Sitting on my small farm in Oklahoma, the realization Oklahoma must defend it's self from sharia law has come to my attention. Yes, that is what I said, seems state question 755 up for a vote is getting lots of play by the Oklahoma republicans. This eye opener started about a week ago on a Oklahoma list I am on. It is a list where you can discuss politics and just about anything. It was set up to be a no rules list, so it gets very lively. You will need to disregard my diary structure as I am new at this. Just an old grandma from Oklahoma. It started with this post below.
Let's look at State Question 755
This is the one that amends the Article 7, Section 1 of the state Constitution and will forbid the state courts from considering or using international law or Sharia law.
The measure states that:
"International law is also known as the law of nations. It deals with the
conduct of international organizations and independent nations, such as
countries, states and tribes. It deals with their relationship with each other. It also deals with some of their relationships with persons.
The law of nations is formed by the general assent of civilized nations. Sources of international law also include international agreements, as well as treaties."
Oh well then...Absolutely NO WAY would we want Oklahoma to be associated with any "civilized nations". (Nevermind that Oklahoma has more tribes represented than any other state in the Union.) Does the Republican party think we're all going to have to convert to metric or trade in our currency for Euros? What exactly are these guys afraid of, or, more accurately, what do these guys want YOU to be afraid of? Well, for anyone unable to figure out what this measure is REALLY about, the article also goes on to explain that:
"Sharia Law is Islamic law. It is based on two principal sources, the Koran and the teaching of Mohammed." and Sharia law has been a problem in Oklahoma how exactly? Funny, I don't remember reading about a mandatory head covering ordinance enacted in Tulsa, or for that matter, any other aspect of Sharia law being forced down anyone's throat here. (Um, because it's not happening) The Republicans sponsoring this measure are banking that we'll forget that Oklahoma is still a part of the United States, where the first amendment provides protection from such minor irritants as religious fundamentalist of any flavor forcing their version of morality on the rest of us. But then, why bother with such trivial concerns as the US Constitution when you are busy wrapping yourself in the flag and running on a platform of "US vs. Scary Them"?
Does the GOP really think we're this stupid? Sadly, yes, it does, because
apparently, we are. After all, two of the three gentlemen who wasted their time and taxpayer money on this non issue are running unopposed in November.
As usual the discussion became heated. It evolved to one of those who support this nonsense alerting us to the problem in the UK with mixing laws, well that says it all. I read that post with amazement. Is it time to sell the farm? No not yet, there are those in Oklahoma who will not fall for this. Then yesterday my husband gets a call from a voter census poll in Oklahoma and the laughs begin. Here we go.
Early morning and the phone rings, it is for my husband. The other ends says, would you answer some questions for a voter poll in Oklahoma. Looking over to see a big smile on his face, he tells them of course he would. It starts out pretty innocent. Then they get to it. He is enjoying this more than running to town for ice cream.
They are mixing general questions with the zingers, he is paying attention to this. First they want to know is he a conservative, moderate and her voice lowers for the bad word liberal. He says, a liberal for sure. She responds, well I won't have to ask you a few questions then. He is smiling real big, dead giveaway.
Are you in favor of Sharia law?
To this he says, NO. He can tell she is disapointed as she is wanting him to ask what that is.
Do you know a Muslim?
He answers, Yes. She says, you do? He says, yes. He tells her the Jewish people, Christians and Muslims are all children of Abraham. To that she responds, she never knew that and she was going to check with her pastor.
Now the alarm bells really go off.
Did you participate in cash for clunkers?
No
Was cash for clunkers a good or bad thing?
He said, good it sold a lot of cars. She was disapointed once again, she said, so it was good? He said, yes, trying not to laugh.
Do you think Barack Obama is a Christian?
Well yes, how many times do those birthers and tea bags have to question his birth and religion? I think any one with intelligence would answer yes.
Oklahoma politics play so heavy on fear. Paranoia controls many who just follow like sheep. Annie get your gun, the Muslims are coming. The president was not born in the United States and he is not Christian. The republicans are counting on poor rural people in this state to be totally uneducated with no mind of their own.
I hope they are reading this as they may have a few surprises in store. Some of us have TV's and computers. Some of us can see the forest for the trees. The word is spreading even though our state media leans heavy towards the GOP. The mailman stopped yesterday and chatted with my husband, he tells him all his blue friends will vote straight Democrat this time. Enough of the fear pitting neighbor against neighbor. OMG, you mean there is more than two of us in Oklahoma? Just a bunch of blue life rafts floating in a sea of red. To top it off, they asked what grade my husband completed. He said, I have a Bachelors degree. Her amazement this farmer went to college was apparent. I doubt they will call me as I am a female and their extreme view does not include me. Got that all off my chest, thank you. Now if we just didn't have so many blue dogs!
Holy Cow! back from milking the goats and this went to the Rec List! Wait until I tell Grandpa! Thank you all!