Patterico's Pontifications » Multiple Choice Question

5/6/2009

Multiple Choice Question

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 6:56 pm

Which may be recognized in Hawaii?

a. Christian Day.

b. Islam Day.

c. Jew Day.

d. Catholic Day.

e. None of the above, because we have separation of church and state in America.

Check your answer here.

Comments (66)

66 Comments

Certainly. Why not? Everyone go flagellate themselves bloody and rejoice. Let’s all celebrate!

Comment by ManlyDad — 5/6/2009 @ 7:11 pm
The linked story told us everything we needed to know: there are only two Republicans in the Hawaii state Senate, out of 25 members, so any sort of idiocy is possible.

Comment by The unamazed Dana — 5/6/2009 @ 7:14 pm
Hawaii has weird priorities. The Ala Wai Marina, which was a beautiful marina in the 1980s, is now a wreck with half as many boat slips as it could have and a few well connected tenants who pay below market fees in a state that has very little in the way of recreational boating facilities. That’s just one example but I know about it. Last year, a guy came out of a bar near the marina and fell in. He died as a result of massive infections contracted from harbor water. This is the small boat harbor, not the port facilities.

They just don’t have the usual priorities.

Comment by Mike K — 5/6/2009 @ 7:14 pm
Jeez, I knew it.

Sad.

Comment by Patricia — 5/6/2009 @ 7:17 pm
Take paradise, turn it into a …

Comment by nk — 5/6/2009 @ 7:20 pm
Is this a trick question?

Comment by JD — 5/6/2009 @ 7:24 pm
Surprising that they didn’t proclaim a Shinto Day, in the spirit of reconciliation.

Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 5/6/2009 @ 7:28 pm
It would now be discriminatory of Hawaii to not also establish days honoring Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Latter Day Saints (including the polygamists), Buddhists, Sikhs, Atheists, Hindus and even Wiccans. They’ve really stepped in it.

Comment by Dana — 5/6/2009 @ 7:33 pm
Perhaps Linda Lingle will display a bit of uncommon sense, and veto this abomination.

Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 5/6/2009 @ 7:35 pm
The hilarious part of gestures like this is just how silly and patronizing it is, after all is said and done. “Islam Day”. These people actually think they’re accomplishing something, and being ‘nice’, by setting up an “Islam Day”. Let’s all collectively pat “Islam” on the head shall we. And then of course pat ourselves on the back for how enlightened we are.

Comment by Sonic Charmer — 5/6/2009 @ 7:38 pm
#9, it depends: when is the next election?

Comment by Dana — 5/6/2009 @ 7:38 pm
Obviously the Hawaiian legislature wants islamic radicals to kill them last.

Comment by SPQR — 5/6/2009 @ 7:39 pm
There should be option “F,” for “Useful Idiots Day.” And in light of the dominant political mindset and party affiliation in Hawaii, almost every day of the year would automatically be labeled accordingly. Designated in recognition of the countless number of liberals who have a tough time identifying with those things and people who deserve everyone’s sympathy or not, who deserve the benefit of the doubt or not, and the logical placement of such things and people on a scale that measures from truly good to truly bad.

Comment by Mark — 5/6/2009 @ 7:47 pm
It’s just a meaningless proclamation, not a paid holiday for government workers or anything. Like Christmas.

Comment by Aplomb — 5/6/2009 @ 7:55 pm
Comment by Dana — 5/6/2009 @ 7:38 pm

2010! But she’s termed out.

Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 5/6/2009 @ 7:57 pm
Do they have a Pork “The Other White Meat” Day? Joooooooooooo Day?

Comment by JD — 5/6/2009 @ 8:06 pm
Dana @ 8 – It would obviously be a hate crime against those other groups you listed if the legislature did not take immediate action to correct this grave injustice by recognizing them as well.

Comment by daleyrocks — 5/6/2009 @ 8:06 pm
The funniest thing about this is that there are maybe 20 muslims in the whole freaking state. It’s got the smallist number of persons of Arab or Persian ancestry in the US.

Comment by Shipwreckedcrew — 5/6/2009 @ 8:09 pm
Go to this link, and you can read the comments of Hawaii residents about the lastest action of their elected reps.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090506/BREAKING01/90506084

Comment by Shipwreckedcrew — 5/6/2009 @ 8:10 pm
How about a hard question next time.

Comment by PatAZ — 5/6/2009 @ 8:13 pm
Which may be recognized in Hawaii? Gee, better check with Boss Limbaugh first.

Comment by DCSCA — 5/6/2009 @ 8:43 pm
The one-trick pony returns.

Comment by Ag80 — 5/6/2009 @ 8:47 pm
they should celebrate it on September 11th, just to remind everyone of what Islam has done for America.

lan astaslem.

Comment by redc1c4 — 5/6/2009 @ 9:29 pm
so begins the slow descent – no wait we are flying towards destruction.

Comment by ktr — 5/7/2009 @ 12:38 am
The bill seeks to recognize “the rich religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions” that Islam and the Islamic world have made.

In the past 400 years, about the only thing Islam has contributed to the world is suicide bombing.

Comment by Perfect Sense — 5/7/2009 @ 1:59 am
#14:

If it’s meaningless, then why bother to do it in the first place?

Oh yeah, meaningless gestures mean something.

Comment by Dr. K — 5/7/2009 @ 2:39 am
#18 wrote:

The funniest thing about this is that there are maybe 20 Muslims in the whole freaking state.

19 after Barry left.

Comment by Perfectsense — 5/7/2009 @ 3:21 am
What do we get to do on islam day?

Kill an infidel – your choice of Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu?
Beat our women and make them wear burkas?
Not shave?
Not wear deodorant?
Skip the pork?
Drink tea instead of alcohol?
Stone an adulteress to death?
Riot in the streets?
Give a journalist 20 lashes?
Kill our sister for wearing western clothes?

Hey. It might fun for the guys for one day.

Comment by arch — 5/7/2009 @ 5:41 am
What do we get to do on islam day?
Comment by arch — 5/7/2009 @ 5:41 am

Is there time to change the date to to go with Talk Like a Pirate Day – Death to America; arrrgghh….But why is the rum gone?

Comment by no one you know — 5/7/2009 @ 5:57 am
#25 Perfect Sense:

In the past 400 years, about the only thing Islam has contributed to the world

Oh, don’t forget the buzzing prayer rug.

Or the one with the integral electroluminescent compass that shows when you are pointed towards Mecca.

Comment by EW1(SG) — 5/7/2009 @ 6:20 am
Ah, small-state legislatures. With the governors of those states driving the agenda of more important items (like the budget), it gives them time for silliness.

Even Idaho’s Legislature learned how to say No to Brandi Swindell. South Dakota’s voters eventually told their Legislature to cool it with the continual harping on abortion. What’s Hawaii’s excuse for this little exercise in violating the Establishment Clause?

Comment by Brad S — 5/7/2009 @ 7:55 am
Ah, small-state legislatures. With the governors of those states driving the agenda of more important items (like the budget), it gives them time for silliness.

Smallness of state has nothing to do with it, unfortunately. Come on down to my state, where it matters not what party you belong to, just whether you realize who you pay fealty to for the rest of your career. Just toe the line and keep your mouth shut, and the world will be yours someday (as opposed to former Gov. Blago, who couldn’t keep his mouth shut).

Comment by Dmac — 5/7/2009 @ 8:05 am
For the first 100 years or so after the Bill of Rights, the Establishment Clause only applied to the Feds, not the states. If that is the case, and the Incorporation doctrine is invalid, then this is no big deal. They could even make Islam their official state religion.

Comment by carlitos — 5/7/2009 @ 8:10 am
Which may be recognized in Hawaii? Gee, better check with Boss Limbaugh first.

Yup, everything done by Democrats is ultimately the fault of Rush Limbaugh.

Do you realize how ridiculous you look? Are you trying to act stupid, or does it come naturally to you?

Comment by Steverino — 5/7/2009 @ 9:16 am
Either natural or acquired over years of practice. No one is that dumb by accident.

Comment by Dr. K — 5/7/2009 @ 9:25 am
Which may be recognized in Hawaii?

e. Obama’s Birth Certificate

Comment by Official Internet Data Office — 5/7/2009 @ 9:31 am
“Mele Kalikimaka.”

Comment by Oiram — 5/7/2009 @ 9:34 am
Christmas is a federal holiday. Rosh Hoshanah is not. This doesn’t seem to bother Patterico or the other commenters here. I guess establishment of religion is okay if it’s Christian. Such tribalism.

Patterico seems to think that “Islam” can be used as a name for a person, like Christian, Jew, and Catholic. Weird.

Comment by panorama — 5/7/2009 @ 1:49 pm
~~Patterico~~ The Hawaii Legislature seems to think that “Islam” can be used as a name for a person, like Christian, Jew, and Catholic. Weird.
Comment by panorama — 5/7/2009 @ 1:49 pm

FTFY (try reading the link next time).

Comment by Stashiu3 — 5/7/2009 @ 2:21 pm
I have no idea how Christmas has lasted this long as a Federal Holiday though. I’m glad that it has, but it’s rather strange when I think about it. Does anyone else know?

Comment by Stashiu3 — 5/7/2009 @ 2:28 pm
Ever try to take a holiday away from the union?

Comment by John Hitchcock — 5/7/2009 @ 2:31 pm
Oddly enough, Islam can be used as a name for a person, as can Christian.

I’ve known several people named Christian, and the dictator of Uzbekistan is named Islam.

Comment by aphrael — 5/7/2009 @ 2:31 pm
Stashiu3: the argument is that it’s a secular holiday.

To be honest, I think Thanksgiving is in more threat.

Comment by aphrael — 5/7/2009 @ 2:32 pm
Ever try to take a holiday away from the union?
Comment by John Hitchcock — 5/7/2009 @ 2:31 pm

I remember a lot of objections when they combined Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday into President’s Day, so that’s a very good point.

Stashiu3: the argument is that it’s a secular holiday.
To be honest, I think Thanksgiving is in more threat.
Comment by aphrael — 5/7/2009 @ 2:32 pm

I believe you aphrael. I don’t understand that line of reasoning though. It seems to clearly be a Christian holiday. I would hate to see Thanksgiving messed with too. I really need to watch my Detroit Lions play that day (although the NFL is apparently considering taking that game away from them. If they do, the only professional sport left for me to watch is the NHL. I boycott the others already.)

Comment by Stashiu3 — 5/7/2009 @ 2:45 pm
BTW, that WAS the Detroit Lions… with their perfect record last season!! Woo-hoo!!!

Comment by Stashiu3 — 5/7/2009 @ 2:50 pm
Oiram, that was pretty funny. I spent Christmas in Hawaii a few years ago, and it was weird. Nighttime service outside at the hotel, listening to the waves crash on the beach.

Comment by carlitos — 5/7/2009 @ 3:04 pm
A people who will not stand for something will certainly fall for anything. Secularism does not exist. It is the highest form of self delusion. Nature abhors vacuum. If America will not stand for the God of the Bible, they will most certainly fall for Islam. This is the first. Just like gay-marriage it will soon spread to all the states of the Union.

Comment by The Emperor7 — 5/7/2009 @ 3:21 pm
At the risk of agreeing with part of the emperor’s post, there were something like 4,000 converts to Islam in Germany between July, 2004 and June 2005. (German link, h/t Mark Steyn). I’m sure that there are similar numbers elsewhere in Europe, and that the rate isn’t declining. t’s like Robert Ferrigno’s trilogy are non-fiction.

Comment by carlitos — 5/7/2009 @ 3:28 pm
Hockey!?!? Is there no bottom to the depths to which this thread can sink?

Comment by Machinist — 5/7/2009 @ 3:34 pm
Think of it as Canadian-opera… on ice.

(Be nice or I’ll email you the play-by-play again. There’s a Red Wings game tonight!)

Comment by Stashiu3 — 5/7/2009 @ 3:41 pm
Is Canadian opera anything like the Windsor Ballet?

Comment by JD — 5/7/2009 @ 3:55 pm
I’d rather watch Canadian Ballet

Comment by Dr. K — 5/7/2009 @ 3:55 pm
Dr K has obviously never spent any time in Windsor

Comment by JD — 5/7/2009 @ 4:19 pm
I thought hockey was Canadian Ballet?

Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 5/7/2009 @ 4:21 pm
In Western Canada, they call the place where the Windsor Ballet is performed a “peeler bar.”

Comment by carlitos — 5/7/2009 @ 4:58 pm
Stashiu3,
I know opera and hockey is not opera.

Comment by Machinist — 5/7/2009 @ 5:40 pm
I Am Canadian!

Comment by carlitos — 5/7/2009 @ 5:44 pm
Hockey isn’t even a sport.

Comment by John Hitchcock — 5/7/2009 @ 5:46 pm
#54 AD:

I thought hockey was Canadian Ballet?

Nah, that’s curling.

Comment by EW1(SG) — 5/7/2009 @ 7:18 pm
I guess establishment of religion is okay if it’s Christian.

Well, given the history of America and the high percentage of its populace since Day One that considers itself Christian, the concept of majority rules does make sense.

Moreover, I wonder if any society that is heavily Islamic has made or is making much of an effort to recognize its, say, Christian or Jewish minority? But in light of the ruthless, assassin-crazed history of Mohammed, it would be rather surprising if a society built around his religion was all that accomodating. In that regard, Mohammed — particularly when it came to his own dealings with rival religions or factions — certainly could not be labeled a “useful idiot.”

Comment by Mark — 5/7/2009 @ 8:12 pm
I wonder if any society that is heavily Islamic has made or is making much of an effort to recognize its, say, Christian or Jewish minority?

The pre-Mongol Caliphate, and the Ottoman Empire, both recognized, tolerated, and devolved some governing powers to its Christian and Jewish minorities.

The Mughals recognized and tolerated its Hindu minority.

I’ll understand if you wish to restrict your question to contemporary Islamic societies, but if you’re asking “if any society that is heavily Islamic has made” without qualifying it with ‘contemporary’, then the three examples I have just cited answer the question.

Comment by aphrael — 5/7/2009 @ 11:16 pm
“…The Mughals recognized and tolerated its Hindu minority…”

I think both Hindu and perhaps Buddhist scholars would have something to say about the tolerance of the Mughals during their period of dominance in South Asia.

Comment by AD - RtR/OS! — 5/7/2009 @ 11:26 pm
JD @ 53:

I live near Buffalo. “Canadian Ballet” is the same thing. Except that we insult the entire country instead of only one smallish border town.

Comment by Dr. K — 5/8/2009 @ 4:28 am
#61 aphrael:

The pre-Mongol Caliphate, and the Ottoman Empire, both recognized, tolerated, and devolved some governing powers to its Christian and Jewish minorities.

History is written by the victors.

The minority versions under the Ottoman empire, and to a lesser extent the pre-Mongol caliphate tell quite a different version.

And as AD already noted, so do the Hindus.

Comment by EW1(SG) — 5/8/2009 @ 5:07 am
aphrael, good point. With a whopping 60 years of Western tolerance, there are going to be lots of historical examples that look favorable by comparison.

Comment by carlitos — 5/8/2009 @ 6:48 am
I live near Buffalo. “Canadian Ballet” is the same thing. Except that we insult the entire country instead of only one smallish border town.

Comment by Dr. K — 5/8/2009 @ 4:28 am

Lived in the Peoples’ Republic of Williamsville for 19 years. I assume you’re referring to the festivities around Fort Erie.

Arch

Comment by arch — 5/9/2009 @ 11:16 am