My cynicism was just challenged

[loyalsister]

Something really horrible happened in my community.
There was a horrifying FBI raid at the home of a man who I have some familiarity with.
I found it very upsetting, because I thought they were targetting him because he is Muslim. I was worried at how my community would respond. It seems that the incident tapped into a sense of outrage, and people have rushed to defend him AFTER the local First Christian Church held a rally for him.
A lot of the complaints we have are against our neighbors who we presume to be naive or stupid, but these people have risen to the occassion to stand up for a Muslim man who is critical of the war in Iraq in a red state!
Granted, Columbia is a little different from the rest of the state, but the fact that people are putting their names to this in the paper is going out on a limb for this man and speaks well of my neighbors!

http://www.columbiatribune.com/Commentary/index.asp

[bryant69]

1. That is pretty neat actually

Thanks for sharing.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[peace13]

2. Thanks for posting this! Pretty cool. Kim

[babylonsister]

3. Ah, some sanity! Thanks! and Nom! nt

[QuestionAll...]

4. most christians are not evil clinic bombing Phelps clones!

I know plenty of Christians who would do the same on a moments notice.

Bush has hijacked the very word for his usage and it's so sad to see so many take the hook line and sinker and distrust what for the most part are decent, loving people.

btw, i'm not christian, or any 'ian'.
but for an example of what I mean - my mom-in-law. she is very devout, very fair, decent, and vbery politically aware of what is going on in the world and what jesus would think of it. We have many conversations about the ills of the world and how Bush and his crime gang has contributed to them. It's like talking to some people here, cept I can't say 'Fuck Bush' out loud to her. ;)

[loyalsister]

17. I agree

I do see a great deal of enabling, however.
There is an implied tolerance of the stereotyping, and general ill will that has been adopted toward Muslims since 9\11, when so few have spoken out against some of the bigotry spewed by the MSM and language like "Islamo fascism."
The strongest defenders of our Muslim friends are going to be people who have different religious views. I am so glad to see some standing up!

[gratuitous]

5. Refreshing, isn't it?

How decent people will rise to the occasion when fascism smacks them right between the eyes? I wish it didn't take something this extreme, but I'm glad your community is supporting our system of justice, the rule of law, and the basic fairness that most of us really believe in.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Columbia rocks!

[Timbuk3]

7. K&R

I just shared this with some friends of mine.

Seeing Actual Christians stand up like this is something I've been waiting for. Thanks for sharing this.

This may not be relevant. Maybe it is. I'll let you decide...

From the US Holocaust Museum:

Jehovah's Witnesses were subjected to intense persecution under the Nazi regime. The Nazis targeted Jehovah's Witnesses because they were unwilling to accept the authority of the state, because of their international connections, and because they were strongly opposed to both war on behalf of a temporal authority and organized government in matters of conscience.

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/index.php?ModuleId=10005206&Type=normal+article

[proud patriot]

8. Good for Columbia

:thumbsup:

[dalaigh lllama]

9. Yay for Missouri!

I heard about this on the local news yesterday, and it was great seeing all the folks rallying around this family. Made me proud of my state. (Here's hoping we boot out Talent in November -- then I'd really be proud!)

[K8-EEE]

10. America Is Still America Despite The Fear Mongers In Charge!

Lovely story, thank you!

[Truthiness Inspector]

11. Neat

Do you have a link to the original story of the FBI raid, etc?

[loyalsister]

15. Here is the story....

It sounds like something seriously trumped up to demonize this guy. The raid was prompted by his association with the following organization....

>Relief for Life provides humanitarian, health and other services in war- and disaster-torn countries around the world.

The charity’s attorney, Ihsan Alkhatib, has said federal investigators were interested in whether its aid to Iraq violated U.S. sanctions in place before the war.

Mohammed Alomari, Life for Relief spokesman, said the group did send food and medicine into the country during the sanctions period under a special license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. During that time, Alomari said, Life for Relief sent funds to Jordan to purchase food and then shipped the food and medicine into Iraq.

"We did everything," he said, "Whatever the legal guidelines were established for this kind of work, we strictly followed those guidelines."

Alomari said Life for Relief would have opened its documents without a search warrant if asked.

Alomari said the FBI attention on Hamoodi was puzzling because he is not a prominent member of the charity. "It’s very surprising," he said. "I don’t know why they would search his house."

My personal opinion is that they searched his house because he is a paid speaker and active in anti-war activities. Wouldn't be the first time.....

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Sep/20060920News003.asp

[StrictlyRockers]

12. Wow, letter after letter. That's great!

[loyalsister]

16. It's awesome!

Not only that people wrote in, but that our paper printed them!

[NMMNG]

13. Very nice

People aren't necessarily the same all over.

[eridani]

14. Thanks for that

Reminded me of the response to an attack on a mosque in Seattle right after 9-11. Many public statements of support, and the steps covered with flowers, flags and kind written notes.

[zonkers]

18. Home of fierce dem and soutnern scribe, Bill Fox, my fave.