Ahira's Hangar

OK, on Monday around midnight I returned from California, and since then been cathching up on stuff I missed while staying at Dad's.

On a recent Bill Maher's HBO, it was reported that a poll reported 23% of Texans belief that Sen. Barack Obama is a muslim!

IMO, this coincides with the 20% of Americans who do not believe that Americans landed on the moon in April 1969.

Well, they wouldn't be voting for him even if they didn't, so it doesn't matter much I think.

--A

The thing that gets me is not only is it not true, but the fact that even if it were true, why in the hell would it matter as long as he (or anyone) is not a fundie? I would vote for an intelligent, well educated moderate Muslim anyday over a fundie of any type (including Christian).

We have a huge Muslim population here in southeast Michigan. The first generation come from all over Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They are very racially and ethnically diverse. The things most of them seem to have in common? A respect for education. A desire for political and religious freedom. A chance to overcome caste and class background to have a chance for themselves and their children to become successful in life. And they want their children - male and female alike - to go to the best schools they can afford, to get solidly middle class careers in mediciine, nursing, architecture, engineering, and business administration. In short - the very same reasons that every large group coming to America arrives on these shores.

To me a Muslim is a neighbor, a coworker, the sweet lady who specializes in pediatric dentistry, and the nice guy who works as a psychologist at the hosptial.

I really wish this Muslim/Arab bashing would cease.

They are people, no more no less. And all of the ones I persoanlly know are hard working, well educated peopel who are contributing to American society on a daily basis.

And while I have no proof, I believe that a new form of the Muslim religion is forming in American mosques in places like Dearborn and Ann Arbor in Michigan and Perrysburg down in Ohio. The people who worship there are very ethnically and racially diverse. They no longer follow division like Shia and Sunni. Most of them come from highly educated and solidly middle class backgrounds. They are coming together in a Muslim stew, as a part of a greater American stew where each group brings in a new tasty spice. And this new form of Muslim will be marked by a coming together and overcoming of ancient divisions and it is moderate.

Good post Duchess.

--A