No excuse for anti-Muslim prejudice

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I was absolutely horrified by the poll results cited in a recent article. USA TODAY reported that "39% of respondents to the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll said they felt at least some prejudice against Muslims." It said that 39% also "favored requiring Muslims, including U.S. citizens, to carry a special ID 'as a means of preventing terrorist attacks in the United States.' " Further, the poll found that about one-third of respondents "said U.S. Muslims were sympathetic to al-Qaeda, and that 22% said they wouldn't want Muslims as neighbors" ("USA's Muslims under a cloud," Cover story, Life, Aug. 10).

How can these respondents live with themselves?

Do these 39% fear and hate the Muslim "boogeyman" so strongly they would demonize Muslims by invoking the use of special IDs similar to practices during the Holocaust? If 39% of our country don't mind throwing out the constitutional rights of our fellow citizens, what's next? Internment? Indeed, why stop at Muslims? In this climate of fear, every outsider is seen as a potential threat. But who are the real Americans and who are the outsiders?

Terrorism exists. It has and probably always will. Every country and ethnicity has had to deal with it. But that is no excuse for this hatred.

I watched 9/11 unfold in real time from my office window about 40 blocks north in Manhattan. And though I was safe, I didn't know it at the time. My initial reaction was anger, finger-pointing and mistrust. But as a civilized New Yorker, I calmed down and moved on. I will still get on planes, go to major tourist attractions, oppose our invasion of Iraq, welcome all good people, including Muslims, into my life and continue to fight for the America those 39% seem willing to trade away for some false sense of security.

Like the remaining 61%, I will not sit quietly and let this infectious disease of fear and mistrust contaminate my soul or destroy my country.

Carolyn Zezima

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

[incanada1234 0]

I loathe and fear Carolyn Zezima.

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

[Melo 1]

I loathe and fear Carolyn Zezima.

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm I think that I would like this woman... seems to be balanced and capable of thinking for herself. She is spot on in that article!!!

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

I loathe and fear Carolyn Zezima.

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

maybe she should take a trip to iraq

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Terrorism exists. It has and probably always will. Every country and ethnicity has had to deal with it. But that is no excuse for this hatred.

Hatred exists. It has and probably always will. Every country and ethnicity has had to deal with it. But that is no excuse for all this terrorism.

[Melo 1]

Terrorism exists. It has and probably always will. Every country and ethnicity has had to deal with it. But that is no excuse for this hatred.

Hatred exists. It has and probably always will. Every country and ethnicity has had to deal with it. But that is no excuse for all this terrorism.

Aye!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

I'm not encouraging that.

[incanada1234 0]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

I'm not encouraging that.

Clearly you were, judging by the rose-colored glasses remark. What are you trying to say, lucky strike? That all muslims should have to wear rose-colored glasses? Huh???

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

I'm not encouraging that.

Clearly you were, judging by the rose-colored glasses remark. What are you trying to say, lucky strike? That all muslims should have to wear rose-colored glasses? Huh???

You caught me.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

I'm not encouraging that.

Clearly you were, judging by the rose-colored glasses remark. What are you trying to say, lucky strike? That all muslims should have to wear rose-colored glasses? Huh???

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Must be nice to walk through life and not pre-judge anyone. Can I borrow those rose colored glasses?

Maybe - but there's no reasonable excuse for encouraging the branding of human beings, after that business with 'armbands' back in the 30's and 40's.

I'm not encouraging that.

Didn't say you are - the article posted by the OP did suggest that those polled favour the introduction of specialised ID's for people of a specific ethnicity or religious persuasion. We've been there before. Clearly.

[Jenn! 918]

I wonder if they've looked at these numbers by state.

ETA: Apparently not, as the poll was taken by only about 1,000 people. I wouldn't trust such a small sample. But we won't move to any red states in the meantime, just in case.

Edited August 17, 2006 by jenn3539

[mawilson 2,133]

But we won't move to any red states in the meantime, just in case.

I don't think there are many Muslims in the red states...