CNN's Beck to first-ever Muslim
congressman: Prove you're not a terrorist
Media Matters
November 14, 2006
On the November 14 edition of his CNN Headline News program, Glenn Beck
interviewed Rep.-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), who became the first Muslim ever
elected to Congress on November 7, and asked Ellison if he could "have five
minutes here where we're just politically incorrect and I play the cards up on
the table." After Ellison agreed, Beck said: "I have been nervous about this
interview with you, because what I feel like saying is, 'Sir, prove to me that
you are not working with our enemies.' " Beck added: "I'm not accusing you of
being an enemy, but that's the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will
feel that way."
As Media Matters for America has noted, Beck previously warned that if
"Muslims and Arabs" don't "act now" by "step[ping] to the plate" to condemn
terrorism, they "will be looking through a razor wire fence at the West" and
declared that "Muslims who have sat on your frickin' hands the whole time"
rather than "lining up to shoot the bad Muslims in the head" will face dire
consequences.
From the November 14 edition of CNN Headline News' Glenn Beck:
BECK: History was made last Tuesday when Democrat Keith Ellison got elected
to Congress, representing the great state of Minnesota. Well, not really
unusual that Minnesota would elect a Democrat. What is noteworthy is that Keith
is the first Muslim in history to be elected to the House of Representatives.
He joins us now.
Congratulations, sir.
ELLISON: How you doing, Glenn? Glad to be here.
BECK: Thank you. I will tell you, may I -- may we have five minutes here
where we're just politically incorrect and I play the cards face up on the
table?
ELLISON: Go there.
BECK: OK. No offense, and I know Muslims. I like Muslims. I've been to
mosques. I really don't believe that Islam is a religion of evil. I -- you
know, I think it's being hijacked, quite frankly.
With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let's cut and
run." And I have to tell you, I have been nervous about this interview with
you, because what I feel like saying is, "Sir, prove to me that you are not
working with our enemies."
And I know you're not. I'm not accusing you of being an enemy, but that's
the way I feel, and I think a lot of Americans will feel that way.
ELLISON: Well, let me tell you, the people of the Fifth Congressional
District know that I have a deep love and affection for my country. There's no
one who is more patriotic than I am. And so, you know, I don't need to -- need
to prove my patriotic stripes.
BECK: I understand that. And I'm not asking you to. I'm wondering if you see
that. You come from a district that is heavily immigrant with Somalians. And I
think it's wonderful, honestly, I think it is really a good sign that you are a
-- you could be an icon to show Europe, this is the way you integrate into a
country. I think the Somalians coming out and voting is a very good thing. With
that --
ELLISON: I'd agree with you.
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