Rep. Goode: I'm not apologizing
Virginia Rep. Virgil Goode (R), facing a backlash for a letter mailed to constituents decrying arrival of Muslims in the country, insists he did nothing wrong, reports the Charlottesville Daily Progress:U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr. will not apologize to Islamic groups for a letter he wrote that decries Muslim immigration to America, his press aide said Thursday.Indeed, when asked by Fox News today whether he believes “there are too many Middle Easterners here now," Goode responded by saying "I'm not gonna say yes or no."
"He stands by the letter," said Linwood Duncan, aide to the 5th District Republican. Duncan refused to say more.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations demanded an apology Tuesday night for the letter, which Goode, of Rocky Mount, sent to hundreds of constituents and which the council labeled Islamophobic.
Meanwhile, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the Muslim American who instigated Goode's backlash, notes that Goode's comments -- made in a letter about immigration policy -- were bizarre given that Ellison is not an immigrant:
Mr. Ellison dismissed Mr. Goode’s comments, saying they seemed ill informed about his personal origins as well as about Constitutional protections of religious freedom. “I’m not an immigrant,” added Mr. Ellison, who traces his American ancestors back to 1742. “I’m an African-American.”
6 Comments:
There is a minority in America - a LOUD minority that seeks to undermine a Constitution that they've never read. So, for our LOUD, fundamentalist friends:
Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
I am a Christian. I have had several friends that practice the Islamic wisdom tradition in my lifetime. To a man, they have been moderate, peaceful, passionate, loving, ethically-grounded, and wonderfully devoted to their faith. They have also roundly condemned violence, saying that "jihad" is about the battle against the demons within us that block our relationship with God/Allah.
We are uniquely positioned to DEMONSTRATE (via our actions) the principles of this republic, this "shining city on a hill." We can, as would be the intent of our founding fathers, defend the rights of our Muslim citizens to practice their faith without fear - THUS demonstrating to the world that "we the people" practice the principles for which we have so vigorously and courageously fought for generations.
Not lynching African-Americans or publicly condemning those that do not practice the majority faith in our society is not "PC." It is the American thing to do.
And, make no mistake, the tactless and bigoted missive distributed by Congressman Goode is, more than anything else, an ANTI-American statement that offers a foreboding preview of the America in which we might live if we allow fear to hand the terrorists a victory. They've already beaten Congressman Goode, who would gladly throw over the Constitution so that he might rest peacefully in the knowledge that all his neighbors attend the same church.
Let us signify our refusal to bow to fear by welcoming an Islamic Congressman and celebrating his right to ceremonially swear in with his hand on the Koran - AND by using our First Amendment rights to condemn the statements of Congressman Goode while referring him to a copy of the Constitution.
If you were indeed a Christian then you would know that Islam is a false religion. The Qu'ran teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, was merely a prophet. And you as an infidel must convert or die. The "12th Imam" they are so eagerly awaiting, I believe, is the Anti-Christ.
If you were indeed a Christian then you would know that Islam is a false religion. The Qu'ran teaches that Jesus, the Son of God, was merely a prophet. And you as an infidel must convert or die. The "12th Imam" they are so eagerly awaiting, I believe, is the Anti-Christ.
Seriously, after September 11th, any nation that was not insane would have halted all muslim immigration. We have absolutely no obligation to let them in. They come here at our whim. September 11th was far more than enough cause to bar the whole lot of them.
God Bless Virgil Goode! I have called his office and given my thanks.
Thank you to Anonymous ... er, Kevin and pjgoober for demonstrating exactly who Goode is trying to appeal to with his comments. The fact that the entire episode came about because of Goode's ill will towards Rep. Keith Ellison, a U.S.-born black man who traces his lineage back to 1742, clearly escapes them. Unless this is also about anti-black racism, which is entirely possible.
as a 67 year old white alabamian, i have never practiced bigotry in any way as many of my black friends would testify to. BUT the islamic religion is seeking to destory the very fabric of this united states. they do not believe in womens rights, they do not believe in religious tolerance. and many other things that the average american believes in...wake up america.
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