Florida's Allen West attacks Keith Ellison for his Muslim faith. Vows to work to defeat him.

[madfloridian]

This Florida congressional district should be very embarrassed by this man.

Rep. West..Muslim congressman represents the ‘antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established’


Rep.-elect Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale (Pic by Debra Todd)

Rep. Allen West, R-Fort Lauderdale, appeared recently on the South Florida-based program The Shalom Show and said that Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim member of Congress, represents the “antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established.”

The exchange occurred when the host Richard Peritz asked, “Since you’re with a new crowd, people you haven’t really met before, and will be very closely associating with in the future, including Keith Ellison, who supports Islam, how will you manage that?”

Rep. West responded, “Well I think it’s most important that I stand upon the principles that people elected me to go to Washington, D.C., and represent them on Capitol Hill.”

He added, “So that when you run into someone that is counter, or someone that really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established, you’ve got to be able to defeat them intellectually in debate and discourse, and you to just have to be able to challenge each and every one of their assertions very wisely and very forthright.

Here is more on his words from Huffington Post.

Allen West on Keith Ellison

Freshman Tea Party-backed Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) recently got personal in an attack on one of the House's two Muslim representatives, declaring that Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) represents "the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established."

During an interview with "The Shalom Show," West also said that he plans to "defeat" Ellison, an outspoken Democrat who "supports Islam," according to host Richard Peritz, "intellectually in debate and discourse."

As ThinkProgress notes, West has repeatedly sought to connect Islamic religious beliefs to supposedly anti-American views.

There is a video at the Think Progress link. It is from August last year apparently. They elected him anyway.

Allen West on Islam

West went on to call Islam a “very vile and very vicious enemy that we have allowed to come in this country because we ride around with bumper stickers that say co-exist.” Among his opinions on Islam offered during the town hall:

– “We already have a 5th column that is already infiltrating into our colleges, into our universities, into our high schools, into our religious aspect, our cultural aspect, our financial, our political systems in this country. And that enemy represents something called Islam and Islam is a totalitarian theocratic political ideology, it is not a religion. It has not been a religion since 622 AD, and we need to have individuals that stand up and say that.”

– “George Bush got snookered into going into some mosque, taking his shoes off, and then saying that Islam was a religion of peace.”

Watch the video, shot by the Florida Democratic Party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sz21ekZ8aM

Do you hear the cheering of the crowd. Mind-boggling.

Shame on him, and those who elected him should be hiding their heads in shame.

[jody]

1. So What? Many on Internet forums attack Christian politicians for their faith. nt

[hlthe2b]

4. I'd like to think you just left out the "sacasm" thingy...

Equating this rabid hate and denunciation of the 1st amendment with snide comments sometimes made about those hypocrits who claim Christianity despite preaching the Old Testament in denial of the New to justify their bigotry, corruption and selfishness? Really?

[jody]

5. You say "hypocrits who claim Christianity". Thanks for proving my point. nt

[hlthe2b]

9. Do you really believe the RWers who preach that

women should be chattel and not be allowed to vote, that gays should be executed--- yet proclaim themselves to be "Christian" are actually followers of the tenets of Jesus? Really? No, they are hypocrits. I respect Christians of all denominations, that actually seek to follow the tenets of Jesus Christ. Not those that use a bastardized interpretation of the Christianity as a weapon against everyone else.

[jody]

13. Apparently you don't see that you just grouped all Christians together. Next I expect you to claim

Martin Luther King Jr. was not a Christian.

[LeftishBrit]

14. But she didn't. Read her post.

'I respect Christians of all denominations, that actually seek to follow the tenets of Jesus Christ. Not those that use a bastardized interpretation of the Christianity as a weapon against everyone else.'

That's the opposite of grouping all Christians together.

[jwirr]

45. And that we Christians call that hypocrisy is biblical. If one says Lord,

Lord but has not love..... West is all about hate not about love.

[hlthe2b]

15. I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT....

[jody]

19. Have a great day and goodbye. n/t

[hlthe2b]

22. I take that as your recognition of your mistake & apology

I have said nothing disrespectful to your or against Christianity.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[olegramps]

81. Your arguments are so fallacious they are down right ridiculous.

[madrchsod]

21. you have to have thick skin to post and reply about religion at du...

[truth2power]

66. As I've commented on below, a lack of reading comprehension

is one of my pet peeves because it can lead to grave misunderstandings. It's important to look for antecendents, and words such as some, only, all etc. A little knowledge of English grammar and syntax goes a long way.

Your statement was clear and unambiguous. Don't be concerned.

[madfloridian]

18. My point about Allen West's hateful talk is quite different

than what you are doing.

Please do not get this moved to another forum by making it anti-Christian. It is about West's lack of tolerance.

[jody]

20. But anti-Christian is about lack of tolerance. nt

[madfloridian]

29. Well, I wish you would start your own thread, because I am not anti-Christian.

[devilgrrl]

37. throw weaponry and religion into the mix...

then this can get transferred to the guns forum. :7

[hlthe2b]

39. maybe when we make the move to DU3....

we can leave a few forums here....;)

[martymar64]

78. Let's throw in Israel, 9-11 and Oasis too

Where would a post like that end up?

[truth2power]

63. Reading comprehension is important. That's a very clear statement

and not at all complex. Try reading it several more times....unpacking its parts if you really need to. <sigh>

[jody]

76. You should follow your own guidance. n/t

[truth2power]

79. Specifically? n/t

[Donald Ian Rankin]

32. How many right wing American Christians preach those things?

I am sure there are some, somewhere, if you look hard enough.

The vast - overwhelmingly vast - majority, however, don't.

[The Wizard]

57. This is the answer to Christian

fundamentalism's view of women.
http://www.landoverbaptist.org/news0804/plight.html

[Mariana]

24. OK, have it your way.

There are no fake Christians. Everyone who says he's a Christian really is one, no matter what they say or how they behave.

[The_Commonist]

58. I've been told that here many times.

"Who are you, an atheist, to decide who is or isn't a Christian??

Many times...

[Mariana]

59. I haven't ever seen anyone become enraged

at someone for saying that there are some people who claim to be Christian who are not sincere. I've never seen anyone take that as an insult to ALL Christians. This is a first for me.

I wonder if Rep. West is just telling his crowd what they obviously want to hear, or if he really believes what he says. It's disgusting either way, of course, but I am curious.

[LeftishBrit]

6. Firstly...

there's a big difference between an elected official with power and some anonymous poster on an internet forum.

Secondly few attack Christian politicians for their faith as such. Many of us will attack ANY politician, Christian or Muslim or any other religion, who uses his/her faith as a justification for war, or impose social conservativism into law, or to discriminate against those of other faiths or none. Ellison, to my knowledge, shows no signs of any of these things.

[madfloridian]

16. Good points.

I am a recovering Southern Baptist, and I speak out frequently against their suppression of women and their rights. My dad was chairman of deacons for years, and he had to sneak around to have a glass of wine with his meal. They called that a sin.

[olegramps]

82. Those Southern Baptist always had a bad cold. Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall.

I think 50% of the profits of the local drug store when I was a kid were attributed to Cough Syrup that was 40 proof. My aunt used to buy hers by the carton. The trash barrel down in the square was half full of bottles by noon time. That was when it was also laced with codeine. Now that was some Devil's brew.

[devilgrrl]

34. +1

:thumbsup:

[Supersedeas]

60. very clear distinction....well done.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. Jesus H. Christ.

[MadMaddie]

38. I suppose Fred Phelps is a good Christian right?

Phelps the "Christian" makes his money of of instigating confrontation.

Most don't attack the faith itself, it's the false prophets that claim they are holier than though and then committ the very sins they scream loudest about.

[krispos42]

43. The Christian politicians that seek theocracy are a real threat

There are lots of them and they have tens of millions of voters and the attendant financial backing on their side. Christian theocracy is a real threat in this country.


Muslim (or any other religion) theocracy... not so much.

[AlbertCat]

47. Many on Internet forums attack Christian politicians for their faith.

Well, Christians aren't happy, apparently, unless they are playing martyr... just like West is. Christians live to be threatened! Your post is an example.
Christians are doing just fine in the US of A. I don't know what you want? Immunity from all criticism?


Besides, "many on internet forums" are not elected officials sworn to uphold the Constitution, which clearly is not anti-Muslim, nor anti-Christian.... nor pro any religion...

[Mojeoux]

55. Before the Constitution, American Christians Burned "Witches" nt

[Archae]

2. Not if, when.

West is going to get caught in a sexual and/or money scandal, and he'll blame "the liberals."

[Ken Burch]

3. How the hell DID West get elected?

n/t.

[madfloridian]

53. Good question...no good answer.

:hi:

Embarrassing.

[perdita9]

71. Someone should check the drinking water in Florida

They elected that con man, Scott, to be govenor this year too. I'm beginning to think everyone in Florida is suffering dementia.

[woo me with science]

7. His name is Ellison. nt

[madfloridian]

10. I fixed it. Copy paste error.

Thanks for the heads up.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. West will probably win.

That's how bad things are down here.

[Skidmore]

11. Umm, doesn't he have work for the state of Florida to do?

Perhaps he should mind his own business.

[madfloridian]

12. Amen to that.

He's a scary man, though.

[madrchsod]

17. it`s obvious that this thing has`t read the koran.

Muhammad thought jesus was a great prophet but not the son of god.of coure the jews do`t believe he is either.

that thing is a fool that christ warned us about.

[jody]

23. Have you read the entire Koran? nt

[msanthrope]

25. I have. Which is why I always find the internecine squabbling

of Abrahamic religions amusing.

Monty Python already covered this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka9mfZbTFbk

[jody]

28. Interesting, what's your favorite ayah? Mine is below and a poster showing why.

"Not one of you truly believes, until you wish for others what you wish for yourself"

[msanthrope]

30. Mary Pereira,

No seriously, the call to have a will would be my favorite--helps my profession. I guess it's more than a single ayah, but it's very good busisness sense. I won't copy out of my copy of the Koran--too antiquated, but here's the modern version.

5:106
"You who have believed, testimony should be taken among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - that of two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt their testimony, saying, "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah . Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."


5:107
But if it is found that those two were guilty of perjury, let two others stand in their place foremost from those who have a lawful right. And let them swear by Allah , "Our testimony is truer than their testimony, and we have not transgressed. Indeed, we would then be of the wrongdoers."

Edited to add--that's a lovely poster. But it lacks the Pastafarianism "We are fond of beer."

[jody]

31. Understand and shows the ties between other religions. "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three

witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."(Deu 17:6)

[jody]

33. ROFL but "Working to benefit society maximizes individual happiness" fits the group. Humanist

Manifesto III

[AlbertCat]

49. Interestingly, the "Golden Rule" has nothing to do with the supernatural.

It is a secular message. Your poster left out Human Secularists and atheists.

[jody]

54. Agree see #33 nt

[hughee99]

27. I couldn't agree with him more.

Not on his characterization of Ellison or on Islam, but on this...

"So that when you run into someone that is counter, or someone that really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established, you’ve got to be able to defeat them intellectually in debate and discourse, and you to just have to be able to challenge each and every one of their assertions very wisely and very forthright."

One of the principles on which this country was established was freedom of religion, to suggest that someone shouldn't be in congress, or at the very least, that their motivations are necessarily corrupt because of their chosen religion, seems to me to be the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was founded. I hope each and every one of Rep. West's assertions is challenged very wisely and very forthright.

[NuclearDem]

36. This Christian out of Florida has done more to foment violence...

...than most Muslim Americans have put together.

God, this man's a disgrace. Electing war criminals to Congress is the antithesis of what this country was founded on, not electing Muslims.

[Scruffy1]

40. Please come to Minnesota asshat.

Keith got about 80% of the vote in the last election. Yes we have a lot of Muslims here but he carries all demos.
Most of my friends think he is too conservative. I would love to see this asshat in a debate.

[MedicalAdmin]

61. Rep. Ellison would mop the floor with his few grey cells.

God, you do grow some dumb ones down in the bayous, dontcha?

Please Rep. West, please visit MN. We'd love to treat you to some intellectual BBQin'.

[Canuckistanian]

41. Brain damage

That's what it has to be.

[jwirr]

42. LOL - West in MN - maybe in Bachmann's district - no where else.

Go, Rep. Ellison.

[Initech]

44. Time to point out the constitution: no religious test shall be required for public office.

[butterfly77]

46. Wasn't he in iraq..

aren't these the same people who told us during the bush years how they loved the people and how they were there to save them,protect them,and take care of their daily needs,aren't these the same people who told us how much they loved them and that was why America couldn't leave yet.


Didn't they continually send out the three horsemen,Graham,McCain and lieberman to tell us how much they cared for them.How can they still want to stay there and protect and love them but come home and tell them how much they hate them and their religion a bunch of damn hypocrites..

[NuclearDem]

48. Hardly anyone in the military actually believes it though

[Odin2005]

50. Go to hell, Allen!

[NuclearDem]

51. He's already on the fast track there...

[radhika]

52. It's getting hard to stay in the USA

More and more states are just too f**king sick for democracy. Where is Hurricane Andrew when we need him?

[JCMach1]

56. What a vile POS

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LeftishBrit]

64. Jesse Helms got elected to 5 Senate terms and Strom Thurmond to 8

LePen has been repeatedly elected to the Europaean Parliament since 1984, and Nick Griffin (ugh) also won a seat there.

Were they all 'doing something right'?

[madfloridian]

65. Really?

Could you provide proof of your statement about those "mainstream Islamic organizations"?

[madfloridian]

67. Ellison responds. Thanks to poster ck4829

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x267477

[DirkGently]

68. Congrats, FL. We elected the guy who thinks "coexisting" is a bad idea.

[madfloridian]

74. I can't believe this happened. West picked over Ron Klein?

This is Limbaugh's home turf where he has all his mansions, I think? I know he doesn't broadcast from there, but I betcha it's an impact.

[immoderate]

69. Irony: Shalom means "peace."

I think Alan West believes this country was founded on the principle of bigotry. Surely we can do better than that.

West is a loose cannon aimed at his own foot. How long before he lets go?

--imm

[Doc_Technical]

70. While reading this article,

my twisted brain came up with an image of
Sgt. Slaughter vs. The Iron Sheik.
Has politics been reduced to childish theatre
to amuse the ignorant masses?

[aggiesal]

72. "... you’ve got to be able to defeat them intellectually in debate and discourse, ..."

after stating "... someone that really does represent the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established ..."

means you lost that argument.

[Dawson Leery]

73. Sounds like Bob Dornan.

Recall that Clinton had some coattails in the blue states, which led to Bobby's defeat in 96'.

[bear425]

75. I refuse to accept him as my congressman.

Although, to no avail, I am going to write to him just like I did Clay Shaw.

[butterfly77]

77. kick

[BetterThanNoSN]

80. Too funny...

Another black republican who doesn't understand that his party loathes him and all those 'like him'. He's just like the GoProud gay republican leader who thinks the GOP embrace him despite mountains of legislation to the contrary. Clueless.

[Marnie]

83. If it is OK for West to attack a Muslim for his faith and ethnicity

is the reverse true for West? Or will he hide behind the skirts of a policy now dead for over a century and the feigned martyrdom of American Christinaists and say it is racist or prejudice to brand him by his race or his faith?

Just because a person is Black doesn't mean they can't be just as bigoted or as big an asshole as a white Christian.