BROOKINGS - Newly-elected Biereland Gov. Ben Jordan is facing mounting criticism after expressing sympathy for anti-Islam protesters.
Jordan, a Conservative, told GBC Radio he can see why anti-Islam protesters, whom have staged large rallies and riots across Grassadellia and much of Europe in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting and similar attacks in France, are upset.
"I can understand why people are upset. We've treated radical Islamic terrorists with kid gloves in this country, and in all Western countries, out of fear of being politically incorrect. We've sugar-coated radical Islam. We go around saying these terrorists are 'not really Muslim.' And we call Islam a 'religion of peace.' We've been reluctant to call these terrorists what they are: murderous, barbaric savages. Because of political correctness, we have made our country vulnerable to terrorist attacks because we're afraid to confront the issue because we don't want to step on any toes. It's insanity," said Jordan in a press conference outside the Biereland capital building in Brookings.
Jordan insisted he does not condone hatred or discrimination toward Muslims.
"There are good Muslim people out there, that are peaceful and law-abiding. And we ought to support those good Muslim people and acknowledge them and praise them for being valuable members of our society. But at the same time, we can't ignore those who use the banner of religion as a pretext for extremism and violence against our citizens and our democratic principles," he said.
Jordan said he does not endorse the groups organizing the protests.
"I don't agree with much of their message. Much of what they're saying and doing is based on ignorance and generalities. I don't believe all Muslims are bad people, and I don't think we should discriminate against anyone based on their color or race or nationality or religion. But I can certainly see why many people feel frustrated in this country..frustrated that the government is naive on this issue, frustrated that our culture instantly brands you as a racist if you call out religious extremists. We need to be able to call evil what it is: evil, without fear of reprisal or being labeled a bigot," said Jordan.
The governor's comments have drawn ire from political and faith leaders alike.
"He is just such an embarrassment to our state," San Bartholomew (N), who lost re-election to Jordan in December, told host John Rogers on Brooking's 1450 AM "The Big Squeeze."
"How the governor of a state could side with a racist, white supremacist group that advocates hatred and bigotry, it's beyond me." said Bartholomew.
Hadim Masoud, Director of the Brookings Islamic Center, told the Greene Mountain Press (GMP) that Jordan's comments were reckless.
"The last thing these radical Aryan protesters need is a well-known Conservative politician backing them publicly. That just add oxygen to their fire," said Massoud.
"If the governor truly had an interest in racial harmony, he would be sitting down with Muslim leaders and talking about how to engage the Muslim community in a positive way," added Massoud.
Brookings Mayor Rich DeFrancesco - who ran for governor last year but lost against Jordan in the CNS primary - told the GMP he does not support the anti-Islam protests, but he does recognize the threat of terrorism and extremism.
"My number one priority as mayor of this city is to keep the people of our city safe. And there is a very real threat of terrorist attacks by religious extremists, of all religions. I think we need to be cognizant of the threat of terror and the danger that is very present, but we need to be sure not to point the finger at one group. Terrorism comes in all shapes and forms," said the mayor.
"I think these protests do more harm than good. We need to be building bridges between white Grassadellians and Middle Eastern Grassadellians, and these protests really just burn a lot of those bridges," said DeFrancesco.
Jordan's comments were assailed by other political leaders, including Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N), who called Jordan a "dumbf--k" for embracing the anti-Islam movement.
"I don't even know the man but his comments just go to show how ignorant and uninformed a lot of old white rich men in this country are," Penora told the Mattinow Aurora newspaper.
Meanwhile, in Wilkonshire, Gov. Caroline Jepsey (N) attended a "unity event" in Christon in the wake of anti-Islam protests there last week.
Jepsey told the NPF, "I think in light of what's gone on lately in France and Belgium and the Middle East, I think we as a city, as a state, as a country, we really need to come together and show our Muslim brothers and sisters that we do not brand them with this terrorist label. Some extreme people have used religion as a weapon, but the vast majority of Muslim Grassadellians are good, honest, peaceful people. And this unity gathering is really to show our support for the Muslim community."
A spokesperson for Ben Jordan's office said the governor plans to meet with anti-Islam protesters and local Muslim leaders.
"Governor Jordan sees both sides of this issue, and he understands that there are grievances and fears on both sides, and each party has concerns, and he wants to meet with both sides and express his support for non-violence, for racial unity, for protection against terrorism, and for mutual understanding," said spokesman Kyle Landers.
Jordan, a Conservative, told GBC Radio he can see why anti-Islam protesters, whom have staged large rallies and riots across Grassadellia and much of Europe in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting and similar attacks in France, are upset.
"I can understand why people are upset. We've treated radical Islamic terrorists with kid gloves in this country, and in all Western countries, out of fear of being politically incorrect. We've sugar-coated radical Islam. We go around saying these terrorists are 'not really Muslim.' And we call Islam a 'religion of peace.' We've been reluctant to call these terrorists what they are: murderous, barbaric savages. Because of political correctness, we have made our country vulnerable to terrorist attacks because we're afraid to confront the issue because we don't want to step on any toes. It's insanity," said Jordan in a press conference outside the Biereland capital building in Brookings.
Jordan insisted he does not condone hatred or discrimination toward Muslims.
"There are good Muslim people out there, that are peaceful and law-abiding. And we ought to support those good Muslim people and acknowledge them and praise them for being valuable members of our society. But at the same time, we can't ignore those who use the banner of religion as a pretext for extremism and violence against our citizens and our democratic principles," he said.
Jordan said he does not endorse the groups organizing the protests.
"I don't agree with much of their message. Much of what they're saying and doing is based on ignorance and generalities. I don't believe all Muslims are bad people, and I don't think we should discriminate against anyone based on their color or race or nationality or religion. But I can certainly see why many people feel frustrated in this country..frustrated that the government is naive on this issue, frustrated that our culture instantly brands you as a racist if you call out religious extremists. We need to be able to call evil what it is: evil, without fear of reprisal or being labeled a bigot," said Jordan.
The governor's comments have drawn ire from political and faith leaders alike.
"He is just such an embarrassment to our state," San Bartholomew (N), who lost re-election to Jordan in December, told host John Rogers on Brooking's 1450 AM "The Big Squeeze."
"How the governor of a state could side with a racist, white supremacist group that advocates hatred and bigotry, it's beyond me." said Bartholomew.
Hadim Masoud, Director of the Brookings Islamic Center, told the Greene Mountain Press (GMP) that Jordan's comments were reckless.
"The last thing these radical Aryan protesters need is a well-known Conservative politician backing them publicly. That just add oxygen to their fire," said Massoud.
"If the governor truly had an interest in racial harmony, he would be sitting down with Muslim leaders and talking about how to engage the Muslim community in a positive way," added Massoud.
Brookings Mayor Rich DeFrancesco - who ran for governor last year but lost against Jordan in the CNS primary - told the GMP he does not support the anti-Islam protests, but he does recognize the threat of terrorism and extremism.
"My number one priority as mayor of this city is to keep the people of our city safe. And there is a very real threat of terrorist attacks by religious extremists, of all religions. I think we need to be cognizant of the threat of terror and the danger that is very present, but we need to be sure not to point the finger at one group. Terrorism comes in all shapes and forms," said the mayor.
"I think these protests do more harm than good. We need to be building bridges between white Grassadellians and Middle Eastern Grassadellians, and these protests really just burn a lot of those bridges," said DeFrancesco.
Jordan's comments were assailed by other political leaders, including Damoign Gov. Rod Penora (N), who called Jordan a "dumbf--k" for embracing the anti-Islam movement.
"I don't even know the man but his comments just go to show how ignorant and uninformed a lot of old white rich men in this country are," Penora told the Mattinow Aurora newspaper.
Meanwhile, in Wilkonshire, Gov. Caroline Jepsey (N) attended a "unity event" in Christon in the wake of anti-Islam protests there last week.
Jepsey told the NPF, "I think in light of what's gone on lately in France and Belgium and the Middle East, I think we as a city, as a state, as a country, we really need to come together and show our Muslim brothers and sisters that we do not brand them with this terrorist label. Some extreme people have used religion as a weapon, but the vast majority of Muslim Grassadellians are good, honest, peaceful people. And this unity gathering is really to show our support for the Muslim community."
A spokesperson for Ben Jordan's office said the governor plans to meet with anti-Islam protesters and local Muslim leaders.
"Governor Jordan sees both sides of this issue, and he understands that there are grievances and fears on both sides, and each party has concerns, and he wants to meet with both sides and express his support for non-violence, for racial unity, for protection against terrorism, and for mutual understanding," said spokesman Kyle Landers.
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