Comments (259)

Elliottness wrote on December 19, 2006 4:53 PM:

Long Live White Anglosaxon Christian Old-men (WACOs)

Wondering wrote on December 19, 2006 4:56 PM:

I wonder how Goode ended up in this country. Could he have evolved from a native rock? Or is it slightly possible that at some time and some place his antecedents actually emigrated to this country. Too bad we didn't restrict immigration at that time.

Waldo Jaquith wrote on December 19, 2006 4:57 PM:

FYI, it's the "C-Ville Weekly," not the "Charlottevillle Weekly."

Thanks for picking up the story!

JCLunger wrote on December 19, 2006 5:04 PM:

My initial thought was "un-freaking-believable". But upon further reflection, it is sadly very believeable that certain elected officials feel they can makes these types of statements publically. Do you suppose the President will remind this congressman that we are not at war with the Muslim people or with Islam?

Bearpaw wrote on December 19, 2006 5:09 PM:

Clearly things would've been so much simpler if my ancestors hadn't set a bad precedent when they helped the Pilgrims live through the winter. If we'd only known that our resources would've been swamped ...

rad wrote on December 19, 2006 5:15 PM:

Which of the two guys pictured is Goode?

If it's the fat guy, helping out with 'it rhymes with food' seems like a bad idea.

jrw wrote on December 19, 2006 5:18 PM:

The fat guy is Mitchell Wade, always a good person to have in a photograph with you.

Paul wrote on December 19, 2006 5:19 PM:

Waldo Jaquith -- fixed our mistake, thanks.

rad -- we swapped out the picture of Goode with convicted felon Mitchell Wade (who was the slightly heavier one) for one of just Goode to make it less confusing.

Dorman4 wrote on December 19, 2006 5:28 PM:

Mr. Goode wrote that as long as he is representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia the Koran is not going to be on the wall of his Office. Does this mean that when he is no longer in Congress the Koran goes on the wall?

Anonymous wrote on December 19, 2006 5:32 PM:

That letter is just filled with jingoism.

"Values and beliefs traditional to the US?" All of those seem to have gone out the door under the present administration, so why worry now?

"Prevent our resources from being swamped?" Exactly how will having Muslim immigrants come to the United States swamp our resources? What exactly are "our resources?" Will all of ""our resources" be devoted to sending our new citizens to Gitmo?

Every European country seems to have its right-wing race haters (Vlaamse Blok, Front National, National Party, etc). I guess the US is no different. RIP GOP.

Buckethead wrote on December 19, 2006 5:47 PM:

Uh, Keith Ellison was born and raised in Detroit. Is Goode planning on preventing people immigrating to the US from Detroit?

DonS wrote on December 19, 2006 5:49 PM:

Hey! Like many Virginians (thought I'm not in Virgil "I'm not corrupt, really I'm not" Goode's district), this is par for the course. We call 'em "crackers". Like 'ol Virgil, they're proud of their ingnorance.

Allen wrote on December 19, 2006 5:59 PM:

I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by Goode's letter. He's a GOPer and bigotry is what the GOP stands for plain and simple - period.

COMTE wrote on December 19, 2006 6:03 PM:

Clearly, congressman Goode isn't counting on courting the immigrant muslim block in the 2008 cycle. Although, it does beg the question, "ARE there any muslims in the VA-5th with voting privileges? And if so, how do THEY feel about not being represented by their elected representative?"

oppositionradio wrote on December 19, 2006 6:10 PM:

The beauty of this one is what having a congressman like Goode says about the morons that elected him, and what Ellisons' election (with all his flaws) says about the good city of Minneapolis and the tolerant, welcoming, pluralistic people who elected him.

Bruce wrote on December 19, 2006 6:17 PM:

I am shocked that people are shocked.

Of course rural Southern legislators will do this. Do you think that this country looks like Rhode Island as whole? Give me a break. Damn surprised he did not call for the Congressman to be arrested for treason. There will be more such, I expect a whole caucus. Maybe they will try not to seat Ellison.

This is their country, folks. There are more of them than there are of us liberals and libertarians. They built it on xenophobia and hate. That's why they call it fly-over country, because not many of us city folk want to land there.

I wish every liberal would get the hell out of Starbucks for a week and visit rural Oklahoma or Virginia or Alabama. The rednecks they elect there get elected to do this sort of thing.

DM wrote on December 19, 2006 6:37 PM:

The tenth commandment--the one that puts wife and slaves on a par with ox and ass--on the wall befits a Good Old Dominioner. (Or is it Domineer?)

RC wrote on December 19, 2006 7:01 PM:

What the Virgil Goode's do not realize is that Islam is already the fastest growing religion in America. So eventually any legislation passed that narrows the line between church and state will someday certainly be challenged in court to include Islamic values alongside Judeo-Christian values. (School prayer, 10 Commandents displays, etc.) There will either be inclusion for all or for none. As always be careful what you wish for.

Alan wrote on December 19, 2006 7:10 PM:

Goode,Goode.Sounds foreign to me.

joe wrote on December 19, 2006 7:13 PM:

While clearly this guy is a complete tool, Virginia (home of Fightin Jim Webb) is definitly no longer in the same column as Alabama, or flyover country in general

Alan Greener wrote on December 19, 2006 7:19 PM:

How many times do we have to see articles saying that this congressman is going to be sworn in using the Koraan or any other book when no book or religious article is ever used in the proceedings of swearing in a congressman?

Jay Condrick wrote on December 19, 2006 7:44 PM:

Echoing Mr Grenner's remarks above; Please correct this story to reflect the fact that NO BOOK is used in a swearing in ceremony. The right hand is raised. Period. The use of a religous book, comic book or cook book is soley for PR purposes only and is not part of a governmental ( is that a word?) ceremony. Ferrchrissakes. Stop feeding the trolls!

Jay Condrick wrote on December 19, 2006 7:46 PM:

typo: Greener, not Grenner. Sorry.

AX wrote on December 19, 2006 7:57 PM:

No doubt the policies instituted by Mr. Goode's party colleagues in Congress and the White House, in particular the invasion of Iraq, will lead soon, unfortunately, to another big wave of immigration from a Muslim country, namely Iraq, when it finally becomes clear, that it does no good to anybody for the U.S. to stay there and the U.S. withdraws (after the 'Decent Interval'). When the helicopters leave from the roofs of the Green Zone, we certainly have an obligation to those Iraqis who closely allied themselves with the U.S. during the last (already) 4 years.

m wrote on December 19, 2006 8:52 PM:

Another day and another admitted conservative bigot.

Can we just state for the record conservatism and Republican in America are simply other terms for bigot/homophobe/authoritarian/anti-constitution/
theocratic/anti-science cult followers?

I mean they really don't even try to hide it like they used to do...

Now you have McCain openly courting the bigot/theocratic cult vote because he knows you don't get the republic's nomination without courting the extremist freaks who make up the core of conservatism.

Face it, we have one party which acknowledges that it isn't perfect, which it isn't, and one - the Republican - whose foreign policy goal is to get every nation in the world to hate us, break the military and spark conflict the world over...and domestically their goal is to turn the country into an anti-science bankrupt freak show.

mary mckenzie wrote on December 19, 2006 9:16 PM:

Virgil Goode is no good. He is linked to the Abramoff scandal and hopefully will go down with the rest of that ilk.

mlv1055 wrote on December 19, 2006 9:18 PM:

This man is disgusting. He's a fascist, plain and simple. There is nothing remotely "American" about people like this. They stink up our country.

anon wrote on December 19, 2006 9:24 PM:

Does anyone find it ironic that Virgil Goode represents, at least nominally, the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of Virginia's Statute of Religious Freedom?

http://www.pbs.org/jefferson/archives/documents/ih195802.htm

and

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/democrac/42.htm

couser wrote on December 19, 2006 9:31 PM:

Heck of a job, Vergie!

Disgusted wrote on December 19, 2006 9:41 PM:

Understanding the religon of Htred, Self Hatred, Indifference and Inhumanity, Christian right. The liars Cheaters thiefs are at it again. The GOOD Congress man won the Election he was ELECTED by the people in his district andf State. If he wantes to use the KORAN afor his belief I support him in that if anything the Christian should be draen and Quartered for his lies and Misrepresentations but then what can you expect he is WHITE and Christian the Religion of Hatred. I am a White retired COMBAT VET. not like you scared little scum sucking CRACKERS who REFUSE to find the good and can only see the HATE. But, you do belong to the Facist TAcist Nazis Committeet ( formerly the republican national committee)

stocml wrote on December 19, 2006 9:47 PM:

Muslims in Congress. My goodness. What next? Agnositics?

Jedi wrote on December 19, 2006 9:49 PM:

If we fight them here we won't have to fight them over there.

Henderstock wrote on December 19, 2006 9:52 PM:

As I recall, Mr. Goode was one of those redneck Democrats who voted to impeach Clinton, and later joined his true soulmates on the other side of the aisle. Dennis Prager, who has uttered similar views, originally pretended to be "moderate"--whatever that means--though that pretense seems to have fallen away.
It's a shame, because there is much to criticize about islamism, but these aren't the jokers to do it.

Rob Hunt wrote on December 19, 2006 10:00 PM:

Having lived in Virginia for many years, Goode unfortunately speaks for a large portion of the population. There excuse is lack of knowledge, Goode's may be the same, though I suspect he's pandering to right wing fear.

The solution, of course, is to maintain the strict separation of Church and State established in the Constitution. Many want all the OTHER religions separated, but their's included. It makes them more "comfortable" and "safe."

I believe Goode is the name of a well established Richmond political family, though I don't know if this gentleman is related. I would suggest, however, he build a following based on accomplishments rather than fear. It pays in the long run.

Jim Speck wrote on December 19, 2006 10:00 PM:

The whole matter says less about the congressman than it does about the poor fools who elected him. The short-lived slogan of Tennessee's Division of Tourism -- "We're all family here" --should be applied to the congressman's own district. Inbreeding does largely negative things to people who weren't too sharp to begin with.

Elliot Ginsburg wrote on December 19, 2006 10:07 PM:

hooray for intolerance. ugh.

Detroit Sam wrote on December 19, 2006 10:27 PM:

The official swearing in of CONGRESS DOES NOT INVOLVE A BIBLE OR ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS TEXT. Members take the oath while they stand at their desks, in chambers.

Members can CHOOSE to have a separate, private ceremony conudcted by the Speaker of the House, to which they invite their friends and family. Photos from these private ceremonies are the ones posted on their websites. Private swearing-in events are CEREMONIAL ONLY, and not official. The Constitution only requires that an oath be taken, not that it be taken using a bible.

Are Virgil Goode's supporters really so stupid to not know that Bibles are not used in the swearing in ceremony? Do these people drop out of school after the second grade?

Greg wrote on December 19, 2006 10:27 PM:

Unfortunately, I am in Goode's district. I looked forward to voting against him, but there was no Democrat running and I ended up voting for an independent candidate I knew nothing about. Don't get me wrong, I'm fairly certain he would have won anyway, but without any major party opposition, there is no way to hold him or others like him accountable. He has free rein to pander to his base and the conversation in this country gets more debased.

The Democrats need a 50-state strategy not just to take advantage of opportunities when they arise, but also to promote a dialog that points out how extreme and bigoted these ideas are.

Brian C.B. wrote on December 19, 2006 10:31 PM:

I deeply apologize for this man. His district was gerrymandered to include a portion of Albemarle County that includes many faculty and researchers at the University of Virginia, and Charlottesville City, a Democratic stronghold that welcomes Americans of every religion and communities of refugees from the Balkans and Tibet, as well as several hundred Bantu. The remainder of the District is in many respects a playground of Ben-Tillman nationalist resentment politics, an collection of aging Southerners who've been caught on the down side of globalization (furnishings, textiles) and increasingly abandoned to poor health care and poor education. Someone has to pay for that betrayal, and to them it's the governments fault, so that agency can't be trusted anymore, and all those Latinos and other brown people must be to blame.

Most of us thought Virgil's relentless xenophobia was a kind of dangerous act--this is the year of Macaca, people--but it turns out he's more deluded than anyone ever dreamed. It's not just border-fence, English-official-language stuff. It's religion, too. Although, make no mistake about it, if a congressperson of Latino ancestry was to use an old family Bible in Spanish, I'm sure Virgil would be every bit as indignant.

He essentially inherited his office from his (Democratic) father of the identical name. He switched parties. No, there is no evidence he can write better English than is contained in that letter. He won the district with 55 percent of the vote.

Daniel Burosh wrote on December 19, 2006 10:33 PM:

An InbredAmericanChristerFuck elected to Congress from the InbredAmericanChristerFuck state of Virginia? Who knew!!!

Brian C.B. wrote on December 19, 2006 10:35 PM:

Greg, Al Weed ran against him. For the second cycle running. He wasn't well-funded, but he was on the ballot and had worked hard to be known in Southside as well as in Albemarle and Nelson. He offered a platform of health care, ethanol research and support for former tobacco farmers, was a former career Special Forces medic, is a farmer and has a son who is a combat surgeon in Baghdad. There was definitely a candidate running against Goode.

Rehan wrote on December 19, 2006 10:35 PM:

I am not sure who is more heroic: the person who cracked this story or people like you, who speak out for a small minority's defense, though you are under no obligation to do so. Thanks for your courage, from a grateful Muslim...

PT wrote on December 19, 2006 10:36 PM:

Guys like congressman Goode is one of the reasons why weare in the shape we are today

diogeron wrote on December 19, 2006 10:42 PM:

Let's first stipulate that Virgil is a moron. Having said that, the fact that anyone can seriously embrace Islam, scares me too, especially if anyone has bothered to read the Koran. Of course, in all fairness, anyone who has read The Bible should be equally freaked out about their adherents as well...go read LEVITICUS if you need any evidence of this claim. Just as Muslims ignore some of the wacko parts of the Koran, so too do most "Christians" seem to pick and choose which parts of the Bible they believe. Fortunately, a lot of American Jews are, in practice, secularist, but they certainly have their fair share of extremist, irrationalist and powerful nutcases.

james risser wrote on December 19, 2006 10:43 PM:

what a horrible excuse for a human being...

well, his phone number is (202)225-4711, and perhaps others will call his office tomorrow and remind him that:

502 verses in 36 Suras of the Koran are about Moses, directly from the Jewish Pentateuch. Two hundred forty-five verses in 25 Suras are about Abraham, from the same source, and 131 more verses in 28 Suras are about Noah, also from the Pentateuch.

perhaps he should take moses top ten down too.

this guy is a sick pathetic little virginia redneck racist...oh, you can tell him that too...

ClockworkOrange wrote on December 19, 2006 10:52 PM:

Um, not every one who lives in the state of Virginia is inbred, my man. Nor Republican.

Mr. Goode still has dealings with MZM (and consequently, "Duke" Cunningham) to answer for (despite returning the money when things got hot). He has lots more to fear than Muslims.

Karma, even.

Ismail wrote on December 19, 2006 11:01 PM:

The reason these bigots are hating a group of people openly is cause the are frustarted. American people have realized who and what muslims are, and they are researching/ finding for themselves rather than listen to these jebronis. These Goode and Virgil of today know very well that their days of " misleading" people are hitory....

John K wrote on December 19, 2006 11:05 PM:

So now we are a nation that have elected officials who think it appropriate to have a religious test as a prerequisite for immingration. I do think that Mr. G has a need to review his oath and the constitution and check for the possibility of a conflict. If he should persist in his pursuit of this nonsense the good people of Virginia should have a recall election. They need to decide if they want a religious test as a prerequisite for immigration.

Larry wrote on December 19, 2006 11:11 PM:

Goode was once a Democrat, but he left the party after (among other things) getting trounced by Chuck Robb in the 1994 Senate primary. It's just as well he's a Republican these days. The sad thing is that out here in rural Virginia there is almost no local news coverage, so I doubt any of his constituents will ever see this story.

Rick C wrote on December 19, 2006 11:15 PM:

I think that this person should be removed from office. How is this bigoted rant any different than Mel Gibson's? Why is there not an outrage against this idiot? This is a perfect example of why there is a separation of church and state; so that religion cannot influence the policies of our government and religious fanatics cannot influence people from positions of authority.

Mickey wrote on December 19, 2006 11:17 PM:

It is not teh Muslims I am worried about it is the Christians

June wrote on December 19, 2006 11:18 PM:

I think it should be remembered that Muslims rule their countries by religion, not by civil law. The religious leaders of Islam set the laws and govern. This is totally against the principles of our country. Muslims treat women as second class and worse, Muslims and Islam require a strict adherence to their religious beliefs. How does this belief work in our country? How will this elected Muslim work in a democracy when everything his religion dictates to him goes against our democratic principles?

John Loehr wrote on December 19, 2006 11:26 PM:

I live in Mr. Goode's district and I am an Arab-American. My mother's parents emigrated from Lebanon to West Virginia in 1905. My father and three of my uncles served in WWII. My mother's first cousins, men I knew as Uncle Phil, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Joe mamd Uncle Louie, also served in the war. My mother's sister, aunt Imogene, was in uniform as a nurse during the war. My uncle Tom played college football at WVu, before going to the war. My first cousin was killed flying his F-86 during the Korean war. I would like Mr. Goode to explain to me, his constituent, a native southerner, and fellow UVA alumnus, how the immigration of my family from the middle east has undermined the values and beliefs of America and swamped our resources.

Cal81 wrote on December 19, 2006 11:31 PM:

Geez, this guy sounds like General Jack D. Ripper from Dr. Strangelove. I almost expected him to say that the Muslims were trying to "drain our precious bodily fluids". Unfortunately, six years of Dubya and his crowd stoking the flames of fear and distrust have led fools like this guy to feel that they have license to say whatever pops into their miniscule brains.

Celebrity Holmes wrote on December 19, 2006 11:42 PM:

Hey, I'm all for Goode's proposed banning of U.S. government officials from swearing in on the Koran... or The Bible, "Dianetics", The PADI Open Water Diver Manual, The Necronomicon, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, etc.

How about they swear in on the United States Constitution and then, if they wish, hold some nice, privately funded religious (or non religious) ceremony of their choice on private property?

RAmen,
C.Holmes

Fred wrote on December 19, 2006 11:49 PM:

Can you imagine if he has said beware of the influx of JEWS, it would be a top story on cnn "news" and everywhere else.

james risser wrote on December 19, 2006 11:52 PM:

fred,

if he had said the same about the jews, he would be looking for a job selling aluminum siding door-to-door, or shoes at a mall in virginia by friday morning...

David wrote on December 19, 2006 11:58 PM:

Goode's comments show one of the problems with Republicans of his stripe. They seem to think they got the stream-lined version of things because of their short and long term memory problems.

Obviously, he attended a swearing-in ceremony where all he did was raise his right hand and swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States. He knows there are no religious tests for the oath of office, because he has been through it numerous times.

But he must think they gave him the special short version so he wouldn't flub it up by forgetting the big words.

Ben wrote on December 20, 2006 12:10 AM:

Goode: "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 and to prevent our resources from being swamped."

Art VI, U.S. Constitution (1792): "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."

Brian D.G. wrote on December 20, 2006 12:50 AM:

Just to follow up on Brian C.B.'s comment above -- Al Weed, the Democrat who ran against Goode in Virginia's 5th, is a real American hero: a poor boy who spent a career serving his country in the Special Forces and then became a successful farmer and businessman. His positions on the war and on energy policy are eminently sensible. I was proud to vote for him (twice!) and I hope to have the chance to do it again. It's great to see the Goode edifice slipping, even a month and a half too late. Let's spend the next two years supporting the heck out of Al Weed, 'kay?

By the way, for those of you who don't know much 'bout Virgil Goode Jr.: he basically coasted into state and federal office on the name recognition of his father, Virgil Goode Sr., a state legislator who was also Virginia Commonwealth's Attorney for 24 years and has at least one road named after him in the district his son now represents. Sound familiar?

Richard wrote on December 20, 2006 12:52 AM:

All righ, let us be kind to Goode and not tell him that there are 1,283,424,000 Muslims in the world (more or less depending upon how many Muslims America had killed in Iraq and Afghanistan today). It would be too bad if a holy-roller member of Congress like Goode got scared to death. God only knows what Goode would do if he were informed that there are 4,657,000 American Muslims, some of which are in America's armed forces. Any one of these American Muslims could be Goode's personal Cardiologist. Muslims do not have M-u-s-l-i-m tattooed on their forhead. It oft appears as though an American must fail an IQ test in order to get elected to office in the USofA. Vanity is America's greatest sin and voters just do not want to elect anyone with more intelligence than themselves.

Anthony wrote on December 20, 2006 12:55 AM:

It's not unlikely that one or more of his ancestors was complaining about "immigrant Jews" and their threat to our way of life 80-100 years ago.

Brian D.G. wrote on December 20, 2006 1:21 AM:

"It oft appears as though an American must fail an IQ test in order to get elected to office in the USofA. Vanity is America's greatest sin and voters just do not want to elect anyone with more intelligence than themselves."

Actually, I've talked to Virgil Goode. He is certainly not stupid. Cynical and wrong, but not stupid. He knows that his district, on the whole, will reward him for this letter. Charlottesville's growing, but not _that_ fast.

Noremac wrote on December 20, 2006 1:34 AM:

We all herd this kind of stuff in one way shape or form since fear tatics became the primary "energizer" of the GOP base, but, on a happier note, back to Keith Ellison being ellected. I was once told "atheists are as elect able as muslims"...needless to say, this young, aspiring politicians future is looking pretty bright

B. J. wrote on December 20, 2006 1:47 AM:

Has anybody noticed that right-wing Christians, right-wing Muslims, and right-wing Jews all are bring the world to edge of the Apocalypse?

While the right-wing religious kooks are hating and killing each other, the Godless Chinese and Hindu Indians are getting their act together.

Wouldn't it be great if we could ship all the right-wing religious fanatics to one country so they can pray and kill each other all day long?

I bet you the Republicans wouldn't last a day in that group, because they are cowards, and only send others to die for their hate and their wars.

FUBush wrote on December 20, 2006 2:34 AM:

Rep. Goo de is a bi got, which is typical of many GO Peeers, those who are not 'straight' gay. (By the way, in Goo de's title, I presume the 'Rep.' is short for 'Reprehensible')

And is 'Wade' pronounced 'Wide?'.

But you gotta admit, Goo de is a true and faithful follower and representative of his religious and republican parties (Both of whose 'Parties' would better be described as 'Gay Orgies', based on all recent 'Revelations', Halleluah!. And A-Men! ( Make that All-Men, or 'A-Gay-Man' and Associates.

BruntLIVE wrote on December 20, 2006 3:43 AM:

Why isn't this posted on DRUDGEREPORT?

BruntLIVE wrote on December 20, 2006 3:45 AM:

TRADITIONAL VALUES MEANS WHITE PEOPLE VALUES....WHATEVER THOSE ARE (THEY DON'T EXIST, JUST SOMETHING TO SAY TO SEEM SUPERIOR)

Ronald E. Fuller wrote on December 20, 2006 3:55 AM:

Kids should never be raised in Virgina. It's a hotbed of hate. Lieberman should get off his TV kick and take on kids watching real life in Virgina 24 hours a day.

Jim Carlile wrote on December 20, 2006 4:28 AM:

It's always Republicans, isn't it?

But you have to admit, he's a wonderful writer. I love run-on sentences.

Ron Brynaert wrote on December 20, 2006 5:29 AM:

Hard to believe Goode used to be a Democrat.

Same clown a few months back:

"Increasing the minimum wage in America will be a magnet for illegal aliens to come to this country. We do not need a strong magnet to lure
illegals here."

Fred Free wrote on December 20, 2006 5:41 AM:

I ran across a bumper sticker / non-denominational "thought", of sorts, if you will.

A bit of grace, under fire.

It stated simply:

"Dear God, please protect me from your followers."

Cvillian wrote on December 20, 2006 7:02 AM:

I am one of Virgil's constituents. The man is and always has been an embarrassment, but he plays extremely well in the rural/southern part of this gerrymandered district. The best a Dem has been able to do is grab about 40% of the vote, as Virgil's base is solid as a rock. He's definitely "unless he gets caught with a dead girl or a live boy" kind of safe - his involvement with MZM and Duke Cunningham didn't even make a dent (of course, his lame-ass opponent didn't even make this an issue of the campaign). Even with a 20% lead in the polls and with absolutely no reason to do so, Virgil was running negative ads. I expect him to use this type of hate successfully for as long as he wants to, or at least until a Dem legislature is able to fix the district. His base loves this kind of crap.

psyopswatcher wrote on December 20, 2006 7:17 AM:

Oh good for Ellison. He was elected Fair and Square, he now represents ALL in his district and I believe he can handle it without all the fancy do-dahs on the 'I Love Me' wall. When his wife shows up in a burqa, then I say worry. Yet I'd like to hear his 'call to prayer' in the Capitol, eh? That might set some church bells ringing.

These fools didn't know going to war is more than cultures colliding? It's about POPULATIONS MERGING also. Look at France and Germany and the Brits and tell me this is inescapable? How about Japan and Vietnam? Too late now, fools. The war brides will soon be on the way.

You go to war and that's what you get--win OR lose. There will always be a people who want that bigger slice of pie and that's exactly what YOU OFFERED them when you used the virtuous morals of your country in order to liberate them from what? The very same horrors inflicted on them today.

Fools and idiots.

I would suggest someone sending Goode a copy of American History X so he can see how his clansmen deal with the 'threat' he so envisions and perceives. Has that movie ever failed to get anyone thinking?

Time to let the children do the thinking perhaps.

Jim wrote on December 20, 2006 7:30 AM:

I really am amazed at the naive reactions to what he said. Has anyone looked at Europe lately? The Muslim system of beliefs is directly opposed to what we have had in America for 200 years. In parts of France and England Muslim law is being used even when it contradicts civil laws. He might have been more delicate in his verbiage but one really needs to consider closely immigration laws for people with a set of beliefs so different than our own and who are reproducing at a rate three times as fast as most of us here.

Hipnosis wrote on December 20, 2006 7:52 AM:

I don't agree with this guy's politics, but the US needs to wake up. The European Union and England are dealing with the repercussions of promoting a multi cultural society right now. The United States have never adopted such a policy, but the way Islam is spreading the face of the western world will look much different in 50 years. Islam is not a religion folks, it's a political movement.. a dangerous one. The Muslim extremists are the only ones following the words of the Koran and Mohammed the way they were written. If only 10% of the world's 1.3 billion Muslims are extremists, there is a big problem brewing. Get a cap on your immigration now, or your country will not survive an Islamic birthrate that is 4 times higher than that of western countries.

Rocky wrote on December 20, 2006 8:07 AM:

This man has no faith. He pretends but he has none. Lets see "they hate us for our Freedoms." So lets get rid of that stupid idea of Freedom and keep all the non-anglo's out of the country. What an idiot.

Rocky wrote on December 20, 2006 8:16 AM:

Beside you are not sworn in using a bible. You swear to up hold the Constitution. Further more, according to the Saudi's it was the Bush administration that created the fast track program for "wealthy" middle eastern students to come here. Again I stick with my state of this guy is an "IDIOT".

mfx wrote on December 20, 2006 8:39 AM:

how does this win the hearts & minds of Muslims? how about fostering good will among moderate Muslims?

Brian C.B. wrote on December 20, 2006 9:33 AM:

"In parts of France and England Muslim law is being used even when it contradicts civil laws."

I can't really speak for England, but in no part of France is there any law but that written by the National Assembly. And, that applies equally to all French citizens, without regard to religion. And, it has not formally or informally recognized any religious ordinance is 1906. It is viciously, unthinkingly secular. (Thank you, Third Republic.) The state can't even agree to build a new mosque and has appointed only one Muslim prefect, whos religion it was forbidden to mention in the Assembly when his appointment was considerred. Perhaps you should be less trusting of certain websites.

Blue Green wrote on December 20, 2006 9:40 AM:

Obviously, you pea-brains have not had a chance to read the history of Islam, the Koran or the Hadith. Duh??? Wake up!!! Here is a quick insight to their hidden agenda:

Koran's call to Jihad

“The Koran is our constitution,
Mohammed is our prophet, Jihad is our
path and dying as martyrs for the sake
of Allah is our biggest wish.

The mission statement of the Islamofacists is to make Islam the de facto and de jure Only Recognized Religion and Law, by hook, crook or sword. It is called Sharia.

First, they sit back quietly and have 10 kids, then when their numbers are 50% or more of the population, they get a case of Sudden Jihad Syndrome. They can't stand freedom anymore, so they make up an excuse to kill many Christians and Jews and maybe their suicidal selves. Talk about population explosion.

This has already happened in Europe and the US. Next on the agenda, spontaneious protests with large numbers of people with table cloths on their heads mobbing the streets, yelling "down with this" or "death to so-and so."

Then this is followed up by intimidation, coercion, and vandalism as in the city of Paris, France with rioting, looting, burning of cars and murder. They will kill your children too, just like in Gaza recently, if they don't like you. They killed one man's three kids, one of them had 10 bullets to the head, wouldn't one have done the job. Talk about over kill.

Like a killer bee, they take offence at anyone who is not Moslem in their area of town as if these ragamuffins bought and paid for it, as they do in the UK, to a MP no less.

Then they take your remarks out of context and go out and kill nuns and priests and shoot up non-Roman Catholic, Christian churches over the Popes latest historical remarks. God the Pope loved that. Why shoot up Russian Orthodox and other real Christian churches, go to a Roman Catholic church and blow it up or set it on fire for the remarks of a Catholic Pope. Sorry boss, we got the wrong church??? So much for the logical and rational man having a historical conversation without causing a war. What happened to freedom of speech, tolerance and diversity?

Jihad is not just an inner struggle to become holy, it is a violent, military take over by a religous and political extremists. It eradicates free speech, women's rights, and makes rape a of any woman a public policy.

If a woman is raped, she must have 4 male witnesses verify the accusation as womens voice only equal half a voice or person. In fact the Koran says women are half as smart as men. Duh??? Does that mean Moslem men are twice as smart??? Does that mean we need to subjugate all women by forced conjugation?

Absent the 4 male witnesses, she is then accused of being an adultress and stoned to death after some torture for good measure. Now it is nearly impossible to coreograph 4 male witnesses, so this is tantamount to a de facto rape policy for all women by sex-starved Moslem men, who just need 10 more kids to start a war. It is real hard to have a war, when you don't have enough starving, illiterate kids to use for IEDs.

Check out www.faithfreedom.org from a former Moslem to see how brutal and unjust they really are. Anyone who stands up for them has not read the facts of the case. In fact, they are Islamic sympathizers, which is akin to Nazi collaborators.

You bunch of politically correct idiots need to go and check out your facts first. Why not just praise So-damn Insane (Sadam Hussein)?

If dying as a martyr for Allah is their greatest wish, grant them that wish today. Line them up...
we can put you right beside them.

BGG338 Out.

Eyeball Kid wrote on December 20, 2006 9:41 AM:

Goode is a good Republican who is savvy at playing the race and religion cards while his masters steal from the Treasury and give crumbs to their lackeys, Goode being one of them, for political campaigning. It's a game of back-scratching, simple and cheap.

Donna Saggia wrote on December 20, 2006 9:46 AM:

Since Keith Ellison was born in this country, I doubt that Goode's anti-immigrant rant applies. More important, this is just another example of a cracker opportunist politician using hatred and fear to push through his anti-democratic agenda. If his constituents believe him and go along, they're as ignorant as he is.

LesserFool wrote on December 20, 2006 9:50 AM:

> "[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,"

Well, considering the fidelity and integrity of politicians that swear on the Christian holy book, I'd be willing to take a gamble on the Muslim holy book. It certainly can't be worse.

Actually, I'd prefer that the entire pretense be scrapped as it makes no difference what holy book is sworn upon; or to which God the politician pays lip service to. It matters not.

The prison population consists of demographics not unlike the general population. Religion or irreligion matters not except to demagogues who exploit religion to herd the masses.

miguel wrote on December 20, 2006 10:03 AM:

I believe anyone should be able to use any device to rest their hand on when taking the oath. A true/real patriot would use the US Constitution as the book to which one rest their hand, because only the US Constitution embraces all religions by protecting them all and mandating none.

wmforr wrote on December 20, 2006 10:09 AM:

I looked all through the letter and couldn't find the part railing about all the Jewish immigrants. "Soon we will be swamped... they will take over the country... They will destroy our Christian values... pork will be outlawed..." Was this just an oversight on the Congressman's part?

minnesotamark wrote on December 20, 2006 10:14 AM:

Holy cow. This Goode chap is an out and out bigot.

Pam wrote on December 20, 2006 10:15 AM:

Frankly, I don't think we use the Bible at all.
I mean, I am an athiest. SO for me to swear on the
Bible means absolutely nothing. We should just
get rid of that part of the oath taking altogether.

Mark Grimes wrote on December 20, 2006 10:23 AM:

I went to the Huffington Post this morning to get my daily reality check and was actually completely blown away by this story. Is it no wonder that the republican lost in November. This type of religious bigotry should not be tolerated and this Congressman (Goode) should be asked to at the very least apologize to the new congressman from MN. Republicans in general don't want anything to do with anyone else that is different or has an original thought with this congressman leading by example. I am an independent who is so glad I voted for change this election cycle. I hope the democrats take the ball and do rid us these very people that put our lives in danger with their rhetoric.

Richard wrote on December 20, 2006 10:24 AM:

When he reflects on his statements he will realize that he doesn't really want to work on some kinda of immigration scheme, instead he wants to work on mind control of the American people.

As only one other person pointed out...the congressman was born in Michigan and he converted to Islam.

There are many more being born Muslim in the U.S. and many many more Americans converting to Islam including white people. So how does he plan to stop this influx of immigration of white American converts to Islam?

Which border does he want to build a fence on? Which country does he want to reduce a limit of immigration on?

LesserFool wrote on December 20, 2006 10:24 AM:

> Values and beliefs traditional to the US?" All
> of those seem to have gone out the door under
> the present administration, so why worry now?

The same "values and beliefs" [of the segregated, racist south] that advocated preservation of slavery, segregation, limited property and voting rights; and that never saw a war it did not like ... and that continues to turn the other way as atrocities of Darfur and the like occur around the world ... unless it is happening to Christians or WASP-like peoples. These are the Christian values Goode and his constituents stand for. Well, that's a fine and dandy belief system they got there. Give me some of the Old Time Religion!

Rove wrote on December 20, 2006 10:31 AM:

How did this moron survive the November disinfecting? Oh right...Virginia...got it.

Richard wrote on December 20, 2006 10:31 AM:

Furthermore, the oath on a book is all a photo op. The actual oath is taken in congress along with everyone else with their right hand in the air, swearing to protect the constitution of the United States of America,

NOT a Bible, Quran, Toran, Bhagavad Gita, Confucius teachings...or anything else.

As soon as politicians realize that they are being hired by us to do a job and are public servants hired to uphold a document...they will stop acting like royals and do their job. Politics should be part of a persons' life, not the whole thing. We need teachers, lawyers, doctors, engineers etc...to take time out and be politicians for a few terms and then return to their oringinal jobs.

This is all a planned media stunt. There is no official swearing in ceremony with a book of any kind. So why does it even matter. The only swearing in ceremony is in congress on the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA... M

MOST CONGRESS people have forgotten about the constitution

e wrote on December 20, 2006 10:43 AM:

Blue Green, you might want to cut back on your morning caffeine.

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 10:48 AM:

bin Laden's Fatwa: Kill Americans

"We -- with God's help -- call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it."

bin Laden Fatwa 1998

They believe the Koran commands "every Muslim to kill the Americans, civilians and military".

"On that basis, and in compliance with God's order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies -- civilians and military -- is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it"

And in August 1998, embassies, Cole 2000, WTC 2001 and Pentagon 2001, etc. they did it according to this Fatwa. 9-11 was done by legal immigrants who came after the WTC 1993 attack.

Puma wrote on December 20, 2006 10:53 AM:

June,
What you're thinking of is Sharia, which is a body of law supposedly based on Islamic principles. This has nothing to do with the Koran at all... different "Islamic" countries have different bodies of Sharia. There's no monolithic Islamic law or "rule... by religion", any more than there's a monolithic "Western" body of laws. I'm sure that I'm going to get corrected by someone, but that's ok.
In any case, the Muslim in question isn't beholden to any "religious law" any more than any Christian is beholden to the Pope (or whoever their religious leader is.
June said:
think it should be remembered that Muslims rule their countries by religion, not by civil law. The religious leaders of Islam set the laws and govern. This is totally against the principles of our country. Muslims treat women as second class and worse, Muslims and Islam require a strict adherence to their religious beliefs. How does this belief work in our country? How will this elected Muslim work in a democracy when everything his religion dictates to him goes against our democratic principles?

nikto wrote on December 20, 2006 10:56 AM:

GOODE is EVIL.

This is an obvious FACT, not an opinion.

Unless you're a moral relativist, that is.

GitMan wrote on December 20, 2006 11:00 AM:

It's over for the GOP in this country.

There are not enough KKK-style haters to sustain them, or to win important elections anymore.

The GOP is done like dinner.

They can have their racist 30% minority.

Just don't trip on those white sheets, boys!

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 11:03 AM:

THE INTERNATIONAL
LESBIAN AND GAY ASSOCIATION

"1. Sources

The primary source for Islamic Law is the Koran. The second element is known as the Sunna, these being the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed and his oldest disciples not explicitly found in the Koran. The third element of Shari'a Law is known as the Ijma. These are rules developed on the basis of debate and subsequent consensus among religious scholars and the Moslem community as a whole. When these three main sources fail to provide adequate guidance, they are supplemented by a system in which the jurist can draw parallels with the first three sources (the Qiyas). Finally, there are several other methods for developing judgements, each of which allows increased use of discretion by the jurist. These latter sources allow for the development of Shari'a Law in more liberal jurisdictions, but are rejected in more conservative jurisdictions."

"In the Hadith, homosexual behaviour is condemned harshly: "whenever a male mount another male, the throne of God trembles"......... if you see two people who act like the people of Lot, then kill the active and the passive"."

"Legal Sanctions
The punishment that the Islamic jurists generally prescribe for adultery, and therefore also for homosexual behaviour, is stoning to death for married people, and 100 lashes for unmarried people..."

"
Gays flee Iraq as Shia death squads find a new target" Jennifer Copestake Guardian August 6, 2006.

J wrote on December 20, 2006 11:04 AM:

Thomas Jefferson must be rolling around in their graves, having this clown represent part of his home state in Congress.

si wrote on December 20, 2006 11:05 AM:

Isn't Goode one of Mark Foley chums?

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 11:15 AM:

http://www.omdurman.org/sharia.html

"
Saudi Religious Police burn schoolgirls to death for being improperly dressed
Saudi police 'stopped' fire rescue
Saudi Arabia's religious police stopped schoolgirls from leaving a blazing building because they were not wearing correct Islamic dress, according to Saudi newspapers."

"TEHRAN (Reuters) - An Iranian man cut off his seven- year-old daughter's head after suspecting she had been raped by her uncle, the Jomhuri-ye Eslami newspaper said on Sunday.
..."The motive behind the killing was to defend my honor, fame, and dignity," the paper quoted the father as saying. (Source)"

"Judicial Rape in Iran and the Sudan
Women, Islam & Equality describes Iran's version of the "Muslim" religion:

According to a "religious" decree, virgin women prisoners must as a rule be raped before their execution, "lest they go to Paradise.""

charles donnelly wrote on December 20, 2006 11:17 AM:

In iieu of an email address I guess I'll have to write a letter with some history references and maybe there will be someone in his office to read it to him.
As for his bible, the U.S. leads the developed world in percentage of believers and churchgoers. It also leads in murders and other violent felonies.

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 11:22 AM:

" It (US) also leads in murders and other violent felonies."

Search

murder site:Vdare.com

crime immigration site:Vdare.com

crime immigration site:Amren.com

Borjas black site:Vdare.com

"The employment rate of black men in the United States fell precipitously from 89.6 percent in 1960 to 76.1 percent in 2000… The decline in labor market participation among black men was accompanied by a rapid increase in the number of black men in correctional institutions. As recently as 1980, only 0.8 percent of black men … were incarcerated. By 2000, 9.6 percent of black men … were incarcerated."

From Steve Sailer

http://www.vdare.com/sailer/060924_crime.htm

egghead wrote on December 20, 2006 11:32 AM:

"As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office,"

And as long as the Honorable Virgil Goode holds to values important to true Americans he will continue to get my vote.

The destructive freedom most of you exhibit in your hateful, disrespectful words are a sad reflection of a segment of our society that embarasses the noble people of our country.

Thank God you are the minority. You're just a LOUD minority.

Brian C.B. wrote on December 20, 2006 12:19 PM:

"Thank God you are the minority. You're just a LOUD minority"

If we were in the minority, the Senate and House would not have changed hands. If we were in the minority, the vote you cast for George F. Allen might not have been squandered on a loser. You're t he minority, now. The Old Dominion shakes off your values in favor of "values important to true Americans" a little bit more every day. Values like freedom of speech and freedom of religion, of respect for a man's public character and conduct, and not judging him on which deity he worships or what language his father spoke or what color his skin is. The only reason Goode still has a job is the district carved for him to keep him in it.

Southside is one of the few regions in Virginia that's actually losing population. If it weren't for Charlottesville, Albemarle, and Nelson counties, Virgil would officially represent fewer Virginians every day. As he does, unofficially, to judge by his comments.

Jim wrote on December 20, 2006 12:26 PM:

It is hard to believe that Goode was first elected to political office as a supporter of the late Virginia Lieutenant Governor Henry Howell. Howell fought hard and effectively in a tough environment to end racial segregation in Virginia; to make the state's tax system at least a little progressive; and, in Henry's own memorable words, "to keep the Big Boys honest" (thereby scaring the bejesus out of said Big Boys but still only losing the 1973 gubernatorial election by a couple tenths of a percent).

I think a 1968 story about Virgil Goode, Sr. (Big Virgil) perfectly explains Little Virgil's evolution (though he'd probably label it "intelligent self-design") and, indeed, his entire political strategy (sure as hell can't be called a philosophy).

Big Virgil, at the time, was the elected prosecuter in the county in which he lived and was the de facto political boss of the area.

At a county fair before the presidential election, a loyal Democrat saw a voter go up to Big Virgil and ask if he had any Humphrey posters.

Big Virgil replied, "Oh yes, I've got plenty of them in the car. I'll go get you one and be right back."

Not an hour after this transpired, the same loyal Democrat saw another voter talking with Big Virgil and asking for a George Wallace for President poster.

Once again, Goode replied, "Oh yes, I've got plenty of them in the car. I'll go get you one and be right back."

Sure enough, the second person soon was walking away with a Wallace poster.

The witness confronted Big Virgil and suggested that, as a Democratic elected official, perhaps he shouldn't be stocking the campaign paraphenalia of George Wallace.

In addition, the loyal Dem. ventured that Big Virgil might not be leaving an entirely honest impression with the supporters of whichever candidate he didn't end up voting for.

Big Virgil's reply, "Well, you have to give the people what they want."

Left unsaid was that the the preeminent goal is always one's own reelction; and, that George Wallace would heavily carry that region of Virginia come November.

Having watched Little Virgil rather closely for many years I am confident that little sentence explains almost every political decision he makes.

His votes to impeach Bill Clinton were predicated neither on constitutional theory nor even genuine moral outrage at Clinton's conduct. He simply concluded that the Clinton hater's (a minority even in that district) would never forgive him if he voted "no" while those opposed to impeachment would soon forget or forgive as they moved on with their lives.

His switch to the Republican Party came only after Republicans took control of the Virginia legislature that would be re-drawing the lines of his Congressional District.

Now, there is this repugnant letter, dripping with thinly veiled venality, in which a Member of the United States Congress writes proudly about bullying a student visiting his office.

Leadership and the philosophy of the drafter of the Declaration of Independence (who'd be a Goode constituent were he still living) be damned, just give the people what they want.

Bob wrote on December 20, 2006 12:30 PM:

I have seen this story only here. How is that the media isn't all over this story. This ought to be a part of the national debate and concern over the direction this country is taking. And it IS taking a new direction.

"Our safety, our liberty, depends upon preserving the Constitution of the United States as our fathers made it inviolate. The people of the United States are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution."
--Abraham Lincoln

E smith wrote on December 20, 2006 12:31 PM:

does eurabia mean anything to anybody. how about amerarabia. immigration is fine. assimilation is even finer. color means nothing to me but American values mean alot. no offense to anybody reading this, but i want an American America not a arab America, or a Jewish America, or a white America, or a black America, or a mexican America. be an American or split. some celebrities have threatened this but none have followed thru with it.

Fuentes wrote on December 20, 2006 12:38 PM:

Is there such a thing as "American" values?

E smith wrote on December 20, 2006 12:40 PM:

i believe so! i am sorry you do not

Octopus G wrote on December 20, 2006 12:49 PM:

John Loehr: Please -- please -- put your comment in a letter and send it to Rep. Goode and his local VA paper.

John wrote on December 20, 2006 12:53 PM:

Not all Muslims are terrorists, but unforturnately all current terrorists seem to be muslims.

Jacqueline wrote on December 20, 2006 1:00 PM:

At first, I was angry reading about Rep. Goode's uneducated and discriminatory response. But I realize now that he's not worth my anger. I pity him.

B wrote on December 20, 2006 1:18 PM:

When I get elected and get sworn in I'll have my hand on "Everybody Poops!"

joe wrote on December 20, 2006 1:24 PM:

so why doesn't he have a koran on this wall? what was the explanation? he's just a bigot.

the bible is just as bad as the koran....luckily christians don't beleive in it the wall moslems believe in the koran.

thank god for the scientific revolution and the enlightment.

mike wrote on December 20, 2006 1:30 PM:

This is a reason for recall. This letter here is proof that this man will not uphold the Constitution ot The United States of America.
Take your racist hate elswhere and leave our country you PIG.
Mike
White AMERICAN male.

Daniel wrote on December 20, 2006 1:31 PM:

What's the problem with not having passages from the Quran on a politician's wall in the US? While living in the Middle East, I don't recall even once seeing Biblical passages in the offices of public officials or in public institutions (and yes, I can read Arabic).

In fact, what I do recall from life in the Islamic world is that non-Muslims were legally discriminated against, legally categorized as second class citizens, legally prohibited from visiting certain cities, and legally considered inferior in terms of court proceedings, to name but a few of Islam's legal and derogatory treatment of non-Muslims.

If the Islamic community wants equal treatment by non-Muslims, then the Islamic community will have to legalize and institutionalize equal treatment for non-Muslims within the Islamic world. Of course, Islam prohibits equal treatment for infidels and therefore it will NEVER happen. Hence the battle between Islam and the rest of the world will continue on forever…

Jesse Crumb wrote on December 20, 2006 1:36 PM:

Hmmmmm?
It's strange how we seem to Tolerate the confronational behavior of the so-called "conservatives"...or "Christians" even though they have NO concept of Foregiveness..Love..empathy...the Hallmarks of Jesus..as in "let he who is without sin ".
I am SO sick of these people getting away with turning ANY debate into a personal attack...in the media..everywhere...I think it's time we begin a campaign to call them what they are..
In this regard we must find a "term" or "title" that fits..that can catch on..that adequately describes the Pattern..
I hereby throw down a gauntlet...
How about "Stubborn Stupids" (the S.S.?)
Or maybe ..as they seem to love labels..how about "ChristoFascists"
Or one I've heard before, but I still like.."Repugnicans"
I would like to paraphrase a statement that just..chrystalized..for me...their very NATURE.
'..To understand Stupid people well...you must first understand that, their minds are not PHYSICALLY crippled...it's just that they have CHOSEN to be STUPID..because that offers ITS OWN KIND OF POWER. To win a great many small contests of will, they need only to ignore ALL EVIDENCE. Bright people will BREAK DOWN trying to argue with them...'
Sounds right.
Speaking of Evidence..
Some interesting Data...regarding the so-called "Red States" Their very Nature, once recorded, becomes FACT.."Proof" or Evidence of the ACTUAL Wisdom and Behaviours of these people. A recent book compiled ALL the state and national data regarding Social, Financial, Cultural patterns..what do you know..Red States are the LEADERS..the TOP 10 in the following categories..
HIGHEST INCARCERATION
HIGHEST FEMALE INCARCERATION
HIGHEST NUMBER OF EXECUTIONS
HIGHEST RATE OF DEATH BY FIREARMS
HIGHEST RATES OF SUICIDE
HIGHEST GROSSING GAMING MARKETS (although
New Jersey is #2)
HIGHEST POVERTY RATE
HIGHEST DIVORCE RATES ("family values")
HIGHEST ILLEGITIMACY RATES
HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF OBESITY
Oh yeah..the Highest rate of College Graduates? of the top 10 are EIGHT are BLUE..
The FACT is, they don't have the "Right" to attack us..while THEY live in Denial.
We must seperate Religion from State..before its too late...

Mike Cotter wrote on December 20, 2006 1:42 PM:

Let's try Windows' "Replace" feature here:

Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Torah in any way. The Jewish Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Jews elected to office and demanding the use of the Torah. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Israel to come to this country. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Jews 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 and to prevent our resources from being swamped.

The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Jewish student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Torah. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Torah is not going to be on the wall of my office.” Thank you again for your email and thoughts.

Steve H wrote on December 20, 2006 1:48 PM:

According to an article quoted by Atrios, the US is set to accept 500 refugees from Iraq next year. (http://atrios.blogspot.com/2006_12_10_atrios_archive.html#116584891661696712)

Of course we've created hundreds of thousands of potential Iraqee refugees, including some who are Christians, so we should and will, I hope, eventually accept many more refugees than that, many who are Muslim.

I can only hope that Congress would accept that we have a responsibilty to these people whose country we invaded. I truly believe, until I see a poll that states otherwise, that the American people would empathise with the refugees and be willing to accept them into our country.

james risser wrote on December 20, 2006 1:57 PM:

as i mentioned last night, the irony in his having moses' ten commandments on his wall while demeaning the koran, is that 502 verses in 36 Suras of the Koran are about Moses, directly from the Jewish Pentateuch.

the koran and the jewish bible share several significant characters: Two hundred forty-five verses in 25 Suras are about Abraham, from the same source, and 131 more verses in 28 Suras are about Noah, also from the Pentateuch.

i called his office this morning and reminded his staff of this fact and suggested that in light of moses being in the koran, he might want to take moses ten commandments of his wall...

peace.

Al wrote on December 20, 2006 1:58 PM:

What would it take to get this "statement and letter" out to the mainstream media? Surely some one as bigoted as this "US Representative" (thank god he's only one of 435) should be forced to face a broader public.

Daniel wrote on December 20, 2006 2:09 PM:

For all of you who are allegedly so appalled at the idea of wanting to reduce the presence of Islam within the United States (or specifically, those who profess to believe in it), I wonder how many of you have actually read the Quran and the supporting Sunnah/Hadeeth stories of the life and sayings of Muhammad? Clearly NONE of you have read it since if you had, you’d be attacking its use in politics as much as you attack the Bible.

While I personally believe that the separation of religion and government should be absolute and that there should be no Bibles to swear upon or religious passages to be hung on any government official’s wall, this does not detract from the fact that the Quran is a completely different book from the Bible with an entirely different set of values contained therein. If you think the Bible is oppressive and violent, you should really take a look at the Quran and the Sunnah/Hadeeth which will take your dislike for organized religion to a whole new level.

That left-wing Westerners (among whom I count myself) should argue against the influence of Christianity on the American political system is admirable. That these same left-wing Westerners should so blindly defend or even advocate for an increased influence of Islam on the American socio-political system – wherein Islam strictly unifies religion and government unlike Christianity – is absolutely illogical, naïve and asinine. In fact, the defense of Islam by us left-wingers goes against EVERYTHING we stand for as Islam itself seeks to destroy the secular values we and our predecessors have fought so dearly for the last several centuries to establish and enshrine.

If you are going to lambaste Christians for promoting the rise of Christianity in our government then you MUST also do the same against Islam which is far more violent, far more discriminatory, and far more theocratic than anything the Bible and especially the New Testament ever cooked up. Do not be deceived by Islam simply because of your disdain for Christians. Contrary to popular belief, more often than not… your enemy’s enemy is your enemy as well.

Hutch wrote on December 20, 2006 2:18 PM:

Take God and Allah and anything religious the hell out of our government!

Daniel wrote on December 20, 2006 2:27 PM:

James,

If you had ever read the Quran, you would know that these references to the Jewish Pentateuch are not direct quotes but rather rehashed and often misinterpreted and misreported paraphrases allegedly by Allah. Interestingly, the Ten Commandments are NOT to be found in the Quran. What you do find in the Quran, however, are several expropriations of Judaic and Christian stories recast in an Islamic light, i.e. that – surprise surprise – Moses and Jesus were actually Muslims and that they foretold the coming of Muhammad. How convenient.

Humorously, Muhammad couldn’t even get Jesus’ name right when he was composing the Quran and referred to him as “Issa” instead of by his Hebrew/Aramaic name “Yeshua” or even his Arabic name “Yessu”. As such, while Muhammad attempted to swipe portions out of the Jewish Pentateuch and the Christian New Testament, most of what he retold in the Quran was horrifically simplified and embarrassingly erroneous.

Moreover, the argument is often made that the New Testament should not be considered credible because Jesus’ life was documented no sooner than 50 to 120 years after the life of Jesus. Yet oddly, credibility is instantly given to Muhammad and his fabrication the Quran which penned about Jesus FIVE HUNDRED years his life – and in the case of the stories of the Jews – some ONE THOUSAND to FIFTEEN HUNDRED years after the fact.

If the Bible is to be thrown out due to its 100 year discrepancy in documentation, then clearly the Quran must be laughed out of town.

At the end of the day, left-wingers should fight to keep ALL religious influences out of government INCLUDING Islam.

Brian D. G. wrote on December 20, 2006 2:27 PM:

Having lived in Goode's district for nearly ten years, I feel I must step in to defend my adopted home state from the slanders that have erupted here. Virginia certainly isn't perfect, but it's a remarkably friendly and, for the most part, civil place. Keep in mind that the people of Virginia have elected two excellent democratic governors in a row and, just recently, deposed the execrable George Allen. Goode and his friends are, slowly but surely, on their way out.

n wrote on December 20, 2006 2:43 PM:

This is just a little offtopic, but I would like to point out that all my friends who came here illegally are either Christians or at least come from a Catholic/Christian cultural background ... And if the laws weren't so idiotic already, they would have rather come here legally.

Brian C.B. wrote on December 20, 2006 2:45 PM:

"If the Islamic community wants equal treatment by non-Muslims, then the Islamic community will have to legalize and institutionalize equal treatment for non-Muslims within the Islamic world."

Daniel, you realize this discussion hinges, first, on whether an American Congressman can pose with a religious book of his own faith in a re-enactment of his swearing-in, don't you? This is the United States of America. The Islamic community here gets equal treatment to non-Muslim communities, whether it likes it, because it's what that community is due before the law. Period. We are not living in Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. Keith Ellison has said nothing to make me think that he wants to establish laws similar to law in those countries. On the other hand, I would say that there's been plenty said by Republicans, generally, to make me think that they'd be happy to throw out secularism in favor of some kind of pre-Enlightenment Christian theocracy. Virgil Goode is saying it: all Keith has to do to please him is to convert, preferably to some non-Spanish-speaking form of Christianity, I'd add.

I remember Washington's letter to the Newport synagogue in which he proclaimed that the United States had begun to speak ill of "tolerance," because, truly, how is it that another man's religion is something that inconveniences me in any way, therefore how does it demand that I "tolerate" it? All that is expected of us is good citizenship. Admit Muslims under that basis, expect Muslim converts to avail themselves of the mechanisms of our Constitution should they wish to alter it, and I'll take my chances. There seems to be this theme these days that transparency and the Constitution and reason are things that weaken this nation. Sorry, I can't go along.

n wrote on December 20, 2006 2:45 PM:

I mean, no offense to Muslim immigrants (legal or illegal), nor to US-born Muslims. We have freedom of religion here, right?! But my point was that with demographics you can find a lot of inaccuracy in that politician's letter.

Atlantajan wrote on December 20, 2006 2:46 PM:

From the Foremen CD Folk Heroes:

Little Pedro and Juanita
Arrived this morning in Reseda
On a special overnight delivery
They bubbled and they burbled and they flashed their brown eyes at us
We said check their little heartbeats and their immigration status
And if you should find they're here illegally . . .

Send 'em back
Send 'em back
Give 'em one good whack and half an hour to pack
Hand their cousins to the fuzz 'n stick 'em on a southbound bus
Restrict immigration, give the country back to us

Little Helga and her father
Came across the rolling water
On a stormy day in 1923
And he labored as a carpenter so she could be a doctor
Now they convalesce together in the window where he rocked her
And they're burdens on the state economy . . .

Send 'em back
Send 'em back
Give 'em one Big Mac and serum Ipecac
On a steamer back to Bremerhaven instantaneous
Restrict immigration, give the country back to us

Send the Fins back to Finland
And the Russians further inland
Sent the Poles back to Poland
And the penguins to the Pole
Any man with a tan
Should go back to Tanzania
And Aegeans to Aegea
And Koreans back to Seoul

Well, Columbus found this nation
Had a native population
Who'd been living here since many years B.C.
Descended from a people who were noble, brave and daring
Who'd migrated 'cross the Bering eating bits of frozen herring
And spread out across this continent from sea ... to sea ... so peaceful and so free ...

Send 'em back
Send 'em back
Put 'em on a trek Columbo couldn't track
Let 'em count the steps to China on a friggin' abacus
Restrict immigration
And give this mighty nation
Back to us ... squirrels

n wrote on December 20, 2006 2:51 PM:

Atlantajan that is hilarious. are you sure squirrels didn't come from canada?! jk

james risser wrote on December 20, 2006 2:55 PM:

daniel,

i think most people would agree with you that the inclusion of religion in government is not a good thing, and does go against what we on the left 'proper'. and, i think that many would say there ought to be nothing 'religious' on his wall.

however, you have to admit that the right is actively doing all they can to suggest that religion--their sick interpretation of the christian bible--is a keystone to ours. i do think that the left sees this as an extension of the rights' underlying intolerance and bigotry. you are correct to suggest the christian bible is less violent than the jewish bible and the koran. however, the latter two are more similar than you imply.

but, to bigotry. this virginian's offensive remarks about the upcoming influx of refugees coming to america is further evidence of his bigotry. every american war produces refugees that end up coming here. this war has already produced 1.6 million of them. it will be worse because there will be the remnants of bush's ethnic cleansing of the sunnis.

bush war 1 in kuwait, for example, resulted in the ethnic cleansing of 600,000 palestinians that for the most part were forced to leave their kuwait and wind their way through iraq to setle homelessly in jordan.

this george bush, as his father before him, has caused a humanitarian crisis that will go on for decades. his war-crimes, his crimes against humanity, his ehtnic cleansing may even go beyond his fathers! we need to something about it...where are these people going to go? does america, as an occupier, not have some sort of responsibility for the refugees it created?

to have congressmen like this virginian lack empathy for the impending flood of refugees is callous and wrong. this country has never had a religious test for entry into it, and to create one out of ignoranct fear of islam is wrong and goes counter to what the left, at least, considers the 'right' thing to do.

so, i don't think people are suggesting we, as a nation, embrace the koran with the enthusiasm that the right embraces its bible. but, neither do i think we ought to allow the right's intolerance and bigotry for islam distort our own view of how we should treat people as people...

Egghead wrote on December 20, 2006 3:19 PM:

"Take your racist hate elswhere and leave our country you PIG."

Indeed, with comment like this, I'm not sure who is scarrier.

CDog wrote on December 20, 2006 3:28 PM:

I agree with the senator. The Muslim MO is to immigrate into a country, and then try to change that country to reflect their values. It is not to adapt their lives to the way the new country works. Islam and Democracy simply do not work together, and over time if something isn’t done, there there will be a Muslim majority in this nation, and there they will do whatever they can to institute Sharia law. Read some articles about Islam and see how peaceful and coexistant it is. http://www.islam-watch.org/

CDog

Anonymous wrote on December 20, 2006 3:34 PM:

What a turd.

Jesse Crumb wrote on December 20, 2006 3:43 PM:

Oh man...the "Squirrel Song" is ..just..brilliant..wow! I am going ot look for that CD TODAY..it's as good as Bob Dylans '..John Birch Blues...'
Also..I recently read on Wikipedia that Raccoons are NOT indiginous to Europe..that in fact they were introduced to Europe by Herman Goering in the late 30's to "..enhance the Flora and Fauna of the Reich.."
As the Coons have spread accross Europe, and even to the Island of Britain...and become the little rascals they are in America as well..the "Invasion" is being called..."THE FURRY LITTLE BLITZKRIEG"..
The Raccoons in my back yeard actually toss a little rock between their hands while staring at our back door...and wating for Dog Food...as in.."give us some food or we'll break your windows..."
Yet I tolerate them...and welcome them...and they are fee to practice what ever religion they want...be they Muslim, Buddhist, Christian..maybe they Like Good Ol Ganesha..remover of Obstacles to the eating of Dog Food...as a result I bask in the warm glow of Self Approval at my good natured acceptance of my Furry Neighbors..
Maybe I should run for Congress...

Moses wrote on December 20, 2006 3:44 PM:

Daniel wrote:
"If you had ever read the Quran, you would know that these references to the Jewish Pentateuch are not direct quotes but rather rehashed and often misinterpreted and misreported paraphrases allegedly by Allah....Humorously, Muhammad couldn’t even get Jesus’ name right when he was composing the Quran and referred to him as “Issa” ...Yet oddly, credibility is instantly given to Muhammad and his fabrication the Quran which penned about Jesus FIVE HUNDRED years his life..."

I think the joke is on you regarding the name of Issa. Historians have shown Jesus most like the Buddhist Bodhi-Satva. In the East, specifically China, he was referred to as "Issa." The fact that this became the name for Jesus in Arabic is not surprising since Jesus orginates from the Bodhi-Satva. What next, making fun of the Arabs for "mispronouncing" Mary has Mariam? In this case, you should not that not even your own name is correctly pronounced in English (the Hebrew Danyaal).

The other point I disagree with you about: when the Koran was written down. If you have any familiarity with the religion, you will know that it is an oral tradition, not a written one. Furthermore, the word order is highly specified such that thousands of "memorizers - huffaz" exist.

Chris Taylor wrote on December 20, 2006 4:54 PM:

When I read this, I was incensed at the congressman. Then I read some of the responses here and it became clear to me why our country is becoming cruder by the day. Rather than cite Goode's intolerance, people have instead chosen to demonstrate the same hatefulness and intolerance towards ALL southerners ("rednecks"), Republicans/"Right-wingers", Christians, Jews, whites, and Americans. As racist, ignorant, uneducated... Never mind that many in these categories are just as outraged as Goode. The cycle of hatred and bigotry just spirals out of control when well-intentioned people respond to stereotyping with stereotyping of their own. Hate begets hate, and the vicious cycle continues.

If we want compassion and understanding, first we must demonstrate it ourselves. Sharply criticizing Goode is perfectly fine; sterotyping groups of people based on his behavior is hateful and hypocritical.

Anonymous wrote on December 20, 2006 5:06 PM:

"Islam and Democracy simply do not work together, and over time if something isn’t done, there there will be a Muslim majority in this nation..."

Well, there's Turkey. And, Malaysia, which could be better, I'll admit, with its government. But, Indonesia's problems with the Suharto tyranny weren't related to religion. And, there's India, with 80 million Muslims and much of the strife is laid at the feet of the Hindus. But, that country is doing fairly well, democracy-wise.

In any case, I think the best thing we can do to combat the (wildly far-fetched) prospect of a Muslim majority in the United States: open our borders to Christians. I understand that Latin America is just full o' them. Suggest that idea to Virgil.

Brian C.B. wrote on December 20, 2006 5:07 PM:

"Islam and Democracy simply do not work together, and over time if something isn’t done, there there will be a Muslim majority in this nation..."

Well, there's Turkey. And, Malaysia, which could be better, I'll admit, with its government. But, Indonesia's problems with the Suharto tyranny weren't related to religion. And, there's India, with 80 million Muslims and much of the strife is laid at the feet of the Hindus. But, that country is doing fairly well, democracy-wise.

In any case, I think the best thing we can do to combat the (wildly far-fetched) prospect of a Muslim majority in the United States: open our borders to Christians. I understand that Latin America is just full o' them. Suggest that idea to Virgil.

james risser wrote on December 20, 2006 5:17 PM:

daniel,

i do not make personal attacks at you and what you have and have not read. you know nothing about me. i never stated that the ten commandments were in the koran, i said that moses and several other significant characters from the jewish bible are included in the koran. i continue to find it ironic that this virginian has the words of moses on his wall while characterizing the koran as he has.

you can argue that the koran is a 'fabrication' if you wish, but, you leave yourself open to the counter-argument that the jewish bible is a fabrication and, assuming you are correct about the koran, it is then a fabrication of a fabrication.

since, as far as i know, god is not divinely speaking through you, and that you are not a prophet, your words of criticism seem rather empty.

they seem especially irrelevant when the issues seem to be the handling of the islamic refugees created by george bush's crimes against humanity in iraq, and, this single congressman who irrationally fears the presence of refugees from this disaster in his district. he wants to have some sort of religious test for immigrants, and that is not consistent with the constitution.

S. Sam Smoot wrote on December 20, 2006 6:21 PM:

I’m unapologetic about living in Goode’s district and even in the rural south thereof, as I have actively worked to see him out of office. To butress C.B.s and Brian D.G.s comments-I’ve known Al Weed since before he ran against the Goodster in 2004 and Al is exactly the caliber of man that should be sent to congress from any state or district. I’m not so sure that he lost because of any great love of Virgil, but rather for 5Virginia’s overwhelming political inertia. Many a time I’ve heard that “Goode has done a lot for this district” when the exact opposite is true: Southside Virginia has languished with Goode and the MZM debacle stands to cost the city of Martinsville dearly (Virgil was to stupid to make any personal fortune as did the Dukester).

Thank you, Jim, for your excellent post. I did not know that Virgil was a protégé of Henry Howell, who I have long considered the last Liberal to hold public office in Virginia. Interesting, too, that you should invoke George Wallace who started his political life as a progressive and, with every lost election, became more conservative, more racist, and sounded more redneck.

Goode is a political opportunist of the same water. He was, indeed, elected Democrat and caucused with the Republicans when they gained control. He was one of two democratic congressmen who voted for impeachment after which he became independent and, inevitably, Republican. He talks like a dumb hayseed-his accent, by all accounts, affected only as necessary.

Who will rid us of this impertinent dumbass?

Daniel wrote on December 20, 2006 6:21 PM:

James and Moses,

As you might have overlooked in my posts, I have stated clearly that religion and government should be separated absolutely.

The problem of this story is twofold: 1) that Goode has the Ten Commandments on his wall, and 2) questioning why elements of the Quran were not on the representative’s wall with the veiled implication that they could or even should be.

Religion MUST be kept out of government.

That said, it is not unreasonable to analyze the long term consequences of the growth of a philosophy/religion which strictly demands the unification of religion and government and the subordination of all those who refuse to submit to Islam. The same should hold true for analyses of Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Animism, Atheism, Socialism, Communism, or whatever other ideologies that affect our lives and the state. Society SHOULD discuss and debate the negative attributes of the religions and philosophies affecting our lives, and not sweep the topic under the carpet and hope it all just goes away. Nor is such a discussion “racist” or “bigoted”.

If Goode believes that there are too many Muslims or too much Islam in America, that is his right. It is also your right to disagree. As you know, there are plenty of politicians around the world who believe there are too many Americans and too much America abroad, and they are free to craft their domestic policies to counterbalance such foreign influence.

America is no exception.

As for the issue of Palestinian refugees, it is a red herring. Having lived in the heart of the Islamic and Arab world myself, I can tell you that Arabs do not care about Palestinians whatsoever aside from feeling obligated to vocalize half-baked and half-forced opinions to the contrary whenever the topic comes up. Certainly the Arab world should never have attacked Israel in the first place upon its creation, which ultimately led to the creation of Palestinian refugees. More importantly, once this refugee situation arose, surrounding Arab cultures and states should have done everything it could have to provide a new home and citizenship for these Palestinians, the way that the United States has very generously done. Instead, what did the Arab Muslims do? They locked the Palestinians up in horrific refugee camps for DECADES and have forced them to live in the most atrocious squalor only to use them as pawns in the greater game against Israel. The Islamic world’s treatment toward Palestinian refugees is one of the greatest crimes against humanity over the past 60 years and Muslims should chastised perpetually because of this.

Sadly, what is the first response you hear from an Egyptian or a Saudi or an Emirati when one suggests that Palestinian refugees should be accepted with open arms by their fellow Arab brothers and given full rights and citizenship as Egyptians, Saudis or Emiratis in order to eliminate the refugee problem and prove that Arabs/Muslims *actually* care?

“No way! We don’t want those violent, dysfunctional people in OUR countries!”

And so it goes.

Finally, James, if you truly cared about refugees, which you don’t, you’d have at least mentioned a word or two about the TWO MILLION BLACK AFRICAN refugees displaced in Darfur since 2002 who have been systematically raped, pillaged, and plundered by Arab militias and the 200,000 black Africans who have been subsequently MURDERED by said Arabs during the same period of time. Oddly, you are silent when the killing is done with Arab hands.

Alas, you don’t care about refugees and feigning that you do is a farce.

Daniel

PS: I’m more than happy to discuss the suggestion that the Jewish Pentateuch is a fabrication and that the Quran is simply a fabrication built upon a fabrication. Sounds pretty accurate to me.

Jim Handel wrote on December 20, 2006 6:38 PM:

what a piece of shit.

Derrald wrote on December 20, 2006 6:52 PM:

As soon as I've caught the first few notes on what Goode has said, this fourth-grade-of-a-flunkie shoun't be in office. So to question for you (as well as the others): Imaging this graduate of the "Molesters Academy" EVER operate a Black Muslim bakery (yet, homophobes themselves too)? If that ever happens, his business will be torched in flames as many of my ancestors suffered more than over a hundered years ago.

Words from a gay black male who's not religious.

Toby wrote on December 20, 2006 6:53 PM:

At least there are no Freethinkers in Congress. That would entail thinking!

james risser wrote on December 20, 2006 6:59 PM:

daniel,

i refuse to get into personal attacks with those i i am having a conversation with, and i wish you would do likewise. what i have done or not done for the refugees of war is really none of your business and you know nothing about it. your personal attacks are quite boring.

if you could focus on the thread, we are not discussing the problem of refugees, generally, but those created by the iraqi occupation--those are the ones the representative is talking about.

as for the 600,000 palestinians in kuwait, created in the first bush war by the father. i mention them only as being similarly situated to the 1.6 million iraqi refugees created by the son. in 1991, the father created a refugee crisis by assisting kuwait in the ethnic cleansing of their country. these refugees were forced from their homes and sent off to jordan via iraq without their possessions and without even being able to sell their homes first.

similarly, the son's refugees--the ethnically cleansed sunnis fleeing from the shiite death squads being supported by the malaki government, and the bush administration--are now scattered throughout the region.

america has a certain responsibility towards these refugees in iraq created by their occupation. but, as with the father, the son looks away and lets it occur.

this goode then realizes that, 'hey, we are creating a humanitarian crisis in iraq and some of these people might end up in virginia! i better get out my bible and stand behind it and fight back the islamic beasts at the door!'

but, you see, there has never been a religious test for citizenship or for immigrants; if this virginia gentleman is suggesting one ought to exist, that is quite troubling.

Anonymous wrote on December 20, 2006 7:29 PM:

James,

My statements are not intended as personal attacks, nor are they. They simply say what you yourself imply. If I am misinterpreting your implications, then please correct those misinterpretations. On the first issue: have you read the Quran? I have not answered this for you but your responses imply that you have not. Perhaps you could clarify this by answering: have you read the Quran? Not that I particularly care either way, just that you seem to make statements about Islam which are not congruent with the voice or style of the Quran and Hadeeth/Sunnah. If you have read the Quran, I will apologize in advance for suggesting that you have not.

On the second issue, your commitment to the issue of refugees, I don’t know those details either, however, I find your exclusive mention of Palestinians to be extremely limiting in terms of the greater issue of refugees around the world, and rather detrimental to boot. If we are going to talk about issue of refugees, then I suggest that we not only talk about refugees resulting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or about Palestinians booted out of Kuwait during Gulf War I (which Saddam Hussein instigated, as you might recall), or of Iraqis who have been displaced by the American-instigated war and the subsequent displacement by intra-Islamic warfare. Contrary to your exclusive mentioning of Palestinians, Arabs are not the only refugees in the world, and in fact, Arabs have created and continue to create much of the refugee problem. Let us simultaneously discuss the contributions to the refugee problem worldwide not just by Americans or Jewish-Israelis, but also by ALL other parties involved including Arabs and Muslims.

When you harp exclusively for Palestinians, it appears that the rest of the world’s refugee problem does not exist and this is the source of my assertion that you don’t actually care. Of course, I may very well be wrong. I would happily be proven so.

As for my statement on the atrocious and inexcusable Arab handling of the Palestinian refugee problem, it stands. Non-Palestinian Arab-Muslims have been the single most significant cause of the incessant suffering of Palestinians for six decades. Arab-Muslims could have single handedly eliminated the Palestinian refugee problem with their TRILLIONS of dollars of oil revenue over the past 60 years, yet Arabs-Muslims have instead decided to condemn Palestinians to a life of suffering while many in the oil-rich Arab world drown in their oil gluttony. It’s disgusting, it’s repugnant and it must be restated until the Arab world accepts its responsibility for relocating and accepting their Palestinian brothers and sisters as equals.

Daniel

PS: And what does any of this have to do with Representative Goode? Absolutely nuthin, which brings me to my original point: that the Quran should - under no circumstances - have any role or place in the American government or our legal system. (Or any other religion or religious document for that matter.)

Robert wrote on December 20, 2006 7:37 PM:

"I think it should be remembered that Muslims rule their countries by religion, not by civil law."
-June

June, author of the statement quoted above. Have you ever heard of Turkey? A Muslim country to the very core, yet ruled under a civil code of law for the last century? Even the Islamic party's majority in its legislature hasn't changed that.

In fact, might you have heard of Iraq BEFORE the U.S. "regime change". It was under civil/military law, not religious authority.

Perhaps you meant to say "Muslims in countries ruled under religion and not civil law -- rule their countries under religion and not civil law". But that statement would sound just as pointless as your meaning.

Happy Monkey wrote on December 20, 2006 7:42 PM:

I am laughing at Old Atlantic... I could post just as much stuff from the Bible that makes Christians look like Christianofascists!

I say if we don't stop the influx of neocon fear mongers like Goode, then our country will go to hell in a handbasket!

Jenny wrote on December 20, 2006 8:11 PM:

......As for the alleged Muslim student asking him about the lack of the Koran next to the Ten Commandments....to which he so heroically responded...what BULL! He just pulled that right out of his ass, because today's Neocons can't feel like men unless they can sock it to some Muslim...even if they have to make it up. They're disgusting lying assholes, everyone of'em!

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 8:18 PM:

"I am laughing at Old Atlantic... I could post just as much stuff from the Bible that makes Christians look like Christianofascists!" from Happy Monkey. These are things happening now and being said now.

They are a continuation of the same things from the past. There is no break point for Islam.

"Have you ever heard of Turkey? A Muslim country to the very core, yet ruled under a civil code of law for the last century?" from Robert.

See URL attached to this post for source and link to NY Times from 1914.

The last century goes back to include 1914.

The Young "secular" Turks were in power in Turkey by 1914. They continued the same genocide of Christians that was going on in the 1890's. They killed over 1 million Christians.

"From January 13, 1915 New York Times:

“Talaat Bey, the Minister of the Interior, has stated to the Councillor of the Greek Patriarchate that in Turkey henceforth there will be room only for Turks. While he was profuse in assurance to the Greek Minister regarding the cessation of anti- Greek persecutions, no real amelioration of the situation is perceptible.”"

http://www.omdurman.org/sharia.html is about things happening now.

9-11 happened in 2001. Did you laugh on that day at those who said to stop Muslim immigration? All 19 hijackers were immigrants from after the WTC 1993 attack. No immigration, no 3000 killed.

What purpose does immigration serve? Men's median wages are below what they were in 1973? You are programmed to want your own destruction. You are frustrated when someone tells the truth, that is why so many react to Virgil Goode.

Jenny wrote on December 20, 2006 8:27 PM:

I've vacationed in Turkey, and if you're trying to portray that country as anything less than a secular democracy with the most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet, then there's no doubt in my mind, you're a Zionist. Zionists I'm sure are having a ball with all this Muslim bashing, and would hate to see it stopped. So they keep it going...and going...and going..and going.......

Daniel wrote on December 20, 2006 8:35 PM:

Moses,

You are incorrect. I am not making fun of anyone’s mispronunciation of anything. Being multi-lingual myself, I mispronounce things all the time. Moreover, having lived all around the world, I found that most people mispronounced my name more often than not. Moreover, I do not care about name mispronunciations whatsoever. One cannot foreign language speakers to pronounce foreign words according to phonetic rules which are foreign to them.

In the case of Muhammad getting Jesus’ name wrong, this is not about a mispronunciation but rather it is was absolute fabrication, both of his name and his character.

‘Isaa in Arabic is spelled ain-yaa-seen-alif maksoorah. [‘ysaa]

This has nothing of relevance in common with the Hebrew/Aramaic Yesu’ spelled yod-seen-vav-ayin [YSV’], nor with the Christian Arabic name for Jesus Yessu’ yaa-seen-waw-ain [YSW’] which is virtually identical phonetically to the Hebrew/Aramaic, or even the Greek name for Jesus: Iesous. (-s being a grammatic ending, and absence of “ayin/ain” which Greed does not have).

In this case, suggesting that ‘Isaa is just a mispronunciation of Yessu’ is like suggesting that “Lemar” is just a mispronunciation of “Michael” because both include M, A and L, albeit in a totally different order.

But even if we did stretch our imaginations to believe that ‘Isaa is just a mispronunciation of Yeshu’/Yesu’, which it is not, then the following two questions would have to be asked and conclusively answered:

1. If Muhammad were the spokesman for the Omniscient Allah, why then did he Jesus’ name wrong? Being a god, you’d think Allah might know what he was talking about and could figure out how to spell or pronounce. Sure, you can make the argument that Allah’s message regarding Jesus was originally conveyed orally and that the pronunciation of Jesus’ name might have changed over time, however, the time between oral dissemination and physical documentation onto bones, palm fronds and animal skins was at most a matter of years. Far too short for the pronunciation of named figures in the Quran to be changed so drastically. Hell, I’ve been saying my and my family’s names for some 30 odd years, and my pronunciation hasn’t changed a bit. It is virtually impossible that Allah revealed his message and then somehow within the course of a couple years the pronunciation of Jesus’ name was totally mangled beyond recognition. If this is the case, it begs: which is incorrect? Allah or the Quran? As the Quran is viewed as the direct word of Allah, if the Quran is incorrect, then so too is the word of Allah.

2. If it is a simple matter of just mispronunciation, why then did the Quran get so many details of the life of Jesus – including his birth, his life, his character, and his death – so utterly wrong? Again, if the Bible is going to be viewed as untrustworthy because of its documentation of events that happened some 70 to 120 years beforehand, then clearly the Quran must be thrown out the window for attempting to document events conveyed orally to Muhammad that happened well over 600 years prior. Yes, Arabs in Pagan Arabia may have gotten Jesus’ name wrong during the course of 600 years, but that the all-perfect Muhammad continued this inaccuracy reveals his and his own Allah’s imperfection.

Instead of defending the Quran, I suggest left-wingers and all those who chose to live free from the oppressive yolk of organized religion critique and disempower Islam and its texts the same exact way that the Bible has been critiqued for centuries. Contrary to popular fears, the Bible has approximately a 0% chance of supplanting the American constitution or any other Western government’s constitution for that matter. The Quran, however, ALREADY is the founding document of virtually all self-proclaimed Islamic states and its influence on the foundations of Islamic communities continues to grow and entrench itself year by year.

Islam and the Quran must now be confronted if any of us plans to live in a world of freedom, liberty, secularism and self-determination for the individual.

Daniel

greenpagan wrote on December 20, 2006 9:27 PM:

Fock you all! Leave the borders wide open. What we need are more Muslims, Mexicans , Mariolotrists & Secular Progressives to utterly destroy your goddamn stinking Crapitalist Crusader Confederate Connedserfaturd KKKultur…!!! Bring ‘em Owen…! Hoo-yeah!!! 23-Skidoo…!

Old Atlantic wrote on December 20, 2006 10:06 PM:

"I've vacationed in Turkey, and if you're trying to portray that country as anything less than a secular democracy with the most wonderful people you could ever hope to meet, then there's no doubt in my mind, you're a Zionist." from Jenny above.

After the Pope's remarks, a priest was killed in Turkey. Search on

Christian Turkey

and add Priest, discrimination, etc. and you will
find many articles on persecution there.

Also add the words site:jihadwatch.org.

The Pope was in Turkey in part to complain about discrimination of Christians. There are many incidents against Christians in Turkey. They don't have equal rights.

TuYaSabes wrote on December 20, 2006 10:50 PM:

PREEMPTIVE STRIKE

Is it too late for Goode's cracker Momma to have an abortion in his case?

That would save my brain being invaded with his BS

Follow link ( http://www.4shared.com/file/ 7583...121212_NEW.html ) to see the Army's new exploding hamburger being tested in Baghdad - it's the path to total victory. Heil Bush !

raoulhubris wrote on December 20, 2006 11:31 PM:

The christo-nazis strike again.

Richard Banville wrote on December 21, 2006 1:14 AM:

Daniel,

How do you know that the actual pronunciation of Jesus' name isn't the one from the Koran? After all, in Spanish, they say "Hey-soos". In French, they say "zhay-zü". In German it's "Yay-soo". Only in English do people say "Jee-zuss". You don't think that Aramaic speakers of the first century pronounced Jesus' name in English, do you?

More than likely, Jesus' name is mispronounced in every language except Aramaic and possibly Hebrew. A lot of Christians believe that the Bible is infallible. Some even think that the King James Version is the only valid translation in English, and that the others were inspired by the Devil. This is the type of "Christian" who votes for people like this bigot Goode.

The same goes for the details of Jesus' life. The Gospels themselves contain many contradictions about the details of His birth, life, and death. The Gospels were written in Greek, not in the vernacular language that Jesus spoke. There are probably several errors in fact and translation. Who's to say that Mohammad didn't have a better account, directly from God?

We are not in danger of Islam supplanting the Constitution. However, the ignorant Bible-thumpers are a real threat to our system of government and our civilization. You should be worried that so many of these fanatics represent your party in Congress.

Wizzardman wrote on December 21, 2006 1:16 AM:

You know what, here's a great idea:

How about we just leave religion out of government entirely? Let's drop 'sworn in on a relgious text' thing entirely, have them swear in on the Constitution, and leave it at that. At least that would convince certain members of the US government to look at the darn thing.

Goode wants to appear as a right-wing conservative Christian to try to appeal the slowly failing Religious Right, and maintain whatever semblance of support from them he possibly can. After all, the Religious Right has been a major foundation of the GOP since the 1970s; Bush's constant blundering and failure to actually openly support the views of the 'Moral Majority' [he hasn't actually banned abortion, for one] has weakened a lot of their resolve, and led to many of them abandoning the polling booths in this last election.

Letters like these don't just slip out; Goode let it out for a reason. He wants to remind the Religious Right that he and other conservatives still support them. He's using the religion of the 'Moral Majority' as a gathering point for his political base--and effectively abusing the god of the Religious Right in the name of worldly power.

This is precisely why religion has no place in politics--like many such things, it can and will be abused, so that some career politician can make a few quick votes off of it. I'm sure if the Flying Spaghetti Monster had a horde of group-conscious politically oriented supporters behind it, there would be a candidate out there ready and willing to run as a Pastafarian if it would get him/her a few votes.

George Chell wrote on December 21, 2006 7:37 AM:

People of Minnesota respect the right of white southerners to elect an ignoramous and a retread such as Virgil Goode. I would sincerely hope that the rednecks in the Virginia Fifth district including Virgil Goode would respect the right of the people of Minnesota to elect Mr. Ellison. Let me also make it clear that it is because of people such as Virgil Goode and Tom Tancredo that the GOP lost the House. They can live in denial that it was due to the conservatives not turning out. At this rate, it may be a very long time before the GOP wins back the House..and anti-immigrant xenophobes such as Virgil Goode and Tom Tancredo have to fear a McCain Presidency and a Democratic Congress!! It would be their worst nightmare come true.

Jose Chung wrote on December 21, 2006 9:47 AM:

If all of our representatives were Muslim, would that be a good thing for America? If I were a woman or a gay the answer to that would be a big no.

Red Ruffian wrote on December 21, 2006 10:32 AM:

I think Mr. Goode is a classic clear indication why there is an elected Muslim in the House. Obviously the people in Minnesota felt that the Democrat although a Muslim was closer to their values that the Republican candidate in this last election. These true believer Republicans even scare the hell out of a wacko like Bob Barr who has quit the Republican party and become a Libertarian.

Randolph Stripling wrote on December 21, 2006 10:34 AM:

Thank the framers for making it possible for Rep. Goode's thoughts to be heard. As well for him to have a forum from which to speak. I pray that his right to do so is never taken from him.

I am also thankful for his boldness, and unashamed expression of his personal belief.

I hope that all others who have like beliefs regarding those whose choice of religion happens to be other than christianity, or prostestant evangelism will too voice their discomfort, and intolerance for any thing other than "traditional values". I expecially want those elected,appointed,and confirmed to our congressional, executive, and judicial posts to be as bold as Mr. Goode.

We want to know who you are, and how you feel about people who don't share your beliefs about "traditional values". We want to know as soon as possible into the 110th Congress.

Mr. Goode, and all others like him need to be identified, so that we can further correct the course of our ship of state as we journey into the 21st century.

The real question in reaction to those like Mr. Goode is, how far will the rest of us who actually love the United States of America,are concerned about what it should represent, and the influence we have on the rest of the world, and the survival of humanity do to protect what remains of the constitution on which we depend for order, and fairness for all Americans, original, imported, or in waiting.

Old Atlantic wrote on December 21, 2006 10:55 AM:

" survival of humanity do to protect what remains of the constitution on which we depend for order, and fairness for all Americans, original, imported, or in waiting."

Americans in waiting? Tell that to Lou Dobbs.

In 1800, they took our people hostage and we had to fight the Barbary pirates, actual goverments.

c. 1900, they took our people hostage, in the same place, Morocco.

2001. They attacked from within as Americans imported and in-waiting. They were in fact, lying in wait.

Why is it they are attacking us for 200 years and we can't figure out they are attacking us? Stop Muslim immigration completely. Stop all immigration.

fkay wrote on December 21, 2006 11:36 AM:

Here is something else to worry about -- the leasing of our toll roads by foreign corporations. It is slowly taking hold and all those states that can't afford to fix them are selling out for billions of dollars.

Texas Al wrote on December 21, 2006 12:18 PM:

Goode's brand of Christianity was described by Robert Ingersoll, 19th Century American publisher as "A religion that worships dead Jews and persecutes living ones."

Justin wrote on December 21, 2006 1:04 PM:

I agree with Goode on this one, we are at war with these Koran people and this is not the time for this guy to try and make religious trouble, if he cannot see that maybe he does not belong in politics.

Bill wrote on December 21, 2006 2:09 PM:

Read "The End of Faith" and you'll soon realize that no religion at all should be tolerated. Since that's impossible let's keep Muslim's out of the picture since it is by far the worst religion to ever "grace" the planet.

Jethro wrote on December 21, 2006 4:03 PM:

Goode's District criss-crosses Jerry Falwell country here in SW VA. It is safe to say, much of his campaign money comes from the Christian Right. The entire statement and it's "Jingoistic" tone is more about pandering to his religious fundementalist friends around Lynchburg and his "flag waving" constituents than it is about immigration.

We have been trying to get rid of this crooked fascist idiot for years. His latest fiasco might have given us just what we need to toss his sorry but into the private sector.

extrapolater wrote on December 21, 2006 4:08 PM:

I only do satire, not real news, but I thought you guys might enjoy this take on it:

http://extrapolater.wordpress.com/2006/12/21/native-americans-support-goode-immigration-policy/

Anonymous wrote on December 21, 2006 5:44 PM:

Wizzardman,

I agree 100% that our representatives should swear upon the Constitution and not upon religious documents.

Daniel

Daniel wrote on December 21, 2006 5:49 PM:

Richard,

Did you read my message or understand my main point? In case you didn’t, allow me to state it more clearly: the issue of Jesus as per the Quran is not about a mispronunciation – nor was my posting about that whatsoever – but rather, that Allah/Muhammad/the Quran got Jesus’ name TOTALLY WRONG altogether. Moreover, the man described as ‘Isaa in the Arabic Quran has virtually nothing in common with the man described in the Greek New Testament as Iesous (Yesu, Yeshua, Jesu, Jesus <-- all of which are virtually identical etymologically if not phonetically). And this is the crux of the argument: the Quran talks about someone named ‘Isaa, which Muslims claim to be Jesus (who is also conventiently called a Muslim in the Quran) even though Christian Arabs had called him by his *real* name Yesu for 600 years, and this Islamic man named ‘Isaa has no relation in either name or character to the New Testament’s Yesu/Iesous. As such, Islamic claims on Jesus are baseless and are total fabrications.

Imagine you and I are having a conversation about a person who we think is the same person, and we’re describing him to one another to see if we’re on the same page:

Daniel: “Michael is his name, right?”

Richard: “No, the guy I’m thinking of is named William.”

Daniel: “Interesting. Neither name has anything in common nor are there any records connecting William and Michael, although there are scads of records documenting Michael in multiple languages in multiple cultures referring to Michael by virtually the same name, although one group pronounces it as mee-shel, and another as mee-shaal, and yet another as mee-kha’el. But none call him William. Nor is there any occurrence of the name William in Michael’s culture.”

Richard: “Are you talking about the guy who was born out under a tree in New Jersey?”

Daniel: “No, Michael was born in a hospital in Manhattan with a group of people standing by.”

Richard: “Are you talking about the guy who’s got a bad temper, is really violent, and said that when he comes back to town he’s going to subordinate himself to a new guy who’s going to oversee the destruction of the city and kill all the ethnic minorities?”

Daniel: “No, this guy was extremely pacifistic, was never violent, talked about love, helped the poor and the sick, and when he comes back there is going to be some social upheaval but in the end there is supposed to be peace in the city. Nor did he ever say he was going to take a subordinate role to anyone else new in the process.”

Richard: “Yep, sounds like we’re talking about the same guy! It must be him!”

And that is the logic of the Quran.

Daniel

PS: of course, since religion and government should be totally separate, none of this *should* have any bearing on our secular governmental bodies. The only reason this discussion has any value whatsoever is that Michael mentioned that the spiritual/religious realms and the political realms should be separate whereas William and his cronies demanded that they all be unified and even through war and murder if necessary.

Maria Lichter wrote on December 21, 2006 9:22 PM:

Does Goode know that Islam is almost 50% of the US population's chosen religion? Of course, he must firmly believe that Islam is an EVIL RELIGION, and it must be kept from infiltrating our borders. He probably also believes that all Muslims want the deaths of Christians. Really amazing that our country and right wing religious institutions don't teach that true Islam is a most peaceful religion. But then, neither is right wing a truly peaceful religion.

Nick wrote on December 21, 2006 11:22 PM:

I agree with what Virgil Goode said about Muslims, but I'll be more blunt. Islam is a menace, and if something is not done, and soon, to keep this horde out, we will rue the day when we welcomed them in with open arms.
Islam is not a religion; it is not even a cult. It is a terrorist organization bent on world domination. It started as a criminal group of bandits (around 610 CE) and remains so to this day!
They have already started their invasion, quietly and discreetly, reproducing like rabbits (3.6 children per family), while American families heed family planning advocates and have just 1.4.
There are already over 1,600 mosques in the US, most spewing out messages of hate for their hosts among whom they live by with whom they refuse to integrate. These houses of devil worship were built with money provided by Saudi Arabia, which in turn got it in the form of gasoline royalties at the pump from ordinary Americans.
Over 500,000 Muslims now live in Chicago; up to 10 million across the States, all of whom will be a force to be reckoned with in future elections, when it will be too late.
Don't follow the lead of Europe, where Muslim scum have infiltrated and metastisized like a cancer.
I say STOP allcomers from the Middle East NOW. Once a Muslim, always a Muslim. They are taught to believe in every word contained in the Koran, especially those advocating death to all non-Muslims. Read it for yourselves!
The Bible (OT) also advocates the same thing, but at least Christians no longer follow that tenet. Islam, however, is different. Everything the Koran contains is as valid today as it was when it was written about 1,400 years ago.
There are no moderates in Islam. They may appear so on the surface, but once the main work is done by the extremists, they will quickly jump on the bandwagon.
Islam is EVIL, mark my words. If not, at least heed what Virgil Goode has been saying.

Bobby wrote on December 21, 2006 11:30 PM:

Nick,

You are a White Trash piece of scum. Your vermin ancestors were the murderers, rapists, thieves and human garbage which destroyed and stole wholesale from the Americas, Asia and Africa. I only wish the American Indians had artillery, so they could have sent the Mayflower to the bottom of the ocean. Wherever White Trash scum has metastasized out of their homes in Northern Europe, misery has followed.

Maria Lichter wrote on December 22, 2006 12:04 AM:

Nick, you just made my point....you don't know ANYTHING about Islam. 99% are not EVIL and want PEACE. Get it, you fool? And Christians have done more evel in this world through the centuries than Muslims have ever done. Yes the Muslims believe in the Koran, but the Koran also believes in us, and the true, peaceful faith of the world. The Koran, you uneducated idiot, is a book of peace and faith, and recognizes Jesus as a Prophet.

Apparently, you also are misinformed about the right wing christian movement making as many babies as possible to have an army ready to renovate the world in their beliefs. These nutcases truly believe they can populate the world with little rapturists who will bring about Armageddon by hook or by crook, and fight for the right to be right. Woohoo!!!!! They figure they can out-populate those "EVIL MUSLIMS" and spew their own message of hate, how the Muslims are the "enemy". But these fundamentalists are truly the enemy, and foment death and destruction in the middle east to encourage their "end times" agenda.

Peace, love and what Jesus advocated....love your neighbor...that don't mean your next door neighbor, who probably agrees with your racist doctrine, but your neighbors in the global world.

DOLT!

Old Atlantic wrote on December 22, 2006 9:03 AM:

John Loehr, were your ancestors Arab Christian or Arab Muslim?

My security code word is muscle.

Johnny B. wrote on December 22, 2006 11:24 AM:

I have nothing against Islam or Muslims and don't approve of Goode's comments.

But while we're on the subject of immigration, I don't see how our current immigration policy makes sense. The original policy was designed to fill the country and secure the frontiers. It's already been quite a long time since this goal was accomplished. So why do we continue to accept upwards of one million immigrants per year (800,000-1.2 million/year in the past decade)?
Just so that places like McDonalds can have a steady supply of people willing to work for $6/hr?

Just about everyone agrees that overpopulation is a bad thing. Our cities are already chock full of people, we are clearing farm land at an alarming rate to make room for new people. Once this land is cleared and occupied we are never going to get it back. In most places traffic jams are so bad that driving to work consumes several hours of your day.

This is not directed against any racial group, it's just that at some point immigration just doesn't make sense if the country doesn't need more people.

There is also a side issue that is seldom mentioned. A basic question of fairness: Although the US has opened its doors to millions and millions of people, I have yet to see any other country open its doors to Americans. Other countries which have sent a large number of people here should have a reciprocal policy allowing Americans to freely live in work in their countries. Will there be any place to go when the US becomes so overcrowded that Americans themselves want to emigrate elsewhere?

Reality wrote on December 22, 2006 12:20 PM:

Very well said Johnny B. Hate is not something I approve of either, yet reality will have to be faced at some point. I believe americans generally become more miserable as the years pass. When Bush won a second term, an extreme liberal acquintance of mine (and no I am definitely not a liberal myself thank God) decided to leave USA and head back to his original longtime home and birthplace of Denmark with his USA born wife. It took over a year of applications and waiting before Denmark finally (and seemingly reluctantly) approved them to move in. Let's also look at the major thwarted and successful terrorist attack attempts across the world backing up the reality that we are at war with islamic facists. Yes I saw the pentagon burn from the 13th floor of an office building; I highly doubt it was fake. Of course not all muslims want to kill us, but I wonder how easily Japanese and Germans were able to waltz into the country during WWII even though they were probably mostly peaceful people? In times of war I believe we have to be extra careful who we let in. Unfortunately the war being fought now is something that I don't see ever ending. It started long before 09-11-01 and has escalated ever since then. If we do nothing, we get attacked (reference 09-11 and all the previous attacks during the Clinton years (the guy who did nothing about them.)) If we close the borders, stand, and fight, we are war mongers, racists, and GOP idiots that are fighting for oil rights or whatever else the liberals (see defeatists in the dictionary) come up with. As long as we continue to ignore reality, the greater the chance will be to one day witness a rocket pass you by and enter you're own child's playground. Take a stand people who love freedom and dont lose what was fought for time and time again!

Reality wrote on December 22, 2006 12:41 PM:

Let me also remind you that she had to prove she knew the language and had to take vigorous tests to be reviewed by Denmark. She didn't have the luxury to just move in illegally and then call people racists or white trash if they don't want to speak English. Wow! Imagine that concept: a national language and strict immigration policy!

Milton wrote on December 22, 2006 1:29 PM:

""Bring me you're tired, you're hungry, you're poor." Well it's Americans that are tired, hungry, and poor (unlike the wealthy small countries with strict immigration policies) and I say until you take care of that, close the f$%^in books."
~Ed Norton acting the total racist in American History X, yet who can dissagree with this remark. Everyone I know is sick of seeing this country get undermined and anyone who makes a comment about it getting called a racist or bigot. War at your front door is on the horizon.

Mule Malone wrote on December 22, 2006 1:54 PM:

Security code? Muscle?

Must be a typo.

Muscle-Head is the more appropriate code word for "OLD ATLANTIC".

Frequently used at this work station.

Mule Malone wrote on December 22, 2006 2:36 PM:

My Xmas thoughts about ODD(Our Dear Decider).
http://mulemalone.tripod.com/gwjdxmas.html

Vicki wrote on December 22, 2006 3:00 PM:

Way to go, tell it like it is Congressman Virgil Goode.

Jeff Arey wrote on December 22, 2006 3:16 PM:

Ignorance is bliss...Most Virginians know this to be true. Mr. Goode just doesnt know anything about Islam as most White country folk here in VA (Two Up Two Down) Civilization covers NoVA and Tidewater. And who resides in these places of our beautiful state of VA....thats right People who are not origionally from VA. I have found out a lot about Virginians in my 12 years here(2yrs in NOVA 6 in VA Beach and unfortunatly 4 in "Rural" VA) Ignorance is Bliss. These people can and will not change. Media does not help. White people in VA cant help it...They have no CULTURE. There for they are racist/ignorant because...they are ashamed and jealous that they have no culture, therefore this makes them HATE on other cultures and religions that they know nothing about. I would say 99.9% of all White Virginians are racists this coming from my encounters. If you are Ethnic and do not realize this then you are ignorant also.
JEFF AREY (A White "embarassed" Virginian) which makes up the .1% of the non-racist white virginians.

Reality wrote on December 22, 2006 4:13 PM:

The race war continues and as usual another guilty white person attacks his own race. Born and raised in VB lived there for 25 years before running like h#$l to SW VA. Oh yeah there's plenty of culture in NOVA and VB alright. Plenty of nice friendly people that'll smile and wave to all they pass. NOT. Love that traffic in NOVA as well. Nothing but a-holes and middle fingers in the air. Life has never been so stress free since leaving the congested, lifeless, soulless, lonely city behind. Welcome to God's Country. Thanks to over immigration and over reproduction though, time is running out for God's Country.

Daniel wrote on December 22, 2006 5:48 PM:

Maria,

The brilliance of the post-9/11 era is that, despite what the great masses of world unfamiliar with Islam were told about the Islamic “religion” i.e. that it is a religion of peace, the people of this planet have rapidly begun to see Islam for what it really is: a philosophy of oppression, a religion of destruction, and a militaristic doctrine of violence and murder.

While living in the Islamic world after 9/11, I remember Muslims walking around with smiles and glee because sales of the Quran in the West had suddenly surged. “For 1400 years the West rejected the Quran, and now they buy it en masse because of the destruction of the World Trade Center. Allahu akbar!” Needless to say, I always rained on their hedonistic parade of self-adoration: “Yes, Westerners are reading the Quran en masse now and studying up on Islam, but don’t be fooled. Westerners did the same exact thing with Mein Kampf and Das Kapital right before they undertook the successful battle against National Socialism and Communism.” Although the process will take much longer against Islam, the result will eventually be the same.

That you can say with a straight face that Islam is a peaceful religion is absolutely laughable… though not surprising.

Unfortunately, many ignorant Christian/Secular/Western people believe the lies of Muslims and Left-wingers who promote the “Islam as peace” mantra, who themselves believe the lie. What is not known in the mind of the ignorant Westerner is that the concept of “peace” differs wildly between the Jesus-based concept of harmony and non-violence and the Muhammad-based conception of peace as “submission” to Islam. The word for peace in Arabic is “salaam” which is comprised of the three core consonants S-L-M (SaLaaM), as most Arabic words are comprised of three core consonants that form the foundation of the meaning of a word and all its subsequent variations. Salaam is related to the Arabic word for “safety” salaamah (S-L-M again). Both these words are then based upon the core S-L-M root word iSLaaM (Islam) which itself means “submission” or literally “I submit to Islam”.

As such, when a Muslim says, “Islam is a religion of peace” what they are actually saying – but what is not understood by the Christian/Western mind because of our different Jesus-based understanding of the word “peace” is: “Islam is a religion of submission.” That is, those who submit to Islam are allowed safety and security by Muslim military forces whereas those who do not are cursed by Allah with war and death. This concept is manifested in the Islamic concepts of “Dar al-Islam” (The House of Peace/Submission) and “Dar al-Harb” (The House of War). As you know, those who refuse to submit to the murderous religion of Islam are commanded by Allah to be afflicted with pillage and death until their submission to Islam has been enforced.

So yes, you may repeat ad infinitum that Islam is the most peaceful of religions, but when you say that, non-Muslims MUST understand what you are actually saying: that Islam is the most submissive of philosophies that seeks the global subordination of mankind to its violent dictates and that Muslims will not stop following this dictate by Allah until either all non-Islamic infidelity has been destroyed or conversely that Islam itself has been eliminated.

I certainly know which outcome I prefer.

Additionally, a simple reading of the Quran reveals how oppressive, discriminatory, deceitful and violent Allah and his alleged prophet Muhammad were.

But a few of the Quran’s explicit concepts: [my insertions in brackets]

1. All non-Muslims will be rejected by Allah after they die.
2. Allah will bestow a vast reward on those who fight in religious wars.
3. If the unbelievers do not offer you peace [submission], kill them wherever you find them. Against such you are given clear warrant.
4. [For those who refuse to submit to Islam and fight against it.] Those who make war with Allah and his messenger will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, or will be expelled out of the land. That is how they will be treated in this world, and in the next they will have an awful doom.
5. Christians will be burned in the Fire.
6. The worst beasts in Allah's sight are the disbelievers.
7. If you refuse to fight, Allah will afflict you with a painful doom. [You must support violence for Allah even if you don’t want to.]
8. Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all going to hell anyway.
9. Fight disbelievers who are near you, and let them see the harshness in you.
10. Don't pray for idolaters (not even for your family) after it is clear they are people of hell-fire.
11. Those who oppose Islam and disbelieve in the Hereafter are guilty of the greatest wrong.
12. Allah will tear Christians apart for ascribing partners to him.
13. Don't obey disbelievers. [Muslims must not follow the laws of non-Islamic governments or non-Muslims.]
14. But if you're willing to fight for Allah, he will provide you with lots of booty.

And of course there are many, MANY more where those came from. Of course, Muslims always retort to not-so-flattering passages read from the Quran by non-Muslims with “But you must not take these passages out of context!”

This is a bogus argument of course, and one which would not be tolerated if made in the same way regarding the original US Constitution: “Oh, don’t worry about those passages about Native Americans being non-people, women being politically disempowered, and blacks only being slaves and partial humans. You mustn’t take the passages out of context. Nor should you talk about them. Nor should you even dare attempt to invalidate them.”

Alas, unlike Americans and their US Constitution, Muslims actually believe the Quran to be perfect and literal word of Allah. This being the case, it is *impossible* for a single passage to be taken out of context from the Quran as each and every word contained therein is considered to be valid and perfect for all people for all times. Allah’s commands were violent and murderous in 622AD when he allegedly first started revealing them, and they are equally violent and abhorrent today.

Sadly, the Quran pails in comparison with regard to the sadistic levels of violence, torture and murder that are to be found in the Sunnah/Hadeeth stories of Muhammad’s life as chronicled by the first Islamic historians and scholars themselves. If people want to see the worst of the worst that the Prophet of Islam advocated, take a look at those. The Quran looks like a walk in the park next to those.

And lastly, let’s not forget the genocide of the Jews by Muhammad’s Islamic armies, the ethnic cleansing against Christians in the Arabian Peninsula, the destruction of the non-monotheistic indigenous cultures throughout Arabia, Persia, North Africa and beyond, and the 1400 years of invasion, domination, occupation, colonization, subordination and destruction of native cultures everywhere that Islam reared its destructive head.

In the end, the violent and murderous commands by Allah/Muhammad should have absolutely no place in our modern, secular government nor in the ceremonies that support it.

Daniel wrote on December 22, 2006 5:54 PM:

Err, "pales in comparison" and not "pails." The ol' fingers got a bit ahead of me there. ;-}

Daniel

Tim wrote on December 23, 2006 12:22 PM:

Typical comments from a backwards,xenophobic,redneck,repupublican/gop nut case aka Virgil Goode. He's the corrupt politician directly linked via Mitchell Wade to Jack Abramoff.As far as more Muslims,you dimwit,MUslims are already in this country,you moronic creep. Better to have them here than the likes of your sorry ass. Your comments are typical of a frightened,pandering cowardly politician who will say and do anything to get elected/stay in office,including accepting over $90000.00 in ILLEGAL bribes(aka campaign contributions) from an disgraced "defense: contractor linked to Rep.Randy"Cry like a wimpering Baby when sentenced" Cunnignham and to that paragon of republican/gop SLEAZE Jack Abramoff. Virgil,you're views are representative of bigoted,homophobic,racist,prejudiced,xenophobic,sexist,backwards mentality that is dying off in this country,thankfully. And one day a-holes like you won't spout off cretinous comments like yours. As far as using a religious book during a swearing ceremony that is another political scam perpetrated by ,reactionary,insecure,frightened,fearful,false patriotic, zealots like you!!!

Matthew wrote on December 23, 2006 12:35 PM:

Simple test: In the last 10 years, how many Christians and Jews have been killed by Muslims? How many Muslims have been killed by Christians and Jews? Many more Muslims have been killed. So much for Islam being the violent religion and Christianity and Judiaism the "peaceful" religions.

(I know someone will say it's the Christians and Jewish leaders not the faith that make the decision to kill. But, honestly, listen to Bush yack about Jesus and Justice, and you see in his perversion of Christianity, the threshhold to use violence is very low. And the threshold is the test of whether someone, or some faith, is violent. )

Matthew wrote on December 23, 2006 12:45 PM:

Daniel: The first recorded genocide is, according to the Hebrew Scriptures, was ordered by God, to wit:

"This us what the Lord Almighty says: 'I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt. Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation--men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, camels, and donkeys." (1 Samuel 15: 2-3.)

Now what does that say about the holiness of the Book of Samuel? It not only condones genocide, but it claims that genocide is God's command. And you were saying that Islam is the violent, murdering religion.....?

Randolph Stripling wrote on December 24, 2006 2:22 AM:

Has anyone really figured out why our government, and thus the American people are becoming the most hated, and distrusted people on earth?
Even though the actions of our government don't reflect the desire, and beliefs of the average American? Does the average American even have any self developed beliefs, are we capable of independent thought.

Has anyone heard any politician currently serving, or that was serving in September 2001 address the question of what lead to the attacks of 9/11? Is it really just because "they just hate our standard of living"? Do we accept any responsibility for past actions, and have we cared to look at where we have been, and done to other peoples of the world, just so we can enjoy the good life.

Could the source of the world's problem be the cancer that is growing within, or just beneath the surface of our government that is now using democracy to destroy the American middle class, and reintroduce slavery, on the road to world domination. Are we, because of our laziness, and lack of responsibility in safeguarding the very source of our freedom, and liberties, becoming our own worst enemy?

Our enemy is not Islam, or Muslims. Nor is our enemy any other person or ideology different from what we claim as our own. I contend that our greatest enemy is ignorance, followed by a refusal to accept the responsibility of securing our freedom by guarding the Constitution.
Again as a reminder, with the freedoms that we still have left, there is an urgent and growing need to safeguard them more than ever before.

There are at least several other elected officials at the federal level who are as misguided as Virgil Goode, always have been, and until we stop sending them to Washington, letting them loose in that setting with no close monitoring, without being held to strict accountablilty for their action, alway will be.

Until we declare that we are in control, take back control of our representative goverment, that cancer in the form of elitist, royalist, and just plain corporate thugs will continue through their hired guns, to eat away at the moral fiber of America, and continue to use our own government against us, and the rest of the world, while we fight each other over things that don't mean "diddly squat" to our survival. Arguments like the one about an American citizen duly elected by the people of a particular congressional district that wants to take a private oath, as a testimony of his faith, after having sworn to protect, and defend the Constitution, which guarantees his freedom to do so. We are getting just what we deserve for our loss of identity, purpose, and direction, as real men, with spines and the fortitudes to take a stand for what is right! Maybe what we need in this country, is a woman from either party that has a functioning brain, to lead this country in a direction away from where we are headed now, which is to "Hell is a handbasket".

We all have a responsibility to protect our future from all enemies, foreign, and especially domestic. I submit that we need to take a closer look at what may actually be a domestic enemy.

Old Atlantic wrote on December 24, 2006 9:00 PM:

Gallery of Sharia punishments at link at my name.

Site is FaithFreedom.org as mentiond above by Blue Green.

Potato is my security code. Remember how Dan Quayle was ridiculed for misspelling potato. What about for calling Virgil Goode a bigot without having read the site faithfreedom.org? Shouldn't that get more ridicule? Doesn't decency demand it?

AutoBlog wrote on December 26, 2006 4:25 AM:

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Matthew wrote on December 26, 2006 10:33 AM:

Old Atlantic: What time is the cross burning tonight?

Have lived in the South most of my life, you are a well-known type,i.e, "patriot," "traditionalist," "Christian," etc. Those are the polite words. Here's the accurate word: hater.

That's why before the Federal Government dragged the people like you and Rep. Goodge into the 20th Centary, the South was the eternal embarrasment of the USA. And you know why the federal government had to drag the South out of Segregation? "Patriots" like Goode were responsible for the South being a Third World Nation within the USA. The only thing good about the Old South is that it is gone. It has been replaced by New South, that is modern, forward-looking, and tolerate. The South is great despite you and Goode, not because of you. You are like some creepy uncle that we Southerners have in our closet who scares the neighorhood kids. Try as we might, you just keep getting out and shaming the family.

Matthew wrote on December 26, 2006 10:38 AM:

Daniel: The self-denial of the Zionists is pathological. Blaming the Arabs--and not Israel--for Palestinian suffering is equivalent to blaming America for the genocide in Darfur. Get a grip, dude.

Here's a short primer: Israel is stealing Palestinian land and killing Palestinian kids, not Jordan or Syria.

Old Atlantic wrote on December 26, 2006 5:51 PM:

Daniel
Date: December 22, 2006 05:48 PM is right. Read that. That is the truth about Islam.

Islam and the Koran are bigoted. The above quotes show it. Islam has done genocide and denies guilt. What Muslim government has apologize for any Muslim genocide? Turkey? No. Saudi Arabia? No.

They deny genocide, because it would be a sin for them to apologize for genocide. The Koran commands them to slay unbelievers who don't submit to Islam. So its a sin for them to apologize for a past genocide.

Ask Keith Ellison to apologize for the genocide of Christians by Turkey and to denounce the verses in the Koran that support it.

The more bigoted a text, the less intolerant it is to criticize it. The Koran is more bigoted than Goode's letter, except under Islam.

Ask Ellison to admit the Koran is more bigoted than Goode's Letter.

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PJGoober wrote on December 27, 2006 6:35 PM:

A cost-benefit analysis, with lives being weighted the most, is the best way to approach Virgil Goode's sole policy proposal, which is a halt to muslim immigration.

Whatever the outcome of a cost benefit analysis, it will only be valid if it is actually acknowledged that muslim immigration, student studying, and tourist visits has a cost in treasure and lives, which September 11th, the Los Angeles El Al ticket counter shooting, the first WTC bombing, the London bombing, the Madrid train bombing, and numerous averted terrorist attacks show. Nearly every ledger has two sides to be acknowledged, and this is no exception. The outcome doesn't have to be all or nothing either. I believe that the optimal policy is reduced muslim immigration from the current ~40,000 per year to something like ~10,000 per year. We'd keep most of our international prestige and the psychic gain which a non-discriminatory immigration policy gives us, and US muslims wouldn't feel *quite* so hated as a complete ban would make them feel, but we'd have a far slower rate of growth in the sea in which terrorists swim and recruit. If we made sure that the reduced flow was more proportionately the cream of the crop than the current flow is, then we'd have less economic losses (they are highly educated) than pure reduced numbers of muslim immigrants alone would indicate.

True Christian wrote on December 29, 2006 8:09 AM:

Dispite of every misconception and hate people have for muslims, muslim believe in jesus and even love him we mus not forget that,those were jews who didn't crucified Jesus and his blessed mother marry, and in koraan there is a compelete surah with the name of marry.who is legislating gay marriage by the way??????

True Christian wrote on December 29, 2006 8:12 AM:

Corrected!!!!!!1
Dispite of every misconception and hate people have for muslims, muslim believe in jesus and even love him we mus not forget that,those were jews who crucified Jesus and hated his blessed mother marry, and in koraan there is a compelete surah with the name of marry.who is legislating gay marriage by the way??????

Capt.Midnight wrote on December 29, 2006 8:16 PM:

If Nazism had been cloaked as religion the world be speaking German now ... and worse.

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And evil by any other name would be just as evil.

True Christian wrote on January 3, 2007 1:34 AM:

Sadly Nazis were christians. why don't you dare to blame christainity "Killers religion" ? you won't i bet , you won't... you're christain anyway

Myth wrote on January 3, 2007 6:35 AM:

Islam is the religion of nature, to follow islam you don't have to fight against nature, sadly if you are christian and want to get yourself to some spiritual level there came a big natural restriction "you can't marry" so inhuman, realy barbaric that's we find so many so people attached to the church are found guilty of commiting sin like child molestation and been involved in gay sex. so unrealistic....

David wrote on January 3, 2007 6:42 PM:

Virgil Goode ran against Al Weed this past election. So while driving all you saw were Goode - Weed signs. Too bad Al Weed didn't win, but understand this is rural south central Virginia where the "non-immigrant" IQ is roughly 70. I really wish I had some Weed now.....

Teebo wrote on January 4, 2007 4:44 PM:

You see, you people are failing to recognize one thing. The threat that Goode sees is very real, and very dangerous. The U.S.A. is about the seperation of Church and State. The Muslim people are all about the combination of church and state (Don't believe me? Just look at every predominantly muslim country). If you think Goode is a bigot, you are probably right, but just wait until the U.S.A. is more than 50% muslim, Good luck if you happen to be a minority, because your rights will be shat on, if you aren't killed outright for breaking some crappy ass muslim law which will then be state law.

Naem M wrote on January 4, 2007 6:16 PM:

Peace be upon everyone!

It's not a great shocker to me that we have elected officials out there with such restricted points-of-view. At the same time, you would think that at the very least, our officials would realize how much of the ideals stated in our very own US Constitution are ideals that are also guaranteed from other religious sources, including the Koran (Qur'an); including but not limited to the right to freedom, both religious and otherwise.

Is it no wonder that Thomas Jefferson himself had a copy of the Koran? Surely, one can see the great similarities found in both the Koran and the Bible, and the Torah, as all 3 religions follow the one and same God, the same God of Abraham, and the same God of all of the Judeo-Christian and Muslim believers alike.

If you want to know the real and true Islam, I'd invite you to take a glance at www.alislam.org.

gander wrote on January 4, 2007 8:13 PM:

Islam will never take over this country. This is America and wi always be. Just because some one puts the cards on the table, Goode is right.

jason wrote on January 4, 2007 8:34 PM:

i've but a simple ? for you people. What defines a redneck. My family on both my dad's and mom's side are most certainly southern and republican it doesn't mean that we are poor and stuipd. You people who i've known my family to call "pricks" think you are better than people in the south even though it's on the back of which this country agriculture became supreme. Now i'll say i disagree with the congressmen's comments but that doesn't it gives u the right to hate other's. Also the republican party has faults but what do the democrats have to show raising minium wage which sounds good but in the end inflation will canceal it out. I just ask that everyone keeps and open mind and try not compile similar people togethor even though you say that's what your againist. Thank you

Bob wrote on January 4, 2007 8:45 PM:

I guess it will not be long before there's nothing left to know its the USA. Will be reduced to a third world country.

ray wrote on January 4, 2007 8:48 PM:

SInce REP. Virgil Goode thinks he can speak his mind I dare him to say something against the jews in this country.

We dare you big BOY

Bob wrote on January 4, 2007 8:49 PM:

I guess soon it will not be the USA. Just another third world country. Sad what political perfect can do.

Gerry wrote on January 4, 2007 10:15 PM:

I don't understand why we fear others; of most particular note: the muslim religion. If I am not incorrect, this country is full of differences in belief and in their way of life. Isn't this what makes america the greatest nation in the world and of the world? A country that democratically strong and tolerant of others.
Religion is good for the soul but when it comes to diversity as this country has become even more so, we need to be more tolerant to each other and learn to respect our rights and beliefs and must place boundaries where it is required. Thanks..

Stephen wrote on January 4, 2007 11:14 PM:

Good for Representative Goode. We need to stop illegal immigration as well as legal immigration from third world countries. We should stop all Muslim immigration and encourage those here to return possibly by paying them to leave. Islam is the devil's religion.

Stephen wrote on January 4, 2007 11:14 PM:

Good for Representative Goode. We need to stop illegal immigration as well as legal immigration from third world countries. We should stop all Muslim immigration and encourage those here to return possibly by paying them to leave. Islam is the devil's religion.

Lesley wrote on January 5, 2007 12:03 PM:

Yes, let's pay EVERYONE to go back to their own countries while we're at it, for God's sake. I'm sure the nation's resources, like buffalo, eagles, etc would have prefered we never came! Um my ancestry is Swiss, German, Scottish, French, British, and American Indian (and those are just what I have been able to trace!). At least 2 lines of my family came over around 1620. They survived the Jamestown battle and are on the roll sheets. So, where should I go? Get real. We all came from somewhere else, some more recently than others. The diversity with its exchange of ideas and ideals is what made this country great. And whatever happened to the great American value of religious freedom??? Aren't people like Goode being rather 2 faced when they denounce a faith with one side of their mouths and call for a return to old values with the other? In my opinion, it's the bigots who should return to "thier own countries" where that bigotry is the rule and leave those willing to seek change, compromise, tolerance, and friendship in this country which was founded upon such things. This all reminds me of the irrational fear that the pope would run the country if Kennedy were elected. Have we learned nothing?

biazzio wrote on January 5, 2007 1:59 PM:

Excellent ideal, apparently some bleading hearts cry foul, personally I say well done.

Capt.Midnight wrote on January 5, 2007 7:52 PM:

The Nazis didn't call themselves Christians, they called themselves "Nazis" . Hitler called Germans proudly, " barbarians and in fact also said he admired Islam. I don't know why you'd assume they were and label the entire German nation Christian except to support your hollow point of view. You proclaim yourself, objectively and unbiasedly of course, " True Christian ". I am not so a religious person, but I don't know of any any Christians who threaten people with death for minor infractions of their faith, strap explosives to themselves and blow people up or cut peoples heads off with pocket knives. Islam is, in my onion, the best argument against the existence of a god.

Donna Gorham wrote on January 6, 2007 8:19 PM:

Hi up there, Capt. Midnight. Speaking as a NATIVE BORN individual of Scottish-American and Native American descent, brought up nominally Christian, who had the GOOD SENSE and most welcome epiphany for my soul, after years of searching, I am now a happy converted muslimah. So, I know a LOT more about Islam than you do. I studied and researched it for decades. Hate to point it out to you, but it was just a few years past when a so-called "Christian" from here in the US murdered several people for, apparently, disagreeing with *his* version of Christianity. Not only that, several groups of individuals in the general are of the western mountains of NC, and other adjacent areas, helped hide him from law enforcement officials for a few years. Some real jackasses had the stupidity to post comments at various places around the internet that the murderer is a "true American hero." Now the way I was brought up by my Christian parents is that murder is wrong under any circumstances, PERIOD, end of subject. I guess with your hints of your stance stated in your post above you would also embrace that mudsucker, eh?

Now, you just come right over here and try slapping my face or giving me guff about my religion, ethnic background, or political views. My baby sister is just as much a yellow dog as I am, although she had the good fortune to become a Harvard-educated and trained attorney. She LOVES prosecuting hate crimes, jack.

As-salaamu alaikum, bint.

freedom4029 wrote on January 6, 2007 8:44 PM:

The world is in a war with islam. We need to stop all illegal immigration and islamic immigration into all countries together as a group. Goode is right on target. He makes sense. Like world war 2, we had internment camps, the world should do the same, intern the enemy and halt immigration.

Lisa wrote on January 7, 2007 1:53 PM:

Excellent post.

Obviously, you pea-brains have not had a chance to read the history of Islam, the Koran or the Hadith. Duh??? Wake up!!! Here is a quick insight to their hidden agenda:

Koran's call to Jihad

“The Koran is our constitution,
Mohammed is our prophet, Jihad is our
path and dying as martyrs for the sake
of Allah is our biggest wish.

The mission statement of the Islamofacists is to make Islam the de facto and de jure Only Recognized Religion and Law, by hook, crook or sword. It is called Sharia.

First, they sit back quietly and have 10 kids, then when their numbers are 50% or more of the population, they get a case of Sudden Jihad Syndrome. They can't stand freedom anymore, so they make up an excuse to kill many Christians and Jews and maybe their suicidal selves. Talk about population explosion.

This has already happened in Europe and the US. Next on the agenda, spontaneious protests with large numbers of people with table cloths on their heads mobbing the streets, yelling "down with this" or "death to so-and so."

Then this is followed up by intimidation, coercion, and vandalism as in the city of Paris, France with rioting, looting, burning of cars and murder. They will kill your children too, just like in Gaza recently, if they don't like you. They killed one man's three kids, one of them had 10 bullets to the head, wouldn't one have done the job. Talk about over kill.

Like a killer bee, they take offence at anyone who is not Moslem in their area of town as if these ragamuffins bought and paid for it, as they do in the UK, to a MP no less.

Then they take your remarks out of context and go out and kill nuns and priests and shoot up non-Roman Catholic, Christian churches over the Popes latest historical remarks. God the Pope loved that. Why shoot up Russian Orthodox and other real Christian churches, go to a Roman Catholic church and blow it up or set it on fire for the remarks of a Catholic Pope. Sorry boss, we got the wrong church??? So much for the logical and rational man having a historical conversation without causing a war. What happened to freedom of speech, tolerance and diversity?

Jihad is not just an inner struggle to become holy, it is a violent, military take over by a religous and political extremists. It eradicates free speech, women's rights, and makes rape a of any woman a public policy.

If a woman is raped, she must have 4 male witnesses verify the accusation as womens voice only equal half a voice or person. In fact the Koran says women are half as smart as men. Duh??? Does that mean Moslem men are twice as smart??? Does that mean we need to subjugate all women by forced conjugation?

Absent the 4 male witnesses, she is then accused of being an adultress and stoned to death after some torture for good measure. Now it is nearly impossible to coreograph 4 male witnesses, so this is tantamount to a de facto rape policy for all women by sex-starved Moslem men, who just need 10 more kids to start a war. It is real hard to have a war, when you don't have enough starving, illiterate kids to use for IEDs.

Check out www.faithfreedom.org from a former Moslem to see how brutal and unjust they really are. Anyone who stands up for them has not read the facts of the case. In fact, they are Islamic sympathizers, which is akin to Nazi collaborators.

You bunch of politically correct idiots need to go and check out your facts first. Why not just praise So-damn Insane (Sadam Hussein)?

If dying as a martyr for Allah is their greatest wish, grant them that wish today. Line them up...
we can put you right beside them.

BGG338 Out.

Posted by: Blue Green
Date: December 20, 2006 09:40 AM

Alshabaz wrote on January 7, 2007 5:04 PM:

Jermaine has caused national controversy by openly praying his obligatory five time prayers live on national TV. However Channel Four the Broadcaster has censored any footage of the Former Jackson Five practicing his faith. Outraged muslims have begun to complain on grounds of fair representation as Shilpa Shetty was broadcast practicing Yoga, they are demanding an explanation from Channel four as to why Jermaine Praying has been censored. Complaints to Ofcom the body that adjudicates media complaints are set to flood in this monday. Jermaine has begun to attract many thousands of muslim votes.

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 10:11 AM:

I have a strong feeling that many of the responders here are poorly educated.
FACT : muslim Women get their clitoris sliced off.
That was a tiny offer of information for those that do not do research.
Look up islam's 20 - year plan for U.S. in the latest issue of Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
It is sad to see so many ignorant statements from Americans.
I AM ALL FOR GOODE.

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 10:23 AM:

SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE.
Goode is right and he should also keep the bible in his home.
GOVERNMENT ELECTIVES SHOULD BE SWORN IN WITH THEIR HAND ON THE CONSTITUTION AND BILL OF RIGHTS.
NOT A RELIGIOUS BOOK.
-Dez-

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 10:41 AM:

I have also noticed that most of the people who are unable to grasp the concept of Separation of Religion and State are un-able to spell correctly, much less write a full sentence.
If muslims are to be in any part of the American government than Americans should expect to give up their Bill of Rights that made it possible for them to write these public comments and not get killed for it.
-Dez-

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 10:58 AM:

Anything done in the past is just that - the past. The cursades were not commited by people today. The nazis were defeated and I aim to keep radical religions from entering and taking over the United States of America.
The only way these radicals can do that is by attacking the infrastructure, i.e. the government of the USA Trojan horse style. Once again, I stress, SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE.

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 11:01 AM:

3 things to save America
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
BAN ON POLITICAL PARTIES
SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE

Dez wrote on January 8, 2007 11:19 AM:

I'll correct myself on one statement I made.
It is common practice that muslim Women get their clitoris sliced off.

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Ethanol wrote on January 14, 2007 4:59 PM:

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Kris wrote on January 14, 2007 11:26 PM:

The Majority of Americans are dummies/fools,
They Preach diversity like its the greatest thing in the world and like its racist not too.

If your to stupid to know

Diversity is what let to world war 1 and war 2
Diversity is what will lead to WW3
Diversity is what is causing a future catastrophe between Isreal and Iran.
Diversity is Why there a civil war is going on in Iraq.
Diversity is what will lead to a Civil War in America or A Nuclear Warn throughout this earth.
Diversity within is the root of all destruction.

Yes, (Slight) diversity built America but Distant
diversity is destroying it and will lead to its demise.

David wrote on January 16, 2007 5:46 PM:

Va. Delegate Frank Hargrove sparked furious denunciations in the General Assembly today after a he stated that black people "should get over" slavery.

Hargrove, of Hanover, made the comment about slavery in an interview published today in The Daily Progress of Charlottesville.

In the same interview about whether the state should apologize to the descendants of slaves, Hargrove wondered aloud whether Jews should "apologize for killing Christ." (Winchester Star)

As you see "Virginia is for Dumas" and its not just Goode

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I was stationed at Wheelus Air Base, Tripoli, Libya (1960-1962) when King Idris ws on the throne. (Pre Kadhafi)

The population then was rated as being 40% Italian and the Catholic Church was allowed one church with the provision that no rite or ceremony would have any legal recognition. Get married in the church or the on base chapel? Fine, but since the marriale isn't lrgal - co-habitation would violate their Muslim laws on fornication and both man and woman would be tried, found guilty and sentenced to fifteen years in a Libyan prison.

However if the "Posting of the Bans" were observed and the couple was married by a legally recognized Muslim official before the non-Muslim ceremony, then the marriage would be valid..(In my case it was the mayor of the city of Tripoli).

Recently, a German Judge refused a German citizen a divorce from her husband since, being a Muslim, the Koran allowed her husband to beat her and therefore she had no right to complain.

When the Muslims take over this country from within, you will learn what open borders really mean. But, of course, by then it will be much too late.

Heirborn Ranger

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Just came across this blog. I live in Virgil Goode's congressional district, although against my will. We were gerrymandered in with the last redistricting by the Republican Virginia General Assembly in order to keep Virgil in office. I think everybody is taking this the wrong way. We have a horrible influx of immigrants from the northeast coming into our area and creating the urban sprawl they left the northeast to get away from. Virgil is just doing his part to make our area as repulsive as possible to keep them from wanting to live here.

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