Dr. Ben Carson in Findlay Ohio on Wednesday
Dr. Ben Carson, who is running for the GOP nomination for President in 2016, stopped in my hometown for a visit on Wednesday. WTOL in Toledo had video and a reporter on the scene and she asked about his recent comments about Muslims. He didn’t back down and in fact according to Ben Carson, Ben Carson can’t be President.
The presidential hopeful caused quite a stir recently when he said he would not support a Muslim for president. Despite some backlash, many supporters are rallying for him even more.
“I don’t advocate anybody whose values and principles are not consistent with our constitution,” said Dr. Carson.
The major point Dr. Carson misses is found in Article VI, paragraph 3 of the United States Constitution
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
First off the obvious point is that NO RELIGIOUS TEST SHALL EVER BE REQUIRED. That means a person wanting to be an elected official in this country is not required to be a particular religion or any religion. It is against the law to require such a test and is against the values and principles in our Constitution.
Second, and just as important, all elected officials are required to take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution. That puts the Constitution above personal religious beliefs. People who believe religious beliefs should trump the Constitution have values and principles not consistent with the Constitution.
In one article we find that Dr. Carson can’t be President since his values and principles are not consistent with the Constitution.
That was the highlight of his fact free visit to Findlay. The extra meatball was his comments about wanting to “unite” the country.
Carson told supporters he wants to unite the country.
“Our strength in America is in our unity. We have to stop … the purveyors of division who want to create all kinds of strife in our country,” he said. “They want a war on women, race wars, income wars, religious wars, age wars. None of that stuff is true.”
He called for constructive conversations to resolve disagreements.
The divisiveness has infected the entire popular culture, he warned.
“When you go on the Internet and you look at an article and then you read the comments. You don’t have to go three comments down before people start acting like morons,” he said, drawing laughter. “This is not what America is all about. We have to remember that. We have to do better than that.”
Presidential candidate Carson says he wants to unite country
His comments about divisiveness is the usual conservative projection – complaining about other people doing what you yourself is doing.
Making comments that Muslims can’t be President and attacking reproductive rights is what is divisive.
That was made plain when one of Carson’s supporters parroted his rhetoric about Muslims:
“He’s right, I don’t think a Muslim should be in there. I’ll be totally honest I don’t feel a Muslim should be in there,” said Kim Dunbar.
I’m sure her reasoning as faulty as it is is influenced by right wing talk radio, FOX “news”, and some silly fevered fantasy that members of ISIS would try to run for President.
If Dr. Carson really wants a united country, consistent with the Constitution, then he needs to start with himself and his supporters.
Dr. Ben Carson visits Findlay Ohio 9-23-2015
(His defence of his Muslim comment starts around the 1 minute mark)
