Seriously? I mean, he looks like he's joking. He's joking, right?

This is purely domestic politics, unfortunately they drag Islam, (a faith embraced by more than a billion Muslims around the world existed 1,400 years ago) in their nasty political issues...

Neither the Koran nor the Bible should be used.
I'd bet if Thomas Jefferson were around today, he'd agree a book of fiction shouldn't be used to swear in an elected official. You might as well swear on Tom Sawyer, at least then it would be a historical fiction.

If he were an honest, moral Christian as he claims, he would run as a Randal Terry "pro-life" tea party Republican. He has no connection to the Democratic Party. His chicanery will allow them to run gruesome pictures during family television. If you youngster gets to see these videos, thank Boisclair and Randal Terry for this antiabortion "profamily" adventure.

Boisclair and Lynn Torgerson are basing their campaigns on slandering all of our Muslim neighbors. Keith Ellison has worked as a state legislator and congressman for everyone in this district! Even the Bush Administration asked him to serve as goodwill ambassador to Mideast nations.

Have you actually met someone who is a Muslim? I think not!
A bible or Koran or other choice are chosen for a second optional ceromony. Elected officials have that choice. According to your logic every Christian is responsible for the crimes of a few which is absurd.

One cannot quote verse 5:33 without quoting verse 5:32 (prohibition of murder) and verse 5:34 (command to forgive). Let us examine the verse in its proper context:
5:32-34 ...If any one slew a person - unless it be as punishment for murder or for spreading corruption in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land. The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter; Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.
There are several points to note here. The first is the gravity of the offense. This is punishment for WAGING WAR against the Prophet of God and spreading evil and destruction. In modern terminology this would be considered "terrorism". This is a punishment for such a severe offense, hence the severity of the punishment.

It is quite shocking to see how many will place this verse under the heading of "inciting Muslims to kill and wage war", whereas the verse commands nothing of this sort! In fact, it comes directly after a verse prohibiting murder and likening the unjust murder of a single individual to the slaughter of humanity. The Qur'an purposefully describes the gravity of the sin before describing the punishment.
God has prescribed multiple punishments in this verse using the word "or" between them, indicating various alternatives. The punishment depends on the circumstances and severity of the offence.
Indeed, the subsequent verse immediately states that this punishment is not for those who repent. For verily, God is Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful. God's infinite Mercy is truly clear when one considers that God is willing to forgive these ruthless acts of terror that deserve such harsh punishments, so long as the offender sincerely repents to Allah, seeking His Pardon and True Guidance. When murder has been committed, then execution is prescribed as the punishment. Depending on the circumstances, the judge may choose a lesser punishment. The banishment mentioned in the verse has been interpreted by some schools of thought as imprisonment.

Sounds a lot like passages from the Hebrew Bible, which Jesus of Nazareth taught. As warlike Hebrew tribes matured in their civilization, those passages were debated and interpreted in a less violent manner. Hence, you have laws and literature like the Talmud calling for courts of law and restorative justice instead of capital punishment for every offense or insult to the powerful. The verses were not changed but the meaning changed with the maturation of beliefs and the growth of civilization. We don't go running around poking eyes out and breaking teeth, creating more blind and toothless people.

I am surprised that I have never seen anyone mentioning this Verse regarding how to treat Non Muslims
Chapter 60:Verse 8-12 Acutal translation:
"[8-9] Allah does not forbid you to treat kindly and act equitably towards those who have neither fought you in the matter of religion nor driven you out of your homes. Indeed Allah loves the just. He only forbids you to take for friends those who fought you in the matter of religion, and drove you out of your homes, and cooperated with others in your expulsion. Those who take them for friends are indeed the wrongdoers"

Randall Terry and Gary Boisclair want to impose Canon Law on all of us. How is that better than Muslims, Jews, Christians and others obeying their laws of religious practice within the confines of the constitution and Minnesota laws? No one else is imposing their laws of religious practice on others.

There are also verses in the Hebrew Bible that speak to proper treatment of strangers in your land. The definition of "strangers" includes people of different religious beliefs.

There are many violent extremists in history that offer religious beliefs as an explanation for their behavior. We Catholics have had the Cathars and Albigensians among a host of outlier groups. What bothers me about Ellison is his ties to CAIR, which is associated with the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. His views in his adult life, from when he was at the U of M, are hostile to a traditional American view of reality, or have been completely Anti-American. His reaction to the assassination of a St.Paul police officer, and his membership in Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam are troubling. Keith Muhammed is a radical at heart, which often is a sign of immaturity, and undeserved pride. His dishonest acceptance of a gift to Mecca, even though cleared to do so by a House Ethics group, raises questions about his integrity. There are Moderate Muslims, mostly they are silent, imprisoned, or murdered. These are not Keith Hakim's group. The "Congressman from CAIR" is a racist, anti-American opportunist who ought to be retired. If you go deep in history to the present you won't mistake Islam for a relgion of peace. It is and has always been a political movement justified by a theology. Let's not forget there are a number of different groups within Islam just as there is within Christianity and Judaism. We are all God's children, and what parent likes to see their kids fight each other?

Would you wear a T-shirt with a Mohammad cartoon printed on it?

You might in Montana. Don’t try it in Mecca.

Why?

Because, Islam trains a small number of its most devout believers it’s OK to kill. And Islamic killers have been trained to kill anyone who insults Allah and/or Mohammad.

In Montana you’d have a good chance none of these Islamic killers would see you.

In Mecca you wouldn’t last five minutes. One of Islam’s killers would come from out of nowhere and kill you. It is that simple.

You don’t believe me? Ask any Muslim!

Read it all at: http://islamsfatalflaw.blogspot.com/

Would you wear a T-shirt with a Mohammad cartoon printed on it?

You might in Montana. Don’t try it in Mecca.

Why?

Because, Islam trains a small number of its most devout believers it’s OK to kill. And Islamic killers have been trained to kill anyone who insults Allah and/or Mohammad.

In Montana you’d have a good chance none of these Islamic killers would see you.

In Mecca you wouldn’t last five minutes. One of Islam’s killers would come from out of nowhere and kill you. It is that simple.

You don’t believe me? Ask any Muslim!

Read it all at: http://islamsfatalflaw.blogspot.com/

This seems pointless. This district is heavily minorities who aren't necessarily christian and patriots that believe in freedom of religion.:) I think there is much better ways to talk about abortion than using a loophole to air a commercial that may get pulled regardless.

I love when people say.. Will you condemn all Christians for the crimes of a few? Then use Timothy McVeigh.. Who wasn't a Christina nor did he commit his crime in the name of God.. The word few means A FEW.. There are millions of muslims around the world who are committing crimes in the name of islam & allah.. FYI, islam has NO right to teach that not bowing to islam means they have the right to punish you as a non muslims. muslims are & always have been the most violent & barbaric ideology in the world. muslims wont stop until they have scrubbed every culture out off the planet. .

How many Muslims have you met in the Twin Cities?

An honest person would have identified that he is from another area. Insulting people because of perceived age and testosterone levels is childish. Hate blogs are hardly reliable sources except what hate filled people are thinking.You calling something fact and adding an " =" after it doesn't make it so. You should have learned that in high school. You are entitled to your opinion but manufacturing "facts" is dishonest. You must spend your life googling "Muslim" and spewing hate like a few other names I frequently see. Who else do you hate so much?

I strongly support Congressman Ellison. I think his fair-handed, inclusive way of representing all people in our district is exemplary. The Koran he used for inauguration was one which belonged to our beloved Third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson. There are radicals in Christianity, in Islam, in Judaism and in secularism who choose violence first (and whether it is the Qu-uran, the Holy Bible or the Hebrew Bible - they are all meant to be read and studied as Whole Books, not by taking single lines out of context.) I think some of the writers who indicate they are "Christians" might not like to be held responsible for Timothy McVeigh. Christianity is a big tent - there has been skewing of that understanding in recent years as only one extremist part of Christianity has gotten a lot of press. Mike mentioned above - Both Presidents Bush and Obama have asked the Congressman to speak for and engage as a peacemaker in the world. Many of us in District Five are very proud of him for that. It is important that thoughtful Muslims, Jews, and Christians work as peacemakers (this does not mean "peace at any cost"; It means being able to protect ones loved ones and one's country but do it with an ability to know that another person needs to do the same. War and rage are not the only effective methods.

They ask him to speak because he's the only Muslim congressman. It helps them get the Muslim vote, that's it. It's not because they like, or support him. It's politics.

Elaine Wynne:

"Jefferson's Quran"

http://www.thenewamerican.com/opinion/sam-blumenfeld/4479-thomas-jeffersons-quran

Why the Republicans asked Representative Keith Ellison to be a goodwill ambassador in Muslim countries is less important than the fact that Keith Ellison helps create a positive image of Americans abroad and represents all of us in the 5 th Congressional District well. When you first meet someone anywhere it helps to have something obvious in common to talk about. Once a relationship is established, you can work on difficult topics. If someone is wearing your favorite teams logo, you can start a friendly conversation before asking that person to park further from your driveway. It works in international politics also.

I participate in Hopkins Patch because it is our local forum. I am eligible to vote for Representative Ellison in the 5th Congressional District.
I have degrees for well regarded competitive Universities, Rutgers University and the a Master of Public Health University of Minnesota School of Public Health. I was taught in Middletown Township High School to check the credibility of information sources. What university did you say you attended?

Both. Especially where you have degrees from.

University of Erfurt, Maryland University, both state side & in Europe, Gem state college. (Christian school) Now.. what do you KNOW about islam? =) I can't wait to hear this..

Not exactly unbiased sources. Since you are the expert, where in the Gospels did Jesus teach you to spread vicious hatred for American Muslims?

Ubin Bushwhacked & RGSRDHYHDFH, since you are hiden behind pen names why don't you be neighborly and tell us where you are from.

I am from Oregon, YOU?? I noticed that you never mention any of that.. Not to mention, you ASSume as well. I went to Gem state first, not because it is a Christian school, but because it was local.. Why do you lie so much?? I am not using a pen name? I really can't stand people like you. Second, you are clearly not that educated, cause if you were, you would know that the world American or muslims & many other words like computer & cell phone are not in the bible, being that it was written long before such things came along. Now, WHAT do YOU know about islam. Why do you keep avoiding that question? You never answer any questions, just ask more. Why don't you ask about islam, being that is what this entire thread is about. hmmmm..

You already said you were from Seattle area "Seattle has one of the countries "and I told you That Hopkins was our local Patch and I am eligible to vote for Keith Ellison. I asked where the other two "Ubin Bushwhacked & RGSRDHYHDFH were from."

I have no idea what in the hell you are talking about.. I never said I was FROM Seattle, you never asked where my University were from either, you said..... " why don't you be neighborly and tell us where you are from." I currently live in Seattle, but am NOW in Europe on ANOTHER study course.. I am guessing that English isn't your first language. What are you are you really trying to as?? You are weird. I can't help but notice that you keep avoiding the question about your knowledge on islam.. Strange.

You don't know that I don't have any religious training. The universities I graduated from stressed testing the reliability or resources and identifying biases. They also require learning some history. I certainly wouldn't trust the blogs you cited or your extremely biased opinion.. The only thing trustworthy about them is their obvious hatred for all Muslims. I never claimed to be an expert on Islam, but I am curious,enough to learn about Christianity, Islam and other world religions from reliable literature and friends who are ministers, rabbis, and friends who are Muslims. Fortunately you don't live and vote in the 5th Congressional District and most of my neighbors will recognize what your opinions are worth. Fortunately I don't live in fear like you and your friends.

What blogs did I cite? You my friend admitted you have no religious studies & now proved that you are a nothing more than a liar. Funny thing is, I have a koran & can CITE it without any trouble. =) Yes I am fortunate, to be smarter than you.. All you have is lies & rhetoric, When are you going to be a decent honest person. I will give you a little bit of worldly knowledge. There isn't a single country in the world that isn't currently having major issues with muslims & islam. NOT even islamic countries. Please, post the "blogs" you claim I have cited. =) I am so excited to see what you think I know. I have knowledge about at least 10 religions, even having explored some of them personally.. Which ones are you curious about?

This discussion is getting heated and tap-dancing right up against the limits of what we allow, so I'll remind everyone what the terms of use say: "Patch expects all of its users to be respectful of others." In other words, be civil.

By the way, what happened to the "unscientific" poll? =)

Boo! I tired to watch the video, but the link didn't work for me.

Did you try clicking the video in the box to the right of the article? It's right below the photo and is working for me.

I am a local resident and am appalled by the vile that has been spewed from those who do not live here or know our town. We have many Muslim families, and while I do not personally ask each one if their intention is to kill all Christians, the Islamic students I teach are quite able to coexist and be friends with students of other religions. This is why I believe so strongly in public schools- that is where young people REALLY learn about those who are different than themselves. I can't help but point out that Stacy may have had "religious" education, but it is very clear she did not learn to write at Hopkins High School!

First of all, I never went to Hopkins, second of all, I am dyslexic, thanks for the insult. =) I have noticed that those who don't know seem to attack first. I bet with just a little research could find plenty of muslim activity that is not only illegal, but also anti American, I have to wonder, would you be oh so appalled then?? It is clear in the koran about what muslims are to do with non muslims, non of this is my fault..

Very good video! Such politicians we need! Liberty now! No Islam!

Everything he said in this message is 100% truth, it should only offend you, if you hate truth..

There isn't anything untruthful about that video. I would vote for Gary Boisclair in a heart beat. I love this guy.

The one thing I read in all of this that is missing is Ellison is also a radical liberal. Voting positive on wacky green initiatives, interfering in private business, namely the banking sector.
He won't be voted out of office folks. The people in Minneapolis would vote for a dead horse before they ever vote for a Conservative. It's their party, their President and their initiatives that are destroying this country. THAT is reason enough to get Ellison and his compadres a ticket to the sidelines.

I think by now most people are tired of the ways we handle so many situation with war.
We went into Iraq, and tried to force a democracy, and now people who ran from Iraq that live here thought they could go back, but could not. Only to find that there were more strife, conflicts and intolerance for any kind of activism. No love loss on Saddam, who would carry out terrible injustices on his own ppl, but now - there are know hard rules where people feel okay. We need people that understand Islam, that can show respect for others that practice it. Someone who knows and respects America, while at the same time - can be better trusted with other nations in the ME, as well as our own American Muslims. Keith Ellison is not a radical, and having him in the position where he can do good for our nation in relations is a very good thing.
We have to stop flinching and start thinking.

I stand by my Muslim neighbors in Hopkins. Most of the hate speech is coming from outside the Minneapolis area by people who have no interest in our community. We elected Keith Ellison because he served all of our communities well as a state representative and continues to represent us in Washington. Fortunately the same constitution that provides you the right to free speech as hate filled as you are, also guarantees my right and my Muslim neighbors' right to chose chose whatever religion or non religion they want. The constitution, by the way, is a liberal document. It was written to counter the abuses forced on us by King George who was definitely not a liberal. Perhaps you could do something useful in your own communities. Have a nice day wherever you are.

We see an example here of the current anti Muslim, anti Gay rhetoric is the same dehumanizing speech used in the 1930s that lead to the slaughter of 6 million Jews, gypsies and gays in Europe. Both Catholic Church and Lutheran Church preached the “blood libel” in Germany, Poland, Russia, etc. (Martin Luther wrote of Jews as filthy liars and thieves). Russian and Ukrainian Catholicism made life untenable for Jewish communities and many were forced to immigrate in the early 1900s and later waves toward the end of the cold war.
Muslim communities were much safer for Jews than European Christian countries until about 1945 and the same hospitality continues in Morocco. The Klan continued the same hate filled tradition in America except their victims were also African Americans, Jews and Catholics. Anti-Semitism was strong on Minnesota and much of the US in the 1950s and is flourishing on the internet enabled by anonymous screen names. The continuing genocides around the world are part of the same pattern, all beginning with dehumanizing rhetoric against someone.

Some source material regarding Antisemitism and Martin Luther from a Lutheran source, Augsburg College. Fortunately, most Lutherans I know reject this part of Martin Luther.

copyright © 1971 Fortress Press & Augsburg Fortress - "On the Jews and Their Lies" is from Luther’s Works Volume 47. Augsburg Fortress is the publishing ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Funded through sales revenue, Augsburg Fortress is called to provide products and services that communicate the Gospel, enhance faith, and enrich the life of the Christian community from a Lutheran perspective.

Let's remember Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln were Republicans and when the Civil Rights Act was passed, a greater percentage of Republicans voted for it, and prominent Democrats opposed it. Another fact is that most prominent segregationists in the mid-twentieth century were Democrats, not Republicans. Fascists would find that they have more in common with Democrats than with Conservative Republicans.

I agree that Lincoln was a Republican, but the segregationist Dixiecrats bolted the Democratic Party beginning with Hubert Humphrey's 1948 convention civil right speech and completely with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Republicans greeted the segregationists with open arms including such notables as Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond, Lester Maddox, Bull Conner, George Wallace, etc. President Johnson knew he was going to lose the South but he took the costly risk. As for the Republicans, thanks for taking our Dixiecrat trash. Wallace later recanted segregation.
One definition of fascism is the combination of the extreme right and business leadership to create a belligerent nationalism.

Some of the prominent segregationists are listed in the URL below. Fortunately the Republicans erased our shame by accepting them and taking the South.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_segregationists_during_the_American_Civil_Rights_Movement_(1955%E2%80%931968).

I'm glad Mike used facts when he replied to Kevin. Check the statistics on Northern vs. Southern Senators and Representatives on the voting record of the Civil Rights Act- that is more telling. And I agree that the Democrats lost little when the southern contingency left the party. There are many blue-dog democrats that could take a hike as well. As to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s party affiliation, publicly he refused to take sides, but privately he did say that he voted Democratic almost all the time. I read that he wavered between Stevenson and Eisenhower, but I think today, Eisenhower would be a solid Democrat. He left office with strong words urging the country to support people and those policies that best served them, not businesses, especially the defense contractors!

It is true that without Republican votes the Civil Rights Act would not have passed. It is also true that many Dixiecrats left the Democratic party to become Republicans, and this was because the GOP believes in the Tenth Amendment, that is state's rights. Fascism takes many forms, with varying definitions. If you think Democrats have no ties to big business, remember Solyndra, Goldman Sachs, Fannie and Freddie Mac. If racism is basing decisions simply on the matter of race, check out Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Maxine Waters, and the list goes on. If you want people judged by the content of their character and talents, look at President Bush's Secretary of State and Attorney General, and the present Governors of both New Mexico and Louisiana. The GOP doesn't make race based decisions. The Democrats do.

The previous comment has been deleted because it violates Patch's policy prohibiting language that "is threatening, harassing or that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual."

@ Mike Hindin, simply put, the Qur'an says Muslims should outwardly smile and be polite to others, as I to have done all my life. I even give my train seat for Muslim mother's when the train is full. The white Christian society I grew up in taught tolerance and respect for others of other races and beliefs. But their Qur'an says they are never to take Jews, Christians or Infidels (non-believers) as friends. But as there are more Muslims here than even blacks, Muslims are the ones who regularly show disrespect for most every other nationality here. They have been proven liars in just about every court of law here to the point the "Socialist" Premier Julia Gillard's press, has tried to begin ignoring the many outbursts of violence of those Muslims brought up on the many serious crimes of late. Anytime they see a camera taping them, they explode. Have you read Son of Hamas? Mosab Hassan Yousef converted to Christianity because he lived as a Muslim. He knows what lurks in their hearts. Anyone with eyes and ears can see Australia WILL one day become like Britain. By the grace of God America, due to it's size, may not see it for some time. Even though some parts are feeling the heat. Don't dis my words as fear either. I'm already fighting my fight with the greater community as my ally. Australia is very much like the US with it's love of keeping it's nation as it is, and God willing always will remain.

You mean like a penal colony? You are welcome to it. Leave us to ours.

I stand with our Muslim neighbors. These hate filled outsiders do not represent the views of our community.

Totally agree with you, Mike

Hopkins Patch has attracted quite an international crowd to this discussion! Not sure what the motives are for all that participate. I know as a local resident, that some of the participants actually live in the area and participate in community events, and are eligible voters in Minnesota's Senate District 44 and Congressional District 5. I have seen Elaine Wynne and Mike Hindin at events held at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. As a local resident, I am represented in Congress by Keith Ellison. I have met him and have discussed issues with him. I haven't met anyone that I think would better represent me in Congress at this time. While I do not have many demographic elements in common with Congressman Ellison (different gender, race, religion), I do find him quite capable of representing my interests in Congress. I do not always agree with his votes on Legislation in Congress, but he has always been able to explain his vote. Sometimes he has a tough choice because bills will include more than one issue, and the Congressman has to weigh the impact of his vote. I do not know of ANY member of Congress that is more accessible than Congressman Ellison. He responds to communication, he makes public appearances, talks with the media, and meets with constituents; and provides outstanding constituent services. Unlike many members of Congress who limit audiences to those they share opinions with, Congressman Ellison listens to constituents. The epitome of representative democracy!

How cool is that! No matter how much mud is slung or slanderous things are said,
we know Cong. Ellison's heart and he is very popular in Golden Valley
Elaine Wynne

Elaine, I appreciate your feelings toward Ellison, I just don't share them. I found it to be completely dishonest when he shed tears contrived deceitful tale of bigotry against Muslims when he appeared before Congressman King's hearing about U.S. resident Muslim terrorists. The pandering "Congressman from Cair" is a manipulative, racist, rabble roser. If you want to learn more read "Thye Grand Jihad" by Andrew C. McCarthy, a fderal prosecutor who helped launch the 9/11 investigation, or "The Great Heresies" by Hilaire Belloc. Ellison's being Muslim doesn't bother me, his self serving, Anti-American actions and attitudes do, along with his dangerous association with supporters of terrorism.

Where are you from, Kevin?

Kevin is probably a Tea Party Gopher in some boiler room getting paid to google articles about Muslims and harass people. If he were honest he would tell us what congressional district he is from.

Mike and Elaine, I am a registered voter in District 5, Ellison's district. I am not a paid writer, simply a concerned citizen, just like you.. I did not attend the Uof M, but I do enjoy Gopher sports. Being of both Irish and English heritage I am partial to tea. Tea can be very good for you. It can be used as a diuretic, to get rid of unwanted excesses. I do appreciate that you both seem to be using your real names also, and not aliases or sobriquets.

I like the idea of getting rid of muslim Ellison. Like all other muslims, he never speaks up for the religious minorities in muslim countries. Yet he and his fellow muslim buddies here in the US ask for respect and tolerance. You got to be kidding me. Hypocrites.

"Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran, the Muslim book of scripture, should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on Earth."
-CAIR founder Omar Ahmad

"Ultimately we [muslims] can never be full citizens of this country...because there is no way we can be fully committed to the institutions and ideologies of this country"
- Ihsan Bagby, National board member of CAIR

"Islam is not just a religion as is the case with Western religions. It is a total way of life, and has complete systems for mankind. This means that there is no separation between state and religion. They are both embodied together under the umbrella of Islam. The state and all those in power are under the domain of God."
- Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr, President of Foundation for Islamic Knowledge, California, USA

"I wouldn't want to create the impression that I wouldn't like the government of the United States to be Islamic sometime in the future."
- CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper

"The Ikhwan (Muslims Brothers) must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and 'sabotaging' its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all other religions."
- Mohamed Akram, May 19, 1991, Explanatory Memorandum on the General Strategic Goal for the Muslim Brotherhood in North America

"If only Muslims were more clever, they could take over the United States and replace its constitutional government with a caliphate."
- Siraj Wahhaj, ISNA/CAIR

Religious freedom is a necessary component to intellectual and political freedom. Islam began its decline as an intellectual, and political power when it closed its mind, and would not allow exploratory, divergent thought within its individual countries. The military-political wing of Islam has always dominated its religio-philosophical side. Islam is a political force with a religious set of apologetics, and its own theosophy. It is not compatible with Western culture. This does not mean that we can't co-exist peacefully. One thing history definitely teaches is that Islamic aggression must be met and defeated forcefully. It cannot be dealt with diplomatically.

@ Amy Paddock: Re: "You are out of touch Frank Jones."
You are out of touch with reality Amy Paddock.

Perhaps you should study the effects of the Inquisition on the religions freedoms of the Jewish Community. Also study the current attempt by the Bishops to enforce Canon Law on marriage on the entire country. The so called "marriage amendment" is nothing more than enforcing Catholic teaching and other conservative church teachings, on other Christians, Jews, atheists, etc. This constitutional amendment forces all of us to follow specific church rules.

@ Mike Hindin: Bigoted? Are we trying to offend people of German ancestry with your "Herr Jones..." comment? You come across sounding like a self-hating, liberal Jew with the rest of your baseless comments. Lets see, you do know who Haj Amin al-Husseini was, right? If not, google it and learn about his association with Adolph Hitler.

Only referring to followers of Aryan propaganda. Boy that's shocking news! Arabs who were aligned with Hitler. Who would have thought? Yup. I am a liberal Jew and proud of it. I remain so by deliberate choice, because Judaism teaches choice and responsibility. Hating anti-Muslim bigotry is not self hating. Which minority group will you chose next? We know from experience that when you are bored with Muslims you will scapegoat another community. We have been there many times.

Again I will break bread with my Muslim neighbors and Keith Ellison anytime. All are welcome at my table unless your behavior is offensive.

Would that perchance be social responsibility over personal responsibility? How do you square hating anti-muslim bigotry with hating muslim bigotry? or are you deafly silent on that issue? As far as minority groups are concerned, I cannot comprehend Anti-Semitism, especially considering how small the Jewish population is and how Jews are not, despite the claims of racist white supremacist groups, trying to dominate and convert the world to Judaism. Judaism is notoriously non-evangelical. With 1.5 billion muslims in the world, and with an ever growing population of muslims here, I find your statements weak and obsfucating to say the least. There is however one group that I hold in even lesser regard, even more than islamists, that would be post-modern western liberals and their penchant for cultural suicide. Contemporary Europe is a mess and getting messier by the day because of it, and people like you will continue to keep your heads in the sand, in a state of morbid denial worrying about the mouse in the kitchen rather than the rhino trashing your den. I grieve for your children, for they may never have the freedom and opportunity accorded you or me. BTW, you don't know jack about us. "We have been there many times," yea, right, just where have you been? What have your eyes seen?

@James Warden: Since this is your site, you make the rules. I respect your right to do so. I shall be banning myself from this site.

While we're digging out quotes, I could find some pretty hateful ones from one leader of one congregation in the middle of the USA that "visits" the funerals of military members to share religious views and freedom of expression that I find hateful. Should we label all Baptists, or all Christians, according to what this one "spokesman" represents?

And while we're talking history here, have we learned anything from empires that have risen and fallen? There is some pretty interesting history (and theories) on the Roman (Western) Empire. Who has visited the city that was the center of academic and cultural excellence in the year 1000? I have, and it's a pretty interesting place. Cordoba, in Spain. Now I wasn't there in 1000, but I was there shortly after 1984 when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Why did this city not retain its position as the world leader in academia and culture?

New York City was listed as that global center for 2000. Who will it be in 3000? Only 989 years until that milestone.

The USA has been an interesting experiment in Democracy for 235 years. It's probably destined to fail, maybe for some of the same reasons other empires have failed. And we can probably all help it to fail and hasten its demise by attacking freedom of religion and being prejudiced to certain religious groups. We may be unwilling and unintended enablers of an emerging world power, but hey, that's the danger of acting in ignorance.

Mike and Nancy, proud to have such respectful and enriched voices in our 5!

Please join us for any Senate District 44 event. There are lots of us.

If you're happy with SOLYNDRA ,clap your hands. If you're happy with "Fast and Furious",clap your hands. If you're happy with the deficit, clap your hands. If you're happy with foreclosures, clap your hands. If you're happy, unemployed,clap your hands .If you're happy with Obamacare, clap your hands. If your happy with the bailouts, clap your hands. If you're happy with Freddie and Fanny, clap your hands. If you're happy with your congressman, clap your hands. WHY ?