A Safer America: An 18-year-old and a bomb

There have been a number of these cases over the last few years.  Cases where the FBI foils a terror attack and saves America.  But a lot of these cases also seem a bit odd.  In this one, an 18-year-old kid tried to set off a car bomb in Chicago.  But he got the fake bomb FROM the FBI.  AFTER the FBI contacted him and helped stir him up.  Which begs the question: Would this kid have ever actually done anything WITHOUT FBI help?  Or would he be just another impotent wacko spouting off on the Internet?  Is the FBI actually helping stop terror attacks, or is it creating stoppable terror attacks to prove its worth?

Anti-Muslim Movie Part 2

By now you've probably heard that everything we knew about the maker of the movie is wrong.  He's not an Israeli Jew, but now claims to be a Coptic Egyptian.  He has been in jail for fraud.  And the actors in the movie had no idea what was going on.  They filmed a movie set a few thousand years ago, and this guy dubbed over their voices to make references to Muhammad.

This brings me to a great little article on Slate called: Don't let Internet videos drive you to violence.  No matter who you are, somewhere out there is a person or group who just doesn't like you.  And they may post videos just to upset you.  Hoping that you'll go crazy and even turn to violence.  Don't let them get away with it.  It's what they want.  Don't let them win.

Anti-Muslim Movie

I want to start by condemning the attacks in Libya, that resulted in US deaths.  There has also been violence in Cairo. 

What set off these attacks is a movie called "Innocence of Muslims."  The filmmaker is Israeli-American and says he made the film because "Islam is a cancer" (quoted from article).  The film was recently subtitled in Arabic, and started being mentioned on Egyptian television.

I don't condone the violence and deaths, but I can understand why people are so upset.  This is another one of those situations that I've blogged about before: Yes, in America we have Freedom of Speech.  But just because you CAN say something does not mean that you SHOULD say something.

If a Muslim made a movie about Jesus, and depicted him as a womanizer and pedophile, there would be boycotts and mass demonstrations, and probably even some violence in America. [I'm saying this to make a point, because most Americans don't realize Jesus is a Muslim prophet.]  The relationship between America and the Middle East is so tenuous at times, and historically rather rocky, so it's very easy to offend people.  My current concern is backlash over the backlash, as some Americans may become more Islamophobic and think that all Muslims are ultra-religious and violent.  Let's hope the situation cools off quickly.

Islamophobia in America Again

I think by now everyone has seen the shooting at the Sikh temple.  I'm including it here because right after  9-11 some Sikhs were killed because they were mistaken for Muslims.  Apparently if you wear a turban that means you're Muslim.

Another one:  A mosque in Joplin, Missouri has been burned down - for the second time this summer!

Last year a mosque in California was burned down.

An organization is putting up Islamorealism signs in New York, to expose terrorism.

Islamophobia.org
Islamophobia Watch
Islamophobia Today

Edit: added website

NYC Police Overstep Bounds

This story originally broke a while back, but new information is now available:  The 911 tape that started it all.  In 2009, the New York City Police Department was caught with a safe house in New Jersey.  Specifically, they were watching local Muslim groups and putting all their information into a database.  Then the NYC police department tried to claim that they weren't doing anything illegal, because the police officers weren't doing anything "official."

This really upsets me.  It reminds me of McCarthyism in the 1950s, when people were terrified of being accused of being a Red.  Except, most Muslims tend to have darker skin.  If the police were doing this to Catholics, people would be horrified. So why is it acceptable to treat Muslims this way?

Tennessee Mosque Opens

Finally!  That mosque in Tennessee that seems to have a lot of Tennesseans freaked out, may finally be able to open.  This has been going on for TWO YEARS.  The range of Islamophobia in this country really makes me think of McCarthyism in the 1950s.  It's pathetic.

And More Islamophobia in America

You've probably seen the news about Lowe's pulling their advertising from a reality show on TLC.  The reality show follows Muslims in Michigan as they go through their everyday lives.  Apparently that counts as "propaganda" to some wacko Christians out there.  The wackos raised a fuss and Lowe's caved in.  And they're getting a lot of backlash!  Sign the petition against Islamophobia here.

Saturday Night Live did a skit involving Jesus talking to Tim Tebow (the American football player).  That offended people like Pat Roberston who felt it was attacking Christianity.  He claimed that if Saturday Night Live had done a similar skit about Islam, there would be a huge outcry.  His co-host said there would be "bodies on the street."  I guess Christians are nice people and Muslims are violent crazies who go around killing everyone.

Thanksgiving Madness

If you're in the United States, today is Thanksgiving Day.  It mainly involves eating lots of turkey with family and friends, and watching football on TV.  It's sort of a religious holiday, depending upon how religious your family is.  But in the latest Islamophobia, the crazies are worried about Islam taking over Thanksgiving.  Why?  Because Butterball has Halal turkeys.

Whole Butterball turkeys are being processed according to Halal methods.  Apparently some people consider this an attack upon America because they are forced to eat "stealth halal turkeys."  First of all, how come these crazies are not attacking Kosher turkeys?  Secondly, here's my favorite quote:

Across this great country, on Thanksgiving tables nationwide, infidel Americans are unwittingly going to be serving halal turkeys to their families this Thursday. Turkeys that are halal certified -- who wants that, especially on a day on which we are giving thanks to G-d for our freedom?

So, you're giving thanks to God for your freedom.  Then wouldn't you WANT to eat a turkey that's been consecrated to God?

Here's more from a blogger for the Houston Chronicle.

Islamophobia in Oklahoma

Trust Oklahoma to be near the front of this.  Last year voters in Oklahoma passed a law that would prohibit Oklahoma judges from recognizing international law, and specifically, Islamic law, in their rulings.  A lawsuit was filed against it, and a federal court is currently looking into the matter.

Here are some of the problems.  First of all, Shariah is not taking over the USA!!!  But a lot of people think it is.  Secondly, if Muslims try to make a contract or something according to Islamic law, maybe even their wills, then that could be in jeopardy.

And for Americans who think this couldn't possible affect them?  Well, what if two Jews wanted a contract that followed Jewish law?  Right now it would be legal.  But if Shariah is "banned" then what about Judaic law?  I've even heard radio advertisements for investment houses that follow biblical (Christian) law.  How can you allow some religious law, but not ALL religious law?  I know - maybe we should just go ahead and ban all religious law!  Because I don't want "those kinds of people" taking over my country.

American Islamic Websites

I found a few websites that I like, so here they are:


My Fellow American - This website is devoted to showing how Muslims in America are just as American as anyone else. (Facebook)


Islamophobia Today - This site is a project of Americans Against Islamophobia.  It discusses news and blog stories that have an anti-Muslim bias.

Not Islamophobia in America

I generally point out instances of Islamophobia in the United States, but this is a case where it wasn't Islamophobia.  Several Muslims were arrested at an amusement park in New York, because they wanted to go on rides, but no head scarves were allowed.  This started a big confrontation and police were called in.  Now, this is not an anti-hijab rule.  This is a rule that the amusement park passed that covers hats, scarves, head scarves, whatever is on your head.  Because on certain rides they can fly off or maybe even get caught somewhere.  Unfortunately, several of the women involved seemed to think this was about their hijab.  The newspaper covering the situation also phrased it as a "head scarf ban," further inflaming the situation.

This is a secondary problem that I haven't really talked about before.  After being discriminated against for a while, some people will start to view any kind of problem as discrimination.  For instance, if you ask someone the time and they ignore you, it's not necessarily because you have a different skin color or religion.  It could be something as simple as the person didn't hear you, or was having a really bad day.  But if you face discrimination all the time, then that is the first thing you think of.

More Islamophobia in America

Most of you probably haven't heard of Herman Cain.  He's a republican, and a black man, who is running for President of the USA.  And the more I find out about him, the less I like him.  Now he's saying that communities in the US should be able to ban mosques if they want to.  He claims it's because Islam is not just a religion, but a set of laws as well.  Although, so is Christianity and Judaism.  He claims it's different in Christianity.  However, since there are Orthodox Jews in this country, would he be alright with communities banning synagogues?  Or is that different too?  Is it only Islam that qualifies?  What about Pentecostal Christians?  They have different rules they follow too, like women wearing skirts and not cutting their hair.  Does that qualify for banning?  Who gets to decide what gets banned?

This kind of bullshit really ticks me off.  Yes, there are terrorists out there.  Yes, some of them are Muslim.  Banning mosques gives the terrorists even more fodder - "Look at the Americans - they hate Islam, they ban mosques, yadda yadda yadda." 

If we're going to ban mosques because some Muslims are terrorists, then why don't we allow communities to ban churches, because some Christians are terrorists?  There are extreme Christians who bomb abortion clinics and kill doctors who perform abortions.  Or is that not true Christianity?  The same way terrorism is not true Islam.

There's a reason we have Freedom of Religion in America.  That way no one gets to choose who to ban.

Anti-Muslim Law in Australia

Anti-Muslim prejudice is on the move again, this time to Australia.  The state of New South Wales wants to pass a law requiring a Muslim woman to show her face to police, when requested.  If she doesn't, there's a $5,500 fine (AUD) and a year in jail.

Great.  So much for religious freedom in Australia.  This is the same old tune that other countries have used:  "it's for security" or "it's because women are forced to wear a veil."  There are very few woman in Australia who wear a niqab or other face covering, and while some of those may be forced, it wouldn't surprise me if most of them were not.  And if you are wearing a niqab for religious reasons, then showing your face to some random policeman is going to be very distressing.  To use an analogy, how would you feel if a policeman pulled your wife over for speeding, then asked her to take off her blouse.  I know some of you think that's a bad analogy (it has some faults) but for some Muslim women I've met, the idea of letting a man see their face is about on par with that.  And who are we to force them to act differently?

Islamophobia in Oregon?

By now, you've probably all read about the failed bombing in Oregon that was an FBI sting (or setup, depending upon your view).  Well, over the weekend, a fire was set at an Islamic center in Corvallis, where the bomber went to university.  To me, this sounds like backlash against Muslims, because of the bomber's religion.  Because, as we all know, the best way to handle a bombing is to lash out at innocent people with the same religion.  This kind of thing really gets on my nerves, because it shows just how ignorant some Americans still are.

Islamophobia in Greece

Some Muslims in Athens were heckled and had eggs thrown at them during Eid al-Adha prayers.  But at least one group was able to pray in peace, near Athens University.  Apparently there are no "official" mosques in Athens, so Muslims pray at community centers, in homes, etc.  There has been antagonism to mosques being built, but the current Greek Orthodox Archbishop is supporting the Muslims, so there should be a mosque soon.

Islamophobia in Germany

Things are just getting worse for Muslims in Europe.  Now the chancellor of Germany has come out and said that multiculturalism there has failed:

"This approach has failed, totally," she said, adding that immigrants should integrate and adopt Germany's culture and values.

"We feel tied to Christian values. Those who don't accept them don't have a place here," said the chancellor.

But then later:

While saying that the government needed to encourage the training of Muslim clerics in Germany, Merkel said "Islam is part of Germany", echoeing the recent comments of Wulff, a liberal voice in the party.

Wow.  I can't believe a European leader actually said something like that.  Now, I do believe in "integration."  But in my mind, that means that if you move to a new country and become a citizen there, you learn the language and the laws.  It doesn't mean you have to change your religion.  I admit that I don't know a lot about what it going on in Germany.  Most of what I have heard is about Muslim Turks moving there and the Germans not really liking it.  The Turkish prime minister did weigh in by asking Turkish immigrants to learn German.  But I'm still concerned, because Islamophobia seems to be taking off in Europe.  Well, at least Germany hasn't yet become the Netherlands.

Fighting Islamophobia

Kudos to talk show hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, for arguing against Bill O'Reilly and finally walking off the set until he apologized for demeaning Muslims.  I'm sure this won't go any further, but I will take the small victory and celebrate it.

What Kind of Fundamentalism?

I somehow missed this in 2009:  Juan Cole's article about how similar Sarah Palin's views are to Muslim extremists.  It is the height of hypocrisy for someone to decry Islam and some of the extremist views that exist, only to insist on similarly extreme Christian views.  But then, most politicians rarely let facts stand in their way.  In a similar vein, Cole's post today on Palin and Sharia is also worth reading.

More Islamophobia in America

There are some really wacko people in America.  Sharron Angle is running for the office of senator, in the state of Nevada.  Someone asked her about the Shariah law happening in the US, so she had to show her ignorance, by castigating Dearborn, Michigan, for coming under Shariah law.  If I remember correctly, Dearborn has the largest Muslim community in the US.  And since it is an American city, it is under American law!  What the hell is wrong with these people who seem to think that if a few Muslims get together then the rule of law changes!  The only way Shariah law could take over is through a constitutional amendment, which would require at least 35 states to approve of it!  But these right-wing crazies have no intention of letting the facts get in the way of their bizarre beliefs. 

Islam is a Religion

Alright, what are these people smoking?  The mosque in Tennessee has been overshadowed by the "Ground Zero Mosque," but it is running into problems too.  The latest incident is over whether or not Islam is actually a religion.  And opponents also claim that Muslims want to take over with Sharia law.

These people are so delusional that it's really hard to argue with them.  They will not listen to common sense or the simple facts of the situation.  They have literally been brainwashed into believing that Muslims are evil and out to take over the world and that Sharia law will magically take over America if they are not stopped.  Really, what can you say to someone like that?