I agree with Congressman Goode. This is another example of diversity equals adversity.

Indeed, Paul. Just like when all the Irish moved here. Or the Germans. Or the Chinese. Or the Italians. Or the Greeks. Or the Filipinos. Or the Slavs. Or the Poles. Or the Russians. Or the Gypsies. Or the Laotians. Or the Jews. Or the Hindus. Or the Japanese. Or the Koreans. Or the Vietnamese. Or the Armenians...

You want me to go on, Paul? Because, Lord knows, every time a new group immigrates to the United States this country is forced to completely revamp its language and government/legal structure. It isn't just the language Goode has a problem with. He has also convinced himself that we'll be forced to adopt Sharia Law if Muslims come here. Problem is, we've already done that because Iraqis, Iranians, Turks, Palestinians, Pakistanis, Syrians, Lebanese, Moroccans, Yemenis, Algerians, Jordanians, and Egyptians (to name a few nationalities...) all live here. Wait, what? Oh, my bad, the US Constitution is still in effect and it would take a MASSIVE influx of Muslim immigrants to "force" or "demand" any kind of departure from our existing legal system.

And the comparison to Canada's situation is utterly asinine. Quebec was a French colony (who's inhabitants spoke French) that the British took over. The Inuit and other indigenous groups have their own languages. Before the United States, there were British, Dutch, French, Spanish, Finnish and Swedish colonies along what is now the eastern seaboard of the United States. For the Canadian analogy to be at all relevant, all of the former colonial sites of those various language groups ought to be speaking predominantly in those languages. Last I checked, New Jersey hasn't had any initiatives to secede from the Union to re-establish Nya Sverige.

You have a point there Paul; Goode certainly makes a good example of adversity.

It's a great thing that the Pilgrams came here to establish a land where they would be free from religious persecution. Free to persecute those who's religon is different from their own?

The whole idea of swearing an oath on the Bible is that it is a sacred text, and you are therefore (supposedly) bound by your word. But if the text has no meaning to someone then does it really mean anything to swear on it?

yeah, we wouldn't want to live in a country where people are judged by the content of their character, and not simply what religion they practice. I guess the part where Goode swore to uphold the constitution means nothing huh. I simply hope Goode didn't use a Bible during his swearing in ceremony else he would be forsworn on that Holy Book.

Having lived in his district for some time, sadly, this will only endear him to his constituents there. That area of Virginia is the most backward, openly racist place that I've ever been in this country. Not only are they openly hostile to other religions (or the non-religious), they are openly hostile to all non-Southern Baptists.

Goode knows his constituency, and knows that this letter will get him donations and increase his popularity.

Funny, all "4" liberals posted between 5:50am and 6:15am. You all keep clinging to your romantic notions that foreigners, Muslims in this case, are going to uphold *your* Western democratic ideals, like freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Meanwhile, realists like myself observe how they live in their native countries and see how they act when things don't go their way. Paris burning, anyone? German opera, anyone?
In many ways, you liberals are like Christians- you project your beliefs, your lifestyle, and your expectations onto those who have no inclination for them. Canadians have already tried that and they got Sharia law attempted on them.
When and if the Muslims get sufficient political clout, you'll enjoy life in their caliphate. Really. You will. Honestly. Lots o' freedoms. :~)

Since when has fear, hate and stupidity help make any society better. Let's see, they tried it in Nazi Germany. I don't think it worked there, in fact, the only thing we got from that was a lesson on what not to do. Please, let's show people like Congressman Goode how much more dangerous he is to our country than any immigrant who shows up on our shores. Standing up to these neo-cons is not only right but also more patriotic than what they want for us.

Funny, Paul posted between 10:27pm and 10:50am. There must be some secret meaning in that. Where's my Ovaltine decoder ring...

And you're right we'd project our beliefs, as US Americans, our lifestyle, as US Americans, and our expectations, as US Americans, onto anyone who willingly chooses to immigrate to this country. Like anyone else, immigrants need to know what makes our country the country it is, the ideals it holds. They need to know how citizens in this country go about their business, their OWN business, because we allow people to conduct their lives as they see fit as long as no laws are violated and no one is hurt. And we require them to learn about their civic duties, so they know what's expected of them, before they can even become legal citizens.

Andres contemplates: Since when has fear, hate and stupidity help make any society better.

Paul replies: Exactly! Who needs the baggage that comes with Muslims? Or liberals for that matter. There's hope for you after all.

D. Rose, perplexed about posting times, states: Funny, Paul posted between 10:27pm and 10:50am. There must be some secret meaning in that. Where's my Ovaltine decoder ring...

Paul replies: It's odd that 4 different people would all reply in a 20 minute time span, and no more replies after that until my later response. I'm betting that those "4" are really only one person, maybe two. That's just my guess, knowing liberals as well as I do. ;~)

As for the rest of your sophomoric rant projecting your idealism on others not so inclined, the 9/11 terrorists who feigned adopting your idealism did you proud, didn't they?

Paul

Odd, yes. Significant, no. Lose the tinfoil cap Paul.

And the 9/11 hijackers are a really lame, sophomoric even, example. They were here on expired visas, not here for citizenship. They were loners who largely avoided engaging in US American society, a society they viewed as decadent and sinful. To participate is to become seduced, and they were careful about how much outside their mission that did. If someone such as yourself hates the "idealism" of the United States so much, move away.

Actually, the biggest example of "feigning the idealism of America" would be George W. Bush.

D. Rose's nebbishy reply is that the 9/11 hijackers were "Odd, yes. Significant, no." Not significant?

"They were loners who largely avoided engaging in US American society, a society they viewed as decadent and sinful."

And most other Muslims don't? How well have they assimilated in Europe? How can you tell the "good" ones from the "bad" ones? D. Rose, it's YOUR kind that advocates for more of them coming here. You're about as naive and gullible as they come.

Paul

I advocate nothing of the sort. The only thing I advocate is the adherence to our laws and our constitution. Extremist Muslims are welcome to try to enact Sharia Law on their own, but they'll quickly find themselves in court on trial. The federal government doesn't look kindly upon groups that try to set up their own separate legal systems within the jurisdiction of the US and its constituent state/local governments. Didn't work too well for the Branch Davidians, and other militias have similar problems.

Unlike you Paul, I have faith in our system of government and our system of laws. I refuse to give in, as you have, to childish fears of bogeymen.

D. Rose writes: Unlike you Paul, I have faith in our system of government and our system of laws. I refuse to give in, as you have, to childish fears of bogeymen.

Paul replies: What's happening in France and Germany, for example, is hardly childish, and it's even with their system of laws and government in place. You choose to bury your head in the sand. You'll get to experience Muslim culture first hand if you're around long enough. Enjoy.

Paul the Seer

I have a question for you liberals who feel that Muslims are a benign bunch which will have no effect on our political or our legal system: In a court case, when a witness or a defendant swears their solemn oath to tell the truth by placing their hand on the Bible- will a Muslim have no compunction about lying under oath since the Bible is not their higher law? Are we to have religion tests before court cases to avoid such a scenario and have the proper "higher authority" available? What about the Hindus? Buddhists? Shintoists?

Just now noticed this:

Paul wrote:
"D. Rose's nebbishy reply is that the 9/11 hijackers were "Odd, yes. Significant, no." Not significant?"

Bloody Hell, you can't even read your OWN posts:

Paul again, earlier:
"Paul replies: It's odd that 4 different people would all reply in a 20 minute time span, and no more replies after that until my later response. I'm betting that those "4" are really only one person, maybe two. That's just my guess, knowing liberals as well as I do. ;~)"

The post that Paul picked and chose and twisted out of context (no surprise there):

D.Rose wrote in response to Paul's above:
"Odd, yes. Significant, no. Lose the tinfoil cap Paul.

And the 9/11 hijackers are a really lame, sophomoric even, example. They were here on expired visas, not here for citizenship. They were loners who largely avoided engaging in US American society, a society they viewed as decadent and sinful. To participate is to become seduced, and they were careful about how much outside their mission that did. If someone such as yourself hates the "idealism" of the United States so much, move away."

i am not sure which side is more correct, but i do agree with D.Rose. I think to get 2 thirds of congress and 3 forths of the American voters to agree on a change to the constitution is almost an impossable task. By the designing genius of our founding fathers, change is slow and deliberate not emotional and fast. THANK GOD and THANK THEM. It would take many,many people coming here AND being legal and being legal voters to make that happen. FAT CHANCE if this discusion is any example of what it takes for even small groups to agree...I guess some think they are wiser and more omnicient than the rest of us Americans. Also maybe Mr. White is right. Maybe we should not use the Bible to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...

bob c writes: Also maybe Mr. White is right. Maybe we should not use the Bible to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth...

Paul replies: But our whole legal system is predicated on it, has been for centuries. Are we ready to give it up? The Muslims are trying to do way with it already. That's what started this blog topic.

Paul

Erm, our "whole legal system" is part of common law, which is itself an outgrowth of the Magna Carta, a collection of legal - not Biblical - documents dating from 1215.

D.Rose writes: Erm, our "whole legal system" is part of common law, which is itself an outgrowth of the Magna Carta, a collection of legal - not Biblical - documents dating from 1215.

Paul replies: Upon what in court do you place your right hand and swear your oath to tell nothing but the truth so help you God? We 'Muricans have been doing that for how many years? You think the courts will now accept the Koran instead? The Bible and the Koran are not the same, doncha know.

maybe Mr. White should put his hand on his bible an take the oath and then answer these questions. Are you being intolerant of those that do not believe as you? Are you being a good Christian? Hmmm...Maybe we should swear on a copy of THE DECLARATIONN or the CONSTITUTION since these are sacred to all Americans. Of coarse maybe the PLAYER PIANO by Kurt Vanegut would be more appropriate for myself. In any case purgury is not criminal in a blog, just wrong anytime. Using a copy of our most revered text would include all in lts binding power since violating the oath is the crime,not ones religous beliefs...All are created equal ...

This has been the BEST COMIC Strip I've read in a long time! Does it really matter what foolish book you put your hand on,anyway? I see NO politician telling the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me, whoever! I didn't see a lot of Bibles around when swearing in a few hundred recruits at the receiving area at boot camp. By the way that would be a violation of the seperation of church and state! In this "LAND OF LIES",what is TRUTH, anyway? This is ONE SICK COUNTRY! So don't worry about importing more trouble, you've got more now than you can cope with. So how about cleaning up Washington,DC, just for starters. Lets put religion back in church where it belongs, and let everyone choose IF and which one they want to attend, that was the intent of OUR CONSTITUTION!

well Paul, it seems like you were given the correct last name.

Ranselar writes: I see NO politician telling the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me, whoever!
-and-
In this "LAND OF LIES",what is TRUTH, anyway? This is ONE SICK COUNTRY! ... So how about cleaning up Washington,DC, just for starters.

Paul replies: Amen, brother! HALLELUJAH!

Except for Virgil Goode. He's a keeper.

bob c writes: Are you being intolerant of those that do not believe as you? Are you being a good Christian?

Paul replies: See my earlier post about naive and gullible Christians. They project their beliefs upon others (i.e., foreigners) not so inclined to the same principles. If you disagree, I'll lop off your head, or stone you. That's the Muslim way. You like Muslims, don't you bob c?

gabistan writes: well Paul, it seems like you were given the correct last name.

Paul replies: You got something against Whites?

First, I'm tired of all the b.s. like "Islam is a religion of peace" and "oh, if we only try and understand the feelings of the terrorists they wouldn't attack us." I am not a Christian nor do I care about Muslims. It seems Muslims are generally intolerent of Western infidels like myself who participate in a capalistic society and buy material goods. I agree with the congressman- maybe not all Muslims are a threat but I certainly don't want them trying to impose their religion on America anymore than they already do- i.e. prayer rooms in airports, swearing over a Koran in lieu of a Bible. I don't care much for extreme Islamists- they should continue to blow each other up until they are all gone. I also don't think the Muslim community has done enough to improve their relationship with the rest of the infidel world- it's no wonder more people think Muslims are a bunch of crazed suicide bombers who enjoy beating the shit out of their women and living under oppressive reliqious rules. The Muslim community continues to isolate itself. Also, I'm no conservative but I could care less for all the al-qaeda sympothizers posting on MoJo. It's a great mag. but sometimes I think hardcore lefties are out of touch with reality.

The point he is trying to make, in a nutshell is - Do you want the added dysfunction of more Islam in your country?
You’d do well to look at the problems of allowing Islams followers in after witnessing the ensueing collapse of many European countries, England is nearing critical mass with jihadis, Netherlands laost VanGogh to a muslim maniac, Spain got it's ass blown up and surrendered it's Nationality and France is on it's second flush! The others, well, no hope..
If you need to be educated to the fact Islams Jihad is on the march, wants your head and it’s global - then woe to you and yours!

The point he is trying to make, in a nutshell is - Do you want the added dysfunction of more Islam in your country?
You’d do well to look at the problems of allowing Islams followers in after witnessing the ensueing collapse of many European countries, England is nearing critical mass with jihadis, Netherlands laost VanGogh to a muslim maniac, Spain got it's ass blown up and surrendered it's Nationality and France is on it's second flush! The others, well, no hope..
If you need to be educated to the fact Islams Jihad is on the march, wants your head and it’s global - then woe to you and yours!

Thank you, scott jackson. From the responses I've seen here, these liberals are so PC and cling so blindly to their ideology that they *refuse* to see what's coming up the road for them and their children. What a great future they leave to the next generation, all for their own selfish philosophy.

Paul the Seer

One of the things I see "coming up the road" is an increase in hatred of our rule of law, an increase in the suppression of the rights of women and girls, more endangerment of gay citizens, attempts to create end-all wars, and an even greater increase in forcing strict religious doctrine into the schools and the culture at large.

That would be coming from fundamentalist Christians, and they're already here in very great numbers.

To all those who want to see the best in people. Please obtain some information from those who grew up in the middle east and muslim/islam influenced areas and for god's sake read some non-revisionist history. The more you beleive that the muslim's want to be like us the more you show your lack of understanding of their belief systems. I have taken the time to discuss thie issue with arab Christians as well as arab muslims and they all say the same thing. Until the radical voice of Islam is crushed they will not stop nor will moderate islam speak out against radical islam in mass for fear from within their own culture. Therefore as the last experiment in freedom we must not allow overt political correctness to blind us to the real threat at our door step. For those of you who like to use Hitler as an example, remember many within our own goverment believed he was a good guy that the US should do business with!

Merry Christmas to all!

What we have seen in the past six years has been the institution of a Fascist form of government in this country. We see a world wide struggle between the major right wing groups vying for domination. We will likely end up under a feudalistic form of world government(the new world order). Yes it will be peace on earth, enforced by military power. This has been in the works for a long time. We see it whenever they sign another SHAFTA Treaty, forcing the smaller countries to give up their sovereignty and their resources to the more powerful. We are witnessing the economic rape of the U.S. and the enslaving of our people by the Rich and Powerful! Unless you all wake up and start thinking for yourselves, not just accepting the party line, this will continue to the point of desaster, if we haven't already reached that point. It doesn't really matter which religion they profess, they are all the same, no matter which country they are from, a Fascist is a Fascist! Lets start thinking for ourselves, befor everything is totally lost!

Well, since it has taken a day for my last post to process (It had web links as provided sources; I'm guessing that's the hold up) I'll go ahead and post this one instead. Horror of horrors, Paul, but there are courts here in the US and in Europe that shockingly DO NOT require anyone to swear upon the Bible. Instead, they offer people religious texts of their own choosing (the Bible and the Koran among them) or even allow people to give an affirmation sans religious text.

Frankly, I don't see what the problem is in this county with just providing a freaking copy of the US Constitution as the book you place your hand on. What legal citizen would refuse to swear upon that? Who would object ... besides religious fundamentalists who hate this country (because not everyone shares their hatred) and everything it stands for (freedom from having to hate like they do) anyway?

D.Rose writes: Who would object ... besides religious fundamentalists who hate this country (because not everyone shares their hatred) and everything it stands for (freedom from having to hate like they do) anyway?

Paul replies: Like Muslims.

Fundamentalist Muslims, yes. Just like fundamentalist Christians, fundamentalist Jews ... any religious fundamentalists, that's why I said, "religious fundamentalists." But you're a xenophobe Paul, so for you all Muslims are fundamentalists and therefore all Muslims are to be hated and feared.

Okay, I must be xenophobic. Pragmatic thinking makes it so. I am xenophobic to foreign beliefs like Sharia Law, Sharia courts, beheadings, stonings, veiled, uneducated women, executions for infidelity, burning cities, rioting and murdering over artistic expression, & etc. that are counter to my own political and/or religious interests.

But, it’s the ‘Murican way, isn’t it? I mean, to safeguard our hard won democratic ideals, and for me to express my own hard won political and religious interests (and those of my family) is our democratic way, isn’t it- or does that make one a xenophobe? How about a bigot? A chauvenist? How about a racist, as some churl hinted earlier? Speak up and a liberal will tell you.

No, D.Rose is obviously right, Muslims will certainly safeguard Western democracy. They are already immersed in and vigorously defend Western ideals. The proof is how they live in their democratic utopias in the Middle East. Any fool can see that.

We should all welcome the coming adversity, I mean, ‘diversity’ of Muslim influence. The question becomes, how did we make it so successfully this far without it? D.Rose surely has the answer.

Thank you, Paul, for backing up my claim that you believe all Muslims are fundamentalists by throwing out all the usual critical talking points about Islam. But I'm curious, why aren't you railing against Christians? Or Jews? Just last week a group of orthodox Jewish men assaulted a young woman for having the audacity to sit at the front of a bus. And several countries in the developing world have conflicts with "Christians" actively and eagerly taking part in the violence. Here in the US, "Christians" are committing acts of terrorism fire-bombing clinics. The Promise Keepers believe their women to be unequal to men, which is to say of lesser value. Rev. Pat Robertson is on record as being opposed to democracy as it conflicts with the dominion of God. Historically, "Christians" have enacted excessively conservative religious laws, unjust courts, all manner of hideous forms of execution and torture, subjugated women, doled out unequal punishment for women versus men, killed people for heresy etc. "that are counter to [your] own political and/or religious interests."

Why aren't you ranting and raving about safeguarding "our hard won democratic ideals" from them?

Wow, it IS fun painting whole groups of people with a wide brush in broad strokes. Thank you for enlightening us, Paul.

D.Rose writes: Here in the US, "Christians" are committing acts of terrorism fire-bombing clinics.

Paul replies: That's a good thing. Speaking for myself only, I couldn't care less what happens to baby murderers or their resources. In fact, we can probably rely on Muslims to behead the abortionists publicly. Chalk one virtue up for the Muslims.

D.Rose writes The Promise Keepers believe their women to be unequal to men, which is to say of lesser value.

Paul replies: That is an untruth. Cite a Promise Keepers publication that states that and I'll believe you.

D.Rose writes: Rev. Pat Robertson is on record as being opposed to democracy as it conflicts with the dominion of God.

Paul replies: Even if that is true, Pat Robertson doesn't act out with violence to intimidate and force compliance with his beliefs.

D.Rose writes: Historically, "Christians" have enacted excessively conservative religious laws, unjust courts, all manner of hideous forms of execution and torture, subjugated women, doled out unequal punishment for women versus men, killed people for heresy etc. "that are counter to [your] own political and/or religious interests."

Paul replies: Distant history about Christians. Muslims do that today. Christians have evolved, Muslims haven't.

If you lived in a Muslim paradise, you wouldn't even have the right to dissent or have an education. You might even be someone's slave- Muslim countries are the only countries that still allow slavery today, doncha know. You take your current good circumstances for granted.

Merry Christmas!

Paul the Educator

I findthis discussion rather amusing with all thats been going on for the past six years in this country! I wonder how we survived the Puritans all this time? It was only recently that the women got the right to vote, a lot of people were denied the right to vote in the last two elections, the list is very long. I don't see other extremists lining up to get on the "money take" here. I think they have greener pastures in oil country. We really need to worry more about the ENEMY WITHIN, not the imaginary boogy-man that the government wants you to worry about! How about we put a stop to all the lies our gov. puts out? Let's clean up our own house? I for one am tired of living in the "LAND OF LIES"! This is not the country I was brought up in. This "Christian" religion is NOT the one I was taught! WAKE UP AMERICA!

I agree with the comment made by Paul White:

"I agree with Congressman Goode. This is another example of diversity equals adversity."

The first Mosque on American soil was built in 1917 in Maine. Just think, someone in America in 1850 did not even have to know these savages existed. America was built by the men and women who walked accross this great land with a shotgun in one hand and a Holy Bible in the other. America is not an Islamic State. These people do not belong here. if they are so great why doesn't Japan or South Korea take them in? Answer: Because those two races of people still love themselves and have too much self pride and self respect to allow their culture and heritage to be polluted by Muslim filth. Why the white race and the white Christian genre of American lost all common sense and allowed such misery to reside on our land is puzzling to say the least...

Self-emasculation seems to be a whyte thang. See Roman Empire.

Liberals should get real and stop thinking that Muslims are a peace-loving bunch. Want proof. Check what's going on in ANY Muslim country--oppression, honor killings, 12th century justice, on and on. Even the one "modern" Muslim country, Turkey, is hellhole by our standards. Just ask their recent literature Nobel laureate who almost got sent to jail for admitting that the Turks committed genocide against the Armenians.

I agree with Paul’s views 100%. We should not wait for hindsight. Keep the Muslims out, with their fundamentalist Sharia law and all. Would you like to wait until they turn America into Iran? We should stop these people before they come in just like we should have stopped the other immigrant groups before. Look at what the Italians did to Chicago and New York, turning the east into a gangster’s paradise. And the British, don’t even get me started, they brought a civil war to America. Can you believe that, a civil war in America. The Japanese? They bombed Pearl Harbor, can’t forgive them for that. The communists from Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe. We should have stopped them from coming here. They did not believe in our way of life to begin with. The Chinese and the Koreans? See Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe. The Irish? What a bunch of drunken fools. Why let in a bunch of people who do not properly represent our Christian way of life. Did I mention the Italians? They killed Jesus, don’t forget that. The Africans. I’m sorry they were brought here as slaves but they should have gone back home when we freed them. Restitution? What restitution? They should pay restitution to the Jews before we can talk. And look at what they have done in the inner cities. And the Germans? Do you need an explanation for that one? The French, thanks for New Orleans but they hate us because we speak English, so they should have stayed out. The Hispanics? The refuse to learn English, they breed like rabbits, they use up our resources, and no, we will not give Texas and California back. And by the way, thanks for building that wall, now stay out. We should have kept all of these people out. America would be a better place today.

Benard, would it not have been less time consuming to have simply typed, " I am a racist moron."?

Actually Joe, I'm not racist, I just hate everyone equally. Since some posts have convinced me it is ok to hate Muslims for they are coming to destroy good 'ol America, then I'm inclined to hate everyone who I believe ever came to destroy good 'ol America.

Would anyone out there believe that why they want to come here is to ESCAPE that which you hate too?