Name (required):

  Expression ^{(Optional mood/title along with your name) Examples: (happy, sad, The Joyful, etc.) help)}

  E-mail address (optional):

* Type your message here:
>Wednesday, May 06, 2009 > > >powered by BaynoteHONOLULU -- Hawaii's state Senate >overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday to celebrate >"Islam Day" -- over the objections of a few lawmakers >who said they didn't want to honor a religion >connected to Sept. 11, 2001. > >The Senate's two Republicans argued that a minority of >Islamic extremists have killed many innocents in >terrorist attacks. > >"I recall radical Islamists around the world cheering >the horrors of 9/11. That is the day all civilized >people of all religions should remember," said >Republican Sen. Fred Hemmings to the applause of more >than 100 people gathered in the Senate to oppose a >separate issue -- same-sex civil unions. > >The resolution to proclaim Sept. 24, 2009, as Islam >Day passed the Senate on a 22-3 vote. It had >previously passed the House and now goes to Republican >Gov. Linda Lingle. > >The bill seeks to recognize "the rich religious, >scientific, cultural and artistic contributions" that >Islam and the Islamic world have made. It does not >call for any spending or organized celebration of >Islam Day. > >"We are a state of tolerance. We understand that >people have different beliefs," said Sen. Will Espero, >a Democrat. "We may not all agree on every single item >and issue out there, but to say and highlight the >negativity of the Islamic people is an insult to the >majority" of believers "who are good law-abiding >citizens of the world." > >But Republican Sen. Sam Slom argued that the United >States has become too sympathetic toward Islamic >extremists. > >"I don't think there's any country in the history of >the world that has been more tolerant than the United >States of America, and because of that tolerance, >we've looked the other way a lot of times, and many >thousands of our citizens have been killed by >terrorists," said Slom, a Republican. > >The lone Democrat voting against the bill opposed it >on church-state separation fears.

Notice: Copies of your message may remain on this and other systems on internet. Please be respectful.