This morning, as I walked into work, the security guard I like did the verbal double take a lot of people here do: "Hi, Saddam, er uh, " his voice getting lower and then correcting himself. I, as per usual, ignored it, since it was obvious he was making a mistake, and went on with the morning niceties. Don't get me wrong, he's a good guy, very friendly and usually goes out of his way to say hi when he's around (they rotate the guards), but seriously, after a while, this camel's back gets one too many straws on it. Here's one of them:
Today, as the Colorado Caucus starts nominating representatives, let's hope this guy gets thrown out on his ass: Nearly two years ago, Jim Welker (R-Loveland), the representative from House District 51 sent an e-mail to constituents titled “Beware of Islam in America.”
The subject line of the May 2004 e-mail read "Beware Of Islam In America." The text, which Wright [a Fort Collins Pastor who received Welker's e-mail] provided to the newspaper, said in part, "Can a devout Muslim be an American patriot and loyal citizen? ... Politically, no. Because he must submit to the mullah, who teaches annihilation of Israel and destruction of America, the great Satan."
Is this guy serious? Is this guy still in office? What the ever loving? Now I want to be gerrymandered into his district just to vote against him.
Welker apologized on the House floor for an forwarded e-mail he sent recently (March 6, 2006), commenting on how moral poverty caused Katrina.
"I don't condone those comments" in Peterson's essay, Welker told colleagues. [I just forward them along.] "I offer my sincere apologies to this body and to the public (and) to the people of Loveland. I hope I become a better person for having made a big mistake." [It hasn't worked in the past, so I don't see why it would now.]
Also...
Welker, 58, is a Christian who said he believes the Bible is meant to be read literally.
... I wonder if anyone's asked him if he can read Greek?
Usually I ignore shit like this (see Tom "Let's Bomb Mecca" Tancredo, R-Littleton) because, like hello dude, I live in (growing) white(r) America. Since Welker judges (judge not lest ye be judged) and doesn't really seem to fear being judged, here's mine:
People of Loveland, listen the fuck up: Toss this anti-American ignoramus who "represents" you out. Rest of you Colorado Republicans, be ashamed of how Welker portrays your party. The irony that it's a Republican being racist (someone harness the energy from Lincoln spinning in his grave already) is way too much to take. And, if not, and you guys think he's an upstanding Loveland citizen, well, now you know why I didn't title this post "In My Backyard."
Pastor: Lawmaker Sent Earlier E-Mail About Muslims, cbs4denver/AP
E-mail Exposes Trend 03/17/2006, LovelandFYI
... and so many others.