ENSURING SHARIA LAW DOESN’T COME TO OKLAHOMA…. Sometimes, right-wing lawmakers can get a little paranoid. On its face, that would only be mildly annoying, except the paranoia can manifest itself in actual policy proposals.
Oklahoma State Senator Rex Duncan (R) is pushing for a ballot measure that would prohibit courts from considering international or sharia law when deciding cases. He says the measure is a “preemptive strike” against “liberal judges” who want to “undermine those founding principles” of America.
The “Save Our State” amendment would require Oklahoma courts to use state and federal laws only when ruling, and Duncan explained on MSNBC today that he wants to ensure “that our courts are not used to undermine those founding principles, and turn Oklahoma into something that our founding fathers and our great grandparents wouldn’t recognize.”
Just so we’re clear, this right-wing state senator believes judges may issue rulings based on the tenets on an Islamic theocracy, so he wants a ballot measure to prevent this from occurring.
Asked if there’s any danger that a judge might actually do this, the right-wing state lawmaker conceded that it’s never happened, but Duncan added, “[I]t’s not just a danger. It’s a reality…. This is a war for the survival of America.”
There was no indication he was kidding.
There were plenty of amusing responses to this, but as is often the case, digby delivered the knock-down punch: “Somebody’s got to stop all those liberal judges from imposing ultra-conservative Sharia Law and stoning gays and women who stray from God’s path. Oh wait…what are we talking about again?”
