Keith Ellison Responds To Allen West Jab: 'More Respectful And Productive Public Dialogue,' Please

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) responded to harsh criticism from Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.) Tuesday, saying that his Tea Party-backed colleague's comments were unexpected, incorrect and counterproductive in terms of increasing civil discourse between politicians.

On Monday, an interview emerged showing West decrying Ellison, one of two Muslims in the House, as representing "the antithesis of the principles upon which this country was established."

Ellison responded Tuesday in a statement to ThinkProgress:

I was surprised to hear of Congressman West's comments because he has never expressed these sentiments to me directly.

Contrary to the views expressed by Congressman West, I work to represent the highest ideals of our great nation - ideals like freedom of worship and respect for all faiths, equal protection under the law as well as a civil and open public discourse.

I call on Americans of all colors, cultures and faiths to turn to each other, not on each other, especially in the renewed spirit of finding a more respectful and productive public dialogue.

Americans across the country want their public servants to reject the toxic and corrosive chatter that yields more heat than light. I hope to have a productive and respectful dialogue with all of my colleagues, including Allen West.

Comments

[joedaplumper]

11:41 PM on 02/13/2011

West is the male answer to Michelle Bachman. They say bad things always come in threes. Palin makes three.

[tedmore123]

02:26 PM on 01/26/2011

Keith Ellison; a class act all the way. Bravo, well said and may a million times a million offspring of a million biting flies inhabit Allen West's armpits and naughty zone.

[wonder6789]

02:17 PM on 01/26/2011

Spot on response. Bravo.

[oldguru]

02:12 PM on 01/26/2011

Ellison's response was much more gracious than the dingbat West deserved.

[prodemlib]

02:02 PM on 01/26/2011

West is a dangerous L00n. How he was elected is a mystery to me. He claims to be a Christian, but espouses very unchristian-like values

[Pamski]

02:39 PM on 01/26/2011

He's the prototypical coward / bully.

[devildog09]

01:59 PM on 01/26/2011

Where in West's comments does he make any reference to Ellison's religious views? He seems to immediately jump to that conclusion though- again a standard liberal tactic in order to redirect the topic and discredit his critic.

Here is another interpretation: that West was referring to his lack of concern about the founding principles manifested in Art 1 Sect 8 (limited powers of federal gov't), and, like most liberals, his propensity to replace this section of the constitution with a belief that gov't exists and is empowered to fix all problems for all people

[prodemlib]

02:03 PM on 01/26/2011

The man basically said that Muslims were ev-il

[MarieB]

02:07 PM on 01/26/2011

Did you miss reading this article on HP?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/allen-west-keith-ellison_n_813159.html

[myworld]

01:34 PM on 01/26/2011

Flame throwers are the New Black in the tea party!!!

[bobncar]

01:26 PM on 01/26/2011

It hurts to think that Mr. West represents the thinking of his constituents, other wise why did they vote to send him to Washington?

[Steve Rockett]

08:39 PM on 02/12/2011

That is what all regressives claim. They have a mandate. He got elected because, of those who voted, he had the majority vote. This is just as it is in all elections.

[nana-anne]

12:43 PM on 01/26/2011

There where times during the campaign and times now when I wonder if Mr West was ever exposed to a proper education especially in history. His knowledge of the Constitution and the powers of the President are woefully inept. Some of his statements are not in line with any facts or any reality. I feel sorry for the district who sent him as a representive. He makes them look as out of step as he is.

[Oldchef]

12:01 PM on 01/26/2011

What a contrast. Mr. Ellison is completely right. Our country was founded on freedom of religion as one of our most important freedoms. Mr. West is free to express his beliefs also. You have the freedom to be wrong Mr. West.

[Culturegeek]

12:18 PM on 01/26/2011

...And we have the right to tell West that he's wrong-- I mention it not because I think you need the explained to you (you obviously don't, given that it seems to be what you're doing) but because the difference between freedom of speech and freedom from criticism seems to elude conservatives at times.

[Oldchef]

09:38 AM on 01/27/2011

Excellent observation. Thank you.

[Carolyn LeBeauf]

11:55 AM on 01/26/2011

The crazies like West will not be around long. We just have to wait and see what damage he will do to himself, and I assure you, his tongue will be his downfall.

[laborgrunt]

01:24 AM on 01/28/2011

Wow, the security clearance thing is funny.

[salesdude]

10:52 AM on 01/26/2011

I think it's time to go down and rescue my grandma from Florida. I think there must be something in the water because it's just not safe there anymore for rational thinking adults and it hasn't been since the election of 2000.

[Steve Rockett]

08:41 PM on 02/12/2011

Yep, there, Arizona and Texas. Whacko dudy.

[kooldalai]

10:51 AM on 01/26/2011

Ellison sounds like an honorable man. A better person than I am. I would have just responded that West is just ignorant. Glad he gave a better response than many of us.

[emlr]

12:08 PM on 01/26/2011

You mean the fact that he was discharged from the Army after shooting a gun past an Iraqi civilian police officer's head?
No matter what his rank or previous successes he was so wrong and uninformed about the principles our country was founded on. I guess he wasn't in House when they "read" the constitution recently especially the first Amendment.
It makes me sick to think that someone like him was a leader in the Army and is now in congress.

[Harlem-bred]

10:13 AM on 01/26/2011

First we have to bear Kanye... now this clown. We need to arrest Mrs. West.

[noudidnt]

01:05 PM on 01/26/2011

You know you wrong
lol