The Legislature has more than enough on its plate when it returns this week. It shouldn’t waste time on a bill targeting Islamic law, known as Shariah. Out-of-state activists have bombarded some state senators with e-mails urging them to pass the bill, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. But the bill doesn’t provide any new protections that don’t already exist in the Constitution. So the only purpose of the bill is to pander to some people’s fears. And as University of Kansas law professor Raj Bhala noted, “Sometimes the worst legislation is spawned by fear. This is an example of that.” Bhala also warned that such legislation might hurt the state’s image and ability to do business with other countries. “If we are trying to promote business in Kansas,” he said, “we ought not be enacting legislation that will turn business away.”
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is getting a surprising amount of positive attention these days, via the “Texts from Hillary” meme and otherwise. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates added his applause in an essay as part of Time’s list of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World,” describing Clinton as tough, indefatigable, patient, smart and knowledgeable and calling her an “idealistic realist and a superb secretary of state.” Gates, a native Wichitan who is now chancellor of the College of William and Mary, said Clinton “has made a singular contribution to strengthening this country’s relationships with allies, partners and friends; rallying other countries to join us in dealing with challenges to the global order, from Libya and Iran to the South China Sea; and reaching out to people in scores of countries to demonstrate that America cares about them.” Meanwhile, Gates is still getting recognition. He will be the first individual to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Kansas State University when he speaks at the university’s graduate school commencement on May 11.
The following satirical headlines come from borowitzreport.com and theonion.com:
Gingrich Urges Romney to Drop Out so He Can Focus on General Election
Fox News Wins Pulitzer for Fiction
Republicans Reveal That Entire Presidential Race Was a Prank
Greece Buys Mega Millions Ticket
Backup Health Care Plan Involves Nation Sharing One Big Jar of Ointment
Florida Police Warn Public Against Taking Law Into Own Hands Unless It’s That Law Specifically Designed for You to Do That
Citing Safety Concerns, Somali Pirates Refuse to Board Cruise Ships
Charlotte Bobcats Still Practicing for Some Reason
The Legislature has more than enough on its plate when it returns this week. It shouldn’t waste time on a bill targeting Islamic law, known as Shariah. Out-of-state activists have bombarded some state senators with e-mails urging them to pass the bill, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported. But the bill doesn’t provide any new protections that don’t already exist in the Constitution. So the only purpose of the bill is to pander to some people’s fears. And as University of Kansas law professor Raj Bhala noted, “Sometimes the worst legislation is spawned by fear. This is an example of that.” Bhala also warned that such legislation might hurt the state’s image and ability to do business with other countries. “If we are trying to promote business in Kansas,” he said, “we ought not be enacting legislation that will turn business away.”
