(no subject)

[somedaybitch]

Ed Koch bitchslaps Dennis Prager.

Prager, a conservative radio talkshow host and syndicated columnist, authored a November 28 online column that lambasted Minnesota Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, who is Muslim, for planning to use a Quran at his private swearing-in ceremony.

“Insofar as a member of Congress is taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned,” Prager wrote, “America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don’t serve in Congress.”

uhm, Dennis? you don't get to speak for me.

if you are incapable of remembering that one of the tenets this nation was founded on was freedom of religion, which also means freedom from religion and freedom to be religious, then you don't get to call yourself American, 'k?

the guy's Muslim. his holy book is the Koran. he wants to swear his allegiance to this country binding his oath to the book where his oath would actually mean something. people aren't swearing to the Bible, you ignorant fuck, they're swearing to the Constitution and their oath is bound to the Bible because it matters to them.

Comments

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

What you said. And I always liked Ed.

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

always struck me as a pretty call-it-like-he-sees-it kinda guy. and Prager really is a schmuck. and an arrogant one at that with his....well history will vindicate me bullshit. and i'm pretty sure it won't actually, on accounta there being specifically listed "no religious test".

[itsazoo.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who was seriously angry that he didn't want to use the Bible. No amount of argument would sway her; she insisted it was tradition to use the Bible and no other book would do, even if he isn't Christian. I'm assuming Jews use the Old Testament, but she felt it had to be the whole Bible. Sheesh.

[arthurfrdent.livejournal.com]

had a bit of a go round when this story broke originally, AFAIK you don't have to use a book at all, in fact many don't. from Article VI:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

um, don't see how it gets more straightforeward than that. Forcing a person of another faith to swear upon the Bible could be construed to be a religious test, moreover it can be oath or affirmation, in essence you could simply say 'yes' which, is what Jesus himself directed...

tradition doesn't really come into this, save that it is traditional to follow the constitution, indeed, that would be what you are swearing to uphold. J.Q. Admas in fact swore on the constitution itself...

for what it's worth...

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

ayup.

[itsazoo.livejournal.com]

She was all fired up. Really, really angry, especially as this fellow was Muslim. When I gently pointed out that the swearing in on the book thing is really a photo op, that the "real" swearing in for the freshmen is done en masse, it didn't matter one iota. I even pointed out the freedom of religion aspect, which she insisted meant only freedom to practice one's religion, not flout the tradition of swearing on the bible. Wisely, I refused to enter into any more discussions where I was sure to lose. I absolutely agree with AFD and wg, here.

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

ahhhhh, people.

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

Interesting how much people really forget about what this country was founded on and what the Constitution actually says.

[pualaridesagain.livejournal.com]

IS HE HIGH?!?! Freedom of religion is the very first thing in the Constitution!!! The rep-elect is the epitome of an American.

Is Ed Koch going to be doing that again anytime soon? I'd like to hold his coat.

[somedaybitch.livejournal.com]

fight ya for it. :D