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Home Front: WoT
Community Angered Over American’s Slaying
2004-06-21
EAGLESWOOD TOWNSHIP, N.J. - The leader of an anti-discrimination group called for tolerance after a sign reading "Stamp out Islam" was posted in the hometown of an American contractor murdered in Saudi Arabia. Aref Assaf, president of the state chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, issued an advisory to its members telling them to be vigilant following news reports of residents angered over the death of Paul M. Johnson Jr. His organization had not heard of any violence committed against Muslims or Arab-Americans in New Jersey.

"It’s sad because we have lost a fellow American from New Jersey, but added to that our entire community is being castigated and blamed for the crimes of others," Assaf said Sunday. "Our patriotism has been questioned and suspect. It’s a difficult feeling to have when you’re a citizen of a country and your loyalty is questioned by your fellow American citizens."

Phil Galasso posted the cardboard sign saying "Stamp out Islam" on a utility pole near his house in Eagleswood Township. It depicted a hand-drawn boot over a crescent and star. "I’m getting a little fed up with the mindless violence against civilians who had nothing to do with the war in the Middle East," Galasso said.

Another sign hung on the mailbox of the house next to that of Johnson’s sister, Donna Mayeux, in Little Egg Harbor Township. "Last night Islamics had a chance to speak up for Paul Johnson but today it’s too late," the sign read. "Islamics better wake up and start thinking about tomorrow."
One more major incident and we'll see signs like this all across the country.
The owner of the house where the sign was hung took it down Sunday morning and said he didn’t know who had put it up. He added that he didn’t know anyone in town who felt that way.

Joe Giberson, a police detective in nearby Stafford Township, said he was dismayed when he saw news reports of the sign in Little Egg Harbor. "I hope it’s not the feelings of the people," Giberson said. "We can’t be the same way like what happened to Mr. Johnson." Among those urging tolerance was the minister at the church where Mayeux worships. Pastor Gene Huber noted Johnson’s family’s grief and struggle in the face of cruelty, but said turning to faith would "enable them to become champions of grace in a world of wickedness."
The phrase I was thinking of, Padre, was along the lines of "praise the Lord and pass the ammunition."
Members of New Jersey’s Arab-American community had gathered over the weekend to condemn the murder, denouncing it as "repulsive" and "cold-blooded" during a rally in Paterson. Assaf told those at the rally it is "unfortunate" that perceptions remain that American Muslims share the same anti-American opinions that terrorists do. "Most of us left everything to come to this country," he said. "The last thing we want to see is America damaged, or vandalized or demonized."
You're going to have to speak up.
Posted by:Anonymous4617

#11  Well, looks like NMM couldn't get out of town on his vacation. Keep that white chip under your tongue buddy.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-06-21 7:21:23 PM  

#10  Yank, the racism in this case is fictional. Islam isn't a race. Its a religion (or a cult depending on your definition...).
Posted by: CrazyFool   2004-06-21 7:17:38 PM  

#9  Deacon Blues: The Iranians are different than the Arabs--just ask them :-) ! (also, they are Indo-Europeans, rather than Arab, and they often think Arabs are crazy and beneath them), so I would expect that answer from an Iranian. Most of the Iranians here are fine people busy making a living (rather than making bombs or plots to harm us here).
Posted by: ex-lib   2004-06-21 7:15:47 PM  

#8  Would have been nice if they'd signed up for the military enmass to support their new country in time of war. Sort of like a lot of Japanese-Americans, German-Americans, and Italian-Americans, in a time long ago.

No, its easier to live among the non-believers and complain about racism both real and fictional.
Posted by: Yank   2004-06-21 7:12:42 PM  

#7   "We can’t be the same way like what happened to Mr. Johnson."

Well, signs communicating a community's anger and speaking out against barbaric crimes like that committed against Mr. Johnson is hardly the same thing as sawing off people's heads, is it?

People will try to stifle this justified anger, but it will build and continue to erupt until we get a nationwide consensus on fighting Islamofascism.
Posted by: jules 187   2004-06-21 5:37:00 PM  

#6  I've been working with a Muslim engineer for the last 8 years. He came here just before the Shah was overthrown and will never go back to Iran, even if the Mad Mullahs are overthrown. He and I have talked extensively about radical Islam and I believe him when he says there really aren't very many muslims here in the US that support that kind of extremism. He likes to do things in his leisure time he would never be allowed to do in Iran. I asked him why Muslims here were not more vocal in their denunciation of the extremists but the only answer he could give me was that people have become complacent. It is not happening here, it is far away so why worry? "These things are being done by other people, not us".He then said people are beginning to wake up to the fact that if they don't take a firm and vocal stand they risk losing the freedom they now enjoy and also risk the enmity of other American citizens. I certainly hope this is true.
Posted by: Deacon Blues   2004-06-21 3:07:56 PM  

#5  well, ex-lib, since only Bush, Kerry and Nader are running, the Troll either wants Kerry or Nader. So which is it Mr Troll, is Kerry or Nader your man?
Posted by: AllahHateMe   2004-06-21 3:06:56 PM  

#4   "repulsive" and "cold-blooded" -- agree, but do they also disagree with the politics/aims of the act and of Islamic Fascism?

Like it or not, Dog Is A Troll, Bush-Powell is the best thing we've got going. Did you have another candidate in mind?
Posted by: ex-lib   2004-06-21 2:42:28 PM  

#3  I OT'd that report. The concept of "freedom" has been so debased by Bush-Powell, that an American consensus is brewing, which identifies freedom from Islamofascist savagery with American security.

As soon as the oil-patch crooks are out of the way, we can dust off the nukes.
Posted by: Dog Bites Trolls   2004-06-21 2:35:39 PM  

#2  It’s a difficult feeling to have when you’re a citizen of a country and your loyalty is questioned by your fellow American citizens.

It's also a difficult feeling when the best available information is that we have every reason to question the loyalty of some of our "fellow American citizens." When the first reaction to an Islamic atrocity is condemnation instead of "watch out for the bigots," and when we start to hear about AQ cells in quantity being outed by their Islamic brethren, I'll start rethinking my suspicions. Until then, I guess they'll just have to live with it.
Posted by: VAMark   2004-06-21 1:52:33 PM  

#1   but added to that our entire community is being castigated and blamed for the crimes of others," Assaf said Sunday

well if the muslim community would take a stand against these terrorists , or more loving called 'holy warriors' by the muslim community, there would be no worry. but the muslim community here in the states does not..so i have no sympathy.
Posted by: Dan   2004-06-21 1:34:55 PM  

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