Harwell, Haslam should stand up for Muslim vets
Veterans Day is a time to honor our troops, not slander them. Republican State Rep. Rick Womick seems to have it backward.
Friday, while many of us were celebrating our veterans, Womick, R-Rockvale, had other plans. He spent the day speaking at a conference for anti-Muslim activists, telling the crowd that “we cannot have Muslims in our military because we cannot trust them.” When asked by a reporter about Muslims in the armed forces, Womick replied that they should be forced out.
Unfortunately, these weren’t offhand remarks or quotes taken out of context. According to Womick, any Muslim in an American uniform might be part of a terror plot, and he’s concerned that those who appear to love their country are faking it.
These would be shameful, ignorant words on any given day. On Veterans Day, however, they were particularly repugnant.
Why? Because they marred the remembrance of Humayun Khan, Azhar Ali, Kareem Khan, and others like them — young Americans who served their country in battle, lost their lives as a result, and also happened to practice the Muslim faith.
The views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Truman National Security Project or Educational Institute.
