When In Rome do as Muslims Do
USA Today,
18 Sep 2006,
Airport Check-in: Fare refusals in MinnesotaMinneapolis-St. Paul is concerned that its taxi service is deteriorating. Citing their religious beliefs, some Muslim taxi drivers from Somalia are refusing to transport customers carrying or suspected of carrying alcohol. It started with one driver a few years ago, but the average number of fare refusals has grown to about three a day, says airport spokesman Patrick Hogan. "Travelers often feel surprised and insulted," he says. "Sometimes, several drivers in a row refuse carriage."
Taxi drivers and officials from the airport, taxi companies and the Muslim American Society are discussing how to address the issue. Partly out of concern that taxi drivers might be citing religion to avoid short-distance fares, the airport is now forcing drivers who refuse a fare to go to the end of the line for waiting taxis. It is not a popular decision among drivers, Hogan says.The airport is expected to propose today that drivers who wish to avoid alcohol-toting passengers change the light on their car roofs, possibly to a different color. Hogan says the move will help let airport employees and customers know which taxis serve alcohol-carrying passengers. Drivers refusing a fare won't have to go to the end of the line. "Airport authorities are not in the business of interpreting sacred texts or dictating anyone's religious choices.... Our goal is simply to ensure travelers at (the airport) are well served."
Today it is alcohol, soon it will be women who do not wear a veil, tomorrow it will be Jews. That dhimwitted line about "Airport authorities are not in the business of interpreting sacred texts" is beyond dhimented. How does it "ensure travelers at the airport are well served" when it is obvious that those travelers are not served at all. What is the poor traveler to do if the entire line of cabs is filled with Muslims? Rent a car? But then we'd have drunks driving instead of being driven.
This dhimonstration of cowardice only emboldens Muslim to dhimand more concessions from us. If a cab driver has religious issues with American riders, he needs to get into another line of business. One that doesn't involve dealing with the infidel Public!
And what will Minneapolis do if Muslim cabs refuse to pick up party revelers from night spots? Leave them stranded in the middle of the night so they can be raped by other Muslims looking for infidel whores?
Amazingly Muslims in Saudi Arabia demand that foreigners follow their rules, and that when Muslims are in foreign lands that locals should follow Muslim rules as well.
On a lighter note, I was able to obtain this photo of the latest Islamic advance in taxi design: it can seat 2 goats and a few passengers comfortably and folds neatly into your tent at night. (For more Muslim contributions to civilization click here and here)
