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OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) -- Two lawmakers left the floor of the Washington House of Representatives during a prayer by a Muslim religious leader this week, citing patriotism and a lack of interest.
Republicans Lois McMahan of Gig Harbor and Cary Condotta of East Wenatchee walked to the back of the chamber during Monday's invocation by Mohamad Joban, imam of the Islamic Center of Olympia.
McMahan said she did not oppose having a Muslim deliver the prayer but left because ``the religion is the focal point of the hate-America sentiment in the world.''
``It's an issue of patriotism,'' she said. ``Even though the mainstream Islamic religion doesn't profess to hate America, nonetheless it spawns the groups that hate America.''
Now, the Atrios solution is simple - get rid of all prayer in government.