TPM: Anti-Muslim Assault on Democratic Congressman

Anti-Muslim Assault on Democratic Congressman | TPMCafe: "t didn't take long for the bigots to come after Rep.-Elect Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota). Ellison is an African-American and the first Muslim to be elected to Congress. Yesterday, Dennis Prager, the far-right Jewish talk-show host, attacked Ellison because the young Muslim wants to take his oath of office on a Quran and not on the Christian Bible. Prager went ballistic, sayng “he should not be allowed to do so.” Prager said that 'the Bible is America's holiest book. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don't serve in Congress.”

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The fact is that Members of Congress do not hold any book when they are sworn in. They simply gather in the House chamber and are sworn in en masse. Prager is referring to the private non-official swearing in ceremonies some Members stage essentially as a photo op.

Nevertheless, it is the thought that counts and Prager's is damn ugly. In fact, Prager's attack resulted in hundreds of ugly and sometimes threatening calls to Ellison's home and office.

Welcome to Congress, Congressman."