Essay 1512

By the book (and bookings) with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, plans to take his oath of office with a Koran originally owned by Thomas Jefferson. Ellison said, “It demonstrates that from the very beginning of our country, we had people who were visionary, who were religiously tolerant, who believed that knowledge and wisdom could be gleaned from any number of sources, including the Koran. … A visionary like Thomas Jefferson was not afraid of a different belief system. … This just shows that religious tolerance is the bedrock of our country, and religious differences are nothing to be afraid of.” Don’t expect the critical Rep. Virgil Goode to say, “Amen.”

• Toyota surpassed Chrysler to take the No. 3 position in the U.S., closing in on No. 2 Ford. “I don’t think Ford is going to do more than continue to struggle,” said one analyst. Toyota’s living up to its “Moving Forward” slogan, while Ford’s “Bold Moves” seems like old moves.

• Ford CEO Alan Mulally was about to buy a new Lexus before taking the top job with the U.S. automaker, but he ultimately cancelled the order. Regarding his recent meeting with Toyota honchos, Mulally called Toyota “the finest machine in the world, the finest production system in the world. So we went to study with the master. I really wanted to connect with each of the manufacturers in the industry and to do it quickly.” That may have been the boldest move to date.

• The Donald Trump vs. Rosie O’Donnell saga continues, with Barbara Walters entering the fray. “Donald Trump … said that I am not happy with my decision to bring Rosie O’Donnell to this table. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have never regretted, nor do I now, the hiring of Rosie O'Donnell,” said Walters on the show. Trump continued to insist O’Donnell’s role on The View would not last long and proclaimed, “I mean, that thing will explode because Rosie’s wacko.”

• Mike Tyson may be facing up to seven years in prison for his latest drug-related bust. According to information posted online, the cop that arrested Tyson initially told the boxer he did not appear to be on drugs. But Tyson argued, “I know man, but I am fucked up.” He may soon be locked up.

• Busta Rhymes turned himself in over allegedly beating up a former driver (see Essay 1506). Rhymes remained tight-lipped during the booking process, and he’s scheduled to face a judge today. You do not want to be the person driving Rhymes to the courthouse.

• Beyoncé was dissed by the Oscars. A committee decided to remove her name from the list of songwriters eligible to be nominated for “Dreamgirls” tune “Listen.” The rules apparently allow for only three people to be named as primary songwriters, so the recording artist was dumped from a submitted quartet. Look for boyfriend Jay-Z to organize a boycott.