# NYC cabbie stabbed for being Muslim. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 25, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428 "2010-08-25T18:22:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/61 "2010-08-26T18:58:58Z")
> [@furt](#): > > > [@cosmosdan](#): > > > > Now we’re seeing other acts connected to a general anti Muslim sentiment … > > :dubious: Cite for actual acts of anti-Muslim violence? [Brick lobbed at Islamic cultural center in Fresno](http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/25/2053382/vandalism-at-madera-islamic-center.html). [Muslim softball player beaten up during game in Cedar Rapids (IA).](http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GazetteOnlineLocalNews+%28Gazette+Online+Local+News%29) [Muslim beaten up for being a Muslim in Santa Clara, CA](http://www.alan.com/2010/06/15/california-man-attacked-for-being-muslim/) (although in fairness, it appears that the attacker was looking for a Jew instead). That was like three seconds of Googling. ---
**Author:** ![godix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/278dde/32.png) [@godix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godix)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/62 "2010-08-26T19:03:01Z")
As long as people are willing to divide the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’, demonize them, and allow rabble rousers to manipulate this for political power, then yes it is inevitable that we will experience these kinds of events. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/63 "2010-08-26T19:05:39Z")
‘Cab drivers’ and ‘passengers’, you mean? That little plastic screen is sort of dehumanizing. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/64 "2010-08-26T19:07:33Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > Is it inevitable that we will experience these kinds of events to finally confront our own inner fears and bigotry and to test our resolve concerning our founding principles and American Character? > Can we curb the profit driven controversy and the dishonest inflammatory language that feeds this beast? How much blame do the fear mongers deserve. 1993 WTC attack, 6 people killed - additional wounded 2001 WTC attack, thousands killed – additional wounded 2002 Beltway sniper attack, 10 people killed – 6 wounded 2009 Ft Hood shooting, 13 people killed – 30 wounded What these events all have in common is that they didn’t trigger massive rioting. Contrast this to the Danish cartoon reaction. Contrast this to the [6 honor killings in the United States](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-29-honor-killings-in-the-US_N.htm) over the last 2 years. The United States is by far the safest place for Muslims to live in peace and practice their religion without fear. The person most likely to harm a Muslim over religious bigotry is another Muslim. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/65 "2010-08-26T19:12:02Z")
> [@furt](#): > > > [@cosmosdan](#): > > > > Now we’re seeing other acts connected to a general anti Muslim sentiment … > > :dubious: Cite for actual acts of anti-Muslim violence? Check out the links already posted. It doesn’t have to be violence like the stabbing. Just acts that pretty clearly demonstrate a decidedly anti Muslim sentiment for no other reason. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/66 "2010-08-26T19:23:38Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > > [@furt](#): > > > > :dubious: Cite for actual acts of anti-Muslim violence? > > Check out the links already posted. It doesn’t have to be violence like the stabbing. Just acts that pretty clearly demonstrate a decidedly anti Muslim sentiment for no other reason. Actually it does have to be violence. Love thy neighbor doesn’t mean you have to like them, it means they are accorded the general respect one gives a stranger. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/67 "2010-08-26T19:26:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 1993 WTC attack, 6 people killed - additional wounded > 2001 WTC attack, thousands killed – additional wounded > 2002 Beltway sniper attack, 10 people killed – 6 wounded > 2009 Ft Hood shooting, 13 people killed – 30 wounded > > What these events all have in common is that they didn’t trigger massive rioting. Contrast this to the Danish cartoon reaction. Contrast this to the [6 honor killings in the United States](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-29-honor-killings-in-the-US_N.htm) over the last 2 years. > > The United States is by far the safest place for Muslims to live in peace and practice their religion without fear. The person most likely to harm a Muslim over religious bigotry is another Muslim. I think you’ve made a good point and I appreciate it. When it comes to the USA being the best and safest place for Muslims {which might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I accept the larger point} is it okay if we make an effort to keep it that way by not encouraging profiteers who purposely promote religious intolerance? Is it preferable that we celebrate our religious diversity by denouncing those who are protesting Mosques around the country? ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/68 "2010-08-26T19:29:13Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Actually it does have to be violence. Love thy neighbor doesn’t mean you have to like them, it means they are accorded the general respect one gives a stranger. Aside from the stunningly obvious contradiction I’ll point out that according someone general respect rules out a lot of things that are not specifically violent. Protesting a Mosque in TN, CA, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/69 "2010-08-26T19:36:20Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 1993 WTC attack, 6 people killed - additional wounded > 2001 WTC attack, thousands killed – additional wounded > 2002 Beltway sniper attack, 10 people killed – 6 wounded > 2009 Ft Hood shooting, 13 people killed – 30 wounded > > What these events all have in common is that they didn’t trigger massive rioting. Contrast this to the Danish cartoon reaction. Contrast this to the [6 honor killings in the United States](http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-11-29-honor-killings-in-the-US_N.htm) over the last 2 years. > > The United States is by far the safest place for Muslims to live in peace and practice their religion without fear. The person most likely to harm a Muslim over religious bigotry is another Muslim. Iraq war death toll is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 people. So yeah, I guess it is safer to be in the US. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/70 "2010-08-26T19:43:08Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > [@furt](#): > > > > :dubious: Cite for actual acts of anti-Muslim violence? > > [Brick lobbed at Islamic cultural center in Fresno](http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/25/2053382/vandalism-at-madera-islamic-center.html). > > [Muslim softball player beaten up during game in Cedar Rapids (IA).](http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GazetteOnlineLocalNews+%28Gazette+Online+Local+News%29) > > [Muslim beaten up for being a Muslim in Santa Clara, CA](http://www.alan.com/2010/06/15/california-man-attacked-for-being-muslim/) (although in fairness, it appears that the attacker was looking for a Jew instead). > > That was like three seconds of Googling. So, in a country of 300 million people, with something like 5 million Muslims, we have some anonymous vandalism, one dude beat up and claiming it was because it was he was Muslim (prosecutors seemingly disagree), and another case of what sure looks like “random rednecks looking to beat up anyone ethnic.” Out of 300 million people. And you think this is bad by any standard other than “if one person in the world gets hurt, it’s too many?” You can’t possibly be serious. In Asia, riots kill dozens, sometimes hundreds. In Europe, cars are overturn, cops are sent out in riot gear, and mosques are burnt to the ground. But in America, we have to do deep soul searching about our culture of intolerance because some dude in Sheboygan got his nose busted after a softball game. What a joke. When anti-Muslim violence is anywhere near as common in this country as anti-Semitic violence is, give a shout. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/71 "2010-08-26T19:44:51Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > > [@Magiver](#): > > > > Actually it does have to be violence. Love thy neighbor doesn’t mean you have to like them, it means they are accorded the general respect one gives a stranger. > > Aside from the stunningly obvious contradiction I’ll point out that according someone general respect rules out a lot of things that are not specifically violent. Protesting a Mosque in TN, CA, for example. General respect is a 2-way street. When Jews protested a convent near Auschwitz Pope John Paul II intervened and it was relocated somewhere else. The mosque in question is being billed as a cultural bridge. Seems to me the Imam fronting this venture doesn’t understand his own goals. You’re trying to make a case for religious intolerance based on nothing that resembles perspective. How many Christian churches have been defaced or burned to the ground versus a brick through a window of a Mosque? How many competitions between kids have escalated into a button-pushing brawl? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/72 "2010-08-26T19:48:31Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Iraq war death toll is somewhere in the neighborhood of 100,000 people. > > So yeah, I guess it is safer to be in the US. :rolleyes: And most of that is Muslim on Muslim terrorist bombings. Compare that to removing a dictator who mass murdered his own citizens. The Kurd’s would argue differently. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/73 "2010-08-26T19:49:09Z")
> [@furt](#): > > > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > > [Brick lobbed at Islamic cultural center in Fresno](http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/08/25/2053382/vandalism-at-madera-islamic-center.html). > > > > [Muslim softball player beaten up during game in Cedar Rapids (IA).](http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/06/28/iraqi-teen-muslim-group-say-assault-was-racially-motivated?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GazetteOnlineLocalNews+%28Gazette+Online+Local+News%29) > > > > [Muslim beaten up for being a Muslim in Santa Clara, CA](http://www.alan.com/2010/06/15/california-man-attacked-for-being-muslim/) (although in fairness, it appears that the attacker was looking for a Jew instead). > > > > That was like three seconds of Googling. > > So, in a country of 300 million people, with something like 5 million Muslims, we have some anonymous vandalism, one dude beat up and claiming it was because it was he was Muslim (prosecutors seemingly disagree), and another case of what sure looks like “random rednecks looking to beat up anyone ethnic.” > > Out of 300 million people. And you think this is bad by any standard other than “if one person in the world gets hurt, it’s too many?” Are you under the impression that I had posted an exhaustive list of incidents of anti-Muslim violence? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/74 "2010-08-26T19:54:15Z")
> [@cosmosdan](#): > > I think you’ve made a good point and I appreciate it. > When it comes to the USA being the best and safest place for Muslims {which might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I accept the larger point} is it okay if we make an effort to keep it that way by not encouraging profiteers who purposely promote religious intolerance? Is it preferable that we celebrate our religious diversity by denouncing those who are protesting Mosques around the country? The protests against the NY mosque is related to 9/11. It’s a sensitive spot. It is not a protest against mosques in a city that already has 100 of them. The other mosque protests have no such claim. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/75 "2010-08-26T20:10:46Z")
> [@furt](#): > > Out of 300 million people. And you think this is bad by any standard other than “if one person in the world gets hurt, it’s too many?” Well, sort of this. By that I mean sure, there will be violence in any society and in the US anti-muslim violence may be comparatively low compared to other places in the world. The point of the thread however is does all this non-troversy over the Islamic center in New York incite more violence? If it does then yeah, one more is one too many because there is no reason it should have happened. It is “extra”, in a manner of speaking, because of idiotic rabble rousing that itself has no rational purpose other than to rabble rouse. By that measure I would say that is a problem and obscuring it by suggesting more people get killed somewhere else misses the point. Just because it is more dangerous elsewhere is not an argument to be ok with violence here. In that respect “one is one too many”. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/76 "2010-08-26T20:25:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > > [@furt](#): > > > > So, in a country of 300 million people, with something like 5 million Muslims, we have some anonymous vandalism, one dude beat up and claiming it was because it was he was Muslim (prosecutors seemingly disagree), and another case of what sure looks like “random rednecks looking to beat up anyone ethnic.” > > > > Out of 300 million people. And you think this is bad by any standard other than “if one person in the world gets hurt, it’s too many?” > > Are you under the impression that I had posted an exhaustive list of incidents of anti-Muslim violence? I am under the impression you’re looking for evidence of some sort of crisis that doesn’t exist and that was the best you could do. Consider looking for murders or people put in hospitals, people’s houses burned down, that sort of thing, with unbiased observers confirming the motives. Look for convictions in courts of law, not some guy claiming after the fact about what motivated the (anonymous, departed) guy who slugged Don’t see 'em? Than we’re doing better than most of humanity. Anti-Muslim violence in this country is less common than anti-white or anti-Asian violence. It’s dramatically less common than anti-Jewish violence, despite roughly equal numbers of Muslims and Jews in the country. It’s about as real as most of the “alarming new trends” the media pimp to the credulous. ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/77 "2010-08-26T20:30:26Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If it does then yeah, one more is one too many because there is no reason it should have happened. It is “extra”, in a manner of speaking, because of idiotic rabble rousing that itself has no rational purpose other than to rabble rouse. > > By that measure I would say that is a problem and obscuring it by suggesting more people get killed somewhere else misses the point. Just because it is more dangerous elsewhere is not an argument to be ok with violence here. In that respect “one is one too many”. Friction between ethnic/racial groups _usually_ start over things that to outsiders seem meaningless and stupid, but to insiders are important and symbolic. _I_ think it’s no big deal, but the 9/11 families feel differently, and sorry, I’m not going to call them idiotic rabble. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/78 "2010-08-26T20:45:14Z")
> [@furt](#): > > > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > > > If it does then yeah, one more is one too many because there is no reason it should have happened. It is “extra”, in a manner of speaking, because of idiotic rabble rousing that itself has no rational purpose other than to rabble rouse. > > > > By that measure I would say that is a problem and obscuring it by suggesting more people get killed somewhere else misses the point. Just because it is more dangerous elsewhere is not an argument to be ok with violence here. In that respect “one is one too many”. > > Friction between ethnic/racial groups _usually_ start over things that to outsiders seem meaningless and stupid, but to insiders are important and symbolic. _I_ think it’s no big deal, but the 9/11 families feel differently, and sorry, I’m not going to call them idiotic rabble. The 9/11 families feel differently? You do realize that the 9/11 families are not a hive mind and some 9/11 families are fully in favor of the Burlington Coat Factory Cultural Center. And in fact some of them are idiotic rabble. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/79 "2010-08-26T20:45:37Z")
> [@furt](#): > > > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > > > If it does then yeah, one more is one too many because there is no reason it should have happened. It is “extra”, in a manner of speaking, because of idiotic rabble rousing that itself has no rational purpose other than to rabble rouse. > > > > By that measure I would say that is a problem and obscuring it by suggesting more people get killed somewhere else misses the point. Just because it is more dangerous elsewhere is not an argument to be ok with violence here. In that respect “one is one too many”. > > Friction between ethnic/racial groups _usually_ start over things that to outsiders seem meaningless and stupid, but to insiders are important and symbolic. _I_ think it’s no big deal, but the 9/11 families feel differently, and sorry, I’m not going to call them idiotic rabble. On this count they are idiotic rabble. This was not an issue for the 9/11 families originally. The center was featured in a front page NY Post article last December. FOX News interviewed some of the people involved and it was all peachy. > [@](#): > > Dec. 21, 2009: Conservative media personality Laura Ingraham interviews Abdul Rauf’s wife, Daisy Khan, while guest-hosting “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox. In hindsight, the segment is remarkable for its cordiality. “I can’t find many people who really have a problem with it,” Ingraham says of the Cordoba project, adding at the end of the interview, “I like what you’re trying to do.” It is a manufactured issue. Read more about it [here](http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/08/16/ground_zero_mosque_origins/index.html) (where I got the above quote). This is the very definition of rabble rousing. ---
**Author:** ![cosmosdan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428/80 "2010-08-26T20:55:27Z")
> [@furt](#): > > But in America, we have to do deep soul searching about our culture of intolerance because some dude in Sheboygan got his nose busted after a softball game. > What a joke. When anti-Muslim violence is anywhere near as common in this country as anti-Semitic violence is, give a shout. Great idea. Let’s wait until it gets _really_ horrible and a few people are killed before we address it as an issue. Sarcasm aside, I can accept, “Let’s not panic and overreact” as a valid point. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth addressing at all, especially when we’re beginning to see a connection between a major media outlet purposely creating controversy and fueling religious intolerance , and overt acts of religious intolerance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-cabbie-stabbed-for-being-muslim/551428.md?page=5)