Most disturbing thing lately [Archive]

Paul in Saudi2

11-29-2006, 11:29 AM

Wow.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DennisPrager/2006/11/28/america,_not_keith_ellison,_decides_what_book_a_congressman_takes_his_oath_on

The link goes to an (apparently serious) article by someone called Dennis Prager complaining that newly-elected Minnesota Congresscritter Keith Ellison "should not be allowed" to take his oath of office on a Koran. Why? Isn't it obvious?

"because the act undermines American civilization."

It is not clear if the this is a call for Ellison to be arrested to prevent him from taking the oath or what.

Take a minute, if you can spare the time, to read the article. Then, for an extra blood-pressure spike, read the comments on the article. I would swear it was satire, but it seems to be serious.

Can anyone here seriously support this wingnut?

Jeepers.

California Joe

11-29-2006, 11:33 AM

The guy that wrote that is a huge douchebag.

Hollis

11-29-2006, 11:38 AM

Picture of a modern day douche bag.. There is already precidence on not using the Bible.

Saranof

11-29-2006, 12:04 PM

Semms like a jolly fellow!

Mastermind

11-29-2006, 12:12 PM

One has to wonder what book was used in the swearing in of Joe Lieberman (devout Jewish Senator)....was it a Torah or a king James Bible? How did he justify it if it was a Bible with New Testament in it? Is it not true the Islamic teachings are essentially the same as the Jewish, they honor most of the Hebrew prophets.. and even include Jesus as a respected Prophet...so what's the problem with this guy using a Bible if Joe could use it?

As for him using a Koran...well, so ffin what? Oh, yeah, the Koran is bieng used to show the Big Mr. M wants to destroy the Great Satan, the United States of America...so how can one swear allegiance to the USA (required of a Senator or a Reprsenative) and at the same time want to serve primary allegiance to Islam? I must be a back woods hick...'cause, fellas and gals...I just don't get it. MM

Ergnkon

11-29-2006, 02:37 PM

Well, since Islam respects Christianity, there shouldn't be any problem for him to use its Holy Book either.

That would also be the best of all STFUs to the douchebag who wrote the article.

Little Johnny

11-29-2006, 02:40 PM

I'm sorry, we Americans are just so intolerant. Not everyone can be as politically tolerant as Saudi Arabia. :|

kinsella

11-29-2006, 02:44 PM

Jobu

11-29-2006, 02:48 PM

When I get elected I'm swearing in on The Cat in the Hat.

Ergnkon

11-29-2006, 02:51 PM

the whole purpose of using the bible to swear in on is to make it mean something to the person being sworn in. that book is the end all of ones moral guidence, so swearing on it is suppose to symbolize that there is nothing above your promise to do whatever your swearin in for.

if this guy wants to swear in on a koran then let him. that book means as much to him as a bible means to a christian. it is the words he is pledging of a promise and its meaning that means something, not the book it is done on. IMHO

I understand and can agree with you there too. Even though he's religion orders him to respect Christianity, he probably (naturaly) feels stroger about his own faith...so having him swear on the Koran should assure Americans better for his honest service.

I'm sorry, we Americans are just so intolerant. Not everyone can be as politically tolerant as Saudi Arabia.

I understand what you saying too...but the thing is; SA never claimed to be a democracy...US has though ;)

Mastermind

11-29-2006, 03:00 PM

I understand and can agree with you there too. Even though he's religion orders him to respect Christianity, he probably (naturaly) feels stroger about his own faith...so having him swear on the Koran should assure Americans better for his honest service.

I understand what you saying too...but the thing is; SA never claimed to be a democracy...US has though ;)

I think the USA claims to be a "Represenative Republic"...rather differrent than a true "Democracy"...Sadly, most Americans have failed to understand this point.MM

CptBertz

11-29-2006, 04:12 PM

is it bad that i agree with this article?

and where did u hear that muslims are tolerant of chrisitianity? cause one half of them are...there is the peace loving side of islam then there is the violent suicidal side of islam that specificly targets christianity (one of the reasons they dislike the USA, it has a large christian population)

Roanoke

11-29-2006, 04:20 PM

I agree that only the Bible should be used, but not because it undermines our sense of "civilization" as that guy says. I couldn't give less of a crap about civilization.

2Sheds_Jackson

11-29-2006, 05:53 PM

Picture of a modern day douche bag.. There is already precidence on not using the Bible.

Is there? I'd be interested to see that. Seems like this is an argument that should have been settled a long time ago. Surely this congressman can't be the first person to balk at using the Bible.

Hollis

11-29-2006, 06:01 PM

Is there? I'd be interested to see that. Seems like this is an argument that should have been settled a long time ago. Surely this congressman can't be the first person to balk at using the Bible.

Locally, Swearing in there is no bible used and a person can say swear or affirm. They say raise your right hand, and "do you swear or affirm ....."

On balking to use the bible, Maybe he is the first honest politican............... or is that possible.

2Sheds_Jackson

11-29-2006, 07:13 PM

Locally, Swearing in there is no bible used and a person can say swear or affirm. They say raise your right hand, and "do you swear or affirm ....."

On balking to use the bible, Maybe he is the first honest politican............... or is that possible.

Well yeah I know that most places don't use a Bible. But I'm a by-the-book guy and think that this guy gets to follow the same rules as everybody else. If they let others go with no Bible, or can swear in by putting their hand up Britney's skirt, then he can too. But I think it's a bit presumptuous of the guy to demand we change 220+ years of tradition for him. If that's the case.

Hollis

11-29-2006, 07:39 PM

Well yeah I know that most places don't use a Bible. But I'm a by-the-book guy and think that this guy gets to follow the same rules as everybody else. If they let others go with no Bible, or can swear in by putting their hand up Britney's skirt, then he can too. But I think it's a bit presumptuous of the guy to demand we change 220+ years of tradition for him. If that's the case.

I don't know what the case is, But I agree with you, 220+ years of history belongs to all Americans.

It might be a better Media Circus if Britney would volunteer at least better photo op.

ElHombre

11-29-2006, 07:40 PM

I'd prefer that a pol swear in using whatever he holds most sacred. If that means a Koran, copy of the Constitution, Bible, or putting one's hand on Britney's ass (now there's a religion I'd like to see more of! They could even modify the 'purple finger' bit to go with it), I don't care.

I'mOnlyHalfPolish

11-29-2006, 09:03 PM

so basically this guy is like my religion is the royal flush of religions therefore it reigns above your tradition...i think its a great idea, think of all of the atheist/jewish/fill in the blank congressman who were able to skip this step also...oh wait...

Durandal

11-29-2006, 09:09 PM

...so how can one swear allegiance to the USA (required of a Senator or a Reprsenative) and at the same time want to serve primary allegiance to Islam?

MM

I agree. One of the reasons why I think there should be NO Holy book at all, since a lot of DEVOUT Christians will claim that that God and the Bible come before the Nation and the State.

p-)

Sorry, could not resist.

Durandal

11-29-2006, 09:13 PM

When I get elected I'm swearing in on The Cat in the Hat.

As many should. I think we can all agree that swearing on the Bible means crap when it comes to politicians.

"I swear on this holy book that I will do my job honestly and within the guidelines of the law."

"So long as I do not get caught."

Not too sure what the big deal is. We can elect people that should have been thrown in jail for manslaughter and who "love kids" and a whole bunch that LOVE taking bribes to favor legislation...

What does the Bible matter?

snyder

11-29-2006, 09:26 PM

then there is the violent suicidal side of islam that specificly targets christianity (one of the reasons they dislike the USA, it has a large christian population)

I don't know where you're getting this from.

fuzzyramirez

11-29-2006, 10:17 PM

When I get elected I'm swearing in on The Cat in the Hat.

roflroflroflrofl

DaGreatRV

11-30-2006, 11:30 AM

Traditions are nice and all but this ritual of swearing on the bible is being abused.

I for one don't give a rats ass about any 'holy' book, but I could give people FALSE confidence in me by swearing on that book and act like it means the world to me.

A better way is to say: "You are obligated by this court to speak the truth."

easy.

It won't keep people from lieing, but atleast it doesn't give a false impression.

Mastermind

12-01-2006, 09:19 AM

I agree. One of the reasons why I think there should be NO Holy book at all, since a lot of DEVOUT Christians will claim that that God and the Bible come before the Nation and the State.

p-)

Sorry, could not resist.

durandal...I know you know Christian scriptures inside and out...and if one is a Christian, one would know the passage in the red letters, that separates the two loyalties clearly. No other religion does that that I know of. I know for a fact Islam does NOT! If you are of Islam, your only loyalty can only be to Islam.MM

Durandal

12-01-2006, 09:22 AM

durandal...I know you know Christian scriptures inside and out...and if one is a Christian, one would know the passage in the red letters, that separates the two loyalties clearly. No other religion does that that I know of. I know for a fact Islam does NOT! If you are of Islam, your only loyalty can only be to Islam.MM

I was simply pointing out that some Christians feel that way many of whom vie for power.

Mastermind

12-01-2006, 12:58 PM

I agree...MM

ElHombre

12-01-2006, 02:24 PM

Seems like this is an argument that should have been settled a long time ago. Surely this congressman can't be the first person to balk at using the Bible.

Looks like your doubts have been resolved. There's no rule saying what book a House Rep has to use. In fact, there's no rule saying they have to do anything other than raise their right hand (http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/30/koran-bible-prager-ellison/).

But Prager’s column is based on one other glaring error: the swearing-in ceremony for the House of Representatives never includes a religious book. The Office of the House Clerk confirmed to ThinkProgress that the swearing-in ceremony consists only of the Members raising their right hands and swearing to uphold the Constitution. The Clerk spokesperson said neither the Christian Bible, nor any other religious text, had ever been used in an official capacity during the ceremony. (Occassionally, Members pose for symbolic photo-ops with their hand on a Bible.)

2Sheds_Jackson

12-01-2006, 06:22 PM

kinsella

12-01-2006, 06:31 PM

Nicely done - thanks for the info. Gentlemen, in light of the recent information, I move that we delete this issue from the status of "most disturbing thing lately", and replace it with this week's dual money shots of Britney's hoo hoo. whuhahhhhhah >shivers<

true, noting as disrubing as that this week. unless john mark carr says he was the one that took the photo.

i second your motion. all in favor say ay.

dangerclose

12-01-2006, 09:50 PM

Well, since Islam respects Christianity, there shouldn't be any problem for him to use its Holy Book either.

Islam respects Christianity to death.

I'mOnlyHalfPolish

12-01-2006, 10:52 PM

Islam respects Christianity to death.

ziiiiiiiiiiiiiing

Ergnkon

12-02-2006, 12:02 AM

Islam respects Christianity to death.

True..for the ones who heard of it only after 9/11 :)

Paul in Saudi2

12-02-2006, 05:10 AM

So your idea would be what? Arrest the guy? Disenfranchise his district?

What if he used a Koran in a Bible cover? Would that be OK? A Koran in Pig-Latin? A Bible in Pig-Latin? Maybe we should give more power to the government. Yeah, that's the ticket!

We could have the DHS check all the Bibles!