Tea Party Founder wants Muslims out of Congress

[Darias]

Thu Oct 28, 12:13 pm ET

Tea party founder defends attack on congressman’s Muslim faith
By Rachel Rose Hartman

Judson Phillips, founder of the Tea Party Nation, suggested this weekend that Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) be voted out of Congress for being too liberal and too radical--and because, Phillips said, he's a Muslim who supports terrorists.

And Phillips says he's not about to apologize for that last incendiary charge.

The controversy began when Phillips wrote the following message to supporters (it's unedited and contains several mistakes, including the claim that Ellison is the only Muslim in Congress; Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana is also Muslim):

Ellison is one of the most radical members of congress. He has a ZERO rating from the American Conservative Union. He is the only Muslim member of congress. He supports the Counsel for American Islamic Relations, HAMAS and has helped congress send millions of tax dollars to terrorists in Gaza.


Phillips sent a follow-up email to supporters this week reiterating his belief that Muslims deserve voters' scrutiny but also suggesting that the liberal media misinterpreted the intent of his original comments.

"Should Muslims be denied the right to run for office because of their religion? No," Phillips wrote, according to the letter, posted by the Minnesota Independent. "The Constitution specifies that no religious test can be used to exclude someone from public office. But when someone adheres to an ideology that says kill people who disagree with you, that is something voters should seriously consider when they vote."

He later added: "I am not going to apologize because I'm bothered by a religion that says kill the infidel, especially when I am the infidel. ... I learned everything I needed to know about tolerance on September 11th."

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For more, read SOURCE

Questions for Debate:

1. Is Islam a religion?
2. Should Keith Ellison be voted out of office because of his religion?
3. Should the Constitution be amended to stipulate that Islam is not a religion, so that Ellison can be fired without violating the First Amendment?
4. Is Ellison a terrorist because he wanted to be sworn in whilst using Jefferson's Koran?
5. Was Thomas Jefferson a terrorist for owning a Koran?
6. Will you vote for the Tea Party this November?

[Darias]

1. Yes.
2. NO!
3. NEVER!
4. No.
5. LOL!
6. *** NO!

[Lux]

Wow, the Tea party is it's own worst enemy. I like the part where he makes it sound as if all muslims are supporters of terrorism

1. Is Islam a religion?

Last I heard, yes.

2. Should Keith Ellison be voted out of office because of his religion?

There's a little something called The USA Constitution that says not, but who cares about that? Kick out the heathens!

3. Should the Constitution be amended to stipulate that Islam is not a religion, so that Ellison can be fired without violating the First Amendment?

Oh Rhonan, please don't give them ideas...

4. Is Ellison a terrorist because he wanted to be sworn in whilst using Jefferson's Koran?

He was sworn in using a Quran? Well, how come no one has checked his basement for explosives, then!?

5. Was Thomas Jefferson a terrorist for owning a Koran?

Of course, duh.

6. Will you vote for the Tea Party this November?

Good one.

[DeBunkem]

That's not all they're attacking. Also, they are not a Third paarty, but Republicans with a scattering of Libertarians. Bush die-hards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txU55iFG9UA

That there are men in all countries who get their
living by war, and by keeping up the quarrels of
nations, is as shocking as it is true; but when those
who are concerned in the government of a country, make
it their study to sow discord, and cultivate
prejudices between nations, it becomes the more
unpardonable.
Thomas Paine, "The Rights of Man"

[cnorman18]

My own perception is that the Tea Party "movement" began from the simple perception that Congress spends too damn much money on too many things that are none of the Government's business, and that we are as a result taxed too damn much. Period. That perception is common to a very great many Americans indeed, isn't identifiable with either Republicans, or with racism, xenophobia, conservative Christianity, or ANYTHING but the perception that the Government, and BOTH parties, are wasting our money.

Many Republicans, racists, xenophobes, fundamentalists, and assorted nutballs and ideologues of various types have done their best to co-opt this simple perception and make it their own and use it to promote their own agendas. I think they've been largely successful, and that the Tea Party movement -- whatever it was in the beginning and whatever it is now -- is doomed. But that simple, original perception has not changed on the part of many, many voters, and it will eventually have an impact on the American government. I, for one, hope so.

Here are three indisputable facts about virtually all lawmakers in both houses of Congress, regardless of political party or liberal/conservative/independent ideology:

(1) They are lawyers.

(2) They spend the taxpayers' money in a incredibly profligate manner.

(3) They tend to retire wealthy with astonishingly generous "pensions," as do their most generous supporters.

#1 is arguably part of the job description; those who make the laws ought to be congnizant of the way laws are read and applied.

#2 and #3 are -- problematic.

I'm not defending the Tea Party, certainly not now. They have become just one more special-interest group full of ideologues, greedheads and nutcases. I defend the ordinary working people who saw hope in that movement, and who have been betrayed yet again by those who claim to want to represent them -- and who use them to grind their own axes and feather their own nests and those of their cronies.

[Darias]

My own perception is that the Tea Party "movement" began from the simple perception that Congress spends too damn much money on too many things that are none of the Government's business, and that we are as a result taxed too damn much. Period. That perception is common to a very great many Americans indeed, isn't identifiable with either Republicans, or with racism, xenophobia, conservative Christianity, or ANYTHING but the perception that the Government, and BOTH parties, are wasting our money.

Many Republicans, racists, xenophobes, fundamentalists, and assorted nutballs and ideologues of various types have done their best to co-opt this simple perception and make it their own and use it to promote their own agendas. I think they've been largely successful, and that the Tea Party movement -- whatever it was in the beginning and whatever it is now -- is doomed. But that simple, original perception has not changed on the part of many, many voters, and it will eventually have an impact on the American government. I, for one, hope so.

Here are three indisputable facts about virtually all lawmakers in both houses of Congress, regardless of political party or liberal/conservative/independent ideology:

(1) They are lawyers.

(2) They spend the taxpayers' money in a incredibly profligate manner.

(3) They tend to retire wealthy with astonishingly generous "pensions," as do their most generous supporters.

#1 is arguably part of the job description; those who make the laws ought to be congnizant of the way laws are read and applied.

#2 and #3 are -- problematic.

I'm not defending the Tea Party, certainly not now. They have become just one more special-interest group full of ideologues, greedheads and nutcases. I defend the ordinary working people who saw hope in that movement, and who have been betrayed yet again by those who claim to want to represent them -- and who use them to grind their own axes and feather their own nests and those of their cronies.

I fully understand that the Tea Party was a conservative "grassroots" Republican backed group for smaller government.

However their message of smaller government and cutting spending (except the billions that go to fund our wars around the world) makes sense. We can't keep borrowing and spending or our nation will go bankrupt.

However, the steaming piles of ignorance coming from their ranks, born of anti-Obama fervor -- has given rise to the blossoming of putrid stink-flowers of hate, misinformation, bigotry, homophobia and Islamophobia.

And much of it comes from Tea Party leaders. In many ways the Tea Party is extremely far right, way farther right than the Republicans.

They have effectively shunned the moderates out of their group.

I would like the idea of smaller government and cutting spending -- but not at the cost of maintaining DADT and the DOMA. And I just can't vote for people who hate and fear gays or Muslims, so much that their ignorance rolls off their tongues like it's nothing.

People like Christine O'Donnell don't even understand the basic fundamentals of our Constitution -- leave Doctrine in church, let's not teach it to kids in place of science. Science is not up for a vote. "let the states decide whatever history or "science" they want to teach children" -- as if it was debatable.

People like Paladino associating all gays with inappropriate parade behavior, thinking gays are all dysfunctional, not wanting his kids to grow up thinking gay is normal... while simultaneously sending beastiality emails to his friends...

It's just one after the next. Aside from fiscal responsibility, there's not much tolerance, common sense, or rationalism in the Tea Party.

For the last time: Obama is not a Socialist Kenyan Muslim!

I didn't even vote for him and I can admit that much... lol

[LiamOS]

1. Yes.
2. NO!
3. NEVER!
4. No.
5. LOL!
6. *** NO!

I'ma say this'n too.

The Tea Party scares me, and I live in a different country.

[cnorman18]

My own perception is that the Tea Party "movement" began from the simple perception that Congress spends too damn much money on too many things that are none of the Government's business, and that we are as a result taxed too damn much. Period. That perception is common to a very great many Americans indeed, isn't identifiable with either Republicans, or with racism, xenophobia, conservative Christianity, or ANYTHING but the perception that the Government, and BOTH parties, are wasting our money.

Many Republicans, racists, xenophobes, fundamentalists, and assorted nutballs and ideologues of various types have done their best to co-opt this simple perception and make it their own and use it to promote their own agendas. I think they've been largely successful, and that the Tea Party movement -- whatever it was in the beginning and whatever it is now -- is doomed. But that simple, original perception has not changed on the part of many, many voters, and it will eventually have an impact on the American government. I, for one, hope so.

Here are three indisputable facts about virtually all lawmakers in both houses of Congress, regardless of political party or liberal/conservative/independent ideology:

(1) They are lawyers.

(2) They spend the taxpayers' money in a incredibly profligate manner.

(3) They tend to retire wealthy with astonishingly generous "pensions," as do their most generous supporters.

#1 is arguably part of the job description; those who make the laws ought to be congnizant of the way laws are read and applied.

#2 and #3 are -- problematic.

I'm not defending the Tea Party, certainly not now. They have become just one more special-interest group full of ideologues, greedheads and nutcases. I defend the ordinary working people who saw hope in that movement, and who have been betrayed yet again by those who claim to want to represent them -- and who use them to grind their own axes and feather their own nests and those of their cronies.

I fully understand that the Tea Party was a conservative "grassroots" Republican backed group for smaller government.

However their message of smaller government and cutting spending (except the billions that go to fund our wars around the world) makes sense. We can't keep borrowing and spending or our nation will go bankrupt.

However, the steaming piles of ignorance coming from their ranks, born of anti-Obama fervor -- has given rise to the blossoming of putrid stink-flowers of hate, misinformation, bigotry, homophobia and Islamophobia.

And much of it comes from Tea Party leaders. In many ways the Tea Party is extremely far right, way farther right than the Republicans.

They have effectively shunned the moderates out of their group.

I would like the idea of smaller government and cutting spending -- but not at the cost of maintaining DADT and the DOMA. And I just can't vote for people who hate and fear gays or Muslims, so much that their ignorance rolls off their tongues like it's nothing.

People like Christine O'Donnell don't even understand the basic fundamentals of our Constitution -- leave Doctrine in church, let's not teach it to kids in place of science. Science is not up for a vote. "let the states decide whatever history or "science" they want to teach children" -- as if it was debatable.

People like Paladino associating all gays with inappropriate parade behavior, thinking gays are all dysfunctional, not wanting his kids to grow up thinking gay is normal... while simultaneously sending beastiality emails to his friends...

It's just one after the next. Aside from fiscal responsibility, there's not much tolerance, common sense, or rationalism in the Tea Party.

For the last time: Obama is not a Socialist Kenyan Muslim!

I didn't even vote for him and I can admit that much... lol

I agree with everything you say here, though I don't think the original idea was necessarily any friendlier to Republican big spenders than to Democrats, nor should it be taken for granted that everyone who wants smaller government makes an exception for military spending. I don't.

Like I said, I don't defend the Tea Party. I just wish there was someone out there who really was interested in the rather simple and obvious initial observation that gave rise to it. The foxes are in charge of the henhouse, and are very skilled at making sure they remain so.

[Lux]

1. Yes.
2. NO!
3. NEVER!
4. No.
5. LOL!
6. *** NO!

I'ma say this'n too.

The Tea Party scares me, and I live in a different country.

I know how you feel. It might spread...

Fortunately, the bigotry of some of it's members is a non-issue as long as the Constitution has any validity. I just hope they don't gain power...

[Goat]

I agree with everything you say here, though I don't think the original idea was necessarily any friendlier to Republican big spenders than to Democrats, nor should it be taken for granted that everyone who wants smaller government makes an exception for military spending. I don't.

Like I said, I don't defend the Tea Party. I just wish there was someone out there who really was interested in the rather simple and obvious initial observation that gave rise to it. The foxes are in charge of the henhouse, and are very skilled at making sure they remain so.

The guy whose remark kicked off the whole tea party movement had something to say about the current trends in the tea party. He ranted about it [url=http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=2222649[/url]

He has some rather strong words to say about what the tea party WAS about, what it is doing today.. and sums it up as follows.

(editing out some rude langauge)


This was nothing other than The Republican Party stealing the anger of a population that was fed up with The Republican Party's own theft of their tax money at gunpoint to bail out the robbers of Wall Street and fraudulently redirecting it back toward electing the very people who stole all the money!


He points out the current 'tea party' leaders does nothing about what triggered things to begin with.. and concentrates on extreme right social agenda instead.