(Note: This entire post relies on the accuracy of the press account, from the Chicago Maroon, the University of Chicago student newspaper. If this account is incorrect, then neither in the post, in which case I’d just quote Bugs Bunny and say “What a bunch of maroons.”)
NPR humorist Garrison Keillor, in what was surely a joke, said:
Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Keillor proposed a solution to what he deemed a fundamental problem with U.S. elections. “I’m trying to organize support for a constitutional amendment to deny voting rights to Jews,” Keillor smirked. “I feel if your citizenship is in the Nation of Israel — like a Jew’s is — you should give up your citizenship. Sorry, but this is my new cause. If Jews are allowed to vote in this country, then why not Canadians?”
Amusing!
What, you say you aren’t amused? Even though Keillor was surely speaking in jest, you think it’s a jest that’s not in the best taste? Well, fortunately it turns out Keillor did not say the above. Here’s what he did say:
Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Keillor proposed a solution to what he deemed a fundamental problem with U.S. elections. “I’m trying to organize support for a constitutional amendment to deny voting rights to Catholics,” Keillor smirked. “I feel if your loyalty is to a foreign political leader like the Pope — like a Catholic’s is — you should give up your citizenship. Sorry, but this is my new cause. If Catholics are allowed to vote in this country, then why not Canadians?”
Now that’s funny! No, wait, it’s not really funny, and that’s not what he said either, nor did he say it about, for instance, Muslims. Here’s what he really, really did say (and this time it’s true — check out the newspaper article):
Not one to shy away from speaking his mind, Keillor proposed a solution to what he deemed a fundamental problem with U.S. elections. “I’m trying to organize support for a constitutional amendment to deny voting rights to born-again Christians,” Keillor smirked. “I feel if your citizenship is in Heaven — like a born again Christian’s is — you should give up your citizenship. Sorry, but this is my new cause. If born again Christians are allowed to vote in this country, then why not Canadians?”
Now if I’m right that the first two hypotheticals wouldn’t be in the best of taste, even if it were quite clear that Keillor was just joking, then wouldn’t we say the same about the real quote, which referred to born-again Christians?
Thanks to InstaPundit for the pointer.
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