Keith Ellison is the first black member of the US House of Representatives from the state of [tag]Minnesota[/tag]. Better still, Ellision is the first American Muslim congressman. Keith, a democrat from the fifth congressional district of Minnesota, did what seemed impossible at a time Islamic fundamentalists have brought shame and disrepute to Islam and all Muslims worldwide. And he did win the election without airing any radio or TV political advertisement. He kept his campaign positive and clean.
The recently concluded midterm elections would go down in American history as one of the most expensive, and the most adversarial and sleazy, in terms of political ads and media campaign that is. However, Ellison chose a different style, that of grassroots and old fashioned politics. And this wins him my admiration and respect, even if I do not fully subscribe to his political orientation.
As ground-breaking as [tag]Keith Ellison[/tag] victory is, one has to see beyond the man and his religion. His victory is about substance, value and building “bridges between communities rather than trying to divide and conquer.”
Ellison states in post-victory radio interview:Â
“I’m not a Muslim leader…I’m a politician who happens to be a Muslim. There are people in a better position to speak on all things Muslim than me…Killing innocents is un-Islamic. Suicide is un-Islamic. Committing suicide to kill innocents is extremely un-Islamic. These people you read about, these Osama bin Ladens, they don’t represent Islam any more than Timothy McVeigh represents Christianity.”
In my book, after the Illinois Senator [tag]Barack Obama[/tag], Keith Ellison has become another poster-child of what the politics of democracy is… and shouldn’t be: Not driven by money nor facilitated by media attack ads. And certainly not one characterized by mayhem and thuggish party tactics.
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i think america is slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that it is no longer lily white and must share power with people that may not look like you, talk like you, and share your same religion if the MESSAGE of responsible government is your goal.
November 10, 2006 at 6:03 am
Sounds like he is a smart young man. Hope that he does a good job for the people of Minnesota during his 1st term on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Whatever happened to what’s-his-name, the Minnesota governor who would body slam you if you gave him any trouuble?
And what happened to the candidate for the U.S. Senate from the State of Tenneesse, Mr. Ford? Didn’t Al Gore give him enough support or what? Don’t tell me that we still have “racial problems” down there?
November 10, 2006 at 8:05 am
You are right HoustonMacbro, the American political terrain is undergoing a transformation and woe be tied any party that ignores this subtle but clear message from the American people. It stoppped being business as usual on November 7, 2006. I appreciate your stopping by.
I see via your blog that you don’t subscribe to the right wing doctrine. I can’t blame you, after what we’ve seen them capable of doing. I hope the Dems get their house in order this time around, not that I care much.
BRE: Ford lost Tenneeesse, and don’t ask me why. Ventura, the independent governor is who you have in mind. The man has retired from politics and now smokes his cigar about chilling and causing no trouble. It seems Minnesota is getting known as the state where anything can happen, politics wise. The dems swept the state congress, yet they couldn’t kick out the Republic governor.
If Hatch (dem. guber candidate) had kept his mouth shut and not called a report a ‘republican whore’ and his running mate lady knew what E85 (ethanol) is, I’m sure they would have won. Having to lose by 1% margin must be painful like heck. A good lession: don’t be too comfortable even if the polls show you have a double digit lead over your opponent.
The next couple of years will be interesting in Minnesota; the political savviness of Pawlenty (the rep. governor) with be tested as he nagivates the democrat sharks infested house.
Happy Veterans Day Misters!
November 10, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Dear Sir; We are not a nation of immigrants. We were a 100 years ago but the door is closed. We have a right to say who comes into america. Strangers whos loyalty to america I question is defining my country laws. We have muslims claiming to have started america. We had poverty stricken mexicans driven out of their own country who are blaming us for their condition. Now we have a great distortion of history, illegal are claiming to be jewish. They have compared America to Nazi germany because we will not allow them to break the law.
If we allow this logic to rule the day we might as well open our prison. Its not their fault that muder was made illegal.I guess we viloted their constitutional rights. The criminals are in control of the white house. When will this nation obeys the law. As long as we allow treason to play devils advocate to common reason to undermine this nation by people who drag this great nation through the mud because they cant get their way in breaking the law. We are doomed to a washington seeking absolution for their sins against America but giving amnesty to illegals by our incompetent leadership. This is the beginning of the end for democracy. Truth has had its throat cut by the dictators in Washington who ignore america.
December 21, 2006 at 9:07 pm