But It's Thomas Jefferson's Koran! (LOL- Ellison to hold TJ's copy)

[underpants]

:rofl: Oh you just can't write material like this. :rofl:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010300075.html

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.

[Richardo]

1. Delicious.

Wonder what Dennis Prager will say to that? :rofl:

[underpants]

3. This made my year

Oh man is that SuhWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETly delicious.

[OnyxCollie]

16. ERROR! ERROR! DOES NOT COMPUTE! (Head explodes.) nt

[brg5001]

90. Cognitive Dissonance! Violation of Prime Directive! ERROR ERROR eom

[Frank Cannon]

132. Sterilize! STERRRRIILLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIZE!!

[AliceWonderland]

143. Eek! This made me chortle at the keyboard.

Colleague in inner office going, "what are you laughing at?"

[Voltaire99]

130. Love it! Freedom's messy, ha ha ha!

A little civilizing lesson for these Christofascists.

Freedom of religion, you right wing-a-lings, means freedom. Put that in your End Times hole and smoke it!

[maddezmom]

2. Brillant!

:D

[Cronus Protagonist]

147. I see freeper heads exploding all over the place :) n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

150. They are coming apart at the seams. Watch this:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1762231/posts

To: beyond the sea
I don't care if he swears in using a damn Snickers Bar wrapper.

The fact is that he is a muslim and as a muslim, he owes his allegiance to islam, not to the United States of America.

There is no place in the USA for muslims and islam and certainly no place in the US Senate, House of Representatives, Cabinets or any governmental agency, up to and including the office of the POTUS for a moon god worshipper.

Just my opinion.
2 posted on 01/04/2007 5:42:46 AM PST by OldSmaj (Death to islam. I am now and will always be, a sworn enemy of all things muslim.)

Wow. Just wow.

[amb123]

4. K & R! I'm laughing my ass off!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I DARE the Neo-Cons to call Thomas Jefferson a terrorist.

[nxylas]

28. Jefferson wasn't a real American

REAL Americans believe every word of the Bible. Jefferson took a razor to his.

Incidentally, if you wonder why the religious right is getting so exercised over Ellison's swearing in, this piece of fundie "logic" gleaned from Usenet might explain it. Apparently, the Koran is full of lies, so any oath taken on it is meaningless. How can you trust a guy to uphold the constitution when he takes his oath on a book full of lies? Gee, I'd never thought of that before, thanks for enlightening me.

[kestrel91316]

42. Koran full of lies......................and the Bible ISN'T???

Let's start with the one about Eve being created from a rib bone, or ever earlier with the earth being reated in seven days.

Oh yeah. Those really ring true.

[nxylas]

51. Take the question marks out of your header...

...and you've pretty much summarised this woman's beliefs.

[krispos42]

133. II Chronicles 4:2

He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.

The ratio of circumference to diameter is called pi. In this passage, pi=3.000. In real life, pi= 3.14159265358979323846264...

etc, etc, yadda yadda yadda.

The ancient Babylonians knew the approximate value of pi to be 25/8 two thousand years before Jesus. Christians could not accept that God made such an important ratio such a weird number, so they made pi equal to three and called it done.

[B3Nut]

140. Or how about Judges 11?

Old Jephthah promises God that he'll give the first thing that comes out of his house as a burnt offering if he gives him victory over the Ammonites. He goes and devastates 20 towns. Upon returning home from his delightful bloodbath, he sees his only daughter dashing out of the house and banging a tambourine and celebrating. Jephthah tears his clothes in grief, but a vow's a vow. His daughter asks him to give her 2 months to mourn her virginity, which he grants. When she returns, he offers her as a burnt offering.

Some pro-lifer, that God. Then there's Numbers 31...hideous. I used to believe in that book. I don't anymore.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Tight_rope]

91. Oh go suck an egg.

[Lisa0825]

129. I could be wrong, but....

I think she was being sarcastic.

[nxylas]

137. She wasn't

I was.

[Parche]

94. BIBLE

The bible is a fantasy/fictional book, how is that believable?

Anyone who believes in the bible should have their head examined

[tbyg52]

103. Depends on the definition of "believes," I guess

Anyway, Jefferson thought there were some good bits:

"Did you ever wonder what the Gospels would be like without all that supernatural stuff? Thomas Jefferson did, and he found out by using multiple copies of the Bible and a razor blade." (Amazon review)

http://www.amazon.com/Jefferson-Bible-Thomas/dp/0807077143

[rebel with a cause]

114. Excuse me fundie, but

Isn't Jesus one of the prophets in the Koran and isn't he one of those most quoted? Now you tell me that the Koran is a lie. And you call yourself a Christian?

[Tight_rope]

81. Too damn funny. Brilliant!

:applause: :rofl:

[AValdoux]

5. This would be funny if it wasn't tragic

The use of an historic Koran swearing in a US representative could have shown moderate muslims that we aren't all a bunch of looney bigots. But once again the GOP is more interested in stirring up their crazy 30%'ers than what would be right for the country and the world. It could have been used as a reconciliatory gesture rather then another attack on dangerous brown people.


AValdoux

[jilln]

29. Why are they using ANY religious book??

They should use the Constitution.

[efhmc]

39. They do not have to swear on anything but tradition is that swearing on

a holy book means they will be honest and true to their oath. HA-HA-HA-HA!!!

[noahmijo]

105. In "America The Book" by the Daily Show writers it states that when placing your hand on a bible

and raising your right hand you become physically incapable of telling a lie

:)

[Orsino]

144. Then I wanna know what book * used. n/t

[tblue]

62. It's just pandering to the base. The RR would go nuts, and we dare not get their panties in a wad

[harun]

71. NOT A SWEARING IN !

It is actually against the constitution to require swearing in on any holy book. Representatives swear to uphold the constitution.

The pictures afterward are where they hold a book.

Teddy Roosevelt didn`t use a Bible when he was sworn in. Neither did John Quincy Adams, believe it or not. When he took the oath of office for president, he actually used a law book.
(source: http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/02/gb.01.html)

David, I just talked about Adams and Roosevelt. There is another representative that was just sworn in on the torah, if I`m not mistaken.

DAVID HAWKINGS, MANAGING EDITOR, "CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY": I believe that`s correct. She wasn`t actually sworn in, and this is a point to make here, which is that these are photo-ops that we`re talking about. No member of Congress actually is holds -- puts his or her hand on any kind of religious text when they actually take the oath of office.
(source: http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0701/02/gb.01.html)

The swearing in business was just a distortion by the media.

[libodem]

75. By Jove I think you've got it right

I think the books are just for the photo...none of them actually use a Bible....if I understand this whole farcical business. The sheer ignorance of some Republicans is dumbfounding. They are so literal and concrete.

[underpants]

80. I have to admit that I didn't know that

ThinkProgress was the first place that I read about how NO book is used. They did the unbelieveable, they called up the House clerk's office and *Gasp* asked about it.

I have become trained to see or at least know where to start looking for the implications, inuendo, and straight up BS in rightwing talking points but notice that Goode even kept this going by wording it so it sounded as if the Bible would be part of the ceremony.

For the dittoheads out there if they do hear about the facts on this they don't care they are only concerned that the Koran is in anyway involved (whether they are really the religous types or not) but that is only about 20-25% of the population.

[harun]

134. AP gets it wrong too

Check out the headline:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070104/ap_on_go_co/ellison_quran

[underpants]

135. Wow they got it wrong for the whole article

Groupthink journalism.

[rebel with a cause]

115. It is also against the teachings in the Bible.

My father was a Baptist Minister and would never swear on the Bible. When he had to testify in court (character witness or whatever) he refused to use the usual procedure. I can't remember what it was he said, but it was never "I swear" and his hand was not on the Bible.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. LOL. Delighted to be the fifth rec!!!

You can't make this stuff up.

:rofl:

[underpants]

7. DU'er baldguy deserves the credit

He tipped me off to this here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=254552&mesg_id=254557

[Jacobin]

8. OMG

Too good!!

:rofl:

[Eurobabe]

9. Brilliant move Rep. Ellison!!! TJ is laughing his ass off over this one...

I guarantee you. Having sat in Mr. Jeffersons' backyard many days while working on my Master's Thesis, I came to feel close to him. I felt him roll over on Nov 3rd, 2oo4.

I am sure that he will be smiling brightly down upon the swearing in ceremony.

[originalpckelly]

27. I think he's rolling over still, this time in laughter!

:rofl:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

54. My New Favorite Democrat!

First Edwards coins the "McCain Doctrine" and now this! Democrats are learning.

[tblue]

61. Yeah, they have learned the hard way that Repugs are ultimately BEATABLE! Just don't wimp out and

you'll be alright. Problem with Dems before is they gave in and gave up too soon and too often.

[Bitwit1234]

10. I would like to know the significance

of the speaker podium that Hastert held his hand on when he took his oath two years ago. Was it blessed by Fartswell.

[Dulcinea]

11. A threat to American values?

Doesn't the Bill of Rights guarantee freedom of religion, Rep. Goode?

Isn't that one of the ORIGINAL American values?

The mind reels.

[NewJeffCT]

12. I think Goode probably believes...

history started around when Reagan was elected president.

[tbyg52]

104. You don't even have to go as far as the Bill of Rights

It says right here in the Constitution, Article VI:
"...no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."

[IronLionZion]

13. I want to know why anyone gives a shit what he does in his private ceremonial oath

when the official oath is not done with any kind of book whatsoever? Some people...... :grr:

I wonder if any Jews used the Torah or if any Latter Day Saints used the Book of Mormon. I don't want to know what Tom Cruise might use.

If I were an incoming congressman, I might take the private oath on The Da Vinci Code. ;)

[NewJeffCT]

18. That wasn't Goode's point

He knows how it works - however, most people don't know that there is a mass public swearing in with no books or anything, followed by a photo-op private ceremony where reps can hold whatever book or object that they want.

His purpose was the get his base (and possibly others) riled up over the issue and he was counting on the "liberal" media to not clearly define the distinction between the public ceremony and the private one.

[AnnieBW]

108. Tom Cruise Would Use "Dianetics"

I suppose.

When Ben Nighthorse Campbell was sworn in, did he swear on a Medicine Wheel?

[angry_chuck]

113. haha he sure would

Um, L. Ron, can I use your copy?

[angry_chuck]

111. privacy is fleeting

I'd like to swear in on this...
but the Davinci Code is huckin' filarious.

I've been accused on my mission

JAH knows you shouldn't do

For hanging me they were willing yeah! yeah!

And that's why I've got to get on through

Lord they coming after me...

[Pithy Cherub]

14. Perfection!

:rofl: Sweet Jesus is that Perfection!

You Go Congressman Ellison:woohoo:

[rebel with a cause]

15. Smart thinking.

Enough said.:applause: :applause: :applause:

[originalpckelly]

17. AHAHAHAHAHAHA!

:rofl:

[pberq]

19. Kick & Nominated

[NewJeffCT]

20. It seems Ellison is one to watch

This is a very smart political move, especially since Jefferson was from Virginia...

And, I don't mean watch like the NSA wiretapping Ellison - I mean, we should follow his career and watch him rise to a position of leadership over the years.

[IndyOp]

21. Goode, who represents Jefferson's birthplace of Albemarle County,

had no comment yesterday.

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[tavalon]

23. Oh come on, Goody Goode

You know you want to call him a traitor. Suck it up, sucka!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

40. That's what makes it particularly schweet.

And this is classic: ""I believe that the overwhelming majority of voters in my district would prefer the use of the Bible," the Virginia Republican told Fox News." Uh, Virgil, Ellison ISN'T REPRESENTING your district. Pretty basic concept to grasp.

They better beef up security around Monticello.

[Kixel]

53. Ellison's district is happy...

The funny thing is that the majority of Ellison’s district will be very happy that he’s doing this! The 5th is full of loopy liberals and die hard Dems. He makes me proud to be a Minnesotan!

[Pierre.Suave]

87. Hey

I am one of them.

:hi:

[cynthia]

102. Yes, we are

We've been proud of Keith for a long time in the Minnesota State House and it is exciting to see he brings the same integrity to Washington. You're going to love this guy! He is a class act!

[Thor_MN]

124. As a resident of the MN 5th, we welcome people with different views

It's OK not to agree with everything I think. You can be as illogical and close minded as you wish. You are even free to base your entire value system on hate and deception. So anytime that Mr. Goode wants to come visit, we welcome him.


(not going to pay him any attention, mind you, but he is free to come and spend some money)

[crickets]

43. Zing!

Love it.

[tavalon]

22. I think I'm going to like that man

He has balls and a sense of humor.

[melissinha]

24. Can't wait to hear Thom Hartmann's take on this

Being a Thomas Jefferson scholar and all.

What a way to reaffirm religious freedom than to do it with the personal property of one of the greatest proponents of religious freedom.

Wow, how special is this?? Could you imagine taking the oath of office on Jefferson's Bible??? Wow.

[Swede]

25. A perfect stroke of genius.

nt

[LuckyX]

26. Funny as it gets!

Good for him

[underpants]

32. Welcome to DU

:hi:

[DrZeeLit]

30. Excellent! I'll bet those wing-nuts are wondering... why did TJ have...

a copy of the Koran?

Hmmm, you think they're gonna try to impeach him posthumously?
Or just have his body deported on an illegal immigration charge?

Bravo, Congressman Ellison!
You're going to be a tough act to follow!

[Love Bug]

31. Now y'all know why I voted for him!

Clever and positive! What a way to make a statement!

[Judi Lynn]

98. Stupendous! He's coming in like a lion, isn't he?

Good for him in not even backing down, or taking his lumps from that fool.

Love his spirit. Beautiful.

[riverwalker]

33. magnificent!!

absolutely magnificent :toast:

Will Glen Beck now ponder on air if Jefferson "was working for the bad guys" as he did Keith Ellison?

[The Witch]

34. RWers heads' exploding

from here to eternity. :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[AnneD]

35. I'll see your ten....

and raise you 100. :rofl: This is sooooo sweet. I can't wait until the GOP goes back and reabilitates Jefferson (aka Pravda)-but then again, Jefferson has never been big among the GOP-esp when William and Clinton are attached to it.:spray:

[TankLV]

146. And TJ was the founder of the Democratic Party....

[Pierre.Suave]

36. Now this is the kind of person we need in Office.

please, can we get more like him?

[berni_mccoy]

37. Simply Brilliant!!!

:kick: & R!

[nealmhughes]

38. Brilliant! On a side note: a copy of the Koran was the only book to survive the burning

of the University of Alabama when the Yankees burnt the campus in Tuscaloosa. It is treated as a special relic by the UA community and its caretakers at Hoole Library!
There are 10th century MSs there at Hoole, but visitors want to see the Koran!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

41. I have a feeling Jefferson would be proud

"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."
Thomas Jefferson

[nxylas]

64. Homage?

You're all drunk, it's disgusting!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

69. Out! The lot, out!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

And thank you for making me smile. :)

[jdadd]

44. This might just finish my freeper brother in law off.....

:kick: & R

[WorseBeforeBetter]

46. Take pictures and share.

I'd love to see the look on their faces as they try to "process" this information.

[brentspeak]

45. Brilliant move on Ellison's part

It might even help with refuting the recent Religious Right's pathetic attempts to rewrite and mis-portray the religious history of the Founders.

[moggie]

47. One minor gripe with the article

I'm not sure I like this wording:

"Dimunation, who grew up in Ellison's 5th District, was happy to help"

You can see how some readers could take that to mean that Ellison got special treatment. In reality, I'm sure the "chief of the rare book and special collections division at the Library of Congress" would be "happy to help" any congressperson with a reasonable request.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

68. That's what the wingnuts will home in on...

ignoring this: "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." I may have to tune into Scarborough this evening - I'm sure his boxers will be in a twist.

[McCamy Taylor]

48. So sweet!

:rofl:

[LSK]

49. Priceless!!!!!

:rofl:

[slj0101]

50. Oh no! Jefferson gave comfort to the ENEMY!!!!

:rofl:

I love when people play the anachronism card, claiming that the founding fathers stood for they stand for- especially if it's a neocon.

[matcom]

52. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

:rofl:

[BattyDem]

55. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[StaggerLee]

56. Haha

Made my week!

:dem:

[rateyes]

57. BWAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA! I think Virgil Goode,

should respond by taking his oath on THE JEFFERSON BIBLE. (The one Jefferson edited by removing all references to the supernatural!)

I see Falwell's, Robertson's, and all the freepers in freepland's heads exploding!!

Great!

[flying rabbit]

58. ohh..SNAP!

:headbang: :rofl:

[Limelight]

59. LOL

That was pretty slick. Nice play Mr. Ellison.:thumbsup:

[Lugnut]

60. K and R

Kudos to Rep. Ellison! :toast:

[Jack Rabbit]

63. Strike a blow fro religious freedom

Salaam.

[ripple]

65. Perfect!!

K & R!!!!!

:rofl:

[emmadoggy]

66. That's Fantastic!!

Genius move. I bet Jefferson is looking down with pride.

[w4rma]

67. Very good. (nt)

[npincus]

70. Lovely!

thanks for posting!

[StrictlyRockers]

72. Moran - "Jefferson was a Mooslum terraist? Oh no!"

Head starts spinning.

Wait until they find out Lincoln was an atheist...

[underpants]

74. It's official

Cafepress has a mousepad that proves it

[BluePatriot]

73. Well played, Rep. Ellison, well played. (nt)

[Freeusfromthechurch]

76. I love it...

[RestoreGore]

77. Jefferson Would Have Reviled Goode

http://www.worldpolicy.org/globalrights/religion/va-religiousfreedom.html

Virginia Statute For Religious Freedom

"Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."


Wtg, Mr. Ellison.

[sofa king]

78. ...And they're even from the same district.

[lumpy]

79. Jefferson was one smart cookie, it appears Ellison

is one also. This news just added to the list of one of my happy days.

[deutsey]

82. Oh, my...what a wonderful retort

:thumbsup:

[VaYallaDawg]

83. Kudos to you, underpants! K&R n/t

[itsmesgd]

84. Checkmate, way to go Mr Ellison n/t

[Lisa]

85. Wonderful! Major props to Ellison, the Library of Congress, and TJ of course!

"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."

[NastyRiffraff]

86. Game...set...match to Keith Ellison!

Beautifully done, Mr. Ellison. Thank you.

[DFLer4edu]

88. That's my Congressman!

[Odin2005]

89. That is fucking BRILLIANT!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:yourock:

[tchunter]

92. pwned!

i was so disgusted when this was even brought up as an issue.

[harpboy_ak]

93. After all, Jefferson's collection started the Library of Congress

Years ago, I was in Washington & became acquainted with the fellow that was the press secretary for our (still unfortunately) CongressCritter Dumb Young. He took advantage of the Congressman's privilege of borrowing almost anything except for very valuable items in the Library of Congress. He was careful to never take the borrowed items, delivered by the Library's courier, out of the office, and kept them locked up. He handled them only with cotton gloves, etc., but he just wanted to see the first issue of Superman and other rare comics.

Ellison seems to be one of those guys that makes a lot of lemonade from the lemons folks throw at him. Maybe he took some lessons from the late Paul Wellstone.

[Hatalles]

95. What an awesome move!!! nt

:applause:

[Hatalles]

96. This is on the front page of Yahoo right now...

http://www.yahoo.com

and

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070103/ap_on_go_co/ellison_quran

[Hatalles]

97. I love this last comment in the article...

"... 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."

:rofl:

[truthisfreedom]

99. A masterstroke. Absolute GENIUS.

Something to make buscho cry tears of blood.

[tbyg52]

100. PRICELESS!

My husband and I are both rolling on the floor! I could barely get up to type this!
:rofl:
:rofl:
:rofl:
:rofl:
:rofl:

[northofdenali]

101. Priceless!! K&R'd, and emailed to everyone I know!

Good for you, Rep. Ellison - what a brilliant move. :rofl::rofl::thumbsup::applause::thumbsup::rofl::rofl:

[livingonearth]

106. This is great news!

A prominent Muslim is willing to swear on the Koran to uphold the American Constitution and yet freepers have been whining and complaining about it. What a bunch of narrow minded idiots.
It is so cool that Ellison will be using Jefferson's Koran! That is class!

[deadparrot]

107. Anyone brave enough to make the trek over to FR?

:yoiks:

[Gman]

109. I absolutely friggin' love it!

Perfect!

[Tom Joad]

110. Political genius.

[ProudDad]

112. Too damn good!!!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[aaronbees]

116. Beautiful....

Now that's some kick-ass message sending.

:D :bounce:

[nookiemonster]

117. BWAHAHA. That's some smart shit!

Smart, and sticking to principle. Bravo!

:)

[adamuu]

118. that is classic

very impressed :-) :-) :-)

[Hekate]

119. I absolutely LOVE it! Was driving along listening to NPR when this came on & it made my day!

:rofl:

This just about makes up for the time I almost drove off the side of the on-ramp on hearing the news that Bush* (in his very first day in the Oval) had reinstated the Global Gag Order on family planning clinics abroad.

Jefferson, the broadminded Deist and Unitarian, would be smiling too.

None of the oaths of office in this nation say one word about defending Jesus or Christianity, nor that America is a "Christian nation."

ALL of them require that the person "defend the CONSTITUTION," which is another thing entirely.

Hekate

> I, Loyal Citizen of the Republic, do solemnly swear (or affirm)
> that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United
> States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will
> bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this
> obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of
> evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the
> duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
http://www.pegmusic.com/congressional-oath.html

[Az_lefty]

120. Colbert is going to have a blast with this one...

:rofl:

[annm4peace]

121. Great send off party for Ellison yesterday

Too bad the news didn't talk about the incredible party for Ellison yesterday. the room reflected America.

[Canuckistanian]

122. Bravo, Mr. Ellison!

Brilliant! Bloody fucking Brilliant!

[Stephanie]

123. Awesome.

just brilliant!

[Wrinkle_In_Time]

125. I'm a non-theist so I consider all religious texts to be fiction...

... but that action by Representative-elect Ellison was very well done.
Smart man. Shrewd move. :toast:

[tiffanec]

126. PLEASE POST THIS AS A MAIN TOPIC. I CAN'T POST YET.

Please post this everywhere! 2 Major events in DC January 4 2007!! Walk the halls of congress as the NEW CONGRESS OPENS ASKING FOR SUPPORT OF IMPEACHMENT! THEN GATHER AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB TO LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

January 4, 2007: Demonstrate in Washington DC as Congress opens! Impeach Bush! THE WORLD CAN”T WAIT - DRIVE OUT THE BUSH REGIME!

Endorsers: 911Truth.org; James Abourezk; AfterDowningStreet.org; DAWN (DC Anti-War Network); Democracy Rising; Green Party USA; Bill Goodman, Center for Constitutional Rights*; ImpeachBush.org; ImpeachForPeace.org; ImpeachBush.tv; Lucinda Marshall, Feminists for Peace; Cynthia McKinney; National Lawyers Guild; Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace; United for Lt. Watada; Gore Vidal; The World Can’t Wait - Drive Out the Bush Regime; Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Hip Hop Caucus


THEN
Voices for Impeachment:
Jan. 4, 7pm, National Press Club, Washington DC
Speakers to include Daniel Ellsberg; Cindy Sheehan; John Nichols; Michael Ratner, Center for Constitutional Rights*; Debra Sweet; & a special message from Gore Vidal

The first protest will be held at Upper Senate Park (Delaware & Constitution, just north of the Capitol) starting at 12:00 noon Thursday, Jan. 4.

The day Congress opens, World Can’t Wait will lead a major challenge to the political direction in this country since the election. A regime as criminal as the Bush regime still allowed to even remain in office? No! An unjust war started on lies, allowed to continue for four years despite an election where people meant to express how strongly they want it stopped? No! The Democrats, now the majority, allowing debate only on how to run the war more effectively, and saying that impeachment can’t even be considered? No!

WWW.WORLDCAN'TWAIT.ORG

NYC bus info:


Buses will leave at 6:00 AM from east side of Union Square (Union Square East and 16th Street) and return to NYC leaving at 4:00 PM. Roundtrip tickets: $35.00 regular tickets; $25.00 students/low income; $50.00 sustainer (own ticket plus helping us cover the cost for low income people to come).

To purchase tickets by phone, for other locations where tickets can be obtained, or to arrange obtaining a block of tickets for your group or organization, please call Charlotte at 212-866-9653.

Tickets can be purchased on line at www.worldcantwait.org using PayPal (above), or purchased in person at:

NYC Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild <113 University Place (@ E. 13th St), 8th Floor, one block south of Union Square, call 212/679-6018 before coming>

Revolution Books <9 West 19th Street, 12-7 Mon-Sat; 12-5 Sun>

Namaskar <643 Vanderbuilt Avenue, Brooklyn 718-636-1967 - 3 blks from Grand Army Plaza>

Please purchase your ticket early, so that if we need to rent more buses we will have time to do so. Get on the bus! See you in D.C.

For more info contact [e-mail].

[MinneapolisMatt]

127. I'm so proud!

:)

My guy rocks.

[Minnesota_Lib]

136. I second that! Our guy really knows how to tweak the right. LOL

:toast: :toast:

[enigmatic]

128. THIS is Political Jujitsu

Best of the last decade, too. :thumbsup:

[donheld]

131. That is precious

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[zonkers]

138. A belated "BWAHHHHHH!!!!!!!" Hi, underpants!

[autorank]

139. He's a mensch, that's for sure. What a great move. KR

About 15 years ago in Virginia Pat Robertson was pushing his weight around trying to get prayer in school. The leader of the Senate, a paleo conservative, was having none of it. He held up some of Jefferson's writings on separation of church and state, read some passages, and then he called a voice vote. Motion failed. Next order of business.

Jefferson was never an icon during his time but I suspect that he'd be greatly amused and also pleased that his historical status is used by freedom lovers to fend off the nitwits.

This guy is very smart. He will be fun to watch. I don't think people will mess with him casually after this.

Great post.

[billyskank]

141. I think, technically, a translation of the Koran isn't considered to be the Koran

That is, it isn't a holy book to those who believe in such things, unless it is in the original Arabic.

On the other hand, I might have pulled that out of my arse.

Nevertheless, I do know that there is no rule that an American official has to be sworn in on any holy book of any kind. This is merely a custom rather than a requirement.

[FredScuttle]

142. Why does Thomas Jefferson hate America?

Haha....pure genius. Rep. Goober stepped into the intolerance trap nice and quick. We should call his dumb ass Rep. Wile E. Coyote from here on in.

[TankLV]

145. Sweet!

Take that you racist, bigoted repukes!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

[goodhue]

148. cool

[Dutch]

149. Impressive move. Goode sure has succeeded in making sure that Ellison already has a hell of

...(positive) profile for a rookie congressman.:applause:

[techno-nubian]

151. Wow.... sound too masonic......