Our local Virginia Republican Congressman, Virgil Goode thinks he’s a good(e) American. We’ve written about him here before. He also wears the “good(e) book” on his sleeve.
He’s also likely unfamiliar with Thomas Jefferson, author of, among other things, the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom. Never mind that Monticello, Jefferson’s home, is in Goode’s district.
JWN devotees may have seen Helena’s quick “tag” of a Charlottesville weekly paper’s revelation of an astonishing Goode letter, via the new del.icio.us “Things I’ve Tagged” feature on the right side of this blog.
Goode’s Islamophobic letter is lighting up the blogosphere and even the mainstream media. His press conference late yesterday deserves even greater scrutiny. What he says is an affront not just to Muslim Americans, but to any American who “gives a hoot” about our founding values. Below, I provide my own transcript of Goode’s appalling comments – with my own annotations and a Jeffersonian test inserted.
Goode has deluded himself into thinking that his critics are not reading his letter. Let’s get that out of the way first. Here again is the original letter. (Unbalanced, run-on sentences in the original; emphasis added.):
Dear Mr. Cruickshank:
Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.
The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.” Thank you again for your email and thoughts.
Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
Unlike our outgoing Senator George “Macaca” Allen, Goode has been anything but apologetic. In his press conference late yesterday, Goode was as defiant as George W. Bush has been in defending his “cause” – with one difference: Goode is the only politician I know who makes our current President seem “brilliant” – relatively speaking.
At least for now, you can watch Goode’s press conference via the WVIR TV29 web site, under “featured videos.” Goode, speaking in his standard “goode-ole-boy drawl,” shows no signs of backing down. Here’s my own transcription (with annotation) of nearly all of the “event.”
Preface Note: Rather than insert the “sic” emphasis repeatedly, please keep in mind that the following transcription is phonetic, that is, literally “as heard.” Some “suthun” politicos still speak this way. Watch the video yourself if you think I’ve got the “Goode-‘ole-boy” twang wrong. Grammar gaffes are in the original, including those by our local reporters.
Goode: Thaynk ya fuh bein’ he-uhr… I uhpreciate you’all being here at one time. I know several of, uh, press asked about meeting, and we thought it would be best to do it all at one time.
This is, ah, just to me not an open press conference…
but I’ll say right now I’ll take five questions from ya…. And, I hope you’ve gotten together and decided which five you wanna ask. (nervous laughter) And I will do five, and my daughter’s here, and I gotta go to a family dinner tonight. I don’t have much time to spend with her. She only gets to come here about once a year…
Why does this sound like that Vicki Lawrence song about the proverbial backwoods southern judge, with blood on his hands, who had to get home to suppa…?
I will say this… The letter that caused the controversy, is, I wanna give ta each of you… This was not a, ah, posted, ah, letter. This was, ah, one that was mailed out in response to hundreds of e-mails that we received….
Guess how this letter writing campaign started? Taking a page from arch neocon-Daniel Pipes, “wingnuts” from Sean Hannity to Dennis Prager have been blatantly setting up a religious test for incoming Congressman Ellison. That is, if he is “incapable of taking an oath on that book {the Bible, then} don’t serve in Congress.”
Question: Do you feel that him swearing his oath upon a Koran, in any way, affects his ability to uphold the constitution?
Goode: That’s the call for the voters in that district in Minnesota on whom they elect. I kin tell ya I will not be putting mAH hand on the Koran. The Koran, or the Que-Rahn, is not in mah office, and I will, ah, be utilizing the Bible.
I kin tell you prior to his election and his statement to the media, this wasn’t an issue. You simply held up your hand and swore to uphold the laws of the Constitution. I mean the laws of the United States and the Constitution of the United States. Ahhh, printed media, and other media, indicated that, ah, Mr. Ellison was gonna use the Koran. And that generated scores and hundreds of e-mails to my office. And so I thought it very important to state mah view.
And my view is I don’t subscribe to the Koran, uh, and I will now be using the Bible when I take the oath.
So it’s Ellison’s fault for even stirring the controversy – for asking to use a Koran at his ceremony!? I wonder what Goode would think of Jewish Congressman who refuse to use Christian Bibles in their ceremonies? Shhhh… don’t tell him that. It might confuse him.
Question: Congressman, some are now calling you a racist. Are you a racist?
Goode: No, they haven’t read the letter. Anyone that doesn’t, ah, jump to the, ah, mantra of political correctness, is ah, is sometimes called that. So they are wrong. And I would suggest to Mr., to anyone that used that word in describing me to read the letter….
Read the letter again, indeed. The things speaks loudly for itself.
Question: What is it about Muslims that you don’t like that causes you to fear them becoming the majority in the Congress of the United States?
Here’s what I wrote in the letter. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being schwamped. I want to see illegal immigration totally stopped. We have a waaaave of illegals coming into this country, primarily from south of the border. It is taxing to the citizens of the United States of America. In our federal prison system, for instance, we have 189,000 Federal prisoners; 50,000 are illegal aliens, in the country and should not be. That’s an example of illegal immigration taxing our system.
In short, Goode does not come close to answering the question. First, he’s darkly insinuating, in a blatantly bigotted manner, than if we don’t restrict the influx of Muslims – as Muslims – then our values are endangered. Imagine if the “good” Quakers of Pennsylvania had reacted in the same way to the waves of German Lutherans and Moravians who flooded that colony long before the revolution, or of the Catholics in neighboring Maryland…
But then Goode seemlessly switches into a disconnected rant about a “wave of illegals” coming from the south. What does this have to do with his fear of Muslims taking over Congress? Nothing.
But I want to see legal immigration reduced. In the letter, I indicated that I wanted to see diversity visas ended. Ah, fifty thousand come in per year come in via this program… a relatively new program, I believe begun during the Clinton Administration. And I am a cosponsor on the bill cosponsored by Congressman Goodlatt and others who want to end the diversity visa program.
The “diversity” program wrenches us back to the fear of Muslisms, because THAT kind of diversity is even more unwelcome than the teeming hordes from the south.
By the way, if you’re watching the tape, note how Goode starts gasping/hyperventilating in this passage. Having served for years in a “safe district” with little opposition, he’s essentially had a free pass from the media. He’s not used to the spotlight, and he’s starting to get “excited.”
Question: You mention the Constitution. Isn’t it a right of the constitution to have freedom of religion? This gentleman [Ellison] is an American citizen by birth; he was born here and converted to–
Goode (interrupting): “Nothing in this letter says he’s not a citizen, or contradicts the constitution. I think that some are giving their interpretation on the letter. But I passed out the letter and I say read it…. (crosstalk) There’s no discrimination in this letter, unless you take the position that reducing immigration is discrimination. I think yer wrong.
Yes, again, do read the letter. And then go read the Constitution, Article VI, where it reads:
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
Question: Are you against, or not against, him using the Koran for swearing in? (good question)
Goode: Aaaayh woodn’t… (smirks) My personal belief is, ahhhh, NOT to use the Koran. I will not use the Koran at all. (Goode gets agitated at reporter chatter) I don’t have it on the wall. I tell ya whaat. Aaaaaah. A Muslim student came to my office, saaaah, a few years ago, and on the wall of the office are the Ten Commandments, and in God we trust. Ah, well he said you don’t have anything about the Koran on your office. And my response was clear. As long as I have the privilege and honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia, there’s not gonna be anything about the Koran on the wall of my office.
Very Bush-like, Goode refuses to answer the question. He says what he would not do. Fine for him; he’s free to do so. But that wasn’t the question, which remains: does Mr. Ellison have the same right? Or does Goode subscribe to the Prager view that only those willing to swear on the Christian Bible are fit to serve in the Congress?
To be blunt Mr. Goode, your comments suggest that it is not at an honor for us to have you as our Congressman. I am ashamed of you – and at myself for every having voted for you. My son serves in the Virginia National Guard, and he’ll no doubt be focused on defending our values and the Constitution you’ve trampled on this week. You can put anything you want on your wall. But please do read the Constitution before you next swear an oath to uphold it.
Follow-up Question: To clarify sir, Are you in favor or opposed to Mr. Ellison using the–
Goode: (again, interrupting, and again, avoiding the question…) That’s a decision the voters of that district in Minnesota made when they elected whomever they elected.
Question: Do you think this letter contains statements that will alienate those [Muslim} constituents of yours?
Goode: Not if they…. (changes thought) Well, I can’t speak for them. Every letter, their interpretation, their view, that’s their call.
Amazingly, Goode takes no responsibility for anything he says. Its like, well if they don’t like it, then “screw ‘em.” (The pronunciation of Goode, by the way, rhymes with “screwed.”) So does Mr. Goode only represent the Christian members of his constituency? That’s his call. Are the many distinguished professors and professionals in his district who happen to be from Muslim backgrounds a threat to his “values,” because of their religious opinions?
I wonder if the Congressman has forgotten basic Virginia civics? Did he ever study Virginia’s historic statute for religious freedom – drafted originally by then Virginia Delegate Thomas Jefferson? (shortly after he wrote the Declaration of Independence) It’s still law in Virginia, enshrined now in the State Constitution. It also later directly inspired the key provisions on religious freedom in our US Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Here’s the kicker paragraph from the Virginia Statute:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.
Goode and his neocon ghostwriters propound the argument that anyone who embraces Islam has a diminished “capacity” to serve in government.
Ironically, few modern day conservative Christian Virginian are aware that Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom was passed amidst a protracted bitter political fight between powerful state supported churches (Anglicans) on the one side vs. a skillful collaboration of Baptists, Presbyterians, Quakers, and…. James Madison and Thomas Jefferson.
Question: Will you be apologizing?
Goode: NO! (with fury) I do not apologize, and I do not retract my letter. The letter stands for itself, and I support the letter.
Interestingly, the WVIR video of the news conference bluntly ends here. I am hoping to find out why. If anybody finds a version with the ending, please post it.
So there “ya” have it. Goode does not apologize and does not retract his letter. Aren’t we impressed that he supports his own letter? He’s just clueless about what’s in it.
Can’t anything be done legally to get this bigot out of office? I would have thought that if you swear to uphold the Constitution, and then go and break your oath, that some kind of legal challenge can take you out of office. Perhaps a petition?
I am proud to live in the State that sent Keith Ellison, Paul Wellstone, Walter Mondale, Hubert Humphrey and Eugene McCarthy to Washington DC. Virginia can keep Virgil Goode.
John C.: I think we’d rather not. Maybe we could foist him off onto Texas?
Hi. Listen: I do agree with you about Goode’s ideas and performance. But would you please leave his accent out of it? At several points in this post you broadly insult Goode not for being a bigot or for failing to engage in honest discussion of the issues (both of which are true), but for speaking English like a rural Virginian. That’s not cool. Southerners deserve respect like anyone else — and while it’s true that some Southern whites, like Goode, have brought disgrace on their community, it’s equally true that some Muslims have brought disgrace on theirs. The whole point here is that we shouldn’t judge people by where they come from or how they speak, but by what they say and do. Please don’t tar an entire community with Virgil Goode’s brush. Frankly, if we want the rural parts of the 5th district to reject Goode, we need to embrace them, not insult them.
1) Who asked Virgil to put his hand on the Qur’an?
2) How interesting that Virgil and his ilk know absolutely zero about Islam, and yet feel completely qualified to make judgments about it.
which leads me to…
3) One wonders how they would react if someone told them that the Qur’an actually acknowledges the Bible (i.e. the Torah and the Gospels) as the word of God. And what on earth would they do if someone actually showed them the specific verses where it does so?!
Thank you for the observation and concern Brian. I hesitated originally in transliterating the accents. I’ve lived in different parts of the south now for 28 years – and I generally appreciate the lively tones and gentle sweetness in the many different accents I’ve encountered. My favorite is the “Okie” twang, so much more pleasant to me than the gutteral “yo Rockie” south Philly stereotype – which ironically (and unfairly) has become a signature accent in the southeast part of the state of my own youth. I do appreciate how regional accents struggle to persist amidst the homogenizing pressures of our national media.
Anyway, please know my *tic emphasis of Goode’s rather unique accent was not intended to take a broad swipe at all Southern accents, per se — even as some get invoked and even exaggerated for less than purely innocent purposes. (Recall George F. Allen – a California native who endeared himself to many with his adoption of the vuhginyah lingo of an “aw shucks” cowboy….)
In any case, Goode grates on the ears for the content and mangled construction of his speech – and it happens to be magnified by a particularly pronounced accent….
Brian: The “whole community” elected this bigot. More importantly, we have full license to mock this man and his accent precisely because he believes in the supremacy of his southern values. He believes that his stock is superior, so we have the right to mock him and point out that, no, he is a human being who we can mock like anyone else. If his southern mentality did not so inform his bigoted views, then perhaps it would not be appropriate to mock him. This guy lost anyone’s respect a long time ago.
And what do you think Helena is, a political operative trying to win votes in the south?
Brian is right, not only as a matter of respect for others, but also politically. A key element of George W. Bush’s success has been his (largely fake) Texas cowboy speaking style. It works for him precisely because it invites and receives ridicule from Eastern intellectual types, which causes lots of people who might not otherwise be impressed by the likes of W (himself an upper-crust, Ivy League frat boy) to rally behind him. Virgil Goode is a different case, of course, but still . . .
Ellison should do to Goode what Webb wanted to do to Bush.
“Ellison should do to Goode what Webb wanted to do to Bush.”
If he is really a Muslim he would not do such an unIslamic thing. :o}
1765: The King’s Bench in London unanimously holds that a Muslim prosecutor may be sworn on the “Alcoran.”
1820: The New York Supreme Court of Judicature, which was then the highest court in the state, holds that “Mahometans may be sworn on the Koran; Jews on the Pentateuch, and Gentoos and others according to the ceremonies of their religion, whatever may be the form.”
2006: Rep. Virgil Goode seems to think being sworn on the Koran is something new, revolutionary and threatening.
Very interesting, Jonathan – thanks.
Maybe someone should send that to poor ol’ Virgil – along with the passages in the Qur’an that acknowledge the Torah and the Gospels as the word of God.
I’ve elaborated on the theme, if you’re interested.
Thank you indeed Jonathan. You’ve given us more issues to research. Interesting too you mention 1765. I just learned late yesterday that Jefferson himself first purchased the Koran in that year – amid his youthful comparative legal studies at Wm & Mary. Not to say he was a great student of the Koran, but I also just learned that TJ later spent a great deal of time trying to learn Arabic (sic), and even sponsored an Orietan Languages professorship @ Wm & Mary. (There’s a fascinating 2004 article in a Journal, Early American Literature, on “How Jefferson Read the Qu’ran.”
Jefferson’s first copy of the Koran was later sold, by TJ, as part of his entire library to the US Government, and became the founding core of what today is The Library of Congress… and may be available for ceremonial use by Congressman…. Imagine that. :-}
Interesting, that. Another of life’s little ironies: The first reported mention of the Koran by an American court occurred in Anderson v. Winston, in which the judge discussed Islamic banking practices to illustrate the universality of lending at interest. The year was 1736, and the colony… Virginia.
Muslims are people too. Maybe the gentlman from Minesota should swear in the name of Vishnu on the book of Buhda and by the power of Greyskull to defend the Constitution of the USA.