First Fox, now CNN decides to abandon any semblance of journalistic integrity. They've descended into outright bigotry. I saw this first at
Huffington Post, and followed it over to its origin, at
Media Matters: Glenn Beck interviewed Keith Ellison (D-MN-elect), whom we all know is the first Muslim ever elected to Congress. And Glenn Beck, straightfaced, had this to say right off the bat -- just to get things straight, mind you:
[Y]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."
It's just as outrageous after the jump.
Media Matters has the
video of this absolutely outrageous exchange:
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.
Yeah, right. Beck might as well have said "No offense, raghead, but will you prove to me that you're not a raghead terrorist suicide bomber who worships the false god "Allah" and personally sponsored the 21st hijacker on 9/11? Because, you know, those raghead Muslim Somalis who are not really American at all and shouldn't have been voting, voted you in as their personal raghead representative to bring down America."
DKos, this can't go unanswered. Please write to CNN and Beck, and let them know that you will not tolerate bigotry and that you won't tolerate CNN descending to the gutter level of Fox. And maybe write a note to Ellison, too. Just to say "Welcome."