Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) threw a social media hand grenade on Sunday, tweeting, “If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” 

He did not mention race but his words echoed old segregationist rhetoric that lumped minorities and dogs together as though they were two types of lesser creatures. The congressman’s phrasing was provocative and it drew the sort of righteous disapproval you’d expect.