# Armed protesters stalk peaceful Muslims at Texas mosque: We want to show force **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 22, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303 "2015-11-22T20:37:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/1 "2015-11-22T20:37:07Z")
I thought about posting this in the stupid Republican idea thread, but I can’t say for a fact that these people are Republicans. > **[Armed protesters stalk peaceful Muslims at Texas mosque: We want to show force](https://www.rawstory.com/2015/11/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/)** > > A group of armed protesters who wanted to "show force" gathered outside a Texas mosque Saturday in response to rumors about Syrian refugees and Sharia law.The group, calling itself the Bureau of American Islamic Relations, stationed itself... > [@](#): > > The group, calling itself the Bureau of American Islamic Relations, stationed itself outside the Islamic Center of Irving carrying signs with messages like, “Stop the Islamization of America,” according to the Dallas Morning News. A video taken at the mosque shows a man dressed in black with his face masked carrying a rifle. > > The group’s leader told the News they were upset because they had heard rumors of a Sharia court at the mosque and the prospect of letting Syrian refugees in. They also claimed members of the local Muslim community had made death threats against Irving’s mayor, Beth Van Duyne, earlier this year. The News found no evidence that this claim was true. > > When asked by the News why his group was armed, organizer David Wright said the weapons were “mostly for self protection,” but then added, “But I’m not going to lie. We do want to show force. We’re not sitting ducks.” They want to show force. They want people to be afraid of them. Who are the terrorists again? Yes, Wright does add the following: > [@](#): > > He then added,“We don’t want people to think we’re out to kill people or shoot people. It would be ridiculous to protest Islam without defending ourselves.” but seriously, what’s the point of them carrying guns in this situation except to give the impression that they’re willing to shoot the specific individuals they’re protesting? These aren’t open carry “enthusiasts” protecting their claimed rights. This is a group openly arming themselves against specific individuals who are not threatening them in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/2 "2015-11-22T20:51:33Z")
Such things are the natural consequence of the rhetoric more and more legitimized in certain quarters. “Hate the sin not the sinner” as Miller referenced, they hate only the religion not the members of it, a pretended distinction until the right level of legitimacy is built for a ‘direct action’ The Jews went through this in europe from the late 19e century through to the crescendo of the logic, and the correspondence in the discourse, its evolution is frightening to any person from the religious minority. Reading this profile of [the growth of the rhetoric](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rabid-dogs-and-muslim-id-cards-anti-islam-rhetoric-grows-in-gop/2015/11/19/1cdf9f04-8ee5-11e5-baf4-bdf37355da0c_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-high_islampolitics-848pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory), and also [this article from the wise Mark Lynch](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2015/11/20/the-endless-recurrence-of-the-clash-of-civilizations/) made me sad about the penetration of dangerous discourses and the support this gives to the DAESH and similar goals. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/3 "2015-11-22T21:10:31Z")
Lot of bad karma in that part of Texas. 'Cause of the Cowboys. Tom Landry and his policy of human sacrifice to his Dark Lord. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/4 "2015-11-22T21:13:02Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Yes, Wright does add the following:but seriously, **what’s the point of them carrying guns in this situation** except to give the impression that they’re willing to shoot the specific individuals they’re protesting? These aren’t open carry “enthusiasts” protecting their claimed rights. This is a group openly arming themselves against specific individuals who are not threatening them in any way. The same reason anybody does: they might need to shoot somebody. I have to wonder if these were the same sort of people who were up in arms about the idea of Muslim women wearing face coverings a while back? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/5 "2015-11-22T22:06:50Z")
When asked by the News why his group was armed, organizer David Wright said the weapons were “mostly for self protection,” but then added, “But I’m not going to lie. We do want to show force. We’re not sitting ducks.” I, for one, am grateful for ignorant, moron rednecks. I feel so much safer while they protect me from their fears. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/6 "2015-11-22T22:07:51Z")
From story: When asked by the News why his group was armed, organizer David Wright said the weapons were “mostly for self protection,” but then added, “But I’m not going to lie. We do want to show force. We’re not sitting ducks.” I, for one, am grateful for ignorant, moron rednecks. I feel so much safer while they protect me from their fears. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/7 "2015-11-22T22:09:10Z")
nm oops ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/8 "2015-11-22T22:56:23Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They want to show force. They want people to be afraid of them. Who are the terrorists again? > > Yes, Wright does add the following:but seriously, what’s the point of them carrying guns in this situation except to give the impression that they’re willing to shoot the specific individuals they’re protesting? These aren’t open carry “enthusiasts” protecting their claimed rights. This is a group openly arming themselves against specific individuals who are not threatening them in any way. It gives them a balanced view point, that regardless of what the “state” may say, they are alien and not welcome, and they exist only because the other side has more guns and laws. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/9 "2015-11-22T23:14:35Z")
Oh… > [@](#): > > The town of Irving gained notoriety earlier this year when police arrested a Muslim school boy who had made a clock at home and brought it to school, accusing him of making a “hoax bomb.” _THOSE_ guys. > [@davidm](#): > > These aren’t open carry “enthusiasts” protecting their claimed rights. This is a group openly arming themselves against specific individuals who are not threatening them in any way. I would be shocked if none of these people were open carry enthusiasts. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/10 "2015-11-22T23:24:34Z")
These Texans are doing the work of ISIS for them. They are pretty much following ISIS orders direct from ISIS leadership. When they do shit like this, ISIS cheers them. ISIS cannot buy this kind of excellent publicity. This shows peaceful Mulsims around the world that they cannot live in peace with assholes like these Texans, so therefore they should join up with extremists. These armed Texan “protesters” are the best friends ISIS ever had. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/11 "2015-11-22T23:41:22Z")
Fight fire with… It’s been done by Americans before, I think. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/12 "2015-11-22T23:44:11Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > They want to show force. They want people to be afraid of them. Who are the terrorists again? If only all acts of terrorism were like this! ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/13 "2015-11-23T01:10:45Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Fight fire with… > > It’s been done by Americans before, I think. What fire was being fought at the mosque? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/14 "2015-11-23T01:12:47Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > If only all acts of terrorism were like this! True, but they’re closer to being terrorists than the peaceful members of that mosque. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/15 "2015-11-23T01:14:29Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Oh… > > _THOSE_ guys. > > I would be shocked if none of these people were open carry enthusiasts. Of course, but my point was that they’re not _just_ that. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/16 "2015-11-23T01:24:16Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > True, but they’re closer to being terrorists than the peaceful members of that mosque. The only terrorist group whose message was “Don’t mess with us,” and nothing else really. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/17 "2015-11-23T01:40:33Z")
> [@](#): > > Bureau of American Islamic Relations Oh Jesus, don’t tell me. They’re “loaded for BAIR.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/18 "2015-11-23T01:41:06Z")
The article mentions that the group was carrying signs saying things like “Stop the Islamization of America.” I looked up “houses of worship” in Irving, Texas in the online yellow pages, just to see how many mosques and Islamic centers there were in this city that these locals felt so threatened. I was surprised at the variety there are in Irving; Hindu temples, a Christian Science reading room, a Jehovah’s Witness temple, Korean churches, an LDS family history center, a Greek Orthodox church, a Baha’i temple, a Pentecostal church and dozens of Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Evangelical churches (in addition to the oppressive number of Islamic centers). I think there’s even a Catholic church. Based on numbers alone, I’d think these guys would be more concerned about America being over-run by Baptist churches. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/19 "2015-11-23T01:45:10Z")
What a bunch of racist fucks! It just seems to be getting worse and worse. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303/20 "2015-11-23T02:08:39Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > The only terrorist group whose message was “Don’t mess with us,” and nothing else really. The message seemed to be “Be afraid of us.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-protesters-stalk-peaceful-muslims-at-texas-mosque-we-want-to-show-force/738303.md?page=2)