The Constitution Above All

Newly elected Representative Keith Ellison was given a chance to respond to Dennis Prager's and Representative Virgil Goode's fear mongering bigoted rants against American Muslims today. He clearly has a better idea of what it means to be an American and more significantly, an American in public office. Following are excerpts from his interview today on CNN's Situation Room:

. . . when I'm officially sworn in, I will do it the same, exact way as every congressperson-elect who is sworn in. We will all stand up and, in unison, lift our hand and swear to uphold that Constitution.

And then later, in a private ceremony, of course, I'll put my hand on a book that is the basis of my faith, which is Islam. And I think that this is a beauty. This is a wonderful thing for our country, because Jewish members will put their hands on the Torah, Mormon members will put their hand on the Book of Mormon, Catholic members will put their hand on the book of their choice. And members who don't want to put their hand on any book are also fully free to do that. That's the
American way.

That is the American way and Mr. Ellison is about as American as they come. He traces his family back to 1742 on the Cane River, Louisiana. There is no religious test to be in public office as that would be contrary to our nation's fundamental philosophy as articulated in our Constitution. It appears that Mr. Ellison has a greater understanding of about his duty to his country than his critics. All, even the uncrowned royalty of the Bush family must bow to the law of the land.