Buddhist, Hindu Make History With Elections To Congress

[aviv_b]

Tuesday's elections brought two historic firsts for religion in American politics: A Buddhist senator and a Hindu representative -- both from Hawaii -- will join Congress.

Democrat Mazie Hirono beat former Gov. Linda Lingle (R), making Hirono the first Buddhist in the Senate. In Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Tulsi Gabbard defeated

Comments

[halfshellvenus]

I'm glad to see more religious diversity showing up with this election-- too many people need to be reminded that other religions =/= completely divergent thinking. Including the people who have NO religion.

I'm hoping Ami Bera's vote will hold up in the recount vs. Dan Lungren (also my state). Bera is also Indian-American, and also Hindu, and first-generation American. The patriotism you get from newer arrivals-- who believe so strongly in the principles of American-- is just wonderful. Craig Ferguson's 2008 4th of July speech in Boston had me so choked up.

[theguindo]

There's a recount?! Oh HELL no! I saw Bera squeak by with a < 200 vote win and I was ecstatic D=

[halfshellvenus]

There will be at LEAST one, because you know Lungren won't go out the door quietly.

I saw the first tally yesterday, with Bera leading by about 220 votes, and that listed as a 2% lead (!!!! How are so few people voting?).

Lungren is SUCH a pig, and as one of the anti-Obama obstructionists, I really, really want to see him gone. But there is nothing gracious about him, and I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted another recount after this one!

[theguindo]

I saw it listed as a .1% lead so it might've just been bad statistics. Last count I saw was 88,406 to 88,222. But I just googled it and it seems like there are still absentee/provisional ballots to go through?

Fuuuck I hate you Dan Lungren GET OUT OF MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

[mschaos]

I love that this happened

[window_girl]

Hooray! About damn time, too!