The Muslims are coming

When representative-elect Keith Ellison (D-MN) became the first Muslim elected to Congress last November, it was celebrated by many as a step forward for inclusion. But not by all: CNN's Glenn Beck, for example, famously insisted that Ellison "prove ... that you are not working with our enemies."

Rep. Ellison's request to be sworn in using the book of his faith, the Koran, also ignited deep fears among certain elements of the right. Exhibit A: Rep. Virgil Goode (R) of Virginia, who quickly mailed a letter to his closest supporters warning that the Ellison episode was proof that the U.S. must close its borders to guard against hordes of incoming Muslims.

By some unfortunate error, Goode's letter made its way to an active Sierra Club member, who promptly delivered it to Charlottesville's C-Ville Weekly. Below is a copy of the letter, made available courtesy of TPM Muckraker (see another version here). In the missive, Goode assures agitated readers that he will do all in his power to stem the Islamic invasion, and lays to rest any speculation that he planned to nail a copy of The Koran to his office walls: