The slippery slope
Tuesday, Dec 8, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hmm…
* In case you’ve been under a rock, here’s the official Trump statement…
Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population. Most recently, a poll from the Center for Security Policy released data showing “25% of those polled agreed that violence against Americans here in the United States is justified as a part of the global jihad” and 51% of those polled, “agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah.” Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won’t convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women.
Mr. Trump stated, “Without looking at the various polling data, it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension. Where this hatred comes from and why we will have to determine. Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in Jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life. If I win the election for President, we are going to Make America Great Again.” - Donald J. Trump
* Trump’s been backtracking a bit…
“If a person is a Muslim and goes overseas and comes back, they can come back,” he said. “They’re a citizen. That’s different.”
OK, but Syed Rizwan Farook was a citizen.
* It’s good to see Gov. Rauner knocking down this nonsense. But if we’re supposed to be so afraid of vetted Syrian refugee families that we won’t let them temporarily resettle in Illinois, is it any wonder that people would then be scared half to death of almost totally unvetted Muslim travelers? Some might call the governor’s refugee proposal a slippery slope which led to the current inflamed rhetoric.
I still believe a recalibration of certain immigration/visa policies is in order because I love my country and I don’t want to see it attacked. But we gotta be really careful about opening up a racist Pandora’s Box because I love my country’s Constitution.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 1:57 pm:
Focusing on one country where there are specific known threats from that specific region vs. excluding an entire religion are two different things. The latter is borderline unconstitutional on its face.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
===Focusing on one country where there are specific known threats===
Meh. ISIS is in Iraq, too, and now has a stronghold in Libya. I didn’t see him call for blocking those refugees.
- Me too - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
Over half of this country believes in the inerrant word of the bible. They believe that the earth is less than 10,000 years old. They should read that bible and see what it says to do with rape victims and gays. Obviously, we don’t do that, but when Christians were quite primitive they did. For the last time, we have separation of church and state in this country. Sharia law isn’t something to be afraid of, we should merely mock those who are shaking in their boots about it, and we should mock those creationists while we’re at it.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
Good on the governor for that, at least. Hopefully, Republicans will learn you can’t play that Trump game. It will only get worse.
Since Rauner claims he has a lot of questions regarding Syrian refugees, I’d encourage him to read this letter from a bi-partisan group of former foreign policy, national security and military officials, including many from the Reagan, Bush I and Bush II administrations.
http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/sites/default/files/FormerNatSecOfficialsLetterRefugees.pdf
The Trump campaign/Bad Cable Show seems intent on repealing Godwin’s Law, among other things.
Forcibly deport 11 million Hispanics, kick out all refugees, arbitrarily ban one-quarter of humanity from entering the United States…..
How do you pull that off without a militarized police state?
How do you pull that off without concentration camps and boxcars?
Now is the time for all good Republicans to come to the aid of their party and save it from this sickness.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
450+ murders in chicago uear to date. doesnt include murders elsewhere. all by us ctizens.
data wise the risk isnalmost no existsnt of being shot by a muslim or terrorist compared to a citizen.
coiple xlosing thoughts…. our contry got mad at england for eliminating a religion it did not like to form its own…. govt is notnsupposed to pick religions that are ok to practice and those that are not.
second ammendment people argue the right to keep weapons to foght the govt if they think it is wrong. the racist argument that all muslims want to replcae our govt by force is, interestingly,!supported by the 2nd ammendemnt argument. especillay if that govt represses religious freedom
everyone is free here, or no one is. once we decide only certain grps and certain beleifs are allowed/tolerated… we are just an oppressive regime.
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
He’s building a wall to block illegals from Mexico; how is he going to block Muslims, build a wall in the Atlantic? I’ve maintained just keep letting Trump talk, and he’ll eventually burn out.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
–Focusing on one country where there are specific known threats from that specific region–
What region is that, Illinois?
That’s where Farook was from.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, 800,000 refugees have entered the United States, and you can’t lay a shooting on one of them.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
” Shariah authorizes such atrocities as murder against non-believers who won’t convert, beheadings and more unthinkable acts that pose great harm to Americans, especially women.”
This is just wrong. One can’t really go into a discussion of Islamic jurisprudence on a blog, but this is just wrong.
- D.P.Gumby - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
But if they are a union member, no way can they re-enter!
- Formerly Known As... - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
Farook’s wife was ==vetted== as well. She was granted a K1 immigrant fiancé(e) visa after listing a fake address on her application as well as a hometown that does not even exist.
Frightening that passed a government ==vetting==.
Preventing all members of a religion from entering the country is more frightening atm.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:26 pm:
“OK, but Syed Rizwan Farook was a citizen.”
It’s also worth noting that his older brother, Syed Raheel Farook, is also a citizen. And a decorated veteran of the United States Navy.
– MrJM
- Pundent - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
This isn’t about religious freedom or upholding the constitution at all. For far too long there has been a radical litmus test on what it means to be a “true Republican” it’s racist, bigoted and vile. More importantly it’s been ignored and often times encouraged within the party. Trump has taken this anger and amplified it to the point that it can’t be contained. You reap what you sow.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
As you sow, so shall you reap. The National GOP message meisters have been peddling fear of the other (almost always brown) person to low-income whites and exploiting xenophobia for political advantage for decades. Today we’re seeing the logical political evolution of the Southern Strategy.
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
We need a new form of profiling. Farook was from Chicago so clearly all people born in Chicago are suspect (oh damn, that means me).
- Downstate - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:32 pm:
A little good news out of Egypt.
Interestingly, the Imams in Egypt are employed by the government. Egyptian authorities are waking up to the fact that the mosques have fermented much of the hatred that exists towards the US.
In the last few months, the government has decided that the Imams will be delivering a government prepared sermon - seriously toning down the vitriol of the past. That’s a small but important step.
Similarly, some voices in the government are now calling into question those Muslim schools that are spewing hatred to their students.
Keeping ISIS in check will require LOTS of military action. Ending it will require cutting off the source of “fermentation” which comes from the ideas promoted in the more radical mosques and schools of the middle east
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:33 pm:
If Rauner had taken on travel visas or some other form of short term visa, he might have a point. Those receive far less scrutiny than refugees and I’m willing to consider changes if they make us more secure. Instead, he chose the group receiving the most scrutiny to take his stand.
That sums up the last year pretty well.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
Trump is positively frightening. is it 2015 or 1935?
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:43 pm:
It’s always funny to me when the party of FDR, George Wallace and Robert Byrd act as if their hands are clean on racism and bigotry.
By the way is it also “racist” (although Islam is a belief not a race) to point out how backward the religion is to gay and womens rights? Do we want to import hordes of people who believe that women are not equal and same sex couples should be put to death?
- AC - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
It’s so nice of Donald Trump to do his part to help Governor Rauner seem reasonable by comparison. Of course some of Trump’s supporters make him seem reasonable by comparison. Both seem to be forgetting that freedom is inherently dangerous.
I love the US Constitution as well, but every day it seems as though fewer and fewer people share that view. Standard, and common but unconstitutional responses: Civil Forfeiture? Produce papers showing the money trail for the money you’re using to buy a used car, get an attorney and we’ll settle for a fraction of the total. Police issues? Just obey, citizen, no one would ever get shot if they just complied, completely, and if a few innocent people get shot, so what. Warrantless wiretaps? The government is keeping us safe! Religious freedom? Well, for Christians, Jews maybe, but other folks, well, these are troubled times.
Think these issues are unrelated? Well, re-read the Constitution and the bill of rights if you think so.
Thank God we aren’t putting Japanese and Germans in internment camps, we’ve solved our civil rights issues, and everyone is equal under the law. Well, except for those we must obviously exempt. First they come for the Muslims, later the Baptists and Catholics, and I’ll bet the trade unionists are somewhere on the list.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. Well, some of them anyway.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:50 pm:
===Trump is positively frightening.===
No, Trump is a snake oil salesman. What is truly frightening is that he’s leading the polls for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. That a plurality of likely GOP primary voters prefers Trump should trouble every American.
- AlabamaShake - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
**In the last few months, the government has decided that the Imams will be delivering a government prepared sermon - seriously toning down the vitriol of the past. That’s a small but important step.**
LOL - could you imagine if the POTUS prepared a sermon that all priests/pastors must deliver?
- WeeblesWobble - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
These days this seems rather appropriate…
” I’ve known Bob Rumson for years, and I’ve been operating under the assumption that the reason Bob devotes so much time and energy to shouting at the rain was that he simply didn’t get it. Well, I was wrong. Bob’s problem isn’t that he doesn’t get it. Bob’s problem is that he can’t sell it! We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them. And whatever your particular problem is, I promise you, Bob Rumson is not the least bit interested in solving it. He is interested in two things and two things only: making you afraid of it and telling you who’s to blame for it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you win elections.”
- AlabamaShake - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
**It’s always funny to me when the party of FDR, George Wallace and Robert Byrd act as if their hands are clean on racism and bigotry.**
You may not be aware of this, but the Democratic AND Republican parties have changed drastically since then.
**Do we want to import hordes of people who believe that women are not equal and same sex couples should be put to death?**
Well, we already have hordes of people that believe in the Old Testament, and who believe that the New Testament backs up their beliefs on women and gays not being equal.
- Dr X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
What does LLCC Trustee Kent Grey have to say?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
We do not understand this culture enough to even begin to understand what motivates them to drop off their 6 month old child and then kill and attempt to bomb dozens of diverse Americans whose job was to serve other diverse Americans.
Is Western Culture so immoral to Sharia Law that even Muslims practicing that religion in the US, and American at that - feel compelled to commit these murders?
Our recent experience indicates that these folks voluntarily came to the US, or were born here. They flew back home to visit their heritage culture and had freedom as Americans to fly around anywhere in the world. If they so detested our Western Culture, why don’t they remain where their beliefs are practiced?
The 9/11 terrorists lived in the US for years, and lived a very hedonistic, un-Muslim lifestyle before flying those planes loaded with innocents into NYC, Washington and inadvertently, Sharpsville Pennsylvania.
I don’t understand that these folks decided to kill, rather than go to where their values and culture is dominant. They didn’t have to live here.
We don’t see a lot of history where disgruntled immigrants decided to not only segregate themselves away from their new home and neighbors, then attack them. We don’t have a lot of experience dealing with this situation.
Democrats sound amazingly naïve. Trump sounds amazingly unconstitutional and callous.
Christie said it best. We cannot ban Muslims, yet expect our investigations into Muslim terrorists to work. Muslims cannot be out, yet among us in ending these horrible crimes.
What Trump is saying isn’t doable. For someone as committed to ideology as Rauner to recognize that Trump’s approach is undoable, tells us that sometimes Trump can even make no sense at all to someone like Bruce Rauner. That says a lot.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
–Do we want to import hordes of people who believe that women are not equal and same sex couples should be put to death?–
Oh, so all Muslims follow literally all the Mosaic laws they hold in common with Jews and Christian?
Just like all Jews and Christians do?
By the way, dude, you kind of tipped your hand with “import hordes of people.”
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
VMan, Islam is not monolithic.
It’s not like the Army of God represents all Christians or the JDL represents all Jews.
- Connie - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
The Constitution only applies to citizens. Also, it only articulates what the Federal government can on cannot do to its citizens. Non-citizens of any race, creed, ethnicity or color cannot misuse it to their advantage. Islam is s political movement incompatible with the US Constitution and laws deriving thereof. Don’t fall for CAIR’s lies.
- Mongo - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
WW, excellent quote from the American President.
This isn’t about a group, it is about individuals. There are violent Muslims, violent Catholics (have we forgotten the IRA?), violent Church-of-England members, and maybe even violent Mormons. A ban on entire groups is senseless and impossible to enforce.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:43 pm:
What party did Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms, and David Duke switch to?
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:19 pm:
RNC Chairman Reince Priebus [sitting with his head in his hands, groaning in pain]
Aide: “Mr. Priebus, are you okay?
Reince: OOOOOOHH! Of course I’m not okay!! Trump is killing Republican chances in the presidential election!
Aide: “Yes, I know sir.”
Reince: OOOWW, the 2012 autopsy, remember?! We’re supposed to be nicer to minorities and Latinos to attract them to our party. Trump is killing us!
Trump is so toxic that Republicans have to denounce or strongly reject his views, as some have.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
==The Constitution only applies to citizens. ==
Except the Establishment Clause does not speak as to what a citizen has a right to do, but what the Government is restricted from doing. Unlike other person specific parts of the Constitution, this, which would be a law putting one religion below others in the eyes of the Government , is easily arguable to be unconstitutional as Congress making a law “law respecting an establishment of religion”
- Young State Worker - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
@GenerationX - Timothy 2:11-12
“Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”
That’s pretty mild as Bible verses go. Clearly we must expel all Christians from the country!
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
==Islam is s political movement incompatible with the US Constitution and laws deriving thereof==
Ok, first of all Islam is a religion.
Second of all, what exactly are you advocating, because it appears to me you’d be just as happy to ban Islam in the US altogether with that goofy statement.
- Connie - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:30 pm:
Not goofy. They mean business and want a world caliphate. Wake up.
- Connie - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
The Christian will die for his religion. The Muslim wants you to die for his.
- Jack Stephens - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
We also need to keep White, Male, Xtian Terrorists out too.
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:34 pm:
https://muslimstatistics.wordpress.com/2014/10/04/muslim-honor-killings-statistics/
- Jack Stephens - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
Oh, and someone please explain to Paul Ryan it’s HIS Branch of Government that authorizes war. He should quit blaming others and being the victim….like a certain Illinois Governor.
Or quit if it’s too much work for him to determine if the American people want another war.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
“The Christian will die for his religion. The Muslim wants you to die for his.”
You bumper-sticker theologians are so very credible.
Now, back in your cave…
– MrJM
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
Connie:
The anti-Muslim hysteria society is down the hall.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
Trump as president? A cold sweat appears. That so many Republicans back him and he’s leading the pack - a super cold sweat appears.
- Jack Stephens - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
Connie:
Dylan Roof didn’t want to die for “his” religion. Neither did George W. Bush. Why not?
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
Hey Connie, there’s a lot of Christians out there that would love some Sharia Law. You know, the part where they get to make the women shut up.
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
“There are violent Muslims, violent Catholics (have we forgotten the IRA?), violent Church-of-England members, and maybe even violent Mormons”
I dunno who the “violent Church of England members” would be unless you’re talking about Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and that was awfully long ago. Regarding Mormons, there were violent Mormon incidents early in their history (some directed AT them, others directed BY them), and at least one incident that could, possibly, be classified as terrorism by modern standards (the Mountain Meadows Massacre) but those were so long ago as to be irrelevant to contemporary Mormon life and practice.
As for the “violent Catholics” of the Irish Republican Army, reprehensible as their tactics were (and condemned by every Church authority I can think of), their aim was entirely political. They were formed to end British rule in Northern Ireland, not to force people to convert to Catholicism or to establish a worldwide Vatican State ruled by the Pope. So they can’t really be compared to ISIS in that regard.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
Are we going to have a Muslim detection meter at entry points into the U.S.?
This entire debate is absurd. And the fact that a candidate for the Presidency would even suggest this is scary in and of itself.
- HangingOn - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:48 pm:
“The Christian will die for his religion. The Muslim wants you to die for his.”
Little rough on my history…how many people were killed in the Crusades?
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
Fear blinds. No one should publicly fan the flames, and exploit it for personal gain.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
Generation X,
Do you really think the “look at what the violent men do to women in the name of their religion” game is one-sided? http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Lawyer-for-man-in-clinic-attack-wants-to-bar-6668579.php
– MrJM
- Young State Worker - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:59 pm:
@GenerationX throwing out a link is not argumentation. How about the fact that 43% of Americans are not too concerned about drone strikes killing innocent Muslims? http://pewrsr.ch/1RqOw2i
What percentage of Americans supported the most recent Iraq war, in which we killed countless innocent people?
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
Do the people attacking Islam not have friends who are Muslims? And if not, seriously?
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
==it is obvious to anybody the hatred is beyond comprehension==
Yet Trump is fueling the hatred and fear of Muslims? How is this any different from ISIS’ message? I’m sure they’re pleased with his support of their war on the rest of humanity, including Muslims here and overseas.
Trump is a bigot and his goal is to enhance this bigotry among his supporters. He’s reaping what the Republicans have sown since Obama was elected. Their outrage now is hypocritical.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
==there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population==
45% of Germans, 49% of Chinese and 81% of Russians have unfavorable opinions of the U.S. also.
Until we figure out what’s going on with those Germans maybe we better keep them out of the U.S.
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
MrJM
The #1 killer of women in Turkey is domestic violence. Not cancer, not heart disease.
It’s deliberately obtuse to argue that Islam isn’t by far the worst abusers of women.
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
Demoralized
How many terror attacks have those unfavorables led to?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
Generation X
If you want to peddle anti-Islamic views then by all means do so . . . just do it elsewhere.
- Any Mouse - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
What has happened to make us so fearful? I grew up in the cold war when a miscalculation could have ended pretty much all human life in under an hour. (still could, but somewhat less likely now.)
Compared to that, ISIS is a gnat swarm.
Yes, Islamic terrorism is a real thing. Yes there are individuals and groups who are trying to find creative and horrific ways to kill us.
But remember more than 3 million Americans will die from all causes this year. Terrorism is not going to be a factor in almost any of them.
If we need something to be afraid of, I suppose terrorism works now that Ebola is not going to wipe us all out.
Maybe instead of gun control, we can limit cable news consumption to less than 30 minutes per day.
Turn the TV off. Take a walk. Chill.
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:40 pm:
” I love my country’s Constitution.”
So do I, but please try explaining the separation of powers to the former Con Law professor in D.C. sometime soon.
- Ghost - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
gen x makes a good point. america was established on the framework of eliminating nonconformist ideas and religions.
in america, we only allow approved religions and ideas…. thats why we would never have rallies for people who discriminate against gays by denying drivers licenses or support candidates that objectify womens looks as a point of commentary.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:57 pm:
As is the case with ISIS, the American media give Trump far too much attention. Indeed, one could say that Trump has lasted this long as a potential candidate because of the US media.
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:04 pm:
I’m sure Trump’s campaign donations to Blagojevich and the Cook County Democratic Party didn’t sit too well with Rauner
https://twitter.com/IllinoisTattler/status/663881434579525632
- Any Mouse - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:10 pm:
Correction, US annual deaths are about 2.6 million.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:25 pm:
“It’s deliberately obtuse to argue that Islam isn’t by far the worst abusers of women.”
No it’s not.
http://www.internationalwomenstravelcenter.com/content/2015-list-10-worst-countries-world-women-travelers
Now, please pedal your provincial prejudices somewhere else.
– MrJM
- Generation X - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:28 pm:
MrJM
Domestic abusers of women. Again deliberately obtuse.
- Mama - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:37 pm:
When did Rauner change his mind?
- plutocra03 - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 5:58 pm:
how many people were killed in the Crusades?
Well, why were the crusades launched? They were a response to how the Christian were being treated by the Muslims who conquered those areas between 632-661. Yes those despised crusades started as a result of…….?
Sadly today’s violence remains an echo of ancient times.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 6:22 pm:
“No one will talk about the very narrow circumstances where I think my prejudice is disguised by something resembling a point!!1!”
Dismissed.
– MrJM
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 6:55 pm:
Trump is toxic and an abomination. His positions on Islam hurt our nation and strengthen the radical jihadists.
The continuing ignorance about Islam is disheartening. Wehave been deeply involved in the Middle East since the end of WW2.
I have had Muslim friends over many years. My daughters have Muslim friends now. These are good people.
I also lived under Sharia law for two years. The text of the Koran is in direct opposition to key beliefs in the American culture and constitution. Because Islam does not separate church and state, it is both a religion and a political movement. It is a mistake to separate the two aspects.
My hope is that Muslim Americans will decide that being American is more central to their identity than being Muslim. One reason our nation has survived with many religions and sects is because we consciously avoid making people choose.
The jihadists try to force people to choose; Muslim or American not Muslim and American. Trump’s language also forces choice, which is why it is both dangerous and un American.
- Young State Worker - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:05 pm:
Last Bull Moose, how about American and Muslim and peaceful, just like many American Christians and Jews manage to be peaceful despite the texts of their holy books exhorting them to buy foreigners as slaves (Leviticus 25:44-46), kill rape victims (Deuteronomy 22:23-24), and subordinate women generally (Corinthians 14:34-35)?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 7:43 am:
After reading the well-reasoned arguments by the likes of Connie and others, I’m convinced. Let’s get rid of the Muslims.
But let’s not stop there. Let’s get it right this time. The Catholics have to go, too.
Our ancestors had it right back in the day. Those lazy, thieving Irish, Italians, Slavs will never be real Americans. Their loyalty is to Rome. They’ll set up their own schools, have their own “ethnic societies,” claim to be exempt from some U.S. laws because of their so-called “religion”…..
The Serbian Orthodox Christians in Bosnia twenty years ago knew the score. Cleanse the land of the Catholics and Muslims by any means necessary. And I mean any means necessary.
And don’t even get me started on the Jews. They know what they did. At least the Muslims revere Jesus Christ as a prophet. To the Hebrews, he was just another crazy Jew.
They’ve got to go, too.
Same with the evangelicals. They openly claim there’s a higher law than those passed by Congress and upheld by he courts. Bombing medical clinics and whacking doctors. Refusing to bake cakes. Gotta go.
Who’s left? No worries. Give me a few minutes and I’ll figure out a reason why they have to go, too.
- Jack Stephens - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:02 am:
@anon 440pm:
Annie Rand reader and Speaker of the House should also learn something about the separation of powers enumerated in the Constitution of the United States of America, as she doesn’t seem to understand them either.
Thanx,
Jack