Air Carl

Time to End Islamophobia May 9, 2011

Ding Dong Bin Laden’s dead!

Okay, now that he’s no longer hiding in a cave deep in the tribal regions of Pakistan, (which turns out not to be the case) can we return to our regularly scheduled programming?

Whenever there is a media blitz centered around anything to do with Islam and/or terrorism, some people’s antennae go up. These antennae try to detect terrorists, usually dressed in what appears to be a bed sheet, sandals and a little white cap. Come to think of it, some Americans have relatives who also dressed in bed sheets…

And we all know that the 19 hijackers from September 11th all wore traditional Muslim clothing and were often confused for Cat Stevens.

Not the case.

The truth is that the 9/11 hijackers most likely shopped for their wardrobe at The Gap and Old Navy. I don’t know about you, but whenever I fly, my main concern is not the group of guys who look like they may be from Kuwait. I’m more concerned about the guy across the aisle from me who is on his ninth Maker’s Mark and Coke. And can someone shut that baby up?

If there’s another terror attack involving an airliner, there will probably be no one dressed in traditional Muslim attire. There are those who believe it’s the job of EVERY Muslim to take to the streets and decry world wide terrorism. Why aren’t “they” out there carrying anti-terror signs?

Just this past weekend, two commercial flights had to be diverted. Not because of any threat from Muslims. It seems as though a crew member found a note with the word “bomb” on it (it probably actually said “Bob”), so the plane had to land. Another plane had a passenger try to open the plane’s front door IN MID-FLIGHT!

Crazed Jihadists? No. Just some “ordinary” people who were either liquored up or just plane stupid.

To give you an idea of how easily people will generate hysteria:  Back in October of 2001 we had the great “Anthrax” scare. At an office building on Morehead Street, I watched as the Charlotte Fire Department’s HAZMAT team searched the building after some secretaries entering the building spotted a “strange white powdery substance” on the ground. This “strange white powdery substance” was on the floor at the building’s entrance right next to an ashtray which was filled with this same “strange white powdery substance.”

I guess the day-to-day lives of some folks were so boring, they thought it would be exciting to try and get everyone to think some Muslim Jihadists had targeted this random office building in Charlotte for an Anthrax attack. “You never know.” people were saying. “You can’t be too careful,” said another.

YES, YOU CAN be too careful, and sometimes you really DO know! The “strange white powdery substance” actually turned out to be just sand from the aforementioned ashtray.

Let’s make a deal. I’ll expect Muslims to rally against Jihad right after I see White Christians protest ANYTHING other than abortion. Where are the White Christians carrying signs that deplore the heinous actions of white supremacists and the KKK? Where are the White Christians when Westboro Baptist Church members are taunting the families of slain GI’s at the funerals? Where was the rally against Timothy McVeigh after the Oklahoma City bombing? You go out and protest against the crimes of White Christians and then we’ll see if the Muslims wish to do the same. While we’re at it, maybe we can get the Italian-American community to hold an anti-Mafia rally.