That, of course, would be the first time in the nation’s history that a woman has risen to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, in this case, Democratic Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, who assumes that role as her party finally opened this, the 110th Congress, in the majority. The new Democratic led Senate includes 16 women (and if I’m not mistaken, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada is the first Mormon to serve as Senate Majority Leader).
In another first, Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison was sworn in as the first Moslem member of Congress, and in a great move, took his oath of office holding a Koran once owned by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, besides being widely credited as the founder of what is now the Democratic Party, believed that his three greatest achievements (for purposes of his tombstone, anyway) were, the Declaration of Independence, the founding of the University of Virginia, and Virginia’s Statute of Religious Freedom (he neglected to mention being President).
It is most satisfying, then, to see Congressman Ellison give that big “in your face” to the Congressman representing that part of Virginia in which resided Jefferson and his University of Virginia, the interestingly named Virgil Goode, who promised to deport the U.S. born Congressman Ellison, first chance he got… lest the swarthy Islamic hordes overrun our shores, or something…
If this is going to be the quality of input from the new Republican minority, maybe it’s best if Speaker Pelosi just continue the stifling tactics imposed (over her own objections) by the previous Republican leadership. She won’t of course… she’s promised to listen to Republican input as the session goes on. But, frankly, the American people did not elect Democrats to majorities in both Houses of Congress so that they would “be nice”… Democrats were elected to get things done, like enact a minimum wage increase, health care reform, tax fairness and deficit control, and get control of a run-amok executive.
If being “nice” gets these things done, great. If it doesn’t… screw being nice.
tdog
The FBI disclosure about Rehnquist …
Well, it does explain a lot.
And not just about the Supreme Court Judiciary.
Does this inspire a new game? Match the Justice to their drug of choice.
Rep. Keith Ellison being a muslim marks a turning point in this Country’s history. No hatred whatsoever was shown to him because he is black.
In fact, Google searches reveal him being described as an “Islamic bastard” or “arrogant bastard.” Thankfully, no search revealed him being described as a “black bastard.”