E pluribus unum?

Does everyone still remember what that means?







Keith Ellison wins his seat in Minnesota's 5th Congressional District. He made national news by becoming the first Muslim ever elected to Congress. And he said weeks ago that he'll use his religion's holy book, the Koran, when he takes his oath.

But the right wing fear mongers are up in arms. Dennis Prager argues that America, Not Keith Ellison, decides what book a congressman takes his oath on:

. . . . because the act undermines American civilization. . . . and exemplifies multiculturalist activism . . . . America is interested in only one book, the Bible . . . .

Devotees of multiculturalism and political correctness who do not see how damaging to the fabric of American civilization it is to allow Ellison to choose his own book need only imagine a racist elected to Congress. Would they allow him to choose Hitler's "Mein Kampf," the Nazis' bible, for his oath?

. . . . Ellison's doing so will embolden Islamic extremists and make new ones, as Islamists, rightly or wrongly, see the first sign of the realization of their greatest goal -- the Islamicization of America.

. . . . If Keith Ellison is allowed to change that, he will be doing more damage to the unity of America and to the value system that has formed this country than the terrorists of 9-11 . . . .

Note that the photo of the Koran along with the caption displayed above appears imbedded in Prager's column.

These are unbelievable statements, IMHO. I would use much, much stronger language, but Lil'Bill would kick me out of these pages if I did. Let me just say, as an American, America should celebrate its diversity, not restrict it.

Rosa Brooks recently reminded us that ‘E pluribus unum’ means We’re in This Together. She asks if everyone still remembers what that means. If not, she says, it's never too late to change it: just recall all our currency.