Most people know about the ginned-up controversy over newly elected congressman Keith Ellison (D. - Minn.) and his plans to use a Koran for symbolic oaths of office. First of all, the oath of office was administered to the entire Congress at one time, yesterday, by newly-minted Speaker Nancy Pelosi, so all other ceremonies -- such as the one shown on C-Span where members of the Congressional Black Caucus were sworn in -- are simply ceremonial. Second of all, it's a completely stupid controversy, and Ellison has handled it with aplomb.
Today the Washington Post revealed an interesting tidbit about the Ellison flap. Ellison got the copy of the Koran owned by Thomas Jefferson from the Library of Congress for his ceremonies. (Thanks, Jym)
When I first heard of this, I thought that perhaps Jefferson had taken a scissors to the Koran as he did with the Bible. Thankfully -- I think Muslims would object -- he did not.
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