Mustn't Let Sharia Law Come Creeping
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It seems that "Sharia law," that favorite bugbear of the hard right, is back, and it weighs heavily on the fevered minds of some lawmakers.
The latest crusader is Alabama state Sen. Gerald Allen. Allen has introduced a bill in that state's legislature that's very much like a measure voted in by referendum in Oklahoma a few months ago, in that it bans the states' courts "from using Sharia law or international law in making legal decisions."
Never mind the fact that, as in Oklahoma, no one has ever used or attempted to use Sharia law (a term which Allen admitted to a reporter he couldn't define) in the state courts.
That's not the point, Allen insists.
"It's not about what's happening right now," he told a local paper. "I'm thinking about 10 years down the road, 20, 30, 40. Time has an effect on these things, and I'm thinking about the future."
Got that? It's not that Sharia law is a threat right now. It's that, 20 to 40 years in the future, someone might try to impose it, so we've got to be ready.
Good to know that in a state facing a $110 million budget deficit, unemployment rates of up to 18 percent in some counties, and a corresponding flight of its citizens from the state, someone has the wisdom and foresight to take the long view and prepare for the time when the overwhelmingly Christian state known as the "Heart of Dixie" might possibly become a hotbed of Islamist agitation.
After all, it's happened in other places. Just ask failed Nevada senatorial candidate Sharron Angle, who managed to turn what looked like an easy pickup of a Senate seat from the feckless Harry Reid into a debacle by, essentially, talking like a raving loon.
Responding to a question about Muslims "taking over a city in Michigan," Angle responded, "First of all, Dearborn, Mich., and Frankford, Texas, are on American soil, and under constitutional law. Not Sharia law. And I don't know how that happened in the United States. It seems to me there is something fundamentally wrong with allowing a foreign system of law to even take hold in any municipality or government situation in our United States."
Only problem with Angle's rather confusingly phrased expression of outrage is: First, Dearborn's "government situation" is indeed still solidly under American law, with American cops and judges and everything; and second, Frankford, Texas, the other city Angle was so exercised about, doesn't exist. It's a former suburb of Dallas that was absorbed into that metropolis in 1975.
Who knows, though? Maybe Angle was talking about Muslims from "20, 30, 40 years down the road" who'd learned to travel back in time to before 1975 and impose Sharia law in a vanished Texas -suburb. You never can tell with these people.
It would be easy to dismiss this nonsense as fringe craziness from a backwoods state legislator and a rejected Senate candidate. But the newly elected Republican majority in the House apparently intends to try to mainstream anti-Sharia hysteria.
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert told radio host Frank Gaffney (a guy so insane he insists right-wing icon Grover Norquist is a Muslim agent) that he was going to "push for hearings" on "creeping Sharia." Florida uber-wingnut congressman Allen West has indicated he wants to do the same.
Yes, my friends, fear is where it's at this year. Fear of the Creeping Sharia. Fear of the Stealth Jihadist, the guy who only looks like a moderate, reasonable Muslim, but luckily for us poor saps, those in the know (and in the GOP) can see that inwardly he's cackling and plotting the next 9/11.
Which is why, this past week, we had Rep. Peter King's Homeland Security Dog and Pony Show in which he trotted out carefully selected witnesses to prove that, while he's not actually saying all Muslims are terrorists, he is saying they all would be happy to kill us in our sleep and convert our babies to Islam.
Because fear sells. Fear distracts. Fear, King and his fellow travelers hope, will keep us from noticing that they have no real answers to the problems that plague us, just the same failed coddle-the-rich, screw-the-middle-class policies that dug this hole for us in the first place.
Dusty Rhoades lives, writes and practices law in Carthage. Contact him at dustyr@nc.rr.com.
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Comments
bigD 2 years, 2 months ago
"...coddle-the-rich, screw-the-middle-class policies that dug this hole for us in the first place."
Class warfare is another form of political fear!
Easygoing 2 years, 2 months ago
Fear and hate mongering, that's what many of these politicians are all about. But that's what you get when you elect them. The stupidity of many of these Congressman never fails to astound me.
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
As shown by the recent wingnut hate-fest against teachers in Wisconsin, anyone who huffs and puffs and whines about "Class warfare! Class warfare!" is already engaging in it.
JK 2 years, 2 months ago
Mr. Rhoades,
As you have so apply documented with your column, few Americans understand or are aware of the threat Shariah, translated as “the path”, represents to our government, constitution, freedoms and overall way of life. And for you to label efforts to investigate this threat as a “hate fest” or “fear of the stealth jihadist” demonstrates your lack of understanding for the Jihad being waged within our country or competent experience outside of Carthage, NC. The fact of the matter is this threat (shariah) is real, our adversary is real and there is plenty of blame (both political parties along with the whole of the U.S. government) to go around.
If you are not convinced America is in a war against evil doers…you’re wrong. Furthermore, this war is not just bombs, bullets and bad guys, but insidious ideological threats. Shariah must be viewed as another front on this global battlefield. For Islamist ideologues the West is yet just another obstacle to be overcome, not a culture and civilization to be embraced, or even tolerated. Let us not forget or turn a blind eye to the Muslim/sharia situation that has been growing in all parts of Europe. Western governments from Denmark and Norway to France and Germany are finding their legal systems and forms of government cannot peacefully coexist with the end-state Islamic Jihadists seek.
This issue will most certainly continue to push the boundaries of our religious freedoms and first amendment rights. But the fact is there’s an active segment of our population in America who support shariah, the establishment of a global Islamic state (caliphate) and want to subjugate our society under their perverse views of Islamic law. Don’t take the easy way out Mr. Rhoades and mistake an actual, verified threat as just political pandering…sharia law is here and is infecting America.
geoffcutler 2 years, 2 months ago
Well put!
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
djcalaska 2 years, 2 months ago
Well said
cornbread 2 years, 2 months ago
Muslims?
I thought I was to be fearing Hispanics, no wait... first Jews, then it was Catholics. Then women, then gays...
I'm sure tomorrow it will be Hindus or Canadians next.
Someone just be sure to notify me when my ethnic/religious/minority group is up for targeted blame and irrational McCarthyite persecution -- so I can watch out for myself and no one else.
It's not like we're all in this world together or anything.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
Right Wing Anti Sharia Hysteria? Quite a dramatic statement. You may want to contact Prime Minister Angela Merkal and ask for her two cents on the topic. Right Wing Anti Sharia Hysteria? You might want to ask the women and accused Gay men who were stoned in Iran about Sharia Law? Oops on second thought, too late. I was wondering if you have ever listened to some Imans advocating for Sharia Law in the U S ? I have, AND THEY WANT IT, PERIOD ! It's not Hysteria. It's the guts to stand up against the "political correct" mantra machine that has taken the voice out of most politicians to address some of the problems we face as a nation. Were Melvin Bledsoe's statements Right Wing Hysteria? Diane
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
"You might want to ask the women and accused Gay men who were stoned in Iran about Sharia Law".
Seems the treatment of gays in the good ol USA has been as bad if not worse. I wonder if what kind of "law" that is.
I also wonder just what this ""political correct" mantra machine " is. Funny how we can camouflage anything to make it sound rational.
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
In Iran, they are simply killed.
True. Also unconnected with the point of the column.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
"Heck, here, gays get to ride on floats"
WOW Jimmie - I thought that was you last Thanksgiving on the "gay pride" float :)
btw - DR is correct - the real question is why on earth is there so much focus on this. Sharia law has less chance of becoming recognized here than you have of coming to your senses and changing to a liberal!
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
hey Jimmie - I imagine this poor guy would have preferred "stoning" -
"In a particularly brutal case in the United States, on March 14, 2007, in Wahneta, Florida, 25-year-old Ryan Keith Skipper was found dead from 20 stab wounds and a slit throat. His body had been dumped on a dark, rural road less than 2 miles from his home. His two alleged attackers, William David Brown, Jr., 20, and Joseph Eli Bearden, 21, were indicted for robbery and first-degree murder. Highlighting their malice and contempt for the victim, the accused killers allegedly drove around in Skipper's blood-soaked car and bragged of killing him. According to a sheriff's department affidavit, one of the men stated that Skipper was targeted because "he was a faggot.""
Not sure if he got to ever ride in a parade tho........
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
I also wonder just what this ""political correct" mantra machine
Beats me. Whenever someone uses the terms "PC" or "politically correct", I know nothing remotely intelligent is going to come after it, so I stop reading.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
@Ross, Please advise us on any stonings or worse yet of Gay men lately in the USA. We might of missed it on the news. Our own President would be a prime example of the politically correct mantra. He has the hardest time spitting out the word Terrorist. Diane
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
Diane - I am certain you just read the blog about gay rights here and the conservative disdain for them. I imagine the beating "and" killings of gays in this country might even outnumber the ones in the middle east!
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
mauiman - If "sharia law" prevents silly moronic posts bashing liberals at every turn - then I am all for it!
nobozo 2 years, 2 months ago
"Liberals are only happy when they can call those who disagree names or float bogus issues."...........how does that advance your argument or in anyway enhance dialogue? Truth is: both sides of the aisle engage in incivility and nastiness. It is not the domain of one party or group of people.
As far as the point of the article: Sharia law is unlikely to be a threat in any real way in the U.S. However, in order to avoid that changing we should remain aware of what's going on; we should not fan hysteria, nor should we shrink from it or hide our heads in the sand. From what I understand, France has areas of Muslim communities where French law enforcement has no authority or control.
bigD 2 years, 2 months ago
Soak the rich before the breath up all the oxygen and use up all the public services
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
"You might want to ask the women and accused Gay men who were stoned in Iran about Sharia Law".
"Sharia law is bad" does not equal "Sharia law is taking hold here." Your "argument" does not connect. Try again. Or better yet, don't.
"sharia law is here and is infecting America."
Where? Show me where anyone is actually trying to put it in place.
A better column would have been on insuring we fund the cowboy poetry festival blah blah blah
And there's the attmepted subject change. So predictable.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
Now now - chill - they are "conservatives" - they know not what they do :)
bigD 2 years, 2 months ago
Change the subject, not. The poorly written article changes the subject in the last sentence. My comment follows up on that statement. But Im just another wingnut right?
JK 2 years, 2 months ago
marathonman 2 years, 2 months ago
D.R. if we on the right are 'wing nuts' then you are a "lock nut". Tossing out hate and discontent are your tools. If we do not agree with you than we must be 'wing nuts'. Wisconsin protests also had nothing to do with this article, so you might heed your own insulting comments to those who expand the idea of a law, Sharia, which shows no mercy and contempt for all behaviors beyond their strict definitions. We are still fortunate here in the good ole USA to have some tolerance for views other than our own; witness Al Franken being elected a Senator from the State of Minnesota, for example. Some of us witnessed first hand Sharia law during our lives which took us to the Middle East for extended periods beginning in 1969 and continuing through 1984. In those societies you, D.R., could have been accused and subjected to stoning for your perverted insults to those in these many threads. So go lightly and remember, Muslim communities in Michigan and Texas are campaigning for Sharia Law.
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
remember, Muslim communities in Michigan and Texas are campaigning for Sharia Law.
You mean like in Frankford, Texas...the city that doesn't exist?
marathonman 2 years, 2 months ago
Texas has the eighth-largest Muslim population in the United States. In 1990 there were approximately 140,000 Muslims in Texas, which represented 0.7 percent of the state population and 2.8 of the total Muslim population in the United States. Most Muslims are concentrated in the urban centers of the state. Houston has some twenty-two Islamic centers and mosques and a Muslim population of 57,000, and Dallas has fifteen centers and 30,000 Muslims. The Muslim population is 4,000 in Fort Worth and 3,000 in Arlington. Austin and San Antonio each have 5,000, El Paso has 1,500, and there are small Muslim communities in Bryan-College Station, Corpus Christi, and Kingsville. Among the more prominent Islamic organizations in the state are the Muslim Students Association, the Islamic Society of North America, the Muslim Arab Youth Association, the Islamic Circle of North America, and the Al Quaran-Was-Sunnah Society. Source(s): The Handbook of Texas Online
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/onli…
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
So? There are Muslims in Texas. There are Muslims in America. Big deal. How does that address the fact that, again. no one has ever used or attempted to use Sharia law in the state courts of Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan. Texas, etc. etc. and that this legislation and all this yelling about Sharia law is just another Weapon of Mass Distraction deployed by the wingnuts?
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
If I understand sharia law as based on religious morals embedded in the Muslim Quran then wouldn't the "Right" have to ban all laws based on religion including Christianity?
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
If I recall correctly, that was the opinion of a University of Oklahoma law professor regarding the Oklahoma statute. But I'm sure the commenters here are more qualified in the law than some pointy headed intelleckshul with his fancy duhgree.
CSmithson 2 years, 2 months ago
Does this mean we'll soon be able to buy beer before noon on Sundays?
bigD 2 years, 2 months ago
isnt that up to the municipality?
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
@ Ross, your response that conservative disdain is worse than stonings in Iran, does not even warrant a response. @Dusty, you want proof of Sharia Law here? How about the young girl who was screaming for help to the 911 operator as her Dad shot her sister and then turned the gun on her?How about the young girl who was run over by her father? Why the killings? The girls were becoming to Westernized for their fathers and according to Sharia Law, were disgracing the family. Diane
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
The murderers were charged with murder. Therefore Sharia law was not applied by the authorities. QED.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
Do a query on how many hate crimes towards gay people occur each year. They are NOT isolated incidents and probably are more frequent than stonings in the middle east.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
If I really thought there was even a glimmer of a threat here - I would feel much the same way about sharia law.
The elimination of "stupidity and hatred" part would decimate the republican party though..... BIG smile as I am pretending i am mauiman
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
Great quote here:
"This might just do no one any good, but Dearborn is not under the jackboot of Sharia Law.
I can even prove it. Go to Dearborn and have lunch at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Michigan Avenue. Order their pulled pork-based “Big Daddy Burger” (with bacon if you so choose...this is America, after all) and a pint of good Michigan draft beer. While enjoying your pork sandwich and malted beverage, take out a pen and draw Muhammad on a bar napkin.
Now try to do that same thing in Saudi Arabia. If BW3’s hasn’t yet expanded into Riyadh, another restaurant will work. Order your pork sandwich and beer and then draw Muhammad.
See, one of those places is governed by Sharia Law while the other isn’t. "
shellhopki 2 years, 2 months ago
@Dusty, It seems you need to step out of your little bubble of S.P. I am a student at UNC. We are forbidden to order pizza with pepperoni on it because of the large population of Muslims at the school. Our way of life as Americans is slowly starting to be infringed on. We need to take a proactive approach to prevent this before we do turn into Europe!
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
I am a student at UNC. We are forbidden to order pizza with pepperoni on it because of the large population of Muslims at the school.
Funny, I went online and checked the menus at UNC dining services, and pepperoni pizza is available, as are sausage and bacon. So I call shenanigans.
http://www.campusdish.com/en-US/CSSE/UNCChapelHill/Menus/TopofLenoirMenu.htm?LocationName=Top%20of%20Lenoir%20Menu&MealID=16&OrgID=199120&Date=3_13_2011&ShowPrice=False&ShowNutrition=True
shellhopki 2 years, 2 months ago
I was talking about in the classrooms not the lunchroom. We work several hours and often work late. There are so many Muslim instructors as well as students that we are not allowed to offend! I could go on and on with other examples. It seems like you are overly concerned with being right and not listening to other view points. You are also old. Typical baby boomer generation. Your time on earth is limited so why should you be concerned?! I have a lot longer to live and I am concerned about the future of my country!
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
You should count your blessing, kiddo. We were never allowed to eat in the classroom at all. And, as I noted below, you only added 'in the classroom" when you got caught lying.
teufelhunden 2 years, 2 months ago
Denial is an ugly thing///
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
So is intractable and willful ignorance.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
Dusty, I mentioned it earlier in a post, will mention it again.... What sort of response would P M Merkel have to your editorial? What sort of response would P M Cameron have to your editorial? Diane
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
And my answer is: I don't know and I don't care. "We're Not Europe" remember?
But if you like, you can e-mail them the column and see.
JK 2 years, 2 months ago
Mr. Rhoades,
Are you really that closed minded? Social, economic and political trends experienced in traditionally more liberal europe are always linked to trends that develop in the US. Whether you like it or not, in terms of the "western world" there is no difference between Europe and the US.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
more baseless partisan BS......... I quickly scan for "liberal" or "democrat" and when found - just ignore the rest!
A mind - is not a thing to be "wasted"
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"more baseless partisan BS"
Worried someone else is doing your shtick, are you?
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
Hey the point is....Why are we wasting our time worrying about something that may or may not happen!!! The politicians are really good at diverting attention by hitting a button they know people are really afraid of as demonstrated here. Where is your common sense? Guard yourselves against this manipulation and stay on point with the important issues. Don't play into all of this nonsense.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"Why are we wasting our time worrying about something that may or may not happen!!!"
In this line of logic, since I have lived in my home for 12 years and we have never had a fire I guess I may as well go ahead and cancel my homeowners insurance.
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
I remember when my X in laws became home bound and spent most of their time watching TV. The world became very small for them and every robbery, attack, mugging seemed like it went on right outside of their door. They became afraid of everything and feared for their lives. The constant barrage of crime and whatever was the topic of the day obsessed them. They were prejudiced against anything and everything they didn't understand and it was impossible to change their thinking. Sadly this all happened while they were living in Pinehurst. Don't make judgments based on hearsay, try learning something about what you're afraid of and get educated. There's so much fear here, it's so sad.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
Just exactly what is it we "need" to learn. I learned some on 9/11, more learning with the shoe bomber, even more learning with the Christmas Day bomber, then there was the Muslim plotting to detonate in a crowded gathering in Seattle at Christmas , Ft Hood massacre, the US servicemen recently murdered in Germany just off the top of my head. So please tell me what it is I need to learn.
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
Maybe that not all Muslims are plotting to attack you.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"Maybe that not all Muslims are plotting to attack you."
Since you trotted out that tired old lefty favorite perhaps you could provide me with a link, just one will be fine, where I or anyone else has ever said that all or even most or even half of all Muslims are out to do us harm. Or are you just reading from your list of talking points?
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
Look, you obviously want to be argumentative about this. No one is saying that there havn't been attacks on us by Muslims but to group them all together is counter productive. It plays into the fears of people and promotes thoughtless "group thinking". You have no idea whether I'm "Right" or "left", I just know when I see people acting out of fear, there needs to be further investigation. As a thinking human being you have the ability to question your reactions and try to learn it's origins and maybe look deeper into the subject.
djcalaska 2 years, 2 months ago
I believe we have been warned directly from the Prime Ministers of more than one European country to beware of the creeping of Sharia Law practicing Muslims. I have met Europeans who have explained how the Muslims have migrated into Europe and are now demanding to be able to use "Sharia Law." Naturally born Europeans are leaving their homelands because of the violence and prejudice shown by this group. A quick Google search will show even the most complacent, the violence of these fanatics. Even as a Christian, I try to be respectful of other religious beliefs. "Sharia Law" is more along the lines of a male dominate cult, not a religion. Again, a quick Google search will show the most complacent of the acid burning, maiming, disfiguring and killing of young girls or women in the name of "family respect" or some other insignificant excuse. Anyone not recognizing this threat to our freedom is not looking or listening. The entire world is in a "faith based" war already.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
@ Dusty, You don't know what P M Merkel or P M Cameron said, and you don't care? We're not Europe? Surely, you jest ! You and other Liberals doing their best to level the playing field in terms of the U S being the "Bullies" of the world since World War II, wanting to see our Capitalist Society turned into a Socialist Society molded into the images of such countries as Germany and England and you don't CARE what these two Prime Ministers have to say about about "incorporating" sharia law into their culture ? If I were a judge, I would say your statement is overuled. Look up their statements and answer the question. Diane
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
Looked them up. Still irrelevant to my point. More attempts at distraction on your part.
Since we're issuing commands to each other, address my point now.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"but to group them all together is counter productive."
I asked you once, who specifically is doing this.
"I just know when I see people acting out of fear, there needs to be further investigation."
If my home gets burglarized and I have a security system installed and improve my outside lighting, am I "acting out of fear" or just exercising common sense measures? I think the latter.
Trying to be argumentative? Not really. I just get a little weary of these tired old baseless assertions from the left and I choose to respond.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
So you are saying our government should enact a law that requires ALL of us to get a security system?
Silly conservative..........
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
I'm guessing reading comprehension isn't one of your strong suits.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
while stupid retorts is yours!
SH59 2 years, 2 months ago
Getting back to the article, with this countries laws against many crimes against another person I can't imagine anyone passing such a law. If this were to come up as an issue, don't you think the whole country would have an uprising? Why do we have to worry about it without cause? It's just a diversion from the issues we are dealing with today.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"If this were to come up as an issue, don't you think the whole country would have an uprising?"
It has come up as an issue as evidenced by our discussing it. It is proving to be a problem in other countries. It defies common sense to think that things going on in Europe will not be attempted here. Hence the need to be looking at it now. But as we saw in Congressmen King of NY's recent efforts, mearly trying to get a discussion going is cause for hysterical attacks by the left. What is their motivation?
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"If this were to come up as an issue, don't you think the whole country would have an uprising?"
I think what would happen is what we have already seen happening. The left attacking anyone who dares to deal with the issue as a bigot, racist, islamaphobe, fear monger, hate monger, booger eater. You get the idea.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
Conservative wack-a-doodles are always scared of something and the reason they are so scared of "Muslims with their Sharia Law" is because they are so familiar with the violent, brainwashing tactics that are used by them. Like, intimidation, power, hatred, and misogyny. American's are shockingly ignorant....so if you want to "smarten yourselves up" read Naomi Kleins, "THE SHOCK DOCTRINE." It's about "Disaster Capitalism" and the Republican Party. Said party, "now seems to work like a gang, in which the most valued qualities in members are loyalty, obedience to authority, and violence towards outsiders. The gang is constantly having to prove it's dominance...violent rhetoric...which deminizes those who don't accept the authority of the gang and it's leader." Sounds a bit like "SHARIA LAW" doesn't it? Marx was so right.....Religion is the opiate of the masses! Baptists, Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu's....why does everyone of those groups think that they and ONLY THEY have all of the answers to humanities ills?
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"Said party, "now seems to work like a gang, in which the most valued qualities in members are loyalty, obedience to authority, and violence towards outsiders. The gang is constantly having to prove it's dominance...violent rhetoric...which deminizes those who don't accept the authority of the gang and it's leader."
Sounds a lot like those thugs who have occupied the capitol in Madison.
irkim13 2 years, 2 months ago
Immorality and the desire for power are the opiate of everyone else.
"why does everyone of those groups think that they and ONLY THEY have all of the answers to humanities ills?" Why do you MC7 or anyone else think they have all the answers? Everyone that believes as such believe what they believe as truth I would imagine or why else would they believe it? Truth is out there and it is not relative.
irkim13 2 years, 2 months ago
I think Marx is wrong by the way.
irkim13 2 years, 2 months ago
Why would someone choose religion as an opiate especialy when the belief involves requirements for self control, sexual restraint, following a moral code, etc and the consequences of failure involve the potential for eternal suffering? Why not choose to believe there is no God and I am smarter than everyone else and I can do whatever I want without concern for any consequences. Why constrain myself to the dictates of an all powerful being. I could choose not to believe and be free of all the cumbersome restrictions. It would seem to me this would be more appealing to the masses.
hotdiggity 2 years, 2 months ago
Back to Sharia Law, it is creeping into the United States, and has been used by a New Jersey Judge. Foxnews.com Aug 5, 2010 tells of a case where a Muslim man raped his wife and a Family Court Judge ruled in the man's favor in 2009. It was over-ruled a year later. But it was over-ruled some might say. How many times will it be over-ruled till that one case comes along when not over-ruled? Look at how the California judge overturned the California homosexual marriage ban in Aug. 05, 2010, see msmbc.com 08-05-2010, which was voted for by the people of California. Notice how now Obama has decided not to enforce the Constitution and US law as required, by flip-flopping on his campaign promises as to ordering the end to defending the Defense of Marriage Act. Feb. 23,2011 CNN.com. Good for Congressman Pete King. If this is a religion of light, with motives that are pure, it should have nothing to worry about.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
Dusty, The PMs remarks are relevant to what Congressmen Allen is trying to avoid. You have European countries that have allowed enclaves of Muslims within their countries to adopt Sharia Law into their Muslim communities and now face the task of trying to undo the damage. If they can. While many Muslims have come to our country to embrace our freedom and yes, Moonchild, our Capitalist society, sometimes known as Free Market, there are a few, though, that want to continue their way of Law according to their Islamist beliefs and religion. You remarked Allen was taking up valuable time with the economy, etc. I doubt he was taking up more space, than Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee, who wanted Pelosi to bring a bill to the House Floor and debate the Nation having a day of mourning for Michael Jackson, when he passed away. Moonchild, The only thing we Republicans and Conservatives can do, is try to put out the hysteria fires some on the Left start. The Left owns Sal Alinsky, not the Right. The framers of our Consitution were two steps ahead of Marx. Keep religion and government seperate. I hope for one, it stays that way. Diane
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
Sometimes I think we should turn some of these posters' tiresome and irrelevant "name checking" into a drinking game. Every time someone tries to randomly insert Karl Marx, Shirley Jackson Lee or Saul Alinsky's name into the conversation, take a drink. Any time they claim that their bigotry isn't being embraced becuase of "political correctness", take a drink. Etc.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
Let's see..Here in America, we have had and have, Catholic priests and Cardinals "protecting" pedofile priest's in their church, Baptist minister's who are encouraging the murder of abortion doctor's, Muslim's blowing themselves and other's up in anger over their so called hate of the west, Polygamist Mormon's, Satanic Cult's who sacrifice animals, Scientologist's who sleep deprive their "flock", Seventh-Day Adventist's making their member's be vegetarians so as to deprive their brains of important proteins and thus make them "obey" more than "disobey", and on and on...enough? Sharia law is a RELIGIOUS LAW that they want to live by. This is America, when they kill or abuse a woman because she has "sinned" that man needs to be tried in our court's according to OUR LAWS that PROHIBIT that kind of behavior. Muslim's are not supposed to gamble or drink alcohol and they are FREE to do that here but they are also FREE to imbibe. What are the TEN COMMANDMENTS? What are BEATITUDES about? They try to help HUMANITY get along with each other a little bit better in this world.
ewpguy 2 years, 2 months ago
while in sharia controlled countries they cut off hands and feet for theft, marry off child brides, stone adulterers, cut off the noses and ears of unwilling wives, hang child spies, kill apostates, jail political dissidents, etc
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
I'm only going to repeat this one more time: "Sharia law is overly harsh and cruel" does not equal "Sharia law is in danger of taking hold in the U.S." In fact, the first statement makes the second statement less likely to be true, not more.
mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago
Let's try and get back to the point. Are radical Muslims are threat to America? Absolutely. Are radical evangelicals a threat to America. Yes, and if you disagree I'd like to remind you about both the Oklahoma City Bombing and the Olympic Park bombing. Extremism in any form is a threat to our democracy. That's why our Constitution so explicitly states that there needs to be a separation of religion and government. I believe what Mr. Rhoades is trying to say (though he did go about it in a rather round about way, and correct me if I'm wrong) is that it would seem to the average American that when Republicans (and yes, Democrats too) don't have any real answers to the very serious problems that are on the table then they resort to screaming about social issues that don't necessarily effect any policies, but instead only effect politics.
Why would Rep. Peter King, a pronounced supporter of the IRA (but they aren't real terrorists since they don't hurt America) decide to hold these hearings to basically denounce something that we already know is bad, when we are staring down a government shut down? Wouldn't his time be better spent working on a budget resolution? Speaking of which, why is it that republicans resort to hollering about social issues when things are going their way. "Man, we can't get this budget passed the way we want...oh I know let's start cutting funding for planned parenthood and bring up abortion...surely that will lead to civil discourse and happy compromise." It seems like when one side (and it goes for BOTH sides) isn't getting their way they stop doing the work and start dividing the country over moral and social issues, which really the government has no business being involved in. Also, I refuse to live my life in fear, because then guess what. The terrorists win. And so if Peter King keeps wanting to scare me about terrorism then to me he is no better than the people trying to blow us up. Stop yelling about social issues and fear mongering and start fixing the government. That's what you were elected to do. Do work.
ewpguy 2 years, 2 months ago
well said
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
Republicans don't want to work..they want to golf, and drink, and spend poor people's money. Those "thugs" in Madison were showing the world that they have a RIGHT to peacefully protest their government for a "redress of grievances". Of course everything is relative because "THE TRUTH" seems to change every now and then, irkim13. Divorce, same-sex-marriage, women's rights; these were things that at one time were ABSOLUTES but are now RELATIVE. Non-Compromising attitudes just don't work anymore for the positive and are totally NEGATIVE. Now, I'm not against opiates but in America we get to choose the one we want(there are many). not all religions have "moral codes" but most have "rules" because those at the top need power and control over their flocks. SHARIA LAW is rule after rule after rule. Some not so bad and some HORRIBLE HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!!!!! we have a Constitution and a bill of rights. If a judge uses "Sharia Law" to decide a case that is in direct conflict with our own laws then.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
(Continuing from previous post)...that judge needs to be disbarred. The Ten comandemnts are "Laws" but they are not all defensable in our courts. I do not have all of the answers(duh), but I do have a few. Why? because looking back at my life and how I "conducted" myself and how things are for me now shows that I did a lot of things right(so far at least). Lots of trials and tribulations of course just like everyone else but all in all not too bad for this "Child of the 60's"...not bad at all.
mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago
MC7, you are not doing your liberal brothers and sisters any favors by painting conservatives and republicans with such a broad brush. Democrats have a history of being just as corrupt. If we want to talk about politicians "that don't want to work..they want to golf, and drink, and spend poor people's money." Then I feel compelled to point out Charlie Rangel.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
Amen - BOTH sides have plenty of corruption to last eons.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"Are radical evangelicals a threat to America. Yes, and if you disagree I'd like to remind you about both the Oklahoma City Bombing and the Olympic Park bombing".
In you above examples, OK bombing was motivated by dislike of US govt for Waco and Ruby Ridge and had nothing to do with religion. I know it feels good to place Christianity on the same level with Islam when it comes to senseless violence but this example is just not valid.
mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago
Well if those examples don't seem valid to you then feel free to open a history book and find plenty of examples of times when Christianity was violent. You can start with the Crusades in the 11th-13th centuries.
mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago
The Roman Catholic church. Any other pop quizzes?
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"Republicans don't want to work..they want to golf, and drink, and spend poor people's money."
MC7 ladies and gentlemen.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
So wrong fugitiveguy. Waco was about a CULT called the BRANCH DAVIDIANS who were "reported" to have been abusing their children. Randy and Vicki Weaver moved to Idaho to "prepare" for THE APOCALYPSE. Those aren't religious "under-pinnings?" As a former GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE who had to go out in both the day and night to investigate reports of whether children were being abused or not, I know FIRSt HAND what it was like to have to go out to someones home, knock on the door and say "I'm here to investigate you. There are reports that you aren't feeding your children, etc." I never knew if a shotgun would greet me in the face. Now those "reports" sometimes were brought about because of mad neighbors or friends and NOT because the children were in danger. We still had to investigate. I am not defending the governments interventions(Randy Weaver had supposedly sent threatening letters to the President)but that thin line of PROTECTING innocent people versus hurting the innocent is quite troublesome. I was glad when the reports proved to be false.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
(continuing). We have such FREEDOM's in America when it comes to being able to worship how and when we want...Muslims too. But we also have problems with so-called religions who are so ABSOLUTE with their beliefs that some of those beliefs are dangerous. They need to be dealt with in the same ways that anyone who commits a crime is dealt with. Oh, I wasn't necessarily speaking about anyone over there in Pinehurst but rather those guys up in Washington, D.C. running around with their fingers in their ears, hands over their eyes, and marbles in theri mouths. have a nice day.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"You can start with the Crusades in the 11th-13th centuries."
You know you don't have much of a leg to stand on when your primary examples are false and your back up is >1000 years previous.
mcg2010 2 years, 2 months ago
History is history. It does not have an expiration date. I'm sorry if it's inconvenient to your point to say that Christianity has had more than it's fair share of radical and violent behavior for more than 1000 years. But does that mean everything Christianity have done for thousands of year is violent and extreme? Of course not.
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
Thats the point. Christianity has a violent past. Islam has a violent past, violent present and violent future. In this comparison one religion has evolved where a significant segment of the other has stayed the same. Is that really so hard for liberals to understand?
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
The only thing crazier than a moonchild post is for me to attempt to have a dialogue with him/her. At least for the day I will just read his/her posts and scratch my head in wonderment.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
@ Moonchild, because Republicans like to play golf, drink and spend poor peoples' money? When did Obama become a Republican? Diane
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
@ Dusty, would you like to drop us a clue as to what it is that Rep. King is trying to distract us from? The Budget? The threat of Terrorism? Obamacare? Civility? Sheila Jackson Lee? Please advise. Diane
shellhopki 2 years, 2 months ago
@Dusty,@ Dusty, I guess you have no reply for my reply. You stand corrected: We are NOT ALLOWED to order pepperoni pizza in the CLASSROOM per my professor. We have to order chicken or veggie. It comes down to our way of life. What happened to separation of church and state?! I am from Tampa. I have seen muslim radicalized professors at USF, as well as massive mosques built around USF with terrorist ties. Have you ever served in the armed forces or underwent classified security briefs on homegrown terrorism Mr.Rhodes? I thought not! Stay in your little safe bubble of S.P.!
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
We are NOT ALLOWED to order pepperoni pizza in the CLASSROOM per my professor. We have to order chicken or veggie.
Except that's not what you said originally. You added "in the classroom" when you got (easily) caught lying. Nice try, but you're busted, sweetie.
MikeNC 2 years, 2 months ago
PS Dusty, You remark "take a drink" take a drink. Sounds like a Rush cliche. Diane
dustyrhoades 2 years, 2 months ago
"why haven't you written a column about why Sharia law should be abolished? "
Because that would be the exact same hysterical fear mongering that the column mocks, James.
Ross 2 years, 2 months ago
too funny - the right wingers love ol DR - I can see them the night before his column comes out - at ol fugie's double wide - dancing around the fire and chanting.
moonchild7 2 years, 2 months ago
President Obama a REPUBLICAN? Yes, I think he is...it's just that he's from Abraham Lincoln's REPUBLICAN PARTY. Somehere you guys seriously went off the tracks. While Lincoln never played golf, he did like to tell jokes, play with his kids, take carriage rides and read books. NOT a drinker or smoker though, so President Obama is quite the "Liberal" in those areas. Not sure how much of the poor people's money Lincoln spent but since in those days most everyone was poor, I guess he had to spend all he could to keep the fight up in the Civil War. Hey, guys, do you think the Native American's who became inundated with "Christians" after the MAYFLOWER landed sat around smoking their "PEACE PIPE" blasting those "invaders" and their "TEN COMMANDMENT LAWS?"
teufelhunden 2 years, 2 months ago
James: you totally "schooled" DR!
mmforeman 2 years, 2 months ago
More Islamic Supremacism: California: Muslim defendant sues county over hijab removal in jail
This is how they impose Islam in the public square. Chip, chip, chip. Anywhere Islamic law conflicts with American law, it is American law that must give way. And there is ..... no end to these accommodations (submissions).
fugitiveguy 2 years, 2 months ago
"bugbear" did DR invent a word?
honesty2 2 years, 2 months ago
So muslim cleric Choudary organizing a protest for the promotion of sharia law in the US, in front of the capital, doesn't bother you?
honesty2 2 years, 2 months ago
US Capital
honesty2 2 years, 2 months ago
Or that the "Ummah" group has the goal to create a separate state within the US to be ruled by Sharia?
honesty2 2 years, 2 months ago
dr what are your thoughts on Islamberg in NY and jamaat al-fuquaa?
honesty2 2 years, 2 months ago
al fuqra (sorry, it's late)