I fear that these events may awaken alot of predjudice...

[I.R Joey]

against innocent Arab Americans (especially Muslims) that had nothing to do with this attack. The sheer ignorance I see sometimes, when people descide to blame something on a distinct group of people. Heck, right now if a guy from India walks around in his turban, someone may beat him up or worse just for that (thinking he was one of "the bad guys.") I think we're alll prettty sorry for what happened to innocent Jappanesse Americans in WW2 (as far as peoples predjudice), and I hope something similar does not happen again. Please everyone promise that they won't react this way (I doubt anyone here will react in such an ignorant way, but I know there are people in this country will.)

Some people will claim that God sanctioned these horrible acts, but ya know from all my study's I have seen that pretty much all of the worlds main belief systems are religons of peace. To tell you the truth I don't know how things like this could happen, and it is one of the few things that will really make me blistering mad in this world. Oh well

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

There will be some hate-mongers, no doubt about it. I just hope too many people don't revert back to "Slap a Jap" mode, if you'll excuse the old phrase.

Edit my post if you mods have a problem with my example.

[Psycho Fox]

A Muslim school was firebombed today in Montreal but noone was hurt as militray was already deployed to the city and everyone was evacuated safely.

[happyheathen]

Originally posted by I.R Joey
...but I know there are people in this country will.

sadly, this is also occuring in SF, of all places...

[Trent Lane]

You can't hate a whole group of people for this. The people responsible are an extremist terrorist group, dare I say a cult. They claim to be Islamic, but those people don't tolerate the killing of innocents from what I understand. All evidence comes back to the same person, and his hatred is spilling over onto the Arabic people here who are being pointed out as those of the group responsible. I don't think this. I've made my own conclusions that this man, Ladin, is the one most likey behind it. If anything, his threats from a few weeks ago are his downfall, he's guilty by what he said. It doesn't matter, in one way or another, he will be held accountable for his actions, whether it be this life or the next...

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Psycho Fox
A Muslim school was firebombed today in Montreal

This is the same sort of sickness as we saw yesterday, even if on an incredibly smaller scale. Those responsible need to be brought swiftly to justice.

[Failure]

I also think Bin Laden is the culprit, though I'll wait for proof before confirming my views. And if governments aided or condoned him in any way, I believe that they should pay retribution in some way. But I would never hate a whole group of people because of this. That's just stupid and unfair. Many of those Middle Easterners that are getting blamed, are fine people. Heck, my roommate and friend was born in Iran and him and his parents are some of the most upstanding people I know. However, what's scary is that there are people out there who will turn their hatred against a whole group of people. It was only 60 years ago that we had the Japanese put in the camps. I believe our government has learned their lessons, and wouldn't even dare think to do anything like that, but on a personal level, it's harder to control. I hope, and I believe, that the majority of the American people will not let this incident cloud their hearts with hatred on a whole group of people. But it's still scary what that minority of haters might do.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus


This is the same sort of sickness as we saw yesterday, even if on an incredibly smaller scale. Those responsible need to be brought swiftly to justice. I agree but odds are it will be put on the back burner due to our current crisis.

[Nightflower]

It's already happening at various message boards. Americans, who were formerly very Christian and preaching about love and life, are now thirsting for blood and revenge. They said they were "disgusted" with us Canadians' attitudes.

Speaking of which....it's not just prejudice against Arabs now. There are reports that the terrorists came into the United States through Halifax or some other part of Canada....in a time when people need to point their fingers, some people (including those in power) have decided to point them at Canada.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by Nightflower
It's already happening at various message boards. Americans, who were formerly very Christian and preaching about love and life, are now thirsting for blood and revenge. They said they were "disgusted" with us Canadians' attitudes.

Speaking of which....it's not just prejudice against Arabs now. There are reports that the terrorists came into the United States through Halifax or some other part of Canada....in a time when people need to point their fingers, some people (including those in power) have decided to point them at Canada. They came from Germany too. Plus was in Florida for some time and I suspect you'll probably see other countries they have passed through not too mention US border guards let them into the US we have not power what US bordergurds do the American goverment does. I don't think anything will come from this finger pointing. The US needs international support and you don't get that by bitting the hand that is tring to help you. Canada got those planes down tuesday and we have troops in NY helping out. We also sent RCMP there to help identify bodies plus with our bond market opening today the US can liquidate some of its cash.

[Singin' Stray Cat]

This is awful...we can't sink to the level of the terrorists. (Especially those who claim to be Christians.) Thankfully, I noticed around campus today some small reminders posted:

DON'T HATE THE ARABS

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Dang, the paranoia is getting worse. A lot is riding on how the U.S. handles this. A heavy hand might be effective, but I hope it also doesn't make the international situation worse.

[sun]

An Arab American was attacked by a man in a mask, with a machine gun. They guy attacked was from Yeman, but an American citizen. the bullet proff glass was shattered, but the guy was OK. It was at a all nite gas station.. They interviewed him briefly, he said he had been just as angry at the terrorists as anyone. Just as sad, and upset. but someone decided to go after him, because he was an Arab.......

[sun]

Originally posted by Nightflower
It's already happening at various message boards. Americans, who were formerly very Christian and preaching about love and life, are now thirsting for blood and revenge. They said they were "disgusted" with us Canadians' attitudes.

Speaking of which....it's not just prejudice against Arabs now. There are reports that the terrorists came into the United States through Halifax or some other part of Canada....in a time when people need to point their fingers, some people (including those in power) have decided to point them at Canada.

Prejudice and hatrad have no limits..Some human cannot see beyound thier own twisted thoughts. You are right, of course, Canada, had no more part in this than did Australia, or Sweden. But evil, can often show itself, as it has in the past, and will again. It is so rediculous to think that anyone from Canada could even think of something like this, none of us here think that way. Best wishes.

[sun]

Originally posted by Failure
I also think Bin Laden is the culprit, though I'll wait for proof before confirming my views. And if governments aided or condoned him in any way, I believe that they should pay retribution in some way. But I would never hate a whole group of people because of this. That's just stupid and unfair. Many of those Middle Easterners that are getting blamed, are fine people. Heck, my roommate and friend was born in Iran and him and his parents are some of the most upstanding people I know. However, what's scary is that there are people out there who will turn their hatred against a whole group of people. It was only 60 years ago that we had the Japanese put in the camps. I believe our government has learned their lessons, and wouldn't even dare think to do anything like that, but on a personal level, it's harder to control. I hope, and I believe, that the majority of the American people will not let this incident cloud their hearts with hatred on a whole group of people. But it's still scary what that minority of haters might do. I am with you, you are correct that the Japnese were put into camps. I met a fellow a work, who was in one of those camps. His stories were unbelieveable, that our country could take everything. I think you are right, it is scary, those of us who do not hate, must stand against those that do.

[Psycho Fox]

Originally posted by oldtoonguy
An Arab American was attacked by a man in a mask, with a machine gun. They guy attacked was from Yeman, but an American citizen. the bullet proff glass was shattered, but the guy was OK. It was at a all nite gas station.. They interviewed him briefly, he said he had been just as angry at the terrorists as anyone. Just as sad, and upset. but someone decided to go after him, because he was an Arab....... I pray people will realize God does not want us to act this way.

[Trent Lane]

I couldn't believe this guy on the news last night. He said we needed to "round up" all the Arab Americans and find out if they had links to terrorists. That's horrible, and I'm glad the guy taking the calls said so. That's so "Hitler-esque", for lack of a better term. Like it's being said over and over, it's not the straight-up Arab people, it's these terrorist groups. I'm glad they've named Ladin as the main suspect, and hope they'll get a hold of him soon. I don't know if I want him put to death, that's too easy of a way out. I don't think torture is the way to go either. I'm a firm supporter of the death penalty, but I think they, if and/or once they get him, need to put him in a cell deep underground, isolated from everyone, no contact or ways to find out what is going on in the world outside, for all his remaining life. Whatever comes, justice will be served....

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

I know two Pakistani Americans as friends, but have only been able to contact them once....I'm scared for them.

Still, I think the GOVERNMENT has learned from the WW2 Japanese camps mistakes. It's just some of the citizens we need to worry about.

...I'm glad the Yemen-American was safe. That was awful. Also, the guy who said we had to round up the Arab-Americans is hopefully fired. That was racist slander, and I woulda punched the guy...

...Also, I think we will punish countries that have PURPOSLY, WILLINGLY, given harbor to terrorists. Canada certainly wouldn't harbor these terrorists, and that's what I think seperates those countries the hijackers moved through from nations like Afghanistan.

[Calhoun07]

I live not too far away from a Muslim area (which had to be blocked off Wedensday to protect the kids at the school) and I know my share of Muslims who are among the nicest people you could meet. A family of them run a small chain of Texas Tom restaraunts in the area, and bank with my bank. They are right across the street, so I will go there for lunch from time to time. I went there today and they had all these American flags up to show their support for America. I know they are just sick about what happened, but people will still avoid their restaraunt because of the color of their skin and their accent. I think that is tragically sad that people want to stereotype so quickly.

After Columbine (sp?), I got stereotyped alot because I wear a black trenchcoat in the winter, and people were saying I was part of the "trenchcoat mafia." So while I know it on a small scale, I do know what it's like to be put with a group of people whose views you do not share. To say all Arabs share the views of these radicals is like saying all white people are capable of what David Koresh was capable of. It's just wrong. I hope that if you have Arabs in your community, you get to know them and don't stop being their friends thru this, because there are more good ones out there than bad ones.

[sun]

Thank you about recent comments demonstrating that all Arab Americans are not part of this. New York Mayor Juliani, said there are 400,000 Arab Americans there. They are Americans. Just like you and I. The consequences of misguided hatred against innocents, can terrible. Let us not reach the level that started this in the first place.

calhoun07 you have really made some important points there. So have many others. thank you again.

[Nightwing]

Joey, I'm glad you brought this topic up, including a reference to the Japanese-AMERICAN (and that's accent on the American) concentration camps during WW2, because I brought this up in my Philosophy class. Our professor said we could take some time to share opinions and such, which I appretiated.

The racist and prejudice issues that come out of this tragedy are very valid fears. I'm worried too. There have already been examples of this in NY as well as a few here on my college campus, embarasingly (a few days ago). I thought college students were supposed to be the more open minded and intelligent of people in my generation.

It's just chilling and frustrating when you think about the obvious fear and prejudice endused actions during WW2. Those are AMERICAN CITIZENS. Anyway that's the reason I brought it up in class, a stern heavy worry. But at the same time I know that as long as I'm walking around this campus I'll prevent any and all acts of this sort that I see.

[Clayface]

Yeah, unfortunately, these sorts of situations do indeed raise a lot of undue prejudice. For example, here are a couple of articles of some terrible things going on back in my home town in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. I'm glad I moved out of that place.

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsnews/143nd1.htm

http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/14-ds1.htm

And I just got off the phone with my folks, who still live there - apparently, more stuff is going on tonight. I just hope they're going to be safe in the area.

[Jowy Blight]

The racist and prejudice issues that come out of this tragedy are very valid fears.

Yes, I know what you mean. It's been happening in an area not too far from where I live. These people were some of the nicest people I knew, but because they were Muslim, they were being messed with.

I know what happened at the WTC was terrible, but being racist and messing with people who had nothing to do with it, is just plain wrong and makes us americans look bad.

Has anybody seen some of the things that people have been saying on the news about Muslims?

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

Well, my part of the U.S. hasn't picked on anyone because of racial prejudice, fortuantly...everyone's safe. At least everyone in my area hasn't let this thing get to 'em...

Sigh....what's with humanity?! We try isolating part of a population based on simpy ethnicity in this situation...what about Tim McVeigh? He was white, and do we try attacking the white population (I KNOW they are technically the majority of the U.S.)? It sickens me how stupid we get in a situation that requires calm thinking.

Another rant from yours truly....