Update 1
Now add to the list that Muslim cab drivers in Minneapolis-St Paul – transsexuals (Fox 9)
This is starting to turn out to be quite the collection of identity politics groups! Forget the ring, we’re going to need a CAGE MATCH!
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Or is it racism? Or is in religious intolerance to a sub-group, or a sub-group’s intolerance towards a given religion?
Well, it isn’t a Christian religion, nor Jewish, Hindu, Shinto, Zorasterism, American Indian, Mayan, Wiccan, Voodoo, or pagan (of many derivatives). Yup, Islam has put itself into the news, once again.Now, to be sure, it isn’t even about an imam or a mosque, or even an advocacy group (like CAIR)! Saints preserve us!
First, from News.com.au is this story:
MUSLIM taxi drivers are refusing to carry blind passengers with their guide dogs or anyone carrying alcohol.
At least 20 dog-aided blind people have lodged discrimination complaints with the Victorian Taxi Directorate. Dozens more have voiced their anger. And there have been several complaints that drivers refuse to allow passengers to carry sealed bottles of alcohol.
[snip]
One Muslim driver, Imran, said yesterday the guide dog issue was difficult for him. I don’t refuse to take people, but it’s hard for me because my religion tells me I should not go near dogs," he said.
Wouldn’t this then, be a clue, to NOT put yourself into a situation where you will discriminate against someone who does not share your religious beliefs? Do I dare say chutpah?
Oh, and LGF is reporting more here, in Britan and Norway.
There are about 2000 Muslims among drivers of Melbourne’s 10,000 taxis. Many are from countries with strict Islamic teachings about "unclean" dogs and the evils of alcohol.
[snip]
Guide Dogs Victoria spokeswoman Holly Marquette said blind people regularly reported taxi drivers refusing to carry them because of their dogs. "It’s sad and quite upsetting," Ms Marquette said. "We try to work with new drivers to educate them about their responsibilities and the needs and rights of blind people.
[snip]
Ms Marquette said there was a legal requirement for taxi drivers, shops, restaurants, hotels and supermarkets to accept guide dogs.
How come their religious beliefs seem to be sufficient to allow them to override the law?
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the guide dog issue would exacerbate the taxi industry’s flagging respect in the community.
Really? Actually, not. This is just another entry in what is becoming a long litany of "we shouldn’t have to…" Flagging respect? Respect is earned, not given. And if it is "flagging", how about speaking to that?
"Muslims are good people and the community has to realise that the days of the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant are well and truly over," he said.
Well, this is going to make points, isn’t it?
And if you think this is just limited to Australia, think again. From the Long Island Press, we have this:
If I were to purchase an apartment building, I would not be allowed to discriminate, on the basis of my religious beliefs, against renting to a couple that are unmarried. Especially if they were the same sex. If these same cab drivers came to me, I could not do to them what they would me (I like taking my dogs for rides (even if they are not service dogs)).
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Now, here is the question that I pose – while I cannot speak to Australian laws, I think I’m on pretty solid ground that if I tried this, a middle aged white Baptist guy, the LEAST I’d get whacked with would be a fine. More likely, I’d be arrested for discrimination, my name and mug plastered all of the news, and excoriated to within an inch of my life for my bigoted views.
How come they folks are seeming to get kid glove treatment? Why the double standard? Your comments (please)?