Why does the right wing have no confidence in the enduring ideals of America and our way of life?
Radio host Dennis Prager wrote a column earlier this week claiming that Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim elected to Congress, had “announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the bible of Islam, the Koran.” Prager not only compared it to being sworn in with a copy of Hitler’s “Mein Kampf,” but wrote that the act is "damaging to the fabric of American civilization." Just how flimsy is this fabric, anyway? Is it really always on the verge of shredding apart like the right seems to think?
"Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned" Prager argued, "America is interested in only one book, the Bible." Well if that weren't ridiculous enough on its face, the fact is that NO BOOK is actually used in the taking the oath of office. Some members of the House choose to have a Bible with them, but it actually is not a part of ceremonial swearing in -- the member simply raises his hand and takes the oath, he doesn't place it on any book, be it the Bible, Koran, or the Idiot's Guide to Congress.
