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November 10, 2006
my congressional district makes history!
The newly elected congressperson from my congressional district (Minnesota's 5th), Keith Ellison, is making a lot of headlines as the first Muslim ever elected to Congress, and as Minnesota's first black congressperson. I'm also proud to note that he's a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ellison when he made the rounds around the law school last spring -- I have high hopes that he will make an outstanding addition to the Congress.
Here are a couple of recent articles:
WP: "Minnesota Congressman is Muslim Trailblazer"
NYT: Muslim's Election is Celebrated Here and in Mideast
Posted by Heidi Kitrosser at November 10, 2006 11:35 AM
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Comments
This is indeed wonderful news. It's also concrete evidence that there is nothing inherently undemocratic about Islam (in this case, no contradiction whatsoever between Muslim spirituality and practice and commitment to democratic principles and institutions).
With regard to Islam and democratic values, principles, and practices abroad, please see (and support) the Center for for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID): http://www.csidonline.org/index.php
Posted by: Patrick S. O'Donnell at November 10, 2006 12:21 PM
Before you get your hopes up too far, you might want to look at the Powerline series on Ellison. Here's an excerpt:
"Moreover, Ellison's long commitment to and advocacy of the Nation of Islam is reflected in the various aliases he used over a period of ten years: Keith Hakim, Keith X Ellison and Keith Ellison-Muhammad. The Star Tribune has not only failed to connect these aliases to Ellison's involvement with the Nation of Islam, it has erroneously reported that Ellison used these aliases during his student days at the University of Minnesota Law School.
Ellison's involvement with the Nation of Islam includes his support of "the truth" of Joanne Jackson's condemnation of Jews in 1997 as "the most racist white people." In his May 28 letter to the JCRC, Ellison went out of his way to state that, unlike others, he did not come to the defense of the statement that created the controversy that engulfed Joanne Jackson. Rather, according to Ellison, he only called for dialogue. This too is demonstrably false.
Ellison's involvement with the Nation of Islam is not the most offensive of his public associations and commitments. That distinction must belong to Ellison's work with Minneapolis gang leader and murderer Sharif Willis following the 1992 murder of Minneapolis Police Officer Jerry Haaf."
http://powerlineblog.com/archives/015415.php
I suppose we can always hope he'll be an outstanding addtiion, but you might not want to hold your breath until that happens.
Posted by: AYY at November 14, 2006 01:49 AM
Hello,
Just wanted to let you know I linked to your blog in my column on CBSNews.com today. Thanks!
If you want to take a look, here's the link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/11/13/blogophile/main2178786.shtml
Thanks,
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa at November 15, 2006 09:38 AM
Sources are important. I suppose the people of Powerline might substantiate their allegations with credible evidence (they haven't, as far as I've seen), but you might not want to hold your breath until that happens.
Posted by: Ivan at November 15, 2006 12:46 PM
Ivan, there's no need to hold your breath. The sources are there. If there's a problem with the credibility of the sources, it's not an obvious one.
Posted by: AYY at November 15, 2006 09:52 PM
