Posted on 02/13/2007 8:09:35 PM PST by NapkinUser
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) believes it is his right as a Muslim to be sworn into Congress with the Quran. But apparently, the freshman lawmaker doesn’t believe it’s Rep. Tom Tancredo’s (R-Colo.) right to smoke a cigar in his congressional office.
Ellison’s office called the Capitol Hill Police on Tancredo last Wednesday night as Tancredo was in his office smoking a cigar. The lawmakers have neighboring offices on the first floor of the Longworth House Office Building.
Tancredo was still stunned a day later. “It’s very bizarre,” said Tancredo, who has never met Ellison. “Seemed to me not a good way to say hello.”
And let’s face it. Calling the cops on a colleague takes the cake for the nerviest behavior so far among members of this year’s freshman class of Congress.
This is how it all went down. On Wednesday evening, around 6 p.m., Tancredo was preparing for his trip to Mississippi. And as he so often does, he was unwinding with a cigar.
Soon enough, however, a police officer walked in to check on the smoke. The officer told Tancredo that the officer came because he was required to do so and not because the officer wanted to. The officer had already told Ellison that Tancredo was permitted to smoke in his office. The visit was more a formality.
Tancredo said he would not stop smoking in his office. “Heck, no!” he said. “If he [Ellison] would have [had] the courtesy to say something I’m sure I would have been more accommodating to his wishes.”
To help keep his office free of impurities, Tancredo has three air purifiers. And he has no plans to meet Ellison anytime soon. “I’m sure we will, but I’m not going to make a point [of it],” the presidential hopeful said, adding that he supported Ellison’s right to be sworn in with the Quran.
Ellison’s press secretary, Rick Jauert, made the call to the Superintendent’s office when he noticed the smoke. “I called because the smoke was coming through the walls,” Jauert said, adding that the Superintendent’s office referred him to the Capitol Police.
Jauert said he then informed his boss what he had done. He said “fine,” Jauert said. “He’s complained of the smoke before.”
She disgusts me too.
If Tancredo can smoke in a government building, then I should also be able to, but I think I would be arrested.
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
????
Diane Sawyer... who did you think I meant????
Tancredo should order in BBQ pork every day.
If Ellison can get the police to respond when no law has been broken then I should also be able to. But I'm not a Muslim or Patrick Fitzgerald.
If you don't put a reference in your reply...no one knows what you mean.
It is polite to put a reference (like I did, above) to the point you are making.
"If he can't finesse an office-to-office dispute...why are people touting him for higher office???"
This says everything about your alleged smoke argument.
You're a Tancredo hater and nothing else.
Honey...he ain't worth my time, LOLOLOL!!!
I have no idea what you are ranting about.
PAULAT...... IF YOU THOUGHT I MEANT YOU... I AM SO SORRY!! I just didn't think and trust me I will be sure to in the future. I am shocked you would think I meant you..I thought we were friends....thank you for your advice as usual...~P~
Honeybun!!! You and me are fine! Don't worry!
I have no idea what you are ranting about.
Maybe you will understand this simple, old and forever trusty statement:
DON'T GO AWAY MAD, JUST GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
...uhh...nope!!! :)
It takes two for consensus. I think it shows more about Ellison's consensus skills. Calling the cops is a bad way to begin.
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