Keith Ellison:
Will his oath be to
Sharia or Constitutional law?
By Nancy Salvato
On first glance, the news that Keith Ellison recently won the 5th district Democratic primary in Minnesota isn’t that big of a story, for someone from another part of the country. And while some might be put off by the idea that Keith Ellison is against the war in Iraq, and is for universal health care, this would not change the fact that his victory is local news. Although he would be the first black man to represent Minnesota in the House of Representatives, this wouldn’t even qualify as national news by today’s standards. 1 However, there is good reason to give this recent event a second thought; it is because this particular candidate is a self-identified member of the nation of Islam.2 It would seem, then, that there is a conflict of interest.
There are many legitimate reasons for concern over this development. Ellison, the frontrunner in this political race, 3 has professed support of anti-Semites such as Kwame Ture, known for coining the term “black power” and for fostering, “a movement that will smash everything Western civilization has created;" 4 and Khalid Muhammed, a leader of the New Black Panther Party, who was removed from the Nation of Islam’s hierarchy, after a speech in which he “referred to Jews as "bloodsuckers," called for the genocide of white people, and demeaned both Pope John Paul II and homosexuals.” 5
Furthermore, while there is usually no particular problem with anyone of faith practicing any particular religion, there should be concern when a representative in our government practices a particular form of a religion, which by definition, supersedes the rule of law in this country. “The concept of Sharia is so fundamental to Islam, that even today, prominent Muslim jurists argue over whether a Muslim can fully discharge Sharia obligations, while residing in a non-Muslim territory.” 6
“E pluribus Unum” is being eschewed by Muslim groups who petition, “to establish enclaves in which they can uphold and enforce greater compliance to Islamic law,” 7 and by an Islamist lobby, which “has submitted numerous white papers and amicus briefs to legislators and courts, arguing for the religious right of Muslims to apply Sharia law, particularly in relation to family law disputes.”8
Muslims have already established an enclave in Baltimore in which they are living separate but equally, instead of assimilating. Another enclave, proposed in Little Rock, would be funded by the United Arab Emirates, which has promoted radical interpretations of the Islamic faith.
Anyone holding office in our country should be expected to uphold the objectives of the Constitution of the United States; specifically, to form a more perfect Union; establish Justice; insure domestic Tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general Welfare; and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. Certainly, a man who is associated with anti-Semitism, the genocide of white people, homophobia, and a religious faith which does not put the Constitution of the United States first - should not be seriously considered as a representative of our government.
Ellison is allegedly running on a platform for peace. However, his quest for peace might not align with what the common man understands. Ellison led demonstrations against the Minneapolis police with Sharif Willis, “after four of Willis's Vice Lords gangbangers shot Minneapolis police officer Jerry Haaf in the back.” During his protest in support of these upstanding citizens, Ellison chanted, "We don't get no justice, you don't get no peace."
It is impossible to uphold an oath to the U.S. Constitution if one doesn’t subscribe to the reasons our Founders fought for the right to self government in the first place; to protect everyone’s right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Those people who ratified the Constitution agreed to give up a portion of our natural given rights in order to ensure that everyone can continue to exist peacefully, as a community ruled under constitutional law.
Those who willfully resist assimilation, and actively thwart the rights of selected groups, are following an agenda which is destructive and polarizing to our nation. Keith Ellison has every right to run for office, but he has made it perfectly clear by his actions, that he would not uphold the Constitution. If a government official refuses to honor the oath of office, he has no right to hold it. The people in the 5th district of Minnesota should think about this very carefully in November.
1. Keith Ellison wins Dem. primary
2. CAIR's Congressional candidate and more James Taranto’s Best of the Web Today
3. Keith Ellison wins Dem. primary
5. Khalid Abdul Muhammad: In His Own Words
6. 7. 8. The Islamist Challenge to the U.S. Constitution
Nancy Salvato works as a Head Start teacher in Illinois. She is the President of The Basics Project, a non-profit, non-partisan 501(C)(3) research and educational project whose mission is to promote the education of the American public on the basic elements of relevant political, legal and social issues important to our country. She is also a Staff Writer, for the New Media Alliance, Inc., a non-profit 501(C)(3) coalition of writers and grass-roots media outlets, where she contributes on matters of education policy.
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