PrintJanuary 10, 2007
Latest Judiciary Committee member
Prominent rising Democratic star Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) the first Moslem member of Congress, has been rewarded. After having first been named to the important House Financial Services Committee he was also just selected to sit on the influential Judiciary Committee.
And just what are the concerns of the Judiciary Committee? It is
a panel that has oversight over issues such as civil liberties, immigration and courts.
As for his future agenda he stated
"I look forward to pursuing a progressive agenda in the committee, including the restoration of American citizen's civil liberties that have come under increasing attack over the past six years," said Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress.Ellison, a freshman lawmaker, said this week he'd like to see a ban on racial profiling, an issue that could come up in the Judiciary Committee.
It will be interesting to see what "American citizen's civil liberties" he thinks that need to be restored as none have been eliminated. Some so-called civil libertarians persistently mention government listening to private phone calls as a gross violation of our civil liberties. However discerning patterns of calls (not listening in to them) has enhanced "American citizen's civil liberties" by increasing our safety. As for banning profiling, just keep that in mind the next time your 88 year old grandmother is thoroughly searched at an airport while, other, more menacing behavior by questionable individuals is overlooked for fear of profiling.
