After the November 13 attacks in Paris, many elected officials in the United States have come out firmly opposed to Islam and the admittance of Syrian Refugees. Undoubtedly, these individuals are playing right into Daesh hands. Among those individuals is Washington state Representative Jay Rodne, from Snoqualmie. The Republican Representative and combat veteran told the people of America to take up arms against the Daesh threat, called Muslims “brutal barbarians,” and declared that the entire religion of Islam was simply medieval barbarism. He stated that his concerns were for the safety of the people of Washington (excluding the 100,000 Muslim Washingtonians), because there is no way to vet Syrian refugees. John Oliver explains why this concept is logically bankrupt:
Further, the violent rhetoric which dehumanizes Muslims has put the Seattle area on watch: Seattle FBI is currently investigating an online domestic terrorism threat against all Seattle area mosques. There are rumors of upcoming White Supremacist activities in Seattle in the upcoming weeks. We cannot allow public officials to use their taxpayer funded soapbox to incite hatred and violence towards Muslims. Such language is morally reprehensible, and as noted above, plays into the propaganda regime of Daesh thugs.
We need to take a stand against bigotry and hatred. I have started a petition calling for Representative Rodne to apologize and resign. Please sign the petition and share it. The only way we can move forward is with love; we must criticize displays of hate.