I’m annoyed, appalled, and in general truly annoyed by something I saw and heard on CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer this evening (12.21.2006). Today the big topic dealt with Rep.Virgil Goode (R) of Virginia who wrote a letter to his constituents that unless immigration is tightened, more Muslims will become members of Congress. A reference to incoming Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota. Ellison touched off controversy recently when he indicated he’d include the Koran as part of his swearing in ceremony next month.During a segment of the show Wolf Blitzer speaks to Paul Begala and Bay Buchanan, CNN Political Analysts. Like everyone else they condemn the comments made by Rep. Goode. In the words of Begala “Virgil Goode is a bigot and he’s an idiot.”
Buchanan being the republican analyst of course does her part to defend Goode’s comments. Stating he has a point, we do need to get control of immigration laws and our boarders. And she hopes he merely misstated his point and it has been taken out of context. She’s republican, so she’s not going to slam this guy the way Begala will.
All this is fine and good. What irritated me beyond belief was this exchange:
This is taken directly from CNNs site @ http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0612/21/sitroom.01.html
Quote:
BEGALA: It shows that he is a big person, a bigger person than I am. I would have lashed out.
Think about — I’m a Catholic, right. And, a generation ago, when John F. Kennedy was running for president, there was a lot of anti-Catholic bigotry. We will find out if there’s anti-Mormon bigotry, as Mitt Romney, a very prominent Mormon, who is the governor of Massachusetts, runs for president.
But there’s clearly anti-Muslim bigotry in America. And Virgil Goode represents that. Congressman Ellison will have a chance to talk to you about it, and show what a big person he is. You know, Carville told me he met Congressman Ellison, in fact, met him at a synagogue.
BUCHANAN: Exactly.
BEGALA: So, Carville is a Catholic. Ellison is a Muslim. And they were both in a synagogue at the same time. That is America.
(CROSSTALK)
BUCHANAN: Keith Ellison got — actually received the endorsement of a Jewish newspaper.
I mean, this is a man that ran on a certain platform. He gathered people from all different faiths to support him. And he has every possible reason in this great country to represent that district. His religion, to me, is a strength, his strength. I mean, I will tell you what I’m far more concerned about in Congress, is — than a Muslim, is the pagans we have up there.
(LAUGHTER)
BUCHANAN: I think they are a greater threat to us than anyone who has some religious beliefs.
(LAUGHTER)
End Quote.
Uh, excuse me?! You condemn the bigotry of a congressman who made comments about Muslims, but feel it’s ok to make bigoted comments about pagans?! This isn’t the first time CNN has allowed a comment of bigotry against Pagans go unchallenged. In 1999, they aired an interview with President Bush who commented on Pagans in the military. Stating he doesn’t believe Witchcraft/Wicca is a religion and he hoped the military would change it’s mind about allowing pagan practices on bases.
Tonight I was so angered by these comments that I sent a note of feedback to the show. I would like to urge everyone who also finds this offense to follow suit and demand a public apology!
You can post your feedback to the show @ www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?65
Here’s my note to the show.
This evening on the Situation Room, during the Political Analyst segment with Begala and Buchanan; Buchanan made the following comments:
BUCHANAN: Keith Ellison got — actually received the endorsement of a Jewish newspaper.
I mean, this is a man that ran on a certain platform. He gathered people from all different faiths to support him. And he has every possible reason in this great country to represent that district. His religion, to me, is a strength, his strength. I mean, I will tell you what I’m far more concerned about in Congress, is — than a Muslim, is the pagans we have up there.
(LAUGHTER)
BUCHANAN: I think they are a greater threat to us than anyone who has some religious beliefs.
(LAUGHTER)
————————
How dare you condemn the bigotry of a Representative of Congress, only to turn around and slam an entire different group of people out of ignorant bigotry! And for Begala and especially Blitzer to laugh at her comment instead of condemning it is just as insulting!
As a Pagan American, born and raised in this country; I have just as much right to the respect and freedoms as any other religious sect. And contrary to Buchanan’s stupidity, Paganism IS a religion!
I strongly suggest doing some research and educating your analysts before they make additional stupid comments. Try visiting PagansPath.com and WitchVox.com and educate yourselves!
And while you’re at it, those of us in the Pagan community will make our own demand for an apology from Wolf Blitzer about the comments made on HIS show!
How dare you spread intolerance and condone it in this manner!
Grrr I’m so angry I could just ….grrrr….
Many Blessings –
Spring
~ A teacher doesn’t teach, until the student is ready to ask the question. ~