Herman Cain vs The First Amendment

[Flagg]

MSNBC

Cain: Communities have right to ban mosques
GOP presidential candidate says it's not religious discrimination

By BRUCE SCHREINER

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said Sunday that communities have a right to ban Islamic mosques.

Appearing on "Fox News Sunday," the former Godfather's Pizza CEO said protests and legal challenges to a planned mosque in Tennessee city are an example of local residents pushing back.

Cain said his view doesn't amount to religious discrimination because he says Muslims are trying to inject Shariah law into the U.S.

Shariah is a set of core principles that most Muslims recognize and a series of rulings from religious scholars. It covers many areas of life and different sects have different versions and interpretations of the code.

Asked if his view could lead any community to stand up in opposition to a proposed mosque, Cain replied, "They could say that." He pointed to opposition to the planned mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn., as an example.

"Let's go back to the fundamental issue that the people are basically saying that they are objecting to," Cain said. "They are objecting to the fact that Islam is both religion and (a) set of laws, Shariah law. That's the difference between any one of our other traditional religions where it's just about religious purposes.

"The people in the community know best. And I happen to side with the people in the community."
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Cain's comments were denounced as "unconstitutional and un-American" by a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"It's clear that Herman Cain has decided that he will score political points every time he bashes the Muslim community or its constitutional rights," council spokesman Ibrahim Hooper said in a phone interview.

Cain previously stirred controversy by saying that he would not want a Muslim bent on killing Americans in his administration.

Campaigning in Murfreesboro last week, Cain sided with mosque opponents.

"I happen to also know that it's not just about a religious mosque," he said Sunday. "There are other things going on based upon talking to the people closest to the problem. It's not a mosque for religious purposes. This is what the people are objecting to."

Hooper called the remarks "utter nonsense," saying Cain "seems to have hitched his wagon to the most extreme anti-Muslim bigots out there." He called on Republican leaders to repudiate Cain's comments.

"Each time you have someone who is regarded as a mainstream political leader expressing these kind of hate-filled views, it just fans the flames of anti-Muslim bigotry nationwide," he said. "And it gives legitimacy to intolerance and hatred. And he, of all people, should realize this, being African-American."

In Murfreesboro, the future new mosque has been the subject of protests and counter-protests in the city about 35 miles southeast of Nashville.

Opponents have used the hearings to argue that the mosque is part of a plot to expand Islamic extremism in the U.S.

Imam Ossama Bahloul, the religious leader of the congregation, issued a statement Sunday lamenting Cain's statements.

"It is sad to hear these words coming from a GOP presidential candidate, who is not only supposed to believe in but should also uphold the US constitution," Bahloul said. "Mr. Cain is encouraged to educate himself about the first amendment and learn more about our peaceful and productive Muslim community in Murfreesboro."

Stephen Fotopulos, executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said Cain's comments "demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of the U.S. Constitution."

"And it's baffling that a man with designs on becoming the leader of this nation would so callously alienate over 3 million of its citizens," Fotopulos said.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Clear violation of the 1st Amendment. I also likes how he claims Islam is somehow different for having a set of "laws" as opposed to "other religions". Guess the pizza boy never heard of the 10 commandments or all of fucking Leviticus.

[Feil]

Obviously being an openly practicing Christian doesn't stop you from being a secret Muslim if you're black. Maybe trash-talking Islam at every opportunity will help.

Five years ago, GW Bush was talking about Islam being a religion of peace, pleading for Americans to be tolerant, and assuring the world over and over that his war wasn't against Islam. How times change.

And he, of all people, should realize this, being African-American.

Welcome to history, Mr. Hooper. Oppressed groups don't give a goddamn about other oppressed groups. In fact, they tend to be vicious bigots themselves, and as soon as they stop being the victims they turn around and become part of the problem. How much does your beloved Muslim community care about the rights of women, atheists, and gays?

[The Yosemite Bear]

mind you lots of Jewish people were active in Civil Rights back in the 50's and 60's. I guess that refutes your statement somewhat.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Actions like Cain's are not that surprsing. There is a growing group on the Right that fully believe the first amendment only relates to "Christian" religions. This largely feeds into their delusion that America was founded "By Christians for Christians and is a Christian nation"

And as such the 1st amendment need not apply to evil false religions like Islam.

[Lord Zentei]

They say "Judeo-Christian" when they want to appear reasonable. Too bad they don't have a leg to stand on since nothing of the sort is defined in the Constitution, nor even the Declaration of Independence which they point to whenever they want to justify "God" having some kind of place in government. But isn't it interesting how it's always Muslims and Atheists who get slammed this way, not Buddhists or Hindus for example? I guess some targets are easier than others.

[Morilore]

Actions like Cain's are not that surprsing. There is a growing group on the Right that fully believe the first amendment only relates to "Christian" religions. This largely feeds into their delusion that America was founded "By Christians for Christians and is a Christian nation"

And as such the 1st amendment need not apply to evil false religions like Islam.

For video evidence of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eOOcgu7JdU

Also in that video: evidence that the "spiritual warfare" brigade doesn't just care about Islam, they're more than happy to hate on polytheistic religions like Shinto as well!

[Tanasinn]

Christians are supreme hypocrites, who knew?

This is utterly repellant behavior from someone running for president. The First Amendment is one of the cornerstones that defines America as a country.

[Simon_Jester]

Christians are supreme hypocrites, who knew?

Which Christians? All of them?

[Tanasinn]

Christians are supreme hypocrites, who knew?

Which Christians? All of them?

I see precious few who take the command to give up their worldly possessions seriously. Apparently this is a metaphor, but the a talking snake is objective fact.

But that tired old cheap shot aside, no, the statement is (obvious) hyperbole on my part. That said, there is a very troubling trend of Christians trying to force aspects of their religion into law, however; the most obvious example being attempts to put creationism in the classroom or to attack homosexuality and homosexuals' rights. Apparently to people like this, trying to force your religion on non-believers is only wrong when Muslims do it.

[Dalton]

Actions like Cain's are not that surprsing. There is a growing group on the Right that fully believe the first amendment only relates to "Christian" religions. This largely feeds into their delusion that America was founded "By Christians for Christians and is a Christian nation"

And as such the 1st amendment need not apply to evil false religions like Islam.

I'm seeing a lot of this sort of hysteria lately, and while I agree that a lot of GOPers pander to the evangelical right, I would like to see something to back up your statement here. Do you have any quotes to back it up? I agree that Bachmann et al are whackjobs, but we have (I like to think) a standard for discussion here that includes backing up your statements instead of setting up an outraged liberal echo chamber.

[Crossroads Inc.]

It depends on what you want as "proof" of staments. When I get home from work I have no doubt I can find plenty of such statments on various forums or from right wing columnists. In terms of finding such statments from "mainstream" sources such as congressmen and such that I will of course research as well.

[Dalton]

It depends on what you want as "proof" of staments. When I get home from work I have no doubt I can find plenty of such statments on various forums or from right wing columnists. In terms of finding such statments from "mainstream" sources such as congressmen and such that I will of course research as well.

Quotes would help, instead of "everybody knows" "it's obvious" and other kinds of conjecture.

[loomer]

I'd like to see what Herman Cain thinks of Hasidic Judaism and their temples. I mean, the more extreme Hasidic sects can be even more legalistic and restrictive than Sharia law's typical interpretations - so clearly he should be against them, but something tells me we'd find a nice, juicy double standard instead.

[ComradeClaus]

There's a small muslim community in our county, though it never makes the news. No Far-right politicians whinning about Sharia Law around here.

I even had a Lebanese Muslim doctor for several years, nice guy. It's a fairly diverse region here, but surprisingly trainquil.

I wonder if the Daily Show will cover mr. cain's snafu tonight.

(As an Italian-American, I find the name "Godfather's Pizza" offensive)

[Pelranius]

The "A Pizza you can't refuse" punchline is also pretty obnoxious, IMO, and drags in one of the best movies of the 20th century as a throwaway gag.

[Darth Fanboy]

In all honesty this excuses nothing at all, but Godfather's pizza (at least the ones I have been to) are really really delicious.

I however accidentally went to another pizza place once instead and woke up the next morning with the noid's head in the bed next to me along with a bloody pizza roller.

[Darth Yan]

http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islam ... an-ca.html

As much as I dislike the christian right, this was actually pretty admirable. At least some are sane enough to not be complete fucktards

[ComradeClaus]

In all honesty this excuses nothing at all, but Godfather's pizza (at least the ones I have been to) are really really delicious.

I however accidentally went to another pizza place once instead and woke up the next morning with the noid's head in the bed next to me along with a bloody pizza roller.

Goddamn, I loved the old Noid commercials! They need to bring that Rabbit-eared freak back...

Oh wait, they can't. Adam West snapped his neck! (On Family Guy)

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should've avoided me."- Adam "Mo'Fo' Badass" West.

But seriously, they need a mascot again, like the Burger King King, who is a meme of Epic Win.

"Wake up with the King"

[Darth Fanboy]

The King hasn't been cool since like, 2005.

[The Cooler King]

Goddamn, I loved the old Noid commercials! They need to bring that Rabbit-eared freak back...

Oh wait, they can't. Adam West snapped his neck! (On Family Guy)

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should've avoided me."- Adam "Mo'Fo' Badass" West.

But seriously, they need a mascot again, like the Burger King King, who is a meme of Epic Win.

"Wake up with the King"

I noticed in one of the latest Domino's commercials (the one with the kids being used as a test group) that a Noid toy was on one of the tables. Make of that what you will...

[Lord Zentei]

http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/islam ... an-ca.html

As much as I dislike the christian right, this was actually pretty admirable. At least some are sane enough to not be complete fucktards

That was just classy, and a well deserved slap at Cain.

Last week, Cain told reporters that the plan to build the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, Tenn., is "an infringement and an abuse of our freedom of religion." He sided with community members who have protested the center saying the center is "another way to gradually sneak Sharia law into our laws."

Cain, an associate pastor at Antioch Baptist Church North and a GOP presidential hopeful, argued last week that the ICM is not an "innocent mosque" and warned of the threat of Sharia (Islamic law) to American laws. He asserted in a Sunday Fox News interview that the Murfreesboro community has the right to ban the center's construction.

I didn't know that Cain was an associate pastor; live and learn.

In any case, they should protest Sharia being implemented into American laws when that happens and not sooner. I wonder what Cain thinks of Christian Dominionists.


Cain is a tool. His solution to illegal immigration is apparently a 20 ft. high electric fence complete with a moat filled with alligators:

Herman Cain found himself in hot water Monday with Latino Republicans after telling an audience that his solution to illegal immigration along the Mexican border would include a Great Wall of China-like electrified fence that would rise 20 feet high above a moat filled with alligators.

"We call on Herman Cain to drop his candidacy for president. His recent comments and lack of practical solutions to solving illegal immigration show he’s not a serious candidate," the Somos Republicans group wrote in a statement released Monday.

"Many Hispanics find his recent comments comparing immigrants to 'invading Huns' offensive, and also insensitive when thousands of immigrants died crossing the desert. We’re looking for practical and humane solutions, and find Cain’s pandering to xenophobes disgusting. Apparently nativist tea has been served up at many tea parties! Hispanics are a key swing vote, and whichever GOP candidate succeeds in winning the nomination cannot win the general election without the Hispanic vote. Cain needs to leave the field open to more serious candidates," Somos demanded.

Apparently the Arizona-based organization, which claims to be "the fastest growing Hispanic Republican group in the nation," was not impressed with the inspiration the former Godfather's Pizza chief executive received on a recent trip to Asia.

"I just got back from China," Cain told potential voters in Pella, Iowa, in early June. "Ever heard of the Great Wall of China? It looks pretty sturdy. And that sucker is real high. I think we can build one if we want to! We have put a man on the moon, we can build a fence!"

"Now, my fence might be part Great Wall and part electrical technology," Cain continued. "It will be a 20-foot wall, barbed wire, electrified on the top, and on this side of the fence, I'll have that moat that President Obama talked about. And I would put those alligators in that moat!"
Although the audience in Iowa applauded the Georgia businessman's plan, the Somos Republicans point at recent developments in the Peach state, and in their own, as proof that such actions won't work.

"One need only look at the worker shortages in Georgia and Arizona agriculture sectors to see the dire consequences of enforcement-only strategies that don’t address the needs of America’s economy," the group wrote, noting that "40% of Yuma Arizona’s lettuce crop went un-harvested after 100,000 Hispanics fled Arizona following passage of SB 1070, even though Yuma has unemployment rates rivaling those of the great depression. Georgia passed a similar law, and now farmers are struggling to find migrant farm workers and now must decide which crops to leave rot. According to a recent study by the Cato institute, for every farm worker in the field, another 3.1 workers depending upon their work," Somos wrote.

"Ironically the fast food industry is one of the sectors of our economy that is heavily dependent on undocumented immigrant workers, so we can’t help but wonder if Cain’s wealth from this industry was built on undocumented immigrant labor!" the group wrote.

Because the Cain speech in question was the same one in which he vowed that he wouldn't sign any bill more than three pages long, it will be interesting to see if the candidate will call the Somos Republicans "stupid" for believing that portion of the speech. Cain called reporters "idiotic" when they quoted him for saying that the American people should be able to read prospective laws at the dinner table and that if he became president he would instruct Congress "don't try to pass a 2,700-page bill."

[Akhlut]

Is he being facetious about building a 20 ft. tall fence with an alligator filled moat? I seriously can't tell if the man is being serious or not.

Also, I would bring up environmental problems associated with that retarded idea, but the Republican Party traditionally doesn't care about those concerns anyway.

[Lord Zentei]

Is he being facetious about building a 20 ft. tall fence with an alligator filled moat? I seriously can't tell if the man is being serious or not.

Also, I would bring up environmental problems associated with that retarded idea, but the Republican Party traditionally doesn't care about those concerns anyway.

Well, if he's being facetious, then he can't be taken seriously in any case. I mean, what kind of presidential candidate talks that way, so you can't tell if he's serious or not?

And notice how he said he would refuse to sign any bill longer than three pages. While I applaud the opposition to overly verbose laws, that's just... wow.

[Akhlut]

And notice how he said he would refuse to sign any bill longer than three pages. While I applaud the opposition to overly verbose laws, that's just... wow.

So, no budget bills or other bills that require substanial lists with them?

Jesus, a few months ago I thought Herman Cain may have been an actual, sane candidate. I suppose Huntsman might still be one, but he's actually worked with Obama, so he's disqualified from his own party.