[pjgoober]

Virgil Goode never advocated a curtailment of religious freedom in the US. All he advocated was a curtailment of muslim immigration, which is a completely reasonable response to September 11th. No one on earth has an unfettered right to immigrate here. They come at our whim.

Here is his own words on the Rush Limbaugh show:

"RUSH: Final question from David Asman. "Would you prohibit, Mr. Ellison -- would you prohibit him from bringing a Koran into that ceremony?"

GOODE: If the voters of that district want persons that are going to swear by the Koran, that's the choice of the voters of that district, but I believe that the overwhelming majority of voters in my district would prefer the use of the Bible if a book is used, and that is exactly what I'm going to do.

ASMAN: Well, that I may well be true, but again just to put a fine point on it: You are not, then, for prohibiting Mr. Ellison from bringing in a Koran?

GOODE: No, but I am for restricting immigration so that we don't have a majority of Muslims elected to the United States House of Representatives."
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_122206/content/stop_the_tape_2.guest.html

[Larry Lanberg]

Alot of the problem has to do with Goode's constituency. According to Goode, "hundreds" e-mailed him expressing outrage over Ellison's swearing in.

It speaks for itself that constituents would bombard the congressman like that, over what a another congressman does -- SEVEN states away! All of this is irrelevant to Central VA's most pressing needs.

Goode's constituents are among the most hard-core racists in the nation. (I know, I live the next district over). They are feeding this whole thing and they ought to be held to task also.

[Marianne]

I'm sorry so many people feel congressman is a bigot. Although I respect him for standing his ground I also support his view. Many politians don't want to speak their minds becaused they want to be in good terms with everyone. As he said we need to stop the immigration of Middle Eastern. I'm sure 20 years from now you would not be calling him a bigot if were having riots such as those Paris had last year lead by Radical Muslims that burn hundreds of vehicles,buses, and buildings or maybe you forgot the Danish cartoom of Mohammed that ignated more riots. We are not talking about Civil Rights lead by Martin Luther King. Islam claims to be a religion of peace but it shows other wise.I have meet peaceful Muslims the problem is that when is mass numbers radical Muslims take control just like a parasite, women are oppressed,and anything a cartoon a speech anything is a jihad to Muslims anything and everything. We make fun of Jesus do you see Christians going in riots burning cars. Christians Crusades past centuries ago. Why is Islam still holding to old barberian beliefs.

[Marianne]

I would also like to point out he stated "But I'm for restricting immigration so that we don't have a majority of Muslims elected to the United States House of Representatives,"

if we have a majority of Muslims citizens electing Muslims Representatives life will change.

For example if women are made to wear niqab( full veil) what about the women that are not Muslims we are going to be bullying if not made to wear this awful cloth that oppresses women.

Muslims are worst than Christians they come to western society then go back to the countries and treat women as slaves. They even burn women if they believe they have being dishonor.

I believe in freedom of religion but I do not believe in act of violence such as martyrs.

Let's analyzed why men are so attracted to Islam : Quran states " men can have 4 wives and as many as he can support "

Is not about being politically correct is about protecting a FUTURE based on FREEDOM.

Just open your mind,

Religions have a good phylosophy to help manking come closer to God or Allah but in reality all they do is put hatred, judgement and oppression especially on women.

If people followed their religion peacefully in their heart not in their sleeves life will be much better.

[Testing]

"if we have a majority of Muslims citizens electing Muslims Representatives life will change.

..

For example if women are made to wear niqab( full veil) what about the women that are not Muslims we are going to be bullying if not made to wear this awful cloth that oppresses women.

Is not about being politically correct is about protecting a FUTURE based on FREEDOM."

It appears that some people prefer their own idealogies/religions over the concept of democracy. If the people of the US vote and choose to be fundamentalists, let it be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, who can say that this is not just and deny the will of the people?

Of course, this will never happen in the US because people here know better. However, the same cannot be said of mideast. The "West" have been trumpeting "democracy", "rights of the people" and such for decades. Yet in the case of Palestine or Venezuela, it's obvious that within West's foreign policy the idea of Democracy is second to overall control and stability.

[TrickyVic]

The only people that "fear" Muslims in our government are those that pretend the seperation of church and state does NOT exist. They feel threatened because they feel their christian hold on our government is threatened.

[TrickyVic]

Relax, the Koran will not become U.S. law.

[Paul Cariker]

Ronald Bailey undermined any point he was trying to make about Goode's statement when he admiringly quoted from Nihad Awad of CAIR. Anyone who thinks CAIR has the best interests of the United States at heart must be thinking of the United Sharia States. I guess we should be grateful that CAIR discourages the throwing of bombs. They have learned that we can be played like a fiddle by voting early and often for their candidates- like Ellison.