Reply to Muslim and Arab Killings in the US

Forum Index » Political Discussion

Reply to "Muslim and Arab Killings in the US"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous][quote=jsteele][quote=Anonymous]Do you read what you are replying to? The PPs are worried about what's going to happen, not what has already happened. If we are worried about a general trend, the crime statistics don't warrant such fears, therefore having those fears are irrational. I agree that when something bad happens to someone on an anecdotal basis, the impact is severe and significant to that individual, but we as a group of [b]Americans should not make policy based on anecdotes[/b]. [/quote]

Americans should not make policy based on anecdotes. But, even more, Americans should not make policy based on negative and false stereotypes. As you note, the posters here describing their individual fears are worried about the future. The future is not represented in statistics. Maybe the posters' fears will turn out to be unfounded. But, at this point neither you nor I know if that will be the case. However, having a number of unfounded negative stereotypes being promoted by a leading presidential candidate and being used as the basis of policy proposals does nothing to alleviate such fears. Obviously, it does the contrary.
[/quote]

Jeff, history is a great reference of what will happen in the future. There is no wide spread epidemic of violence against Muslims here in the US and there is no rational evidence that supports there will be widespread violence in the future. Our fears should be founded on something other than "just because the future is not set". Sure none of us knows for sure what the future will bring, but all evidence point to "not a whole lot" with respect to hate crimes against innocent Muslim Americans.

Stereotypes are perfectly fine if they have a basis in past experience or direct observation. You stay away from colorful snakes because they may be poisonous - that's a stereotype. With regards to policy based on stereotypes, that Muslims currently perform the bulk of terrorist attacks in the world is a fact. It is also fact that contemporary Islam teachings in predominantly Muslim countries are incompatible with the values we hold dear here in the US. Therefore, it is prudent to filter immigration of people from predominantly Muslim countries. People who want to immigrate into the US must understand and agree to how we want to live together. If they disagree with how we want to live, then they should not be allowed to come here. I can tell you that when our family immigrated into the US some decades ago, my parents had to explain why they were members of the communist party back in the home country. This type of scrutiny is exactly what we need to apply to all immigrants. I don't doubt that there are freedom loving Muslims who practice a more progressive version of Islam, and they will fit in just fine with the rest of us. But we need to filter out those that wants to come here to change our way of life, to impose their values onto us.

I don't particularly like Donald Trump, he is a bad presidential candidate, but his position on this is a lot closer to mine than Hillary or Obama's. [/quote]

I could not be less surprised than to find that you: a) believe stereotypes are perfectly fine; b) personally believe a number of false stereotypes about Muslims; and c) hold a position regarding Muslims similar to that of Trump.

Of course, it is also fitting that with your apparent world view the best metaphor for Muslims you could find was snakes. Good job all the way around with that post. 
[/quote]

Jeff,

You don't think stereotypes are perfectly fine? I can find numerous posts where you make generalizing comments about conservatives, especially with how simple our minds are. Truly you wouldn't do something while knowing that is not a fine thing to do. Would you?

Feel free to correct me about my stereotypes about Muslims. What I know I learned watching the news and engaging with people in religious discussions. I am always open to learning more and actively seek out people who hold a different view than mine because those are the best opportunities to see things from a different perspective.

I don't hold that position just on Muslims, but about anyone who does not share our American ideals (not ideas).

The snake example is a common one. Is it too late to change it to colorful mushrooms? Are there any special offenses taken by people from being compared to mushrooms?  Mario grows more powerful when he eats a mushroom, so it's a good thing right? [/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics