Upon learning of the bigoted behavior of senators Bonini and Lawson before, during and after two Muslim citizens of Delaware offered the invocation in the Senate, I sent this email to Senator McBride with copies to Bonini, Lawson and Lopez. It seems that since Jan. 20, the so-called Christian right wing has declared open season on anyone who doesn't look like them, think like them or believe like them.
We must all speak out in the face of such shameful bigotry. To his credit, Senator McBride did not stay silent. Dear Senator McBride - thank you very much for speaking out against the bigotry, small-mindedness and hatefulness of senators Lawson and Bonini. That was not the exercise of free speech; it was hateful discrimination against citizens of this state and has no place in the General Assembly. Surely the Senate is hanging its head in shame today.
As a resident of this state I am outraged and disgusted by their behavior and their language. I don't know what the Senate rules provide for, but, if there is a way to formally censure and punish these two senators, I hope you will pursue that.
I am very hopeful that you will be able to accomplish this on a bi-partisan basis. Surely few other Republicans in the Senate can support such shameful behavior.
Again, my thanks to you for having the courage to speak out after this embarrassing episode.
Don Peterson
Rehoboth Beach
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