Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) is the latest target of the radical Islamist front group known as the Council on American Islamic Relations, after he wrote a letter to constituents criticizing Keith Ellison for using a Koran at his swearing-in ceremony: Goode won’t retract letter critical of Ellison. (Hat tip: Gates of Vienna.)

You can find the full letter at TPM Muckraker, a “progressive” site that’s beating the racism drum as hard as they can: Virgil Goode Archives.

Rep. Goode’s comments are at best insensitive, and at worst, over the top. But the level of outrage directed at him is also over the top, and is part of a concerted, ongoing effort by CAIR to silence critics of their Saudi-funded Islamist agenda, aided by useful idiots like the TPM crew. Unfortunately, Goode’s ham-fisted remarks gave them ammunition.

Keith Ellison, for his part, says there’s “really nothing to fear” from Muslims.

But for some reason, the Franklin County police department is on alert at Goode’s public appearances.

Franklin County Sheriff Quint Overton said he had extra officers at the courthouse Thursday because Goode had received several threatening phone calls.

Asked at the press conference whether he had received any death threats, Goode responded, “No comment.”

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Goode’s remarks sent “a message of intolerance that is unworthy of anyone elected to public office,” and called on Goode to apologize.