Chris Christie is Tired of the Crazies

New Jersey's Republican Governor, Chris Christie, has come forward with a powerful and, like usual, robust defense of a recent appointment of a Muslim judge, Sohail Mohammed.  When questioned whether his appointment could lead to sharia law in New Jersey courts, Christie went on the attack, declaring that "Ignorance is behind the criticism of Sohail Mohammed.... Sharia Law has nothing to do with this at all, it’s crazy!"  He went on to exclaim that he is "tired of dealing with the crazies." (See video clip at 2:47.)

Once again Chris Christie manages to impress with his demeanor and no-BS style.  His honesty, candor, and ability to avoid the mudslinging of politics, is laudable - characteristics that other politicians should try to emulate.

But, not only is Christie's response commendable, his argument is dead-on.  Far too many Americans are too willing to denigrate good Muslim-Americans just because of their religious beliefs.  Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain is one of the most recent examples.  This sort of religious stigmatization is completely un-American.  As a nation, we are supposed to be committed to freedom of religion and acknowledge that an individual's private beliefs do not automatically disqualify him from holding public office.  But even worse, such rampant vitriol against Muslims distracts from real threats and creates false "lines-in-the-sand".  Radical Islamists threaten this country, not all Muslims.  America should be wise to make allies with good Muslim-Americans, not engage in counterproductive fear-mongering and stereotyping.