THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
(apologies to Keith Olbermann)
Dallas, OR, City Councillor Micky Garus
A national organization is condemning a city councilor in Dallas, Oregon, who wrote on his public Facebook page that the Islamic faith is “pure evil” and compared Muslims to Hitler. Micky Garus, 35, who has served a year and a half on the small Polk County town’s nine-person council, posted a lengthy criticism on his campaign’s Facebook page, where he typically offers commentary on city issues and alerts constituents of upcoming council meetings…. “I’m all for diversity, and I’ll be first in line to fight for everyone’s religious freedoms within reason. I just don’t like religions or people that wish to kill me, wipe out our culture and destroy our country,” he posted last weekend after sharing a link about three Muslim Americans elected to a city council in Michigan…. “We need to stop pandering and address Islam, the Muslims, and the evil that is knocking at our door,” he wrote. “My tolerance does have boundaries!”
Given what I do here on a daily basis, it’s no exaggeration to say that few value the 1st Amendment more than I. The guarantee of free speech is what allows me to offer my opinions and observations without fear of reprisal from a government intolerant of dissent or free thought. That said, even I understand the 1st Amendment is not absolute. Among other things, you can’t make specific threats against the President, you can’t advocate for violent revolution, and you can’t yell “FIRE!!” in a crowded theater. What Garus has done isn’t necessarily a violation of the letter of the 1st Amendment, but it’s certainly a violation of the spirit of it. As an elected public official, Garus represent all Dallas residents, not all of whom may share his religious/political/ideological beliefs. He’s free to express his opinions, but his offense lies in forgetting the responsibilities his position place upon him…and in using that position to spread his hateful views.
Despite what Garus may believe, America is NOT a Christian nation; it’s secular nation with an 80% Christian majority population. That’s no small distinction; what it means is that not all Americans are Christians (myself, f’rinstance) and not all Americans would appreciate being governed by “Christian principles,” whatever that might mean to an individual. Secular governance- the separation of Church and State- is what keeps this country from sliding into theocracy and becoming a Westernized version of Iran or Saudi Arabia. What Garus has done on his “Mickey Garus Dallas City Councilman” Facebook page is to publicly disrespect Americans who also happen to be Muslim. As an elected public official, that represent an irresponsible and highly offensive use of public resources.
The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has asked Garus to repudiate his statements, which group Executive Director Arsalan Bukhari said are bigoted and inaccurately describe Islamic religion. Bukhari said neither Garus nor the city’s mayor had responded to his chapter or the national group.
“This is really about responsible speech,” he said, adding that about 50,000 American Muslims live in Oregon. “When you take the oath of office, you have the responsibility to represent all of the people.”
Bukhari said such speech can lead to physical attacks and bullying, both of which he says have been on the rise nationwide against American Muslims or those who look like Muslims, such as Latinos and some African Americans.
Bukhari is correct, of course; this is absolutely about responsible speech. An elected public official can, should, and must be held to a higher standard of conduct. We should be able to expect such a person to comport themselves in a manner that speaks of respect for ALL citizens he represents, not merely all who profess the approved faith. As someone who uses his “Mickey Garus Dallas City Councilman” Facebook page to peddle hate speech, Garus is in effect using his position to denigrate Muslims and Islam. That an elected official could so openly disrespect an entire minority class is unconscionable. That’s not free speech; that’s irresponsible, hateful speech that has no place in government.
Even more offensive is his non-apologetic mea culpa, in which he expends far more effort justifying the righteousness of his views than apologizing for the hateful ignorance with which he spread them. Just for giggles, I think a point-by-point-response might be in order:
These are my personal opinions and do not represent the City of Dallas its policies or the personal opinions of my fellow councilors.
Then why do they appear on your “Mickey Garus Dallas City Councilman” Facebook page? In your position as an elected representative of the voters of Dallas, how can you reasonably expect your words won’t be misconstrued? And how can you consider those whose only “fault” is not sharing your narrow, fear-based religious beliefs to be “less than?”
I swore an oath to uphold our constitution and in that oath I seek to uphold our freedom and liberty guaranteed in the document.
“I seek to uphold our freedom and liberty….” Whom are you referring to when you say “OUR?” You represent all the residents of Dallas, not all of whom may be Christians; does that render them less worthy of “our freedom and liberty?”
Show me a predominantly Muslim country that enjoys the same type of individual and universal human rights and freedoms, especially in regard to gender and sexual orientation, similar to the United States?
Show me a Christian country in which many Conservative religious zealots wish to make women the rightful property of men? To make workers the virtual property of their bosses? To limit access to the rights and protections afforded by government to co-religionists? Oh, wait…that’s America we’re talking about, isn’t it? Oops….
Can we logically say that an increase of political rule from a religion that historically oppresses individual rights and other religions is a good thing, based on the history of that religion and the associated intolerance that it has displayed?
If you’re proceeding from the assumption that Christianity always has and always will be a harbinger and brave defender of individuals rights, you clearly have no actual knowledge of the history of your religion in this country…or any other. For centuries, Christianity was merely a vehicle used to exercise and enforce political power and social control. Your devotion to individual rights is cute but meaningless.
There are numerous historic examples of the way Islam treats those whom are not believers.
There are numerous historic examples of the way Christians treat those who are not believers. Por ejemplo, it’s illegal in seven states for an atheist to hold elected office. That these bans blatantly violate the intent of the 1st Amendment’s exclusion clause seems of no concern whatsoever to theocrats. I could go on, but if you doubt me, I have but one word to offer in rebuttal: Texas.
There are also numerous current examples of Islamic behavior that fill the headlines every day! Do we want the United States to have more freedoms or fewer freedoms? Do we want the United States to exist in the same type of theocracy as Iran or Saudi Arabia?
So existing in a Christian theocracy is infinitely preferable to those of Iran or Saudi Arabia? One flavor of religious oppression if more desirable than another? And can any country that denies freedoms to a minority class truly claim to be free?
I do not fear the Muslim that lives down the street, I agree the majority of Muslims see freedom of religion as a precious value, but historically when Muslims gain positions of power in government, the acceptance of traditions and practices such as Sharia Law become the norm. That is a diminution of individual rights, especially for women. You only need to look as far as Germany to see examples of women being mistreated by the recent predominantly male Muslim immigrants.
That too many Muslims have subverted the teachings of Mohammed and turned Islam into a vehicle for oppressing women is undeniable. Neither is the truth that too many Christians have bastardized the teachings of Jesus Christ and perverted them into something virtually unrecognizable in their lust for power and control. That doesn’t make bastardized Christianity better than bastardized Islam, it puts them on par with one another.
A recent poll found 51% of Muslims living in the US would prefer being governed by Sharia Law, 60% of Muslim Americans under 30 told Pew research they are more loyal to Islam than America.
A recent poll found that 47% of all statistics are made up on the spot. How about citing your source? Or did you actually just pull those numbers out of your backside?
The city of Irving Texas recently struck down an Islamic tribunal. Mayor Beth VanDuyne was attacked as islamophobic for opposing a Sharia court in her city.
That you would believe that Muslims truly wish to live under “Sharia law” only underscores the depths of your willful ignorance. Sharia is a code of ethics, something along the line of the Ten Commandments. It’s about live a better life, peaceful coexistence, and creating a world in which conflict is minimized. No one was talking about an “Islamic tribunal” or “Sharia court” in her city.
Do we want religious courts in America or do we want to live under the rule of law as outlined by our founding documents?
Again, no one at any point has discussed the imposition of Muslim “religious courts” in America…though there are many in this country who’d have no problem with Christian religious courts. If you’re going to argue against something, might I suggest you actually do some research before you reveal yourself to be just another Right-wing Islamophobe who knows nothings about and cares even less for the truth.
For an elected representative of the people to say that allowing Muslims into elected office will destroy America goes against everything this country was founded. If Garus is so concerned about this country being destroyed, he’d be well-advised to recognize that the biggest threat we face isn’t from Muslims- it’s from Christians, who’ve killed far more Americans that Muslims could ever in their wildest dreams hope to. Ah, but it’s SO much easier to live in denial and deflect blame and suspicion upon a minority class more easily identifiable because they’re not White and profess a religion you can’t be bothered to understand.
Islam isn’t the problem. Radical Fundamentalist Christianity may well be the ticket to theocracy for those who believe tyranny- as long as it’s Christian in nature- isn’t a threat to freedom. Garus should know better…but then he represents a strain of ignorance, reaction, and religious hypocrisy that runs deep in this country.
