Update (2 p.m. Wednesday): U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann fired back this afternoon in the ongoing war of words with U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison over her charges of Muslim Brotherhood "penetration" into the federal government:
“The letters my colleagues and I sent on June 13 to the Inspectors General of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice and the Department of State—and the follow up letter I wrote to Rep. Ellison on July 13—are unfortunately being distorted.
“I encourage everyone, including media outlets, to read them in their entirety. The intention of the letters was to outline the serious national security concerns I had and ask for answers to questions regarding the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical group’s access to top Obama administration officials.
“Most recently, the State Department shockingly decided to give Hani Nour Eldin, a member of an Egyptian designed terrorist group, a visa to not only enter the country in violation of the federal laws prohibiting material support for terrorism, but to be granted a meeting inside the White House with National Security Council officials.
“The terror group member used the opportunity of his White House visit to call for the release of the imprisoned leader of his organization, the “Blind Sheikh,” Omar Abdel Rahman, who is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and later planned terror plots inside the U.S.
“This is just the latest example of the dangerous national security decisions made by the Obama administration. I will not be silent as this administration appeases our enemies instead of telling the truth about the threats our country faces.”
Update (12:15 p.m. Wednesday): Read the letter U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison sent today to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the first PDF uploaded to this post. Also see Bachmann's original June 13, 2012, letter to federal authorities about the Muslim Brotherhood penetrating the U.S. government.
Original post (9:35 a.m. Wednesday): U.S. Rep. Michele of the federal government is "untrue" and a "phantom," U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-MN) told Anderson Cooper on CNN Tuesday night.
"It just is the worst of guilt by association; it is a stark front to American values," said Ellison, who represents Minnesota Fifth Congressional District, including cities such as Fridley, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis, Richfield and Hopkins. (Some parts of Edina will join the Fifth District next year due to redistricting.)
Bachmann's district is to the north and east of Ellison's and includes such cities as St. Michael, Woodbury and Stillwater.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8wIq2HMAg
Thanks, Edward!! I am crossing my fingers and toes that this is work of a group of (older) GOP members who have decided that this woman is an embarrassment to their party, to Congress, and to any rational thinking adult.
Even her own party can't tolerate hate speech and bigotry any longer. Will 6th district re-elect her?
I've met both and listened and watched intently to what each says and does. I will admit to having talked to Michele many more times than Ellison. She's an avowed lightning rod for causes she believes in .... and certainly I dont agree with all of her statements. The spending on the Stillwater bridge (acknowledged by almost everyone to be necessary given the life support status of the current one) is more than I would like. It certainly will "benefit" far more than 10,000 people. Almost every politcian connected to fixing the situation has supported replacement of that bridge, fyi. I would strenuously disagree with you about Michele being a big spender though....she does not typically take the "bring home the bacon" approach that most politicians take to get elected. She was in major opposition to the terrible "Northstar line" (which runs through her district), for example She advocates for a strong defense and limited government - things that our constitution actually say. McCain ? While I respect him for his military service -- he's a RINO as a politican. And because of his big government approach to solving problems -- I do not trust his views. Most fiscal/liberty minded people feel the same way...which is why we have the current fraud as POTUS.
How on earth do you rationalize supporting someone who has contradicted her (national) position for the benefit of her own district (actually it benefits those in Wisconsin far more than those in Minnesota) and has over and over been PROVEN to be lying? When she is proven wrong, she either foolishly stands by her lie, or forgets she ever said it. Hopefully more Republicans will start speaking out against her, and she will be defeated in the next election. As my Represntative, I have also spoken with her. Although personable enough, I think her public statements (especially the lies) say more about her character than any five minute conversation.
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/07/18/bachmann-former-campaign-chief-shame-on-michele/?intcmp=trending#ixzz210ivfo9G
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/07/19/politics/boehner-bachmann/
I don't think she contradicted her position at all on the Stillwater bridge issue. She's always been for this specific project - as she wanted to ensure that this way out of date bridge was replaced. I would have preferred a less expensive bridge as well, but 40% of the cost of this thing is for foundation only due to river bottom considerations Which brings up the usual conundrum -- Franken, Klobuchar, Dayton and other leftists were as instrumental in supporting this as Bachmann was. Are they hypocrites as well?
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20120719/news01/307190037/more-lawmakers-condemn-bachmann-s-muslim-brotherhood-claims?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|umbrella
http://thinkprogress.org/security/2012/07/17/529071/bachmann-islamophobic-egpyt-clinton/
I am disappointed in Senators Klobuchar and Franken, and Governor Dayton, but hypocrites? I didn't see them running all over the country in the last year preaching about overspending. I did say Bachmann contradicted her (national) position, and I guess I should have clarified it better for you. I meant her position on "no more (over) spending"....not her position on the bridge.
The 40% estimate comes from MNDot...not me. Regardless, the conundrum is that liberals can run all over and promise all sorts of pork and massive socialist government programs and not be called a "hypocrite" - yet, if a fiscal conservative backs something - they are branded that way. If Franken, Klobuchar, Dayton and almost all Democrats aren't hypocrites because they advocate for budget busting, unsustainable spending then they need be referred to as thieves, dishonest traitors or something of the like. What both parties, but Democrats in particular have done to the country for the future generations is treasonous. I can take slight comfort in knowing that you feel the same way as I do about the political fraud that brought about the Vikings Stadium (much like the Twins stadium). Politicians always reaching into taxpayers pocketbook to buy votes. period
Either way, this topic is about Bachmann and another of her ludicrous accusations. I really have a hard time understanding how anyone can trust and/or support her, especially since her own party is turning against her on this one. She has crossed the line and been caught in too many lies and exaggerations...and I don't mean lies that the talking heads create, I mean real, in your face lies. p.s. the link is MNDOT's pricing. Are you saying that they were right then, or now? Never mind, it's a discussion for another day/thread.
Some very interesting sources and insights.
http://www.sctimes.com/article/20120720/news01/307190037/bachmann-ellison-has-ties-muslim-brotherhood?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|umbrella
"In an interview with radio host Glenn Beck on Thursday, Bachmann asserted that Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, has a long record of being associated with the Muslim Brotherhood." "Bachmann offered no evidence of ties between Ellison and the Muslim Brotherhood during the Beck interview."