Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap. Galatians 6: 7 – 9
You don\’t have to be religious to realize that there is a lot of wisdom in the bible. But maybe it takes a little first-hand experience to understand that sowing and reaping stuff.
Phyllis Kahn, a Brooklynite (like me) who transplanted to Minnesota (I only got as far as New Jersey), first won election to Minnesota\’s House of Representatives in 1972 – and has been there ever since. Her politics are far left. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated left winger anywhere.
But now, for the first time in memory, she is facing a real challenge. Her competition is Mohamud Noor, a Somali-born citizen who apparently can count on a vast majority of the large, and rapidly increasing, ancestrally Somali population in District 60B – and from what I am reading has a genuine shot at unseating her.
So far, there is nothing particularly significant about this. Noor, 36 years old and Executive Director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota, is younger, presumably a lot fresher, more dynamic and is drawing upon ethnic loyalty to make his mark – something which is hardly new to politics regardless of which side of the aisle you happen to prefer.
What makes this different is that Ms. Kahn\’s people are openly expressing concern – and casting aspersions – that if Noor wins it will, in part, be due to voter fraud.
Excerpted from Eric Roper and Rachel P. Stassen-Berger\’s article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
The Hennepin County attorney\’s office is investigating whether a private mailbox center in Minneapolis\’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood has been improperly used as an address for more than 140 voters.
State records show that 419 Cedar Avenue S. has been used by some of the voters as far back as 2008.
No one lives at the address, which is a Somali-dominated commercial building housing several small businesses and a popular mail center. Several dozen apartments upstairs use a different building number. Records also show that more than 90 of the registrants at that address have voted in previous elections, although it\’s unclear how many voted while registered at 419 Cedar.
The investigation reignites a long-running debate about voter fraud in Minnesota and is the latest flash point in the highly competitive race between Capitol stalwart Rep. Phyllis Kahn and Mohamud Noor, who would become the first Somali-American elected to the Legislature if elected.
After discovering the number of registrants at 419 Cedar, Brian Rice, an attorney for Kahn\’s campaign, filed a petition asking the county to investigate.
“Every person needs to know they can only vote where they live,” Rice said in an e-mail. “Any person registered at 419 Cedar cannot be allowed to vote from that address.”
The mail center is commonly used by Somali immigrants who need a permanent address to receive important mail, particularly if they move frequently.
In case you think this might just be some fantasy dreamt up by the Star-Tribune, you can also read about the allegations of voter fraud here. And here. And here. With plenty more where that came from.
And for anyone who thinks that, because Kahn and Noor are Democrats, there is no racial/ethnic component involved (that\’s only among Republicans, you see), read this excerpt from Aaron Rupar\’s article at citypages.com:
The campaign of Rep. Phyllis Kahn (D-Minneapolis) has filed two complaints regarding improprieties that have allegedly taken place during her heated primary battle with Mohamud Noor.
One alleges that a Minneapolis elections judge named Fadmo called Kahn “an old Jewish Lady” while interpreting the primary ballot for a Somali man who was recently at City Hall to cast his absentee ballot. On the other hand, Fadmo characterized Noor as “our Muslim brother,” the complaint says.
This, of course, is in all the major media. The network news, the morning shows, the New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, etc. etc. etc. are all over it, with news that Democrats – yes, Democrats – smell the stench of voter fraud, and find racism among their ranks. Right?
Uh…you have seen this on the network news, right? You have read it in the major newspapers, right? I mean, the story was published three days ago, it has to have popped up somewhere besides Minnesota, right?
So much for fantasy – now for reality: unless you happen to be from Minnesota, I am suspecting this blog is the first you know about it. Is that right?
Democrats have spent years and years telling us voter fraud is virtually non-existent. That there is no reason to require Voter ID because the problem does not exist. And if you want to go looking for racial and ethnic enmity in the United States you need go no further than the Republican Party.
These are the seeds they have sown. And now it is harvest time.
It has been said that the definition of a conservative is a liberal who has been mugged. Well, as we see with Phyllis Kahn, the definition of someone who fights voter fraud is someone who has claimed it doesn\’t exist, but might lose her formerly safe seat because of it. Suddenly it is not an abstract, it is very real. Suddenly it isn\’t a political opportunity to sport left wing credentials, it is someone else\’s political opportunity to take her voice away altogether.
Welcome to reality, Rep. Kahn. Be sure to tell your friends all about it.
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Oh, and in case you were wondering, Rachel Stassen-Berger is Harrold E. Stassen\’s Granddaughter. But there are no indications she intends to run for President any time soon.
