I think this guy summed it up pretty well. Unfortunately, some Muslim activists do exactly that all the time - they try to force the larger community to adopt their norms and culture. That is wrong and needs to be stopped. What they demand is not freedom of religion, but the freedom to force others to adhere to their religious "rules". Take away their licences if they refuse to serve everyone (unless the passenger might be a threat or something or so drunk that he might puke in the car...). End of story.
I agree with the majority here, these guys need to be fired, IF they keep up with this crap. Their job is to pick people up and help them get to where they want to go, as HayesStreet said if they are so religious then they shouldn't be picking up women who aren’t covered in a veil, by the way I rarely agree with that Hayes has to say, since I believe his views are skewed by his personal agenda. Hell they shouldn't even be living in this county if they have such "religious" beliefs…
Sishir, do you see this happeneing? or is it merely another product of hyp eand exxaggeration? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,259761,00.html
Sorry I missed that I was busy at mandatory sundown prayers, hiding my pork stash, and getting ready for stoning adulterors on Friday. Minnesota turning into a Somali-Muslim state. Uff Da! that's hype and exageration ya betcha..
The primary chemical in Khat is cathinone, which is a stimulant somewhere between amphetamine and ephedrine in terms of potency. And the people who suck on Khat actually get it in very low concentrations from sucking on leaves mixed with a very mild base because it needs something caustic to facilitate the extraction of the cathinone from the leaves. The author describing it as 'mildly hallucinogenic' actually made me laugh out loud. It's like saying people in Bolivia who drink coca tea are all junkies hopped out on PCP. It is essentially the thing that occupies the same place that caffeine does in American society and is about as dangerous unless you process the leaves to extract the pure cathinone.
Minny is our first Muslim state? Don't forget growing a beard until it's at least knee-length. LOL! That good ol' boy John Gibson cracks me up...
Are you having trouble with the definition of "mildly"? If they experience some kind of visual distortion when they do khat, then mildly hallucinogenic is a perfect description. Here are the effects according to wiki (emphasis mine): Effects Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and excitement. Individuals become very talkative under the influence of the drug and may appear to be unrealistic and emotionally unstable. Khat can induce manic behaviors and hyperactivity. Several cases of khat-induced psychosis have been reported. Khat is an effective anorectic and its use also results in constipation. Dilated pupils (mydriasis), which are prominent during khat consumption, reflect the sympathomimetic effects of the drug, which are also reflected in increased heart rate and blood pressure. A state of drowsy hallucinations (hypnagogic hallucinations) may result coming down from khat use as well. Withdrawal symptoms that may follow prolonged khat use include lethargy, mild depression, nightmares, and slight tremor. Long term use can precipitate the following effects: negative impact on liver function, permanent tooth darkening (of a greenish tinge), susceptibility to ulcers, and diminished sex drive. Khat is usually not an addictive drug, although there are some people who cannot stay without it for more than 4-5 days. They feel tired and have difficulty concentrating.[11] wiki
First, hypnogogic hallucinations aren't 'mild' hallucinations, They are a mingling of waking and sleeping states in what amounts to full awake dreaming. Hypnogogic hallucinations could best be described as 'severe and debilitating hallucinations', and they don't occur until you are 1/2 asleep. More importantly, the entry is misleading. Hypnogogic hallucinations can be brought on by excessive and extended dosing of many stimulants, including caffeine. The effects of cathinone are clinically indistinguishable from amphetamine, but parents with ADD kids aren't told their children are being given a 'mild hallucinogen' because it is not true. If you do crystal meth (pharmacologically related) for several days in a row, you will start to have hyponagogic hallucinations. It's called lack of sleep. It is a scare tactic label. From personal experience, tricyclic antidepressants produce 10x more visual field distortion than cathinone, but nobody calls them 'mild hallucinogens'. Many, many common drugs have more 'hallucinogenic' (if you really want to call it that) activity than Khat.
FRICKEN FIRE THEM !!!! If anyone refused to sell bacon and they were a cashier at my store, they would be on their ass. DD
Can't believe I am saying this, but I actually agree with that. Businesses are only required to make 'reasonable accommodations' that wouldn't adversely affect their ability to do business. It's isn't reasonable at all to expect them to accommodate cashiers who refuse to scan certain items because of religious beliefs. The onus is on the employees here: you choose a job that you're willing to do and that would not run counter to your religious convictions. If you work at a restaurant/night club that considers alcohol a major source of revenue, you can't refuse to serve alcohol; just don't apply for that job in the first place. Exercising some common sense isn't too much to ask, IMO. I wouldn't apply for a position as a stocker at a local grocery store if I was in a wheel chair, and then turn around and demand 'accommodation' from the employer fully aware that I was unable/unwilling to do the job in the first place.
There are pharmacy chains that now allow pharmacist to not sell the RU486 on religious grounds so there is a precedent.
Well that's a private company and this if I'm not mistaken is somehow involved with the government so regulations would naturally vary. (Although I'm not quite clear on how the government is involved with airport taxi service)
True, but a pharmacist is slightly less dispensable than a minimum wage cashier. There aren't nearly enough pharmacists to go around and they would probably have more leverage in some situations. Also, aren't they required by law in some states to dispense these drugs regardless of their beliefs? I thought it varied state-to-state.
Sorry for the confusion. I was referring to Target allowing Muslim cashiers to not handle pork products.
