This IS A Joke, Isn’t It?
Please tell me this is a gag piece in the Hill.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) believes it is his right as a Muslim to be sworn into Congress with the Quran. But apparently, the freshman lawmaker doesn’t believe it’s Rep. Tom Tancredo’s (R-Colo.) right to smoke a cigar in his congressional office.
Ellison’s office called the Capitol Hill Police on Tancredo last Wednesday night as Tancredo was in his office smoking a cigar. The lawmakers have neighboring offices on the first floor of the Longworth House Office Building.
Tancredo was still stunned a day later. “It’s very bizarre,” said Tancredo, who has never met Ellison. “Seemed to me not a good way to say hello.”
And let’s face it. Calling the cops on a colleague takes the cake for the nerviest behavior so far among members of this year’s freshman class of Congress.
This is how it all went down. On Wednesday evening, around 6 p.m., Tancredo was preparing for his trip to Mississippi. And as he so often does, he was unwinding with a cigar.
Soon enough, however, a police officer walked in to check on the smoke. The officer told Tancredo that the officer came because he was required to do so and not because the officer wanted to. The officer had already told Ellison that Tancredo was permitted to smoke in his office. The visit was more a formality.
This is a member of the United States House of Representatives? This is an elected official? Really? Calling the police over something which is a) not illegal and b) absolutely allowed in the offices. Although his press secretary made the actual call, Ellison was informed and approved. I'm thinking Tancredo really needs to throw a great big Limburger and red onion party. That would amuse Ellison and his staff to no end. The Capitol police wouldn't respond, though. Not if they value their noses.
This is a member of the United States House of Representatives? This is an elected official? Really? Calling the police over something which is a) not illegal and b) absolutely allowed in the offices. Although his press secretary made the actual call, Ellison was informed and approved. I'm thinking Tancredo really needs to throw a great big Limburger and red onion party. That would amuse Ellison and his staff to no end. The Capitol police wouldn't respond, though. Not if they value their noses.
Dumb Stuff, Politics | Gaius Wednesday, 14 February , 2007
By Chet, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 1:11 pm
I was under the impression that there was no smoking allowed in government buildings. Part of the Clean Air Act, or something?
By Gaius, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Congress exempts itself from virtually all regulations. You should know that.
By Jeff, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Invite Teddy Kennedy over for a Boston Baked beans w/ham party…
By Granddaddy Long Legs, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 2:19 pm
Sharper Image has made a fortune off of Ionic Breeze sales to the Hill. There used to be a few of them in the rules committee room in the Capitol when Dreier was Chair.
By Gaius, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 2:21 pm
That would set off all the toxic gas detectors.
By Lars Walker, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 2:31 pm
This is my congressional representative.
I tell you this purely to play the victim card.
By Quilly Mammoth, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Hey Lars, just finished Erling’s Word from Christine’s stash. Pretty darn good stuff, well done.
By Lars Walker, Wednesday, 14 February , 2007 @ 7:41 pm
Thanks much. I appreciate the endorsement.
By OldeForce, Thursday, 15 February , 2007 @ 1:19 am
Tancredo’s my Congressman. I’ve been at a few places the same time he’s been there. He spares no punches - which is probably why they had a cop go to his office. I’m calling the local Tancredo office here in Colorado in the morning to find out what his favorite cigar is, then sending him a box. [Yes, I agree with much of what Tom says; but, no, I think I'd rather have him as the burr-under-the-saddle Congressman rather than as President.]