What was actually said is really important. Always.
Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson is under fire for comments he made toward the end of his appearance on NBC's Meet The Press on 9/20/2015. Here's a video excerpt from the show that contains the comments in question.
And for those who don't like watching video, or who want to parse the language of the statement, here is a transcript of this portion of the conversation:
"CHUCK TODD:
Let me wrap this up by finally dealing with what's been going on, Donald Trump, and a deal with a questioner that claimed that the president was Muslim. Let me ask you the question this way: Should a President's faith matter? Should your faith matter to voters?
DR. BEN CARSON:
Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the constitution, no problem.
CHUCK TODD:
So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the constitution?
DR. BEN CARSON:
No, I don't, I do not.
CHUCK TODD:
So you--
DR. BEN CARSON:
I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.
CHUCK TODD:
And would you ever consider voting for a Muslim for Congress?
DR. BEN CARSON:
Congress is a different story, but it depends on who that Muslim is and what their policies are, just as it depends on what anybody else says, you know. And, you know, if there's somebody who's of any faith, but they say things, and their life has been consistent with things that will elevate this nation and make it possible for everybody to succeed, and bring peace and harmony, then I'm with them."
While I'm on a quoting binge, let me quote a section of the Constitution. You know, the one that Dr. Carson believes being a Muslim is not consistent with following.
Article VI, paragraph three states: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
While Dr. Carson may be a renowned medical scholar, clearly he is not strong on interpreting and understanding our nation's Constitution. We do not litmus test members of the any of the three branches of government, elected, appointed or hired; regarding religion. Or lack thereof.
I would have had no problem with Dr. Carson saying that it would be inconsistent with our Constitution for a Muslim who was elected president to impose Sharia law on the United States. But that isn't what he said. Most followers of Islam who reside in the U.S. aren't interested in forcing the rest of the population to become Muslims, or to live under Muslim law. Some extremists can be found in every corner of the world. More of them in the Middle East, obviously.
Anyone who is a candidate for the highest office in the land who doesn't understand the importance of our freedoms as set forth in the Bill of Rights, is unfit to serve.
Dr. Carson, perhaps you should stop reading the talking points prepared for you by your handlers and spend a few minutes reading the Federalist Papers, #9 and #10. It would help you a lot.
And for those who don't like watching video, or who want to parse the language of the statement, here is a transcript of this portion of the conversation:
"CHUCK TODD:
Let me wrap this up by finally dealing with what's been going on, Donald Trump, and a deal with a questioner that claimed that the president was Muslim. Let me ask you the question this way: Should a President's faith matter? Should your faith matter to voters?
DR. BEN CARSON:
Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the constitution, no problem.
CHUCK TODD:
So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the constitution?
DR. BEN CARSON:
No, I don't, I do not.
CHUCK TODD:
So you--
DR. BEN CARSON:
I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.
CHUCK TODD:
And would you ever consider voting for a Muslim for Congress?
DR. BEN CARSON:
Congress is a different story, but it depends on who that Muslim is and what their policies are, just as it depends on what anybody else says, you know. And, you know, if there's somebody who's of any faith, but they say things, and their life has been consistent with things that will elevate this nation and make it possible for everybody to succeed, and bring peace and harmony, then I'm with them."
While I'm on a quoting binge, let me quote a section of the Constitution. You know, the one that Dr. Carson believes being a Muslim is not consistent with following.
Article VI, paragraph three states: "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
While Dr. Carson may be a renowned medical scholar, clearly he is not strong on interpreting and understanding our nation's Constitution. We do not litmus test members of the any of the three branches of government, elected, appointed or hired; regarding religion. Or lack thereof.
I would have had no problem with Dr. Carson saying that it would be inconsistent with our Constitution for a Muslim who was elected president to impose Sharia law on the United States. But that isn't what he said. Most followers of Islam who reside in the U.S. aren't interested in forcing the rest of the population to become Muslims, or to live under Muslim law. Some extremists can be found in every corner of the world. More of them in the Middle East, obviously.
Anyone who is a candidate for the highest office in the land who doesn't understand the importance of our freedoms as set forth in the Bill of Rights, is unfit to serve.
Dr. Carson, perhaps you should stop reading the talking points prepared for you by your handlers and spend a few minutes reading the Federalist Papers, #9 and #10. It would help you a lot.
posted by me at 4:26 PM
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