THE HILL: Democrat condemns ‘shocking’ comments about Muslim lawmaker.

A top House Democrat on Thursday condemned suggestions from conservative websites that Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), a Muslim, should not have been appointed to the House Intelligence Committee.

It has “come to my attention that there have been a shocking amount of comments made in conservative publications and on social media to the effect that Rep. Carson’s integrity is somehow in question as a result of his religion,” Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), vice chairman of the Democratic caucus, said in a letter to members.

“These comments deeply offend me, as I’m sure they offend all of you, which is why I hope all of us will take every opportunity to renounce these kinds of comments and discourage this kind of harmful talk,” he added.

On Wednesday House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi named Carson, along with a handful of other Democrats, to serve on the Intelligence panel, which is privy to some of the nation’s most closely guarded secrets. . . .

Carson is the first-ever Muslim lawmaker to sit on the panel.

Conservative publications online have suggested that Carson, who sat on the House Armed Services Committee in the 113th Congress, should not have been chosen for the committee because he has ties to Islamist groups that have been investigated for supporting terrorism.

Some commentators also noted a speech in 2012 where Carson said American schools should emulate Madrasses and make the Koran the “foundation” of education. After the speech, Carson issued a statement saying he does not believe public schools should be based on any particular faith.

Crowley compared the criticism to questions about President Obama’s citizenship and said “far too many” of such comments “go without response.”

Wasn’t it Hillary who first brought up the birther stuff?