U.S. Rep. Allen West has already tried to end federal funding for National Public Radio. But if he needed another reason to hate NPR, yesterday's "All Things Considered" segment should do the trick.
The story explored West's view of Islam as a "totalitarian, theocratic, political ideology" and his ongoing rhetorical battle with Nezar Hamze, executive director of the South Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
No news there -- the West/Hamze controversy has already been well-documented on the Pulp. But NPR took the story one step further, suggesting that Broward Republicans were more anti-Muslim than their GOP comrades in other states.
Last month, Hamze attempted to join the Broward Republican Executive Committee and was soundly rejected by a "pit of discrimination."
Yet committee Chairman Richard DeNapoli told NPR: "I really don't think this had anything to do with religion. It's just that this was a widely known circumstance where he had made statements against Allen West, and the members reacted to that."
Strike one. Broward Republicans will defend West to the end, even if it makes them look like bigots on national radio. But wait, there's more!
"CAIR officials say they have good relations with other Republicans but that in South Florida at least, the Republican Party and their Tea Party supporters have made Muslims feel unwelcome," NPR reporter Greg Allen said.
Ouch. This means South Florida -- a predominantly Democratic area -- is allegedly more prejudiced against Muslims than other Republican strongholds.
Congratulations, Broward. You are the new Strom Thurmond.
