Actually, this not new and not anywhere as bad as it has been in the past. See the anti-Catholic (Anti-Papist) furor in the campaigns of Al Smith and later JFK, for instance, or the red-baiting accusing anyone who was not hard right of being pink if not red and calling for ostracizing them.
It's gutter interest politics that works on a pretty large group of Americans, or it would never surface in political discourse. Interestingly Ben Carson is now trending after his anti-Muslim remarks.
The question is whether this appeal can rise above about 30% of the GOP and GOP-leaning voter pool, where Trump seems to be stuck. 30% isn't going to carry the day. Now he is competing with Carson for that segment.
Dismal.
To his credit, Ted Cruz came out and said that Carson's view about not allowing a Muslim president was unconstitutional. But so fare the GOP celebrities have been silent on the Muslim-bashing, apparently in deference to the base.
Sanders and Trump are fading away as the party machines get fired up.
ReplyDeleteCarson has evidently not read the US constitution, or if he has it should have made him reflect more intelligently on his own description as two-thirds human.
ReplyDeleteThe interviewer ought to have asked the constitutional flame keeper Carson why anyone should vote for a candidate who is a mere two-thirds human. After all, it is in the constitution!
The interviewer should also have asked Carson what offices of state a Muslim could be entrusted with. Obviously not VP, in case the President falls dead. Secretary of State or Defence? Probably not, given the sensitivity of the roles. Perhaps the Agriculture brief is a safe enough place to put a dangerous heathen.
In the military Muslims can fight and die for their country, but presumably won't be allowed to climb to the higher, more responsible positions of Admiral and General.
Yellow stars are a sign of a deranged culture. Yellow crescents are a sign of eternal vigilance!