Perhaps we protest too much. Torture, after all, is a venerable American tradition. If not quite as homespun as apple pie or lynching, it is at least as old as our imperial aspirations. We were waterboarding captives in one of our earliest wars of occupation, the Philippine-American War, which cost as many as 1 million civilian lives. In 1902, Teddy Roosevelt himself wrote with laconic praise of "the old Filipino method."

Read whole article at LA Times.

New designation created to counter fear, mistrust in U.S.

I am a Muslim American born to Christian parents and my family has been in this country for more generations than I even know. This should not matter; I should not feel that I have to defend my Americanism simply because I adopted a different faith — but I do.

Here is the final vote counts for the Islam Day Poll done by Starbulletin.com:

The state Legislature passed a resolution that marks Sept. 24 as Islam Day to recognize the "rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions" of Islam and the Islamic world. Do you approve of this resolution?
A) Yes            10543        59.27%
B) No            7244        40.73%

Total votes: 17787

THE POLL IS NOW CLOSED.
FINAL RESULTS ARE ABOVE.
 

A resolution marking the religion also has Hawaii praised for its tolerant views

By Susan Essoyan

Hawaii already designates April 8 as Buddha Day and March 21 as Baha'i New Year's Day. Good Friday is even enshrined as an official state holiday, with public offices closed.

So state Rep. Lyla Berg thought that marking Sept. 24 as Islam Day would not be out of line in Hawaii, with its multicultural fabric. But her seemingly innocuous resolution has attracted worldwide attention -- and a flurry of phone calls and e-mails, including threats to boycott Hawaii.

Hawaii State Legislators are being criticized by the vocal minority for their courageous decision to pass a resolution declaring September 24th, 2009 as Islam Day.  This day is not an official holiday.  There are no expenditures of any kind.  It is just a day set aside to recognize the contributions of those who follow the faith of Islam.

In comparison, this May is National Jewish Heritage Month (http://www.jewishheritage.gov/).  This is fantastic because it serves to highlight the contributions of Jewish Americans.  What is so outstanding is that even a .gov domain was purchased for this occasion.  Trust me, I am not being sarcastic when I say that I applaud this effort.  There are a lot of people out there that hold harsh feelings against Jewish Americans and so Jewish Americans are working hard to show their contributions to America.

Muslim Americans are working hard to as well to show their contributions.  There are now several grave markers in Arlington National Cemetery bearing the Islamic Crescent indicating the death of service members who were adherents to the Islamic faith and serving their nation.  There are now several legislators at the local, state, and federal levels who are Muslim.  There are Muslim newscasters, athletes, professors, doctors, engineers, teachers, fbi agents, secret service agents, law enforcement agents, police officers, fire fighters, coaches, cubmasters and scoutmasters, and other servants of the community.  Muslims are more and more visible today in the United States and we want so desperately to distance ourselves from the image of terrorism.

By Philip Pullella and Tom Heneghan
Reuters
Friday, May 8, 2009 1:23 PM

AMMAN (Reuters) - Pope Benedict began a delicate trip to the Middle East on Friday by expressing "deep respect" for Islam and saying the Catholic Church would do everything it could to help the region's stalled peace process.

Starting the first leg of a trip that will include Israel and the Palestinian territories, he also called for a three-way dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews to help peace.

Assalamu ‘Alaikum and hope all is well,

Islam day HCR100 Resolution was on the agenda yesterday (Wednesday). Senator Hemmings (Republican) gave a hate speech in opposition talking about the 10% of Islamic terrorists who want to kill Americans.  The gallery was filled with the red shirts that are opposing HB444, the Civil Unions bill who all stood and applauded in support of Senator Hemmings speech against this Resolution.  It was disgusting.  The senate normally takes votes on consent, but Hemmings asked for a roll call.

Then they had to go into caucus and they were going to recommit the Resolution (which would have killed it).  Great thanks to Senator Michelle Kidani said that she wanted to vote on it and that she didn’t think they should let religious bigots dictate what laws to pass. She added that we have state holidays for Good Friday and Christmas and that is religious so unless they were ready to give up those holidays she wanted this Resolution to move forward.   So it was agreed that they would separate this Resolution from the rest of the order of the day and take a roll call vote.

As our Majority Floor Leader, Senator Hooser gave a floor speech in support of HCR100.  Then Senator Slom (Also Republican) opposed (because of his know bigotry against Islam and Muslims). He said it was ramroded through committee and he was told no amendments could be made. Senator Hee who then stood and asked what particularly about the resolution did he want amended. Slom gave none. Senator Green said he would support with reservations but felt the Resolution was not keeping in separation of church and state.  Then Senator Hemmings again spoke against it.  Senator Espero rose in support and asked in the spirit of Aloha to pass this resolution.
Finally the senate voted and passed it—the vote was 22-3, Slom, Hemmings and Green voted against it. Since then senator received few email questing their decision and that they should not have passed it.

The reason I am sharing this with you in details is because bigotry and hate for Islam and Muslims still exist in Hawaii as clearly shown by the 3 senators that voted and spoke against Islam Day and especially Slom and Hemmings.

TODAY WE MUST SEND ALL SENATORS AN EMAIL OR FAX to express our thanks and appreciation and to tell them that they did the right thing. They took a bold move and they must receive more support for what they did than criticism. DO NOT DELAY SENDING AN EMAIL. IT IS CRUCIAL, VERY CRUCIAL. Also if you have friends you trust send them the email even if they are out of state. This matter is so important that I am not going to suggest what you need to say, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TIME ANS THANK THEM FROM YOUR HEART.

H.C.R 100 Does Not Honor Extreme Terrorists
 
Republican State Rep. Kymberly Pine says State Senator Sam Slom's statements on Islam Day are insensitive and wrong.  Rep. Pine said, "Slom equated the Legislature's passage of H.C.R. 100, entitled "House Resolution Proclaiming September 24, 2009, As Islam Day." to the honoring of extreme terrorists.  Slom's statements marginalize significant and peaceful Hawaii citizens.  Our Hawaii and U.S. Constitutions recognize liberties and rights not favoring one personal faith over another.  Recognition through a House Resolution of one faith group's contribution to our multi-faith Hawaii has been common practice.  Groups have been recognized through House Resolutions including the fourth Saturday of July as an annual Kupuna Recognition Day, April 6 as Tartan (Scottish heritage) Day and Sept. 28, 2007 as Confucius Day in Hawaii.  As leaders we must be very clear that not all Muslims are terrorists.  Terrorists have very different backgrounds and beliefs than Hawaii Muslims."