What we have going on here in Oklahoma is I believe some kind of coup – and I’m kinda liking. The last few weeks, the D-gov has been busy vetoing almost everything coming out of the legislature, then the lej retaliates with overrides or close attempts. Gee whilickers, pass the popcorn.
This got me to wondering – has Governor Brad Henry accomplished anything important for the state in the last 8 years? I posed the question on my Facebook page and after reading 19 hilarious responses, determined this merited more research on my part. I looked him up on Wiki and found this gem:
“… Governor Brad Henry issued Executive Order 04-21, which created the Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council. The Ethnic American Advisory Council then published an English translation of the Qur'an embossed with the Oklahoma State seal which was then distributed to 149 Oklahoma state legislators. There were 35 lawmakers who declined to accept the copy of the Qur'an that they were offered. After refusing the copy of the Qur'an, Republican State Representative Rex Duncan wrote a letter to his colleagues explaining, "Most Oklahomans do not endorse the idea of killing innocent women and children in the name of ideology." Further, Duncan said during a TV interview "I think it was inappropriate that they used a state centennial seal on a religious item."
Yes, I do remember rolling my eyes at this one! So, I FB-posted it immediately, for the good times. This council’s action was so asinine, it earns the distinction of being my first official Case of Stoopidity.
Why exactly is this a Stoopid Idea? Let me count the ways.
1. Can you FORCE true enlightenment on others who may be resistant? Probably not. I would call that the Futile Gesture. We used to refer to OK as the good ol’ buckle on the Bible Belt, probably not real fertile soil for this kind of thing. A fertilizer issue?
2. How do we know it was translated into English correctly? Or that the Okies perceived the message correctly? Ah, damn details.
3. It could say “plant a flower in the name of Allah” for all I care. I just want to know who paid for this Futile Gesture? Did the embossed state seal cost extra? Can’t they get it at the library? Couldn’t we have taken that money to hire more ESL teachers?
4. My quickie Qur’an Internet research revealed the Original Word of Allah is not supposed to ever be translated – to only be fully appreciated in all its Arabic glory. Oops. Or ever be put on a chair (or anywhere someone’s arse may have been) or on the floor, but to be displayed at the highest point in the room. And oh yeah, you’re supposed to kiss it before opening it and receiving its Wisdom. Whether a menstruating woman can handle it is still up in the air. Did Care Instructions come with the copies given to the good legislators? I mean, how else are they gonna know they are to revere this object above their own religions and personal convictions?
5. See, this is why we have that whole separation of state and religion thing (pun intended). It means we respect people’s differences by not DOING ANYTHING AGAINST it, not by ADVANCING it onto others.
Can I get a big “Amen!” from those seated in the pews! Or in this case a big “As-Salamu Alaykum!” which means “peace be upon you” in Arabic…or ”pieces be upon you” in the case of an Islamic terrorist..
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