My editor at Foreign Policy, Mike Boyer, had this scathing comment on FP Passport today with regard to CNN Headline News‘ reaction to Congressman-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim to be elected to our legislative body:
When it comes to Rep.-elect Keith Ellison of Minnesota, CNN Headline News host Glenn Beck just isn’t sure. That’s because Ellison is Muslim, which Beck said made him “nervous.” Interviewing Ellison on Tuesday, Beck said he felt like questioning Ellison’s loyalty to America. Then he said Ellison “could be” a shining example to European countries that are struggling with multiculturalism.
Seriously, this is why I refuse to watch CNN Headline News, which has the most thoughtless programming of any 24-hour news network. Here’s a news flash for Glenn Beck and CNN producers: Not all Midwesterners are white. And they’re not all Christian, either. Also, you might try learning a thing or two about a congressman-elect before you interview him. Ellison was born in Detroit, not Mogadishu. He hasn’t “integrated” into America — he was born here.
