Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Is That the Best They Can Do?

Donald Trump is the latest entry into the race for the Republican nomination for president for the 2012 election. The first big issue that he brought to the front is the legitimacy of Obama to be president as long as there is a question regarding the location of his birth. The Constitution requires that a president must be a natural born citizen of the United States. Obama has only released a Certificate of Live Birth and not the long form birth certificate which some claim is the definitive document for them to see. There is plenty of other evidence that Obama was indeed born in the state of Hawaii.


Trump has made this a major issue. Today Obama released certified copies of the long form birth certificate. Donald Trump’s response was very interesting. He said, “I am very proud” that he was able to force Obama to show his birth certificate. He reiterated that he is both proud and honored to have accomplished this important task. From my perspective, one has to question: is that the best the Republican Party can do for a presidential contender in 2012? If it is, it should be a very interesting election season.

Friday, April 1, 2011

What I Found in the Koran

I recently came across an English translation of the Koran. Being the curious sort I opened it up to see what it contained. I discovered that each page had three columns, only one of which was in English. The other columns contain the same text in different languages. I also discovered that Arabs read books in reverse order of what we do. They start in the back of the book and read forward.

I found that it’s easy reading so I started with the very first verse of the first chapter and I’m now halfway through chapter 2. I ran across an interesting statement from the Muslim holy book: “O Children of Israel! Call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your covenant with Me and I shall fulfill My covenant with you, and fear none but Me.” Koran 2:40. This sentiment is repeated in verse 47: “O children of Israel! Call to mind the (special) favor which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others.”

From my perspective, it is very surprising to discover that instead of historic animosity between Muslims and Jews, the Muslim holy book ascribes special favor of God to the Jewish people. It will be interesting to see what other surprises I find as I read this book.