Goode For Him

I'm glad to see that Virgil Goode has the courage of his convictions, continuing to speak to the value, and need for preservation of Judeo-Christian values in the United States.

Save Judeo-Christian values
Immigration leaves USA vulnerable to Muslim extremists' infiltration.
By Virgil Goode

A letter I sent in early December was written in response to hundreds of e-mails from constituents upset about Rep.-elect Keith Ellison's decision to use the Quran in connection with his congressional swearing-in. Their communications followed media reports that Ellison, a Minnesota Democrat, had said that he would swear on the Quran. He repeated that at a gathering of Muslims in Detroit on Dec. 26.

Of course, USA Today wouldn't dare run it without a companion piece calling it ugly, which is not the truth. If you read the url of the Goode piece it says "oppose." Interesting, Goode isn't so much opposing something, as he is standing for something else.

USA Today doesn't surprise or disappoint me. That comes from the lack of visible support for Goode's position and especially some so called conservative, or right of center folks more than happy to attack him for simply speaking his mind. It's almost as if they are embarrassed by the very value system which raised them up. I saw no outrage when Ellison praised Islam and said it had much to teach America. I may disagree, but I am not going to call him crazy, or ugly, or dismiss him as a racist for saying it.

“You can’t back down, you can’t chicken out, you can’t be afraid, you got to have faith in Allah, and you got to stand up and be a real Muslim,” Detroit native Keith Ellison said to loud applause.

“Allahu akbar” — God is great — was the reply of many in the crowd.

No, now even some on the right save those slurs only for people who stand up for a traditional American position. I'm not sure if they're cowards, people pleaser's, or simply confused. If someone wants to look noble by supporting a position that says, it's fine to praise Allah and his teaching as right for America, but to do that for the Judea-Christian ethic is wrong ... then I'm going to call bullshit on that.

Were Goode advocating outlawing Islam, he'd be wrong. He isn't. He is simply standing up for the majority of American's inbred system of belief, or values. And too many Americans lack either the insight, intelligence, or courage to understand and thank him for it. That isn't a good thing for America, no matter how much one spins.

My letter did not call for a religious test for prospective members of Congress, as some have charged. Americans have the right to elect any person of their choosing to represent them. I indicated to my constituents that I did not subscribe to the Quran in any way, and I intended to use the Bible in connection with my swearing-in. I also stated that the Ten Commandments and "In God We Trust" are on the wall of my office, and I have no intention of displaying the Quran in my office. That is my choice, and I stand by my position and do not apologize for it.

My letter also stated, "If American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Quran."

Comments

[DANEgerus]

Powerlineblog has been all over Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) and his pre-election lies about his close association with Louis Farrakhan and race-baiting activism that included campaigns for cop-killers.

The friends of Keith Ellison

I noted that Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) is now linked to CAIR/Hamas, to the flying Imams and to the provocations regarding the oath-on-the-Quran demonization of any and all critics of Islam who dare to point out that the insertion of the Quran raises issues.

Virgil Goode is the 2nd to be beaten down, Dennis Prager was the first.

[aubrey]

Goode is nothing but a bigot. He's certainly going to look idiotic when they move to censure him next week. Dodd and Biden both say they have the votes. I.Can't.Wait.

[LaughingGas]

From: The Washington Post

But It's Thomas Jefferson's Koran!

By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Wednesday, January 3, 2007; C03

Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, found himself under attack last month when he announced he'd take his oath of office on the Koran -- especially from Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode, who called it a threat to American values.

Yet the holy book at tomorrow's ceremony has an unassailably all-American provenance. We've learned that the new congressman -- in a savvy bit of political symbolism -- will hold the personal copy once owned by Thomas Jefferson.

"He wanted to use a Koran that was special," said Mark Dimunation, chief of the rare book and special collections division at the Library of Congress, who was contacted by the Minnesota Dem early in December. Dimunation, who grew up in Ellison's 5th District, was happy to help.

Jefferson's copy is an English translation by George Sale published in the 1750s; it survived the 1851 fire that destroyed most of Jefferson's collection and has his customary initialing on the pages. This isn't the first historic book used for swearing-in ceremonies -- the Library has allowed VIPs to use rare Bibles for inaugurations and other special occasions.

Ellison will take the official oath of office along with the other incoming members in the House chamber, then use the Koran in his individual, ceremonial oath with new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Keith is paying respect not only to the founding fathers' belief in religious freedom but the Constitution itself," said Ellison spokesman Rick Jauert.

One person unlikely to be swayed by the book's illustrious history is Goode, who released a letter two weeks ago objecting to Ellison's use of the Koran. "I believe that the overwhelming majority of voters in my district would prefer the use of the Bible," the Virginia Republican told Fox News, and then went on to warn about what he regards as the dangers of Muslims immigrating to the United States and Muslims gaining elective office.

Yeah, but what about a Koran that belonged to one of the greatest Virginians in history? Goode, who represents Jefferson's birthplace of Albemarle County, had no comment yesterday.

[Tom]

If Virginians allow Goode to remain their representative, one must assume that the citizens of that great state are as racist as Goode himself. There is no other way to frame it. The silence coming from the Viginia constituency is loud and clear to the rest of America. I am ashamed for them.

[michaela]

Keith Ellison is a Genius!!! Talk about one of the best political smackdons EVER, Ellison is using Thomas Jefferson's Koran and guess where Mr Goode lives!! Keith, we LOVE you. Keep it coming.

[old trooper]

Question: If David Duke was elected to a Congressional Seat and wished to be sworn in with his hand on an autographed copy of Mein Kampf, would that offend any of you?

Just curious.

[Dan Riehl]

See my latest for a response. Jefferson owned a Koran and how many slaves? Should Ellison take an oath on one of them, too?

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2007/01/the_myth_of_jef.html

[upyernoz]

He is simply standing up for the majority of American's inbred system of belief, or values.

no he's not. goode is proposing that ellison not be permitted to swear on the holy book of his choosing. goode's position is contrary to both 230 years of american legal tradition and british common law going back hundreds of years before that. plus, any legal test for taking an oath of office violates the constitution.

the ridiculous thing is that ellison is going to swear to uphold the constitution, not the koran. if i am sworn into congress i would also be swearing to uphold the constitution, not the bible. logically if my oath is to have any meaning, i should be swearing on a book i believe in. but that's not the same as swearing to uphold that book. this distinction (again, one that has been accepted for hundreds of years) seems to escape goode and his defenders)

[Tom]

Question: If David Duke was elected to a Congressional Seat and wished to be sworn in with his hand on an autographed copy of Mein Kampf, would that offend any of you?

Just curious.

You are misunderstanding the role of the ceremony and the props politicians use during that ceremony. To answer your question: I don't care what 'book' is used. It is a prop, nothing more and nothing less. The swearing in ceremony does not require a 'holy book' or any other sort of text of a religous nature. In fact, the Constitution forbids a religous 'litmus test' of any kind. If the knowledgeable citizens of a district or state (or whatever) choose to elect David Duke (or Patty Duke) as their representative, then so be it. I believe they call that Democracy. I can understand that after 6 years of this administration, you are a little bit 'soft' on the topic of democracy. I do understand. We haven't seen much of democracy lately, have we? 'Dear Leader' will be gone soon (but not soon enough) and certain folks in America will have to start thinking for themselves again. Anyway, if you are so afraid of what may come from Mr Ellison using his preferred swearing in prop, then that seems to be indicative of a lack of confidence you should have relative to your own belief system. An American citizen was elected (fairly) to government office - Yes, Mr Ellison is an American citizen. He can use any prop he wishes (even the phone book).

[Purple Avenger]

"He's certainly going to look idiotic when they move to censure him next week. "

Censure means nothing at all. Ask Gerry Studds.

[Tom]

"He's certainly going to look idiotic when they move to censure him next week. "

Censure means nothing at all. Ask Gerry Studds.

Posted by: Purple Avenger

Mr Goode's employers (voters in his district/state) will (and should) decide on his fate. Do the voters want a known bigot representing them or not? That is the question. Only the voters should judge their representative on this topic. Censure would only serve to inflame an already out of control situation IMHO.

[josh]

David duke could use a banana peel if he wanted. Whoop de doo! Myself, I'd use Maxim or the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue!!!

[meredith]

You're right, censure is not much but it'll totally inflame the islamophobes and you can't get better than that! Let's see, they'll probably boycott something!
Speaking of nut jobs, I was just on Ebay and they have Pat Robertson's relavence for sale. Any takers?

[Tom]

David duke could use a banana peel if he wanted. Whoop de doo! Myself, I'd use Maxim or the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue!!!

Posted by: josh

LOL Josh. Very good! I think I would use either a phone book or maybe a dictionary.

[old trooper]

tom: I understand the use of props. So does Ellison, so does Al Queda, so did Hitler.

Censure means absolutely nothing to those who have no shame.

I`m just sitting back to watch this next two dark years unfold.
The American Voters, about 30% turnout, not a Mandate by any illusion, have chosen the band.
Let`s see how long the taxpayers, more than 30% of Americans by my reckoning, are willing to dance to the noise that is forthcoming.

Laugh now, pay higher taxes later for programs that not only steal and waste your cash but steal your rights.

Stay Tuned....

[Tom]

From: old trooper:

tom: I understand the use of props. So does Ellison, so does Al Queda, so did Hitler.

Yes sir. So does bush, cheney, dr rice, richard pearl, bill kristol, addington, kissinger, rumsfeld, gates, yoo, wolfowitz, abu gonzalez, o'reiily, limbaugh, coulter, hannity, beck, etc...Props are part and parcel of the political and MSM condition. I noticed the 30% turnout number you offered. It is very similar to the number of americans approving of the way mr bush is doing his job. Sorta a coincidence, no? I think it is amazing that folks who blindly followed along with this administration are now anticipating what the dems will screw up. I do find it somewhat encouraging that you allow the voters of america to 'choose the band'. Quite nice of you all to recognize democracy. With W around, some of us progs were wondering if he was going to cancel the elections or create a massive distraction. But true to form, W thought he was God's gift to democracy. Rove thought he 'had the numbers'. Both were wrong by a wide margin. Did any incumbent republicans keep their seats? I am not so sure I would minimize the 'mandate' you so easily dispose of. The message from the populace was very clear. Also, I would not tread into 'losing your rights' territory. You have to know how our (and your) rights have been shredded under this administration. That subject is a beehive you would be wise to avoid.

[Purple Avenger]

"but it'll totally inflame the islamophobes"

I wouldn't be so sure about that.