Thursday, January 12, 2012

SHARIA LAW, TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY & the CONSTITUTION


Frederick Douglass

"Oklahoma residents' lack of understanding international law will be to their detriment. There is a lot of pride in ignorance, in not knowing or understanding in the United States. It has hampered growth, and relationships among other things and is a far cry from the appropriate thinking a citizen of a major global power should have... These are my words." - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories


http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x2145131342/Oklahoma-Sharia-ban-falls-short-in-federal-court-appeal 



altar of actress Shima Sikander
"A federal appeals court has upheld an injunction blocking a state constitution amendment to ban judicial consideration of Sharia or other international law.


The “Save Our State Amendment” was approved by 70 percent of voters in the November 2010 election. Shortly afterward, Oklahoma resident Muneer Awad — executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in the state — sued to block the State Election Board from certifying the results, a step necessary for the amendment to go into effect.


Among the claims in the lawsuit, Awad said the amendment would stigmatize Muslims, foster excessive entanglement between the government and his religion and prevent a court from being able to probate his last will and testament, which contains references to Sharia law..."
The second half of the amendment “forbids courts from considering or using international law,” which was defined in the ballot question as including “countries, states and tribes” and coming from “international agreements, as well as treaties.”


Williams said the vague wording could interfere with the state’s agreements with Oklahoma tribes that are considered sovereign states, or it could impede agreements between Oklahoma and international companies. He cited Devon Energy’s announcement earlier this week that it had sold energy plays to a Chinese company for $2.2 billion.

“I’m sure international law was involved in that, and a lot of it benefited a remarkable Oklahoma company,” Williams said." - By Ricky O'Bannon



Standing Bear - Ponca in 1877




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