Why did Sen. Goode complain about an Islamic representative, but not the Buddhists?

Question

Sen. Virgil Goode recently criticized Sen. Keith Ellison's intention to be sworn in using the Quran. Goode also wrote a letter to his constituents saying

"The Muslim representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and 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 ... **I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies** "

In addition to ignoring the fact that freedom of religious belief is guaranteed by the First Amendment, Goode overlooked the two Buddhists in Congress: Reps. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii and Hank Johnson of Georgia.

Why didn't he complain about them? Isn't he worried that in the next century we will have many more Buddhists in the United States and in office if we do not adopt the "Virgil Goode position on immigration"?

PLEASE - no responses of hatred and intolerance. If your ideology is hatred, post your messages in the "Psychology" section.

This is about fair and balanced answers to a fair and balanced question.

If you are biased, hateful, and intolerant, then you cannot be fair and balanced.

Mark D, you are right. Goode and Ellison are Representatives, not Senators.

Also, thank you for being honest about your bias and intolerance. Am I still allowed to live here and vote?

HI JAMES W,

I'm into genealogy so your response interested me.

You're right, there were no blacks on the Mayflower. However, when you go that far back in time, there are so many branches in a person's family tree that one or more of the side branches could very well connect to families of a different race. All it takes is one mixed marriage somewhere, and a whole lineage of ancestors of a different race is connected to a person living today.

It turns out that Mayflower lineages are very well researched and not too hard to verify. All you have to do is start tracing your ancestors back in time and keep an eye out for any surnames that match one of those on the Mayflower. This doesn't mean that you will find a connection to the Mayflower every time, only that this method has been useful for a lot of people.

A lot of times a Mayflower connection was researched by an ancestor and handed down through the generations in a family. That's another way to do it.

Take care my friend

HI MARK D,
Sorry if I sounded curt back there. When I'm in a hurry I make mistakes like that.

I know a lot of people who have stopped voting, probably for reasons similar to yours. The way I look at it, that's really just another way of expressing a sentiment about the candidates, and just as valid as any other vote. I respect your decision and thank you again for your honesty.

Best wishes my friend,
Big Al Mintaka

Answer 1

Because it was Muslim terrorist who brought down the twin towers in New york.........because it is those silly Muslims in Middle East who burn the US flag for the slightest protest.......There are many other reasons.....Can't you think for your self......

Answer 2

if a black senator or congressman proposed the same question would he be racist , or any one else except a white man?
I personally think any one black green or purple should be questioned about their religion as it is a fierce driving force, and when push comes to shove where will this person stand? we already have many congressmen and senators who will put for example Israel ahead of the U,S, and they spent millions of dollars to gain their position for the very fact they could support Israel from that position better than any where else, what makes you think Ellison won't do the same, and if he did would you blame him? or just say well that is his belief, ? we have elected many into our political system who we know for damned sure where their allegiance lies, and it is not with the U,S, where did you see or read, self preservation is a sin? racist, anti Semitic, or any other sly remarks you P.C. LIBERALS yell about, and at least the Baddest are not wanting to blow us up, can you say the same about some slick talking Muslim,? and for our own preservation we had better be vigilant on Immigration as well as every thing, else the wolf is at the door, maybe you people who live in a ivory tower can't see it but the common man can,

leafeekee, some one is full of sh,, 1st there were no blacks on the Mayflower or any of the other original ships and, Ellison was supposedly born in hawaii, and went to I belive it was indonesia and spent some time ? " don't look good" check this out, if this is so we may have made a big boo boo,

Answer 3

I am always very biased and intolerant toward people who don't know the difference between a Senator and a Representative. Neither Goode nor Ellison are Senators, they are both Representatives.

And I know WHY Goode discriminates against Muslimis but not Buddhists. I don't agree with Goode about it and I agree with you that the Constitution guarantees Representative Ellison his right to swear the oath on the Quran or whatever else he wants. But it is patently obvious to me and practically anyone else with some common sense that Goode is worried that Muslims are "the enemy" based on events of the recent past. Why can't you see that is his motive for this issue?

Of course you are. If you vote, you'll be doing more than me, because I don't vote -- any more. But that's a whole other story.

Answer 4

As far as i have heard, the buddhists did not what to use the vedas(i think) to be sworn in with. Also, buddhists do not appear to pose any sort of threat to the american people throught the media. I think that by a government official showing his paranoia and intolerance of a religion, despite the first amendment, due to an irrational generalization of all muslims, shows just how mixed up and racist (religion wise rather than skin wise) this country really is.

I think that at least he is swearing in on something that he truly believes in. What would he say to a person that claims aethism and refuses to swear on the bible due to his beliefs?

Answer 5

well, it could be three fold.

one- there are many Muslims who recently came here, from places like Somalia.

two- the Buddhists don't make a huge deal about being accommodated at the expense of others. the Muslims have done this, and lately too.

three- the Buddhists aren't fighting with us in the Middle East. considering that the Muslims from Somalia had a rally the other day protesting Ethiopia saving Somalia from the extremists, maybe Mr. Goode feels that they cannot be counted upon to be loyal to us instead of loyal to their fellow Muslims.

the irony of this is that Rep. Ellison was born here. (and says he can trace his family back to the Mayflower.)