Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Using Thomas Jefferson's Copy of the Koran

Irony of the Week Award goes to newly elected Congressman Keith Ellison for his savvy response to some rather heated and mean-spirited taunts from Congressman Virgil Goode.

Goode's remarks made headlines and filled blogs as he wailed and moaned in fearful squirming that Ellison, a Muslim, would be taking his oath to office in an unofficial ceremony using a Koran. The law is rather specific that legislators swear to uphold the Constitution - but there is no requirement that oath be taken with hands laid on a religious book. But most congressman do hold private ceremonies where they do lay hands on a religious book.

After much public hysteria, Ellison truly gets the last word on this idiotic tirade, He decided to use a copy of the Koran once owned and notated by Thomas Jefferson.. Goode's eyeballs/jaw hit the floor, especially since he represents the district in which Jefferson was born.

2 comments:

  1. I love love love this.

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  2. Anonymous10:36 AM

    Thanks to a bout of insomnia, I listened as the Deputy Historian of the House of Represenatives explained to his audience how new members have NEVER been officially sworn in with their hand of a religious text of their choice. The ceremony is done en masse much like taking the oath of citizenship or military.
    The new member can, if he or she wishes, have a second ceremony for personal or PR reasons in which they lay their hand on a text.
    The conservatives have a particular talent for manufacturing the drama of their own victimhood and "wars" on their values.
    Yea, call me cynical

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