What values does Values Voters Summit represent?

by Sheila Musaji

The Values Voters Summit this past week, not surprisingly included bigoted, hate-filled rhetoric. The Summit was sponsored by FRC Action (the political arm of the Family Research Council) and the American Family Association (ranked as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center).  Bryan Fischer, the head of the American Family Association and the primary organizer of the summit has a history of bigoted, hateful rhetoric.  Fischer is anti-Mormon, anti-Muslim, anti-gay, anti-Native American, anti-everyone not just like himself . 

TAM has a regularly updated article on Fischer and his anti-Muslim views and statements.  His anti-Muslim views may be more extreme than his anti-Mormon views (e.g. he wants to restrict Muslim immigration, exclude Muslims from the military, deport Muslims already here, etc.)  His anti-Gay views are sick.  Fischer wants to send gay people to prison for “therapy”.  He blames Gays for the holocaust.  His anti-Native American views were expressed in this statement “In all the discussions about the European settlement of the New World, one feature has been conspicuously absent: the role that the superstition, savagery and sexual immorality of Native Americans played in making them morally disqualified from sovereign control of American soil.”

Fischer has said that Mormons are not Christians and that the First Amendment doesn’t apply to them.  Just a week before this event Fischer had said (video here)  “My argument all along has been that the purpose of the First Amendment is to protect the free exercise of the Christian religion,”

It seems that the American Family Association, the Family Research Council, and the Values Voters Summit have made it very clear just what their “values” are, and they are not mainstream values, unless the mainstream is now represented by extreme bigotry. 

All of the GOP politicians who have previously appeared on Fischer’s AFA radio program, or participated in the VVS, etc. and who have not spoken up against such bigotry are giving their stamp of approval to these individuals and groups.  That includes just about all of the GOP Presidential candidates. 

In spite of this history, and in spite of the fact that many others, including Jillian Rayfield of TPM had discussed prior to the summit how strange it was for Romney to appear there — Mitt Romney did indeed participate in an event organized by a man who thinks that Romney doesn’t have First Amendment Rights because of his religion.  Fischer thinks that the Constitution only protects Christians, and that Muslims and Mormons don’t have First Amendment rights.

I was really surprised that Mitt Romney and Ron Paul were willing to participate in such an event (even for the possibility of some extra votes) but thought that perhaps they would use this as an opportunity to counter the hateful messages being espoused and to call on the participants to consider the values being represented.  These were the only two candidates that surprised me, as Bachmann, Cain, Santorum, Perry, Gingrich, et al have clearly expressed their bigotry.

The first speaker to spew anti-Morman rhetoric at this event was not Fischer but Robert Jeffress, who introduced Presidential Candidate Rick Perry.  Jeffress used the introduction as an opportunity to bash Mitt Romney for his religion.  “Rick Perry’s a Christian. He’s an evangelical Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ,” he told the crowd. “Mitt Romney’s a good moral person, but he’s not a Christian. Mormonism is not Christianity. It has always been considered a cult by the mainstream of Christianity.”

Sarah Posner reportsAfter Perry’s speech at the Value Voters Summit , Jeffress spoke with a group of reporters, who questioned him about previous statements he’d made about Mormonism. Jeffess stated, unequivocally, that he believes, as does the Southern Baptist Convention, that Mormonism is a “cult.” He framed the current GOP primary race as one between Perry and Mitt Romney (who speaks here tomorrow), and the most important goal as unseating Obama. If Romney is a nominee, Jeffress contended, Obama will win reelection because evangelicals will stay home.    The view that Mormonism is a cult, Jeffress continued, “is not a right-wing fringe” view, but “a mainstream view.” (He cited the Southern Baptist Convention’s position as proof.)

The following day at the VVS, as scheduled prior to the event, Mitt Romney spoke, and his speech was followed by that of Bryan Fischer. 

What could go wrong?

Romney didn’t mention the remarks by Jeffress at the event the previous day, but did make reference to Fischer’s previous history of bigoted statements in his speech. 

Romney said in his speech:

]“Almost all Americans live for a purpose greater than ourselves.  Our heritage of religious faith and tolerance has importantly shaped who we have become as a people.  We must continue to welcome faith into the public square and allow it to flourish. Our government should respect religious values, not silence them. We will always pledge our allegiance to a nation under God.

Our values ennoble the citizen and strengthen the nation. We should remember that decency and civility are values too. One of the speakers who will follow me today, has crossed that line, I think. Poisonous language doesn’t advance our cause. It’s never softened a single heart nor changed a single mind. The blessings of faith carry the responsibility of civil and respectful debate. The task before us is to focus on the conservative beliefs and the values that unite us - let no agenda, narrow our vision or drive us apart.”

Sarah Posner asked Fischer what he thought of Mitt Romney’s comments about him. His reply:  I thought it was tasteless. I thought he was allowing the New York Times and the Southern Poverty Law Center and People for the American Way to dictate the content of his speech, which I think was a mistake for him to do at the Values Voters Summit. That was kind of an insult to the people in the room. . . .  I don’t think it helped him.

And, then we come to Fischer’s speech.  ]Ryan J. Reilly of TPM Muckracker, Tim Murphy of Mother Jones, and Sarah Posner of Religion Dispatches have all written summaries of the highlights.  I’ve put together a summary of the summaries here:

a discussion of the “mythical separation of church and state.” 

an excoriation of the Occupy Wall Street movement and liberals in general for being “driven by this angry, bitter” greed “for the wealth of productive Americans.”

the need for a president to “reject the morally and scientifically bankrupt theory of evolution.”

characterizing homosexuality as a “threat to public health

“Christians and Muslims do not believe in the same God.”

“I believe it’s important that we have a president who understands that Islam is not a religion of peace, but a religion of war and violence and death.”

“Every single Mosque in America is a potential recruiting or training cell for Islamic terror.”

“The greatest long-term threat to our security and liberty is not radical Islam, but Islam itself.”

“This is not Islamophobia, this is Islamo-realism.”

“The more devout a Muslim becomes, the more of a threat he becomes to our national security.”

Yes, “we should remember that decency and civility are values too”.  And, I seriously hope that Mitt Romney is not only concerned about the anti-Mormon sentiment, but also the anti-Muslim, anti-Gay, anti-anyone sentiment being expressed.

I also hope that Romney as well as all of the other GOP Presidential candidates and elected representatives who have engaged in, or ignored, such speech will consider this as a moment in which they can stop and look at where this divisive and hateful rhetoric is leading us and reject it as part of any decent and civil dialogue.

Now would be a good time to speak up!

SEE ALSO

A Who’s Who of the Anti-Muslim/Anti-Arab/Islamophobia Industry http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/a_whos_who_of_the_anti-muslimanti-arabislamophobia_industry

Anti-Muslim Sentiments Are Strongest Amongst Republicans and People Who Trust Fox News http://www.goddiscussion.com/41001/anti-muslim-sentiments-are-strongest-with-republicans-and-people-who-trust-fox-news/

Anti-Sharia article collection http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/islamic_sharia_and_jewish_halakha_arbitration_courts

Are Muslims the enemy within?, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/are_muslims_the_enemy_within1/

Are the Republican Presidential Wannabes the new Imperial Wizards?, Dr. Abdul Cader Asmal http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/are_the_republican_presidential_wannabes_the_new_imperial_wizards

At Allen West-Sponsored Event, Group Paints Thousands Of Muslims As Terrorists, Ryan J. Reilly http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/07/at_allen_west-sponsored_event_group_paints_thousands_of_muslims_as_terrorists.php

Awkward: Mitt Romney Set To Share Stage With Anti-Mormon Shock Jock, Jillian Rayfield http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/romney-sharing-vvs-stage-with-bryan-fischer——who-says-no-1st-amendment-rights-for-mormons.php?ref=fpb

Bankrupt in Ideas, US Republican Contenders Demonize Islam for Political Gain http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20Editorials/2011/April/4%20o/Bankrupt%20in%20Ideas,%20US%20Republican%20Contenders%20Demonize%20Islam%20for%20Political%20Gain.htm

Paul Broun and Dr. Strangelove, Cynthia Tucker http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2009/10/15/paul-broun-and-dr-strangelove/?cxntfid=blogs_cynthia_tucker

Herman Cain Needs to Read the Constitution of the U.S., Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/herman_cain

Chevy Chase GOP to Host Anti-Muslim Speaker, “Gopher” from Love Boat tv series?  http://www.marylandjuice.com/2011/08/chevy-chase-gop-to-host-anti-muslim.html

Citizens for National Security and Rep. Allen West Bring Islamophobia to Congress, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/cfns

Congressman Criticizes Election of Muslim (New York Times)  http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/21/us/21koran.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

CT GOP Asked to Repudiate Candidate Rick Torres’ Anti-Muslim Comments http://blog.ctnews.com/kantrowitz/2010/05/15/ct-gop-asked-to-repudiate-candidates-anti-muslim-comments/

Conservative Republicans and Islam: A New Crusade for Votes and Funds, John L. Esposito and Sheila B. Lalwani http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-l-esposito/conservative-republicans-_1_b_836750.html

Conservative Shock Jock Bryan Fischer Reels Off Islamophobia’s Greatest Hits, Ryan J. Reilly http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/bryan_fischer_on_how_prayer_has_rendered_terrorist_wannabes_incompetent.php

Clue to Republicans: This is Why Most Minorities Don’t Vote For You, Stephen Kral http://www.manolith.com/2009/10/15/clue-to-republicans-this-is-why-minorities-dont-vote-for-you/

Conyers blasts GOP lawmakers’ accusations of Muslim ‘spies’,  Michael O’Brien http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/63325-conyers-blasts-gop-lawmakers-accusations-of-muslim-spies

Crowd in GOP big tent doesn’t include many Muslims http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/aug/20/tamara-holder/crowd-gop-big-tent-doesnt-include-many-muslims/

Elected Representatives & Government Officials Who HAVE Questioned Islamophobia, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/elected_representatives_government_officials_who_have_questioned_islam

Fear of a Republican Muslim: An attempt to create a new GOP group causes widespread backlash, Justin Elliott http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/08/florida_muslim_gop

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association Wants to Deport American Muslims, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/bryan_fischer

Fischer Says Romney “Insulted” Values Voters Crowd,  Sarah Posner http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/5245/fischer_says_romney_%22insulted%22_values_voters_crowd

Florida. House GOP Leader Adam Hasner Hosts Event Denying Religious Freedom http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/fla_house_gop_leader_adam_hasner_hosts_event_denying_religious_freedom

Fox Trumpets CAIR Conspiracy Theory Charges Made by Author with Anti-Islam History http://mediamatters.org/research/200910150015

GOP congressman teams up with anti-Muslim group, Justin Elliott http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/07/07/allen_west_terrorism/index.html

GOP House members call for investigation of Muslim political activity, Glenn Greenwald http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/

GOP Anti-Muslim Limbo:  They’ve Lowered the Bar Again!, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/gop_lowers_the_anti-muslim_limbo_bar

GOP Anti-Muslim Limbo: How Low Can They Go?, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/the_gop_anti-muslim_limbo_how_low_can_they_go

GOP Debate: Newt Gingrich’s Comparison of Muslims and Nazis Sparks Outrage http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/gop-debate-newt-gingrichs-comparison-muslims-nazis-sparks/story?id=13838355

GOP dirty tricks in the swing states, Richard Silverstein http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/sep/22/uselections2008.republicans

GOP Grand Old Islamophobes? Polls Show Widespread Republican Concerns Over Muslims—And Obama, Evan McMorris http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/grand-old-islamophobes-polls-show-widespread-republican-concern-over-muslims.php

GOP Muslims Fear Failure Of Bush Outreach Efforts After Anti-Mosque Furor http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/08/republican-muslims-to-gop-youre-on-thin-ice.php

GOPer can’t define, but wants to ban, sharia law, Justin Elliott http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/03/07/alabama_sharia_ban/index.html

The GOP’s clever anti-mosque strategy, Mark Silk http://blog.beliefnet.com/religionandpubliclife/2010/08/the-republicans-intolerance-gene.html

The GOP Swaps Gay Bashing for Islamaphobia, Sarah Jones http://www.politicususa.com/en/gop-islampaphobia

The GOP’s new McCarthyism against Muslims, Cynthia Tucker http://blogs.ajc.com/cynthia-tucker/2010/08/17/the-gops-new-mccarthyism-against-muslims/

The GOP’s Problem with Islam, Aaron Saari http://tpcmagazine.org/article/gop%E2%80%99s-problem-islam

The GOP has declared war on American Muslims , Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/the-gop-has-declared-war-on-american-muslims

Growing anti-Islam rhetoric in the Republican Party http://www.amperspective.com/?page_id=1709

Has Sue Myrick ever worked on Capitol Hill? http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2009/10/15/has-sue-myrick-ever-worked-on-capitol-hill/

Heard on the Hill: Congressional Cool Points http://www.rollcall.com/issues/55_41/hoh/39519-1.html

Rep. Honda: Slander of Muslims Is ‘Slander Against Democracy and Religious Freedom’, Spencer Ackerman http://washingtonindependent.com/64117/rep-honda-slander-of-muslims-is-slander-against-democracy-and-religious-freedom

House GOPers Accuse Muslim Advocacy Group of Espionage http://nyulocal.com/national/2009/10/16/house-gopers-accuse-muslim-advocacy-group-of-espionage/

House Republicans Continue Muslim ‘Intern Spy’ Crusade, David Sessions http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10/16/republicans-continue-muslim-intern-spy-crusade/

House Republicans Pal Around with anti-Muslim, anti-Black racist David Yerushalmi, Alex Kane http://alexbkane.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/house-republicans-pal-around-with-anti-muslim-anti-black-racist-david-yerushalmi/

How to lose friends and alienate Muslims, GOP edition, Tim Murphy http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/index.php?mod=article&cat=USA&article=4257

Mike Huckabee: Another Republican Anti-Muslim Bigot http://marcovilla.instablogs.com/entry/mike-huckabee-another-republican-anti-muslim-bigot/

I Have… In My Pocket… A List of Members of the Muslim Brotherhood…, Spencer Ackerman http://spencerackerman.typepad.com/attackerman/2011/07/i-have-in-my-pocket-a-list-of-members-of-the-muslim-brotherhood.html

Idaho GOP Hosts Anti-Muslim Activist http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/idaho-gop-hosts-anti-muslim-activist

Is Republican rhetoric alienating Muslims?  http://www.pri.org/stories/politics-society/is-republican-rhetoric-alienating-muslims4418.html

Is The GOP Anti-Islamic ? No, But They Are Playing With Fire, Doug Mataconis http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/is-the-gop-anti-islamic-no-but-they-are-playing-with-fire/

Islamophobia Inc. Targets GOP Muslims Too http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/2011/09/islamophobia_in/ 

Islamophobia no longer questioned - even by our elected representatives, Sheila Musaji (collection of bigoted statements) http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/islamophobia_no_longer_even_questioned

Islamophobia on parade at GOP debate http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-06-15/news/bs-ed-gop-debate-islam-20110614_1_islamophobia-muslims-illegal-immigrants

Jewish Democrats blast Republicans for targeting Muslims http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islamophobia-watch/2011/6/15/jewish-democrats-blast-republicans-for-targeting-muslims.html

Rep. King and the “Prislam” Hearing, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/rep._king_and_prislam

Rachel Maddow Exposes Anti-Islam Extremists in Congress http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E271Es21vaM

Meet The Man Behind The Intern Spy Wars: Muslim Mafia Author Dave Gaubatz, Justin Elliott http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/man_behind_intern_spy_wars_muslim_mafia_author_david_gaubatz.php?ref=mp

Members of Congress Blast Claims That Muslim Interns are ‘Spies’, CAIR http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS212218+15-Oct-2009+PRN20091015

Montgomery Democrats Issue Letter Condemning Local GOP Extremist Speaker http://www.libertarianrepublican.net/2011/09/maryland-democrat-leaders-issue-letter.html

More Than Half Of Republicans View Muslims Unfavorably http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/republicans-muslims-poll_n_693142.html

Mormonism ‘Cult’ Scandal Shows GOP Hates Themselves, Too,  Andrew Belonsky http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/149477/mormonism-cult-scandal-shows-gop-hates-themselves-too/

Montgomery Democrats Issue Letter Condemning Local GOP Extremist Speaker http://www.libertarianrepublican.net/2011/09/maryland-democrat-leaders-issue-letter.html

More Than Half Of Republicans View Muslims Unfavorably http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/24/republicans-muslims-poll_n_693142.html

Muslim bashing doesn’t win elections, Sephan Salisbury http://mobile.salon.com/politics/war_room/2011/07/18/muslim_bashing_doesn_t_work/index.html

Muslim-bashing the GOP’s sell?, Barry Lynn http://onfaith.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/Barry_Lynn/2011/02/muslim-bashing_sure_to_be_gops_political_sell.html

Muslim Republicans And The GOP http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95821085

Muslim Students Challenge Allen West’s Anti-Islamic Speaker on Capitol Hill http://thinkprogress.org/security/2011/07/26/278407/muslim-students-challenge-anti-islamic-speaker/

The Muslims Are Coming! (with video), Dean Obeidallah http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dean-obeidallah/the-muslims-are-coming_b_321764.html

Muslims, Keep Out: The Republican campaign against a Ground Zero mosque, William Saletan http://www.slate.com/id/2262495/

Muzlem infiltrators in Congress!?, Jeff Siddiqui http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/muzlem_infiltrators_in_congress

Rep. Sue Myrick’s hearing on the Muslim Brotherhood, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/myrick_panel

Rep. Sue Myrick Backs Anti-Islam Hate Group http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/rep._sue_myrick_backs_anti-islam_hate_group

New York primaries: Which anti-Islam Republican will win?, Alex Pareene http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/09/13/new_york_primaries

Orange County 2011 or Germany 1933?, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/germany_or_orange_county

Perry Endorser Robert Jeffress: Mormonism is a “Cult” (Updated), Sarah Posner http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/5240/perry_endorser%3A_mormonism_is_a_%E2%80%9Ccult%E2%80%9D_%28updated%29

Perry’s Values Voters Endorser Robert Jeffress: Islam is an “Evil, Evil Religion”, Tim Murphy http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/perry-values-voters-endorser-robert-jeffress-islam-evil

Republican Lawmakers Leading Witch Hunt Against Muslim Group http://mediamattersaction.org/factcheck/200910150008

Republican Muslims Refuse To Enable GOP Hate Campaign http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/08/republican-muslims-refuse-to-enable-gop.html

Republican’s anti-Muslim letter sparks outrage http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Republican-s—anti-Muslim-letter-sparks-outrage

Republicans Whip Anti-Muslim Hysteria While Gainesville Pastors Plan Readings From Quran in Response to Planned Burning, Jim White http://my.firedoglake.com/jimwhite/2010/08/21/republicans-whip-anti-muslim-hysteria-while-gainesville-pastors-plan-readings-from-quran-in-response-to-planned-burning/

Mitt Romney Slams One Anti-Muslim Activist, Praises Another at Values Voters Summit(Updated), Tim Murphy http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/mitt-romney-slams-bryan-fischer-voter-summit

Romney to Share Stage with AFA’s Anti-Indian-Black-Muslim-Gay-Grizzly Bears-Mormons Bryan Fischer, Gale Toensing http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2011/10/romney-to-share-stage-with-afa%E2%80%99s-anti-indian-black-muslim-gay-grizzly-bears-mormons-bryan-fischer/

Romney’s Mild Rebuke to Bryan Fischer, and Fischer’s Ugly Speech, Sarah Posner http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/5243/romney%27s_mild_rebuke_to_bryan_fischer%2C_and_fischer%27s_ugly_speech

Romney Stands Up to Bryan Fischer at Values Voters Summit,  Joanna Brooks http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/joannabrooks/5244/romney_stands_up_to_bryan_fischer_at_values_voters_summit

Talking with Republican Muslims, Mona Eltahawy http://www.monaeltahawy.com/blog/?p=78

Unfounded Accusations Against Muslim Interns Both Offensive and Stupid http://www.prospect.org/csnc/blogs/tapped_archive?month=10&year=2009&base_name=offensive_and_stupid

U.S. Right Wing and GOP Presidential Candidates Spreading Paranoid Anti-Muslim Hysteria as Part of Take-Over Strategy, Max Blumenthal http://www.alternet.org/story/152274/u.s_right_wing_and_gop_presidential_candidates_spreading_paranoid_anti-muslim_hysteria_as_part_of_take-over_strategy?page=entire

Values Voter Bigotry Fest Erupts In War of Words Over Romney’s Faith, Adele M. Stan http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/152668/values_voter_bigotry_fest_erupts_in_war_of_words_over_romney%27s_faith/?page=entire

Virginia Lawmaker’s Remarks on Muslims Criticized (Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/20/AR2006122001318.html

The War at the Values Voters Summit, Sarah Posner http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/sarahposner/5246/the_war_at_the_values_voters_summit/

With values like these, who needs bigotry?,  Shawn Vesta http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/oct/08/with-values-like-these-who-needs-bigotry/

Where is the U.S. Government Getting It’s Information on Islam and Muslims?, Sheila Musaji http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/where_is_the_u.s._government_getting_its_information_on_islam_and_musl

Who’s Who at the Values Voter Summit: A Guide to the Anti-Gay, Anti-Muslim, Anti-Mormon, Anti-Choice Activists Spending the Weekend with the GOP   http://www.enewspf.com/opinion/analysis/27475-whos-who-at-the-values-voter-summit-a-guide-to-the-anti-gay-anti-muslim-anti-mormon-anti-choice-activists-spending-the-weekend-with-the-gop.html

Why Does the GOP Seek to Silence American Muslims?, Ahmed Rehab http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/why_does_the_gop_seek_to_silence_american_muslims

Why the GOP embraced Islamophobia, Joe Conason http://www.salon.com/news/politics/republican_party/?story=/opinion/conason/2010/09/12/islamo

Yet More Republican Racism: Iowa Republican Steve King insults blacks and Muslims http://culturekitchen.com/mole333/blog/yet_more_republican_racism_iowa_republican_insu