Posted on 02/02/2019 11:39:02 AM PST by Kaslin
In a surprising op-ed, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who has announced she is running for President, called out fellow Democrats for fomenting “religious bigotry” during the confirmation of some of President Trump’s recent judicial nominees.
Although she did not call them out by name, Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) were undoubtedly in Gabbard’s crossfire, as both Democrat Senators recently (and repeatedly) asked Brian Buescher, a nominee to the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, about his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a faith-based, service organization that supports the Catholic Church’s historical teaching on marriage, abortion, and human sexuality.
With around two million members, the group is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal service organization and is known for their philanthropic and charitable efforts. From 2007-2017, the Knights donated $1.55 billion to charity.
In her op-ed, Gabbard argued that disqualifying a nominee for their “affiliation with the Knights of Columbus” is a form of “religious bigotry.” While Gabbard’s office claimed the piece was not directed at Hirono, the senator’s recent attacks on Buescher fit the intolerance Gabbard condemns.
In fact, in questions submitted to the nominee on December 5, 2018, Hirono explicitly asked Buescher if he would terminate his membership in the Knights of Columbus, an organization the forty-three year old nominee joined when he was 18. Hirono alleged that the Knights of Columbus have taken “a number of extreme positions” on social issues including abortion and marriage—these “positions” being none other than the 2,000 year old historic Christian positions on these issues.
Hirono’s questioning mirrored Senator Kamala Harris who also pointedly asked Buescher whether he agreed with the pro-life views of Carl Anderson, the chief executive officer of the Knights of Columbus.
Thus, though unnamed in Gabbard’s article, Hirono and Harris fit the description of “elected leaders engaging in religion-baiting” for their thinly-veiled attacks on Buescher’s Catholic faith. In the piece Gabbard insightfully notes that “If Buescher is “unqualified” because of his Catholicism and affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, then President John F. Kennedy, and the ‘liberal lion of the Senate’ Ted Kennedy would have been “unqualified” for the same reasons.”
Gabbard goes on to compare recent attacks on Buescher’s faith to comments made by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) in 2017 when she referred to then-U.S. Circuit Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s faith. At the time Feinstein feared “the dogma lives loudly within you,” and implied that Barrett’s adherence to her faith was “a concern.”
Feinstein was roundly criticized for the remarks as a violation of Article VI of the Constitution which forbids a religious test for public office. Even the New York Times called the remarks “symptomatic of a repressive turn among Western liberals.”
Carl Anderson also made the connection between Feinstein and Hirono and Harris, noting the religious test being applied by them.
Tulsi Gabbard ought to be commended for her willingness to call out religious bigotry in her own party. It would be great if she would apply her perspective across the board, however. She undermines her own argument with her continued co-sponsorship of the radical, so-called Equality Act that would severely undermine religious freedom.
Incredibly, the Equality Act explicitly “prohibits the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 from providing a claim, defense, or basis for challenging” protections based on highly disputed views of “gender” and human sexuality. This means that those with religious objections to same-sex marriage or transgenderism could be forced to affirm practices and beliefs that conflict with their deeply held religious convictions. It provides “equal” treatment—except for people of faith.
As someone who once volunteered for a twelve-month tour in Iraq to serve in a field medical unit as a specialist in a combat zone, Tulsi Gabbard is not afraid to fight for her values. Her recent defense of religious liberty as a revered American ideal amid intolerant rhetoric from prominent members of her own party is admirable and courageous.
However, by continuing to endorse the Equality Act she undermines her own credibility on the issue. If Gabbard sincerely supports religious liberty for all Americans, she should withdraw her sponsorship and reject a bill that would disastrously affect the lives of millions of Americans whose religious beliefs differ from the left on issues related to marriage and human sexuality. Leaders must apply religious liberty equally in all situations, and that is something she has yet to do.
As she runs for her party’s nomination in what will most assuredly be a crowded field of candidates, bucking party leadership on the Equality Act and taking a stand on religious liberty would truly distinguish Gabbard. She can demonstrate to the majority of American voters who hold conservative values— and those that, regardless of their personal views, believe that the government shouldn’t discriminate against individuals because of their belief in natural marriage— that there are still some Democratic leaders who have not capitulated to the loudest voices on the far left.
This woman needs to convert to the Republican party because she is done in Democratic circles. I know she’s not perfect on all issues, but she better get back on the Democratic plantation or she’ll be getting Schultzed (as in Presidential candidate Howard Schultz)
As someone who once volunteered for a twelve-month tour in Iraq to serve in a field medical unit as a specialist in a combat zone, Tulsi Gabbard is not afraid to fight for her values
She’lol be a potential VP choice because of her “moderate” views.
Run as a centrist, govern as a leftist. This is what they do folks. Please do not believe any democrat when they say things like this. They lie!
JoMa
Tulsi Gabbard is being viciously attacked by the Democratic Establishment for her integrity. They’re trying to smear her as a puppet of Assad and Putin to try and kill her campaign before the primaries even begin.
News 1 hour ago:
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Toast
A rat with morals. she won’t last!
EXACTLY!
She seems to be a reasonable person on some issues especially on foreign policy and defense? WTF is she doing in the RAT Party? I’m guessing since it’s hard for a Republican to win in Hawaii she chose to run for Congress as a RAT out of political expediency.
‘I know she’s not perfect...’
oh, I don’t know, I wouldn’t mind...
In a surprising op-ed, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), who has announced she is running for President, called out fellow Democrats for fomenting “religious bigotry” ... Although she did not call them out by name, Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) were undoubtedly in Gabbard’s crossfire, as both Democrat Senators recently (and repeatedly) asked Brian Buescher, a nominee to the U.S. District Court in Nebraska, about his affiliation with the Knights of Columbus, a faith-based, service organization that supports the Catholic Church’s historical teaching on marriage, abortion, and human sexuality.
What a fluff piece.
She's not going to turn out to be the wind that comes sweeping down the plain. Her opponents will bury her in her own baggage. If anything is to happen for her in the future, she'll have to switch parties.
His goose is cooked. Anybody notice coonman and kkk man are both holding beer cans and beer is referred to in the photo. Oh boy.
The liberal press has decided to ‘believe him’... what a surprise.
/s
She panders
Oh, I don't know about that. I heard she's been tapped to give the democrat response to the state of the union speech Tuesday.
It was already announced that the response to SOTU is being given by Stacy Abrams.
Don’t kid yourselves. Gabbard is anti 2A, pro feminism, and a tax and spend leftist.
She doesn’t come off as such, and that’s why she’s dangerous. Don’t fear Kamala Harris. Fear Tulsi Gabbard. She could defeat Trump pretty easily and would do most of what Harris or Sparticus would do.
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