The effects of hatred

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.examiner.com/x-21977-Portland-Muslim-Examiner~y2009m9d2-The-effects-of-hatred

Hatred is such a powerful thing.

When it takes hold of someone, their behavior becomes irrational. Such hatred manifested itself two weeks ago in New York when a man full of hatred toward Islam threatened to kill a Muslim woman and her daughter because they were covered from head to toe.

This is almost too bizarre to believe. While at a gas station in Long Island, Joseph Ballance, 23, saw 49-year-old Chervern Cartier and her 20-year-old daughter, who were each wearing a traditional Saudi Arabian robe called an abaya, which covers the entire body, including the face (keep in mind that this is not a “standard” Islamic dress; rather it is a cultural interpretation of Islam’s instructions of moderate dress, specific to that region).

Apparently Mr. Ballance was not very happy to see their attire. So he drove in reverse to them, screamed “Take that stuff off. What do you think it is, Halloween?” and followed them into the convenience store to continue harassing them. At one point, he even threatened their lives by saying he was going to “chop you up into little pieces and kill you”.

Aside from how disturbing it is to see a man intimidate a woman and her daughter to begin with, we also see here a deep-rooted hatred some people still hold towards Islam and Muslims. After being arrested for harassment, Joseph Ballance issued a statement saying “This is not Iraq. They should not be dressing like that here. Send them back to Iraq.” That’s quite an apology.

[Louisiana1976]

1. Sad.

[Warpy]

2. I'm glad he was arrested

Unfortunately, bigots rarely get educated about much of anything.

Maybe he'll keep his stupid opinions to himself in public from now on.

[Hepburn]

3. It's like some people have NO clue that other than Native Americans...

...our land is totally a land of immigrants. Somewhere ~~ even way back when ~~ this asshole's ancestors came from another country unless he is Native American.

What a total dick. Of course, he did this to a woman and her child. Big man...to have to pick on people like this.

Sheesh...:puke:

[Atticus]

4. Maybe the folks who think Joe Wilson is a great American can add this knuckle-dragger to

their list of heroes. Of course this realization is beyond him, but Mr. Ballance has the same attitude and is using the same tactics as the Taliban.