On MSNBC, Jacobus thought it "strange" to focus on Rep. Goode's bigoted remarks instead of Muslim Rep.-elect's use of Quran
On the December 21 edition of MSNBC News Live, Republican strategist Cheri Jacobus said she thought it was "a little bit strange" that "we're focusing on" controversial remarks by Rep. Virgil Goode (R-VA) instead of Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), whom Jacobus called "a newly elected member of Congress trying to cause controversy." As the weblog TPMMuckraker noted, the weblog Waldo Jaquith posted a letter by Goode saying: "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 that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America." In the letter, Goode also attacked Ellison: "[I]f 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 Koran." Ellison reportedly intends to use a copy of the Quran presumably during the ceremonial photo op on the day he is sworn in.
Jacobus falsely asserted that "every other elected member to Congress" had sworn in on the Bible," echoing Townhall.com columnist Dennis Prager's baseless attacks. In fact, as Media Matters for America noted, even Prager admitted that some "Jews have used only the Old Testament." For instance, according to the newspaper The Forward, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) refused to swear in on one of outgoing Speaker Dennis Hastert's Christian Bibles and used a Hebrew Bible provided by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY).
Jacobus also baselessly claimed that Ellison was "proactive in making a stink" about using the Quran. However, as a December 7 article in The Christian Science Monitor noted, it was Prager's column that "sparked a brouhaha on talk radio, in the blogosphere, and in newspapers across the country." A November 9 New York Times article reported that "Arab news reports highlighted the fact that Mr. Ellison would probably take the oath of office on the Koran, something which also upset Muslim-bashers in the blogosphere" while Ellison himself "said he had not really thought about the swearing-in ceremony and had tried to keep the campaign focused on issues rather than his religion." A November 12 New York Daily News article added that Ellison "has said he will take his oath of office with his hand upon the Koran, the Islamic holy book." However, a November 20 Roll Call article reported on November 20 that Ellison spokeswoman Bridget Cusick said that Ellison "had raised the issue of the Quran in the first place only because a reporter had asked him whether he would use a Bible. 'It wasn't a thing where he brought it up and made it a thing,' she said." When Democratic strategist David Browne noted that "Ellison didn't do press on the Quran issue," Jacobus responded that Ellison "knew he was going to get press on it."
From the 1 p.m. ET segment of the December 21 edition of MSNBC News Live:
ALEX WITT (MSNBC host): But I'm curious -- overall, Cheri, why would Congressman Goode be so concerned about having a Muslim being sworn in using the Quran? I mean, how is it any different from a Christian using the Bible?
JACOBUS: Well, first of all, I'm a pretty big fan of free speech, so even if Congressman Goode's remarks were somewhat inelegant, if you read the blogs today there are a lot of people who sort of get his larger point -- first on immigration -- but also, you do have a newly elected Democrat [sic] Muslim member of Congress who seems to be proactive in making a stink about this, saying, "I will not be sworn in with my hand on the Bible like every other elected member to Congress before me."
WITT: But --
JACOBUS: And he could have -- look, if he wasn't trying to make a stink about it, if he wasn't trying to cause controversy, what he should have done, and the mature thing to do and the diplomatic thing to do, would be to say, "You know, I think I would like both." But instead, you have a newly elected member of Congress trying to cause controversy, and yet we're focusing on Virgil Goode? I think that's a little bit strange.
BROWNE: Well, he brought it up. You know, Ellison didn't bring this up. Ellison didn't do press on the Quran issue. It was -- this all started when --
JACOBUS: Oh, he knew he was going to get press on it. Come on, David, come on.
WITT: Hey, either of you -- would you guys have problems with an atheist not wanting to be sworn in on a Bible?
BROWNE: They don't have to be.
WITT: I need yes-or-no answers. I'm out of time. Yes or no.
BROWNE: No.
JACOBUS: If they made a real big deal about it and tried to make controversy, yeah.
the good ol' Southern Stra-tegery at it's 'best'...
Islamic Group Has Mastered Victimization Game.............
CAIR.
Go home if you can not take it.
some details on what 'muslim group' or what game they played would be helpful.
to me you have been sleeping through all this?
did they force Prager to make his ignorant and stupid remarks? Did he force Goode to write that idiocy? If so when and how did this supposed 'group' do all this? if you coontinue to post in your sleep you will only share the fate of others who lay down with dogs and then are surprised at the fleas...
But never good enough for a Liberal. The 6 Imams booted off the plane.
again racism and prejudice raised it's ugly head...
Not that alone my friend. But yes, PRAYNIG is one thing that led up to it.
Let me ask you.
Why didn't they stand up and show some Understanding of the issue?
Praying...and please respond...THEy can't take WHAT???
whole story. If it takes more than 40 words to explain myself, you do not have a clue!
good luck in this life time...
You never answered, figures.
YOU never answered...
because it can't
The same reason the American Christofascists don't stand up and show understanding when we don't want to support their mythology with our tax dollars. Religious fanatics are stubborn like that.
Eye for a eye?
You're talking in circles.
will someone stand up and take the higher ground. Just because this person did it, does not make it okay for the other.
Seriously...what are you babbling about? I think you're going to have to break your 40-word rule in order to make yourself understood. You really are just talking in circles.
Something about CAIR, something about how the 6 imams should have stood up. I keep thinking I know where you're going, then your next comment throws me off again.
I think, if you could make a clear statement (in complete sentences), we could debate it on the merits. Right now it's like shadow-boxing.
Seriously - it's too early in the day for you to be this drunk.
My first thought was "somebody started the holiday a little early."
Reminded me more than a little of a few drunk txt messages I have received...
Happy Winter Solstice y'all!
troll school big time.
Look, if you are going to play the troll you need to include enough argumentation, no matter how absurd, so you can generate some kind of dialog. Posting random words and sentences doesn't mark you as a troll but just some kind of insane person.
Keep practicing and one day perhaps your troll posts won't get a lot of responses that start with "??? what did you say..."
You know one only has to watch fauxnews on any given day and there in front of your eyes are "Christian group" playing victim.
as to the "if you can't take it go home" comment just who should go home? Muslims that were born in the USA and can trace their heritage back a couple of centuries?????
Those that are playing the Rights and Freedoms of America against us. And if you think no one does, maybe you should go roam with the sheep...... BAAAAAAAA
I did not imply all, you fool.
Maybe we should eliminate those rights and freedoms so they can't be used against us. Bush was right. The turrists hate us for our freedoms. The solution? Get rid of those freedoms! Yeah, that works!
Here at work, we practice Diversity. Yet, my company does not allow for background images on your computer, and block sites containing Humor and Recreational sites.
So my motto is.
"You do not have to worry about diversity when you have stripped it all away."
Appeasing, simply appeasing everybody for the benefit of NOTHING!
So, your bosses are fascists. That's free enterprise, isn't it? What does that have to do with anything?
They are appeasers. Affraid ones action may offend someone else. What a joke that it has to come down to a picture on my computer.
...we're all dying to know what picture they made you take down that's made you go off the rails this morning. A Muslim in a crosshairs maybe?
a Progressive kissing various and sun-dried @-- of groups claiming victim status.
Sorry this post doesn't rise to the lofty standard of the accompanying posts.
What about all of those poor people who are being victimized by store clerks who don't wish them a "Merry Christmas"?
It sounds like it's YOUR COMPANIES computer.
Perhaps you should quit surfing the web and exchanging joke emails on your companies time.
Also, I too have no idea what you've been talking about this entire thread. Please elaborate.
Thanks
after all they OWN the equipment and lease the lines. so you want to 'socialize' all that just so you can put swatika backgrounds up and read 'joke sites' that are at your level of humor (potty and skin color jokes seems about your style) and you think they are being cruel to you. Good lord you are such a horse's george!
It's because you're supposed to be working.
Is it their equipment? They have a right to block where you go and what you do on their equipment. sorry, but that's the way it is.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not siding with management, but that's the answer they'll give you and the courts back them up.
...it's the jello shots at work that had them p!ssed.
Is playing it against us? Rent a clue moron. These people are Americans they get to practice their religion the way THEY see fit, not in whatever way YOU demand they ought to. Skip a couple of those KKK meetings and take a civics lesson
please focus on the hate being spewed by the media...thank you...
I am. I cliped that from a article that has to do with the topic at hand.
and please respond...who can't take what?
People are standing up and declaring racism the first opportunity they can. Wrong or right. But what happened to understanding. Understanding the actions those vermin did was making many many people, including other Muslims, uncomfortable. What IS WRONG WITH AMERICA!
MAKING PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE = BAD!!!! MUST CALL THEM NAMES!!!
ones are screaming LAWSUIT!
Damn sissies.....
do me a favor. Go out to the farm and roam with your good friends, the sheep.... BAAAAAA BAAAAAA
please keep working on your Highlights book...when you get to the Goofus and Galant portion of it, pause to consider which one most represents you...
People! Why are you even answering that twit? Can't you see it's just yanking your chain? Talking in circles where it doesn't talk in riddles?
Why are you wasting your time?
he is making this site appear like a yahoo chess site- all trash talk and no substance...without all the porn advertising...
made backgammon so interesting :)
Rent a brain cell and make an attempt at some minimum level of coherence. All the time YOU are demanding conformity to the majority you keep calling US sheep. You ought to be able to pay for that brain cell with a shearing of YOUR back. You define the term sheeple.
This is the funniest thing I've ever read on this site. I'm cracking up just reading all this stuff. It's all funny, but none of it makes any sense.
...I feel like I'm getting a contact buzz just reading this thread.
OK, are you talking about the imams?
I am just trying to keep things straight here.
The man was BORN in Detroit. I suggest if you dont like Americas tradition of religious freedom YOU go live somewhere else. The ones that have perfected the art of vicitimization are the few vocal conservatives who throw a fit when someone decides to do anything in a way other than how THEY would do it. Their control issues and demands of total conformity make them near hysterical if someone steps out of THEIR mold.
>>"Go home if you can not take it."<<
If bigots and racists had their way, this little motto of tolerance would be inscribed on our beacon to the world, our light of freedom: the Statue of Liberty.
For humanity's sake, may this type of person remain where they belong--- in the small minority.
What if they were born here???? Where should they go??
keep their focus on the LARGER issue of FACTUAL reporting and FREE SPEECH and should call out those who would try to fan the winds of prejudice and fear among people....
as evidenced by her statements. the First Ammendment does allow you to say stupid things as well as remarkable things. Equal opportunity for all.
She apparently want's people to be sworn in with a faith they don't believe in. *And* if interpret her "Oh, he knew he was going to get press on it", she wants him to just shut up and do what he does not beleive?
Now that's Strange!
That John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, would NOT be able to govern WITHOUT being influenced by Rome.
So WHY should it come as a SHOCK to anyone that there could be a question or 2 about a politician that practices the faith of Islam? Islam law & customs [such as woman being 2nd class citizens] may be in conflict with the Constitution. Can a Muslim SEPARATE church & state?
There's ALSO concern by SOME about Mitt Romney being Mormon.
Kennedy PROVED there was NOTHING to worry about. Perhaps those of other faiths will also.
Catholics believe in the EXCLUSION of WOMEN from being priests, gays from PRACTICING their lifestlye, and non-believers from EATING CHRIST at the alter....
Christofascists are constantly whining because we won't let them plaster the Ten Commandments on Government buildings. They claim it is the "foundation" of our laws. However, those Commandments dealing with religion are absolutely hostile to the First Amendment of our Constitution. When I point this out to Conservatives, they don't seem to have anything intelligent to say about it.
Of the Ten, only three have a counterpart in US law...murder, theft, and perjury. And those are common to ALL law codes throughout history, no matter where. All the other Commandments are unconstitutional.
Perhaps. Probably.
you claim there should be no surprise by, and really there isn't (except the phoney outrage from the RW nutjobs who are surprised to be shown as the george's they are), what there is is PUSH BACK to push these fringe extreamists back into their Unabomber-style shacks.
What is wrong with that?
46 years ago there was CONCERN [about] John F. Kennedy, a Catholic.... WHY should it come as a SHOCK that there could be a question about a politician that practices Islam? - jeter2
I remember the 1960 campaign. I remember the hints about "electing the Pope." Those sentiments were bigoted then and the equivalent sentiments about Ellison are bigoted now.
The reaction is not shock at the fact of the bigotry, it's anger at the content of it.
But to the extent some are shocked, I would suggest it is because they thought/hoped that just perhaps we had learned something over the past 50 years. But apparently, there are those for who learning is impossible.
(And just to avoid possible misunderstanding: Jeter, that last remark was not directed at you.)
Yes one would think that almost 50 years later the QUESTION of a candidate's religion would NOT be an issue.
BUT as I pointed out there are ALSO rumblings about Mitt Romney being a Mormon. Of course I think those are coming MOSTLY from the religious right.
Islam, because of 9/11, has been tarnished in the eyes of MANY Americans [and likely world-wide]. I think it's SAFE for me to state THAT as a FACT.
Should Muslims, Catholics, Baptists, Mormans or people of any other faith, have to PROVE they can separate church and state? Or should we operate under the presumption that elected officials, who swear to uphold the Constitution will do so?
All Kennedy proved was that he would perform his job without the Pope's help. He didn't prove that every Catholic would.
>>"So WHY should it come as a SHOCK to anyone"<<
Because in the intervening 46 years, one can reasonably expect that people have learned something about civility, tolerance and bigotry.
There are approximately 1.5billion Muslims in over 120 countries with about 8 million in the United States. How many, especially those in the U.S, do you think fit your stereotype “such as woman (sic) being 2nd class citizens”? Keith Ellison is an American citizen whose family roots date back 30 years before the founding of this country. He may be Muslim but his American heritage and commitment to the constitution runs deeper than most.
Jacobus’ assertion that Ellison was trying to sir up trouble is ludicrous.
Wow. Racist garbage coming out of the mouth of a white middle-class female on US corporate television. Who woulda guessed?
The Klan don't wear white hoods and sheets anymore. Now it's ties and powersuits. Instead of burning crosses in fields, they sit in front of tv cameras.
I think we should all make up a whole bunch of those white tabards with big red crosses on them like the Crusader knights used to wear and stand outside FOX and MSNBC and the other corporate garbage stations and hand them out to all the employees. "Here, show your true colors."
They are the ones hirring illegals.
My Republican friends? The only people I know who hire illegals near me are pure unadulterated Bush Republicans.
Jacobus, after getting the whole swearing-in thing wrong (no one is sworn in on any book, those are after-the-fact photo-ops for the folks back home; not everyone has used the Bible as she surely intends the term) insists that it's "strange" that the media is paying more attention to the blatant public racism of Virgil Badde than the personal decision of Keith Ellison, about which we likely would not have known if he hadn't been asked.
Okay, I got that part. Here's what I'm still wondering: With all of her grousing and groaning that Ellison is just "trying to make a stink," shouldn't she be glad that not much attention is being paid to Ellison's choice outside of the wingnut blogs?
Geez, these folks can't be happy even when they get their way.
'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.' ************************************************** The right started this controversy. Ellison was not looking to start controversy. The Koran is what is holy to him. He did not run his campaign as a moslem, never spoke about it unless asked. He ran as a democrat. Prager started this BS. It is appealing to the basest instincts in people. It is bc of BS like this that America has lost its standing in the world. Are we a shining beacon or a bunch of xenophobes? It smacks of facsism- ie the belief that Ellison is not really American, he is not pure, that this is a christian nation and only christians should govern. It should be noted that Ellison's family has been here since the 1700s. Juan Cole has an excellent post on this today as well.
Our Constitution forbids any religious test for holding public office. In fact, most don't seem to realize that the words "So help me God" are NOT part of the official Presidential oath as written in the Constitution. It has just become a tradition...another case of pandering to the Christian majority's insecurities.
"I'm a Muslim. I'm proud to be a Muslim. But I'm not running as a Muslim candidate," Ellison, a Detroit native, told the Post. "The people of the 5th Congressional District didn't seem nearly as concerned about [my religion] as our friends in the press," Ellison told NPR Sept. 13. ************************************************** The Situation Room that same day, Bill Schneider reported that "Ellison gave me every indication he intends to be a progressive voice. Not primarily a racial or a religious voice." In the interview that followed, host Wolf Blitzer found it hard to believe that Ellison would be both the first Muslim elected to Congress and the first African-American congressman from Minnesota, asking "What's a bigger thrill for you in terms of that element of making history?" Replied Ellison: "You know, it's all mixed up together. Wolf, I mean, again. I haven't put the emphasis on my own personal identity." ************************************************* Prager, the blogs, the press and most everyone probably dont know even what kind of Moslem Ellison is. He is a moderate Sunni.
And the guy sounds like a rube. I halfway expected him to say "Git 'er done!" He makes a good spokesperson for the Troglodyte Republican base. The Republicans are well on their way to becoming the party of Rich White Men and Southern Bigots.
How is Keith Ellison creating controversy. He can use a Quran if he wants. He wasn't the one that brought the subject up. It's the media that is creating the controversy here, out of nothing.
Who cares about world hunger? There is a Muslim using a Quran during the photo op.
Who cares about global warming? Gays are getting married! HORRIFYING!
Who cares if the war in Iraq is disastrous? Americans are buring the flag!
Who cares if millions of Americans don't have health insurance? There's a movie called Happy Feet which brings up environmental and non-conformist issues! The most horrible thing of all.
"... and the mature thing to do and the diplomatic thing to do, would be to say, "You know, I think I would like both." So where are the remaining 400-something Representatives getting their Korans?
I'm really puzzled how anyone could be outraged by Rep.-elect Ellison's request to be sworn in using the Quran. If the guy looks at the bible as nothing more than a 1st century comic book, why should he be forced to use it to swear his allegiance to his country?
If you ask me, his request only proves his seriousness and deep respect and commitment to the office and laws he is being sworn to uphold.
Goode (and maybe Jacobus?) is a bigot - and these remarks only prove it!
Bull: Jim? Jim? Wake up! Jim: What the hell...where are we Bull? Bull: Where back in AmeriKKKa Jim. Damn I love the smell of Mississippi Magnolia Trees in the morning! Jim: What they smell like to you? Bull: Smells like a lynchin'! Jim: Shhh...you know what happened last time we said that. They gave black folks civil rights Bull: Aw Hell Jim. Don't you get it? We gotz us some new folks to hate now. Dey be called muslims and mexicans. Jim: Well just kiss me in the morning and whistle dixie! I feel like...I feel like a crowing Bull: Yep Jim Crow...you're back. Now lets get back to work and raise some hell and some hate.
Centrism died. Aristotle and his 'golden mean' may not always create instant truth, but big business in both the Arab peninsula and in the United States are spending their money to keep radical Muslims and radical Christians at each others throats. Why would they they do that?
To make more money in the shadow of the smoke screen? Could that be oil money? Are they successful?
Isn't this the classical divide and conquer? Why haven't the poor white and the poor black banded together? Why are the sons of Abraham divided right now? Why can they not learn to live in peace?
Does the right wing media forment hatred and distrust? Who runs them? What do they have to gain?
It is kinda "strange" focus was placed on the bigoted remarks of a Republican.
Republicans make stupid racist remarks all the time.
I mean, come on, since when is that news?
Email her at:
CheriJacobus@aol.com
She needs to know what a fool she is.
Let 'er rip!
So she can complain about the anger and vituperative and hate-filled remarks she gets from the left?
That accomplishes nothing.
Even the right wing nuts know she said something stupid. They. don't. care. Hell, most of them wear their racism like a badge of friggin' honor.
Calling her a whore via email isn't going to change her mind.