Tue 24 Aug 2010
Newt Gingrich
Gingrich Communications
1425 K Street, NW
Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
Mr. Gingrich
For years you have run a successful reading program in your home district encouraging young people to read, learn and grow. You commitment to educating people and exploring ideas is commendable. As an elected official I applaud this type of leadership.
So it was stunning to see you engage in uneducated, pandering rhetoric and stirring the pot of “Islamaphobia.” Let’s be clear – “Islamaphobia” is a misnomer for the ugly reality of bigotry.
Upon becoming Speaker of the House you proudly shared the GOP “Contract with America.” It seems lately you have forgotten the “real” contract with America you took an oath to defend: the Constitution.
Shame on you Mr. Gingrich, for suggesting constitutional freedoms should be based on the behaviors of foreign governments. As an American, the notion our constitutional freedoms should be subject to the whims of Saudi “reciprocation” is lunacy. Defending our constitution often means defending those we disagree with.
I serve on the board of SamTrans, the bus service in my county. Recently a well-known anti-Muslim group bought ads to run on the sides of our buses. More than 100 clergy leaders of various faiths sent letters condemning the ads and asked for a meeting with their interfaith council.
I was clear in my agreement with the clergy – the ads were hateful, based on mis-information, hurt members of the larger community and were on a personal level, repulsive.
But I reminded the assembly of my oath to protect the Constitution. As much as I wanted to “do something” to get rid of the ads – the protection of the Constitution and 1st amendment was imperative. Hard as it was, I defended the right of the anti-Muslim group to advertise their agenda of hate.
Shame on you Mr. Gingrich for equating Muslims with Nazis when exercising their constitutional right to worship in a privately purchased building.
We can never forget those who perished at the hands of criminal mad men on 9/11, but many choose to overlook a simple fact: if you are Muslim in Afghanistan or Pakistan, the body count is growing daily at the hands of the same criminals.
Does the name Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan sound familiar? This American Muslim soldier, awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, is buried in the hallowed earth of Arlington Cemetery after being killed serving his country in Iraq. He is not alone. Many Muslims are buried in Arlington after giving the US their last full measure of devotion. Perhaps you can explain to their grieving families why you would lump them with Nazis, and scorn their constitutional right to worship. Instead of protecting the rights of these and other American Muslims you have chosen to demonize them.
Shame on you Mr. Gingrich for actually believing your vitriol is limited to a single project in New York.
Americans from Wisconsin to Florida, from New York to California and points in between are having their constitutional rights attacked. Most of these attacks come from small-minded bigots with supremacy agendas. Having a national figure like you leading the way turns debate into hate speech and violence. Do you recall the bombing by an alleged supremacist of a mosque in Jacksonville, Florida? Had the bomb been planted in a slightly different position, 60 worshippers would have perished in the blast.
Principled leadership is desperately needed to deal with uncertain futures in an uncertain time. You chose to take a path favored by only the lowest of politicians. The classic political strategy of telling the public “whom to fear” and “where to assign blame” is vile pandering to the basest fears and insecurities. It is sad to see a leader adding to division and hatred because it may simply further their political campaign.
Candidly Mr. Gingrich, between you and the radical terrorists we both despise, I don’t know who is doing more harm to America today.
Shame on you Mr. Gingrich.
