Racism erupts in Calgary

[J pold]

About 15 Calgary Aryan Guard members descended on the front steps of City Hall to protest a Canadian law that gives Muslim women the right to vote in today's municipal election wearing a burka, a headdress that covers the face except for the eyes.

"I think people should reveal their full identities when they vote," said one member, who covered his face with a white bandana and refused to disclose his name out of fear "I might lose my job."

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Albe...77153-sun.html

I have no tolerance when it comes to racism these guys are morons who are filled with nothing but hate, if I ever see one of there “protests” I will certainly have some choice words for them

[GrrlGoalie33]

I had some flyer for a white supremacist group on my windshield when I came out of Costco NE on Saturday. It really bothered me that someone would distribute that kind of stuff.

[Ozy_Flame]

I can understand the removal of burkas for security checks at airports and border crossings, but for voting?? Who really cares. Besides, when voter turnout is only at 20%, you should be begging for all the votes you can get.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Frankster

I had some flyer for a white supremacist group on my windshield when I came out of Costco NE on Saturday. It really bothered me that someone would distribute that kind of stuff.

It believe that it is the same group they call themselves “the Aryan Guard” a while back the glued a bunch of flyers around the city

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by J pold

I have no tolerance when it comes to racism these guys are morons who are filled with nothing but hate, if I ever see one of there “protests” I will certainly have some choice words for them

Confronting them merely gives the thugs what they want: The chance to flex a little muscle.

These are ignorant, marginalized people unable to articulate their apparent anger in ways that are not destructive. Ridicule is the best defense (although I suppose that would fly over most of their heads).

[RougeUnderoos]

Stupidity and all that aside, I can't think of a more futile cause to dedicate your time to than trying to turn North America into a big white happy family. The racism is dumb enough, but to believe something like the white society they envision is a possibility in reality is just mind-boggling.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Aren't these the same people that tried to hold a white power rally in Kensington? An area that actually voted Liberal provincially....?

[Resolute 14]

Its a shame that a bunch of racists had to muddy what is a very valid complaint.

I remember reading a story where a few moderate Muslim leaders stated that nowhere in the Qu'ran does it say that a woman must cover her face. Rather, it is a construct of the male dominated leadership. The entire point of a burka is to dehumanize a woman. She becomes property, not a person.

Strikes me as rather ironic that people will get so angry at the bigotry of one group, such to the point that they will defend the bigotry of another.

And lets face it, if we all went in to vote wearing balaclavas, refusing to remove them, we will not be handed our ballot.

[Bobblehead]

It seemed kind of hypocritical that they were complaining about people wearing burkas yet there they were with their faces covered.

Cowards.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

Its a shame that a bunch of racists had to muddy what is a very valid complaint.

I remember reading a story where a few moderate Muslim leaders stated that nowhere in the Qu'ran does it say that a woman must cover her face. Rather, it is a construct of the male dominated leadership. The entire point of a burka is to dehumanize a woman. She becomes property, not a person.

Strikes me as rather ironic that people will get so angry at the bigotry of one group, such to the point that they will defend the bigotry of another.

And lets face it, if we all went in to vote wearing balaclavas, refusing to remove them, we will not be handed our ballot.

i totally agree, the complaint isnt racist IMO, but the people who were doing the complaining were motivated by their intolerance for people who are different...

[Flash Walken]

This is an 'eruption'?

Sounds like a slow news day.

[CaptainCrunch]

I was going to say the same thing. I opened up this thread expecting to read about a mass march of 1000 goose steppping morons with shaved heads and army boots.

There's going to be fringe groups everywhere you go, 15 people is a popping of a back pimple nothing else.

[Thunderball]

15 cranks are hardly an eruption of racism. If it was 15 thousand, I'd be concerned.... even though that is only ~1.4% of Calgary's population.

I do agree about asking people to remove Burkas for security and to prove identity, especially for something like voting. I don't see the big deal. There's too much room for abuse if they don't check. People have the right to religious and cultural freedom, but they also should have some concern and deference for the host society.

[corporatejay]

hah an eruption?! talk about misleading.

[burn_this_city]

Too often in modern "secular" society do we bend over backward to support a religious minority. I in no way support those nazi punks, but the whole burka thing is getting out of hand.

[madisonbtb]

Originally Posted by J pold

http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Albe...77153-sun.html

I have no tolerance when it comes to racism these guys are morons who are filled with nothing but hate, if I ever see one of there “protests” I will certainly have some choice words for them

slightly OT...
what about for drivers licenses? i could be off on this, but wasn't there an issue somewhere within the last couple of years regarding a muslim lady and her driver's license? they said she needed to remove any material covering her face for her ID picture and she refused. i would think for a passport they would need to remove it, so how would that be different. does anyone know how that works? and if it is off in ID pictures can policemen, airport officials, heck even the lady at the bank ask someone to remove their facial coverings to verify it is actually them?

[PowerPlayoffs06]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Too often in modern "secular" society do we bend over backward to support a religious minority. I in no way support those nazi punks, but the whole burka thing is getting out of hand.

If you think the burka thing is getting out of hand, how do you feel about the segregated Muslim community that they're proposing?

Plans For Muslim Subdivision

Edited to add link.

[TheDragon]

I don't like racism, either. It's digusting. Unfortunately, too many people have been conditioned to think that racism is a one way door.

That said, I'm getting really freaking tired of religious sensitivity and "political correctness." Like it or not, this is a double standard against the rest of Canada.

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

If you think the burka thing is getting out of hand, how do you feel about the segregated Muslim community that they're proposing?

That one really upsets me. If the Catholic, Mormon or Protestant communities decided to go through with that plan, you'd be hearing nothing about how "racist and anti-Canadian" that idea is, because it contradicts the very concept of multiculturalism and diversity in communities. Now, it's my understanding that non-Muslims will be entitled to live in these communities as well. However, the community itself will cater exclusively to Muslim lifestyle. I don't think that's fair at all. That's really not any different than saying "You can live here, but you have to live with our culture."

The main difference being that Islam is a religion and not a race. So, though it may be equally as bigotted and discriminatory, it's not considered "racist."

All a bunch of horse patooie, if you ask me.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by madisonbtb

slightly OT...
what about for drivers licenses? i could be off on this, but wasn't there an issue somewhere within the last couple of years regarding a muslim lady and her driver's license? they said she needed to remove any material covering her face for her ID picture and she refused. i would think for a passport they would need to remove it, so how would that be different. does anyone know how that works? and if it is off in ID pictures can policemen, airport officials, heck even the lady at the bank ask someone to remove their facial coverings to verify it is actually them?

To add to that, Hudderites are permitted to have driver licences without pictures.

[SarichFan]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

If you think the burka thing is getting out of hand, how do you feel about the segregated Muslim community that they're proposing?

Plans For Muslim Subdivions

Edited to add link.

I saw this on TV and this has hypocrisy written all over it.. Why not just stay in your native country if you want to self segregate?

If not, blend in to OUR society and be part of the community, or GTFO.