Category: ethics

on Islamophobia

On By Rick McIn ethics, GOP USA, government, Islam, things getting worseLeave a comment

Does this image make you fearful or angry?

burka

When they get home and remove the abaya, underneath women are often wearing expensive designer clothes and jewelry. Arab men love expensive garments, as well, but are as covered up head-to-foot in their own traditional ‘thawb’.

men-in-white

Islamophobia (or anti-Muslim sentiment) is a term for prejudice against, hatred towards, or fear of the religion of Islam or Muslims. The term entered into common English usage in 1997 …

Some commentators have posited an increase in Islamophobia resulting from the September 11 attacks, while others have associated it with the increased presence of Muslims in the United States, the European Union and other secular nations. …

There is no shortage of guys like this in 2015. Politicians use fear of Islam to motivate him to show up at the polls on election day.

islamophobic I’ve spent a lot of time in Muslim nations since 1994. I just left Saudi Arabia. Arrived Qatar.

For men, Islamic nations are very hospitable.  Most lists of friendliest nations include Syria, Jordan and Iran. I’ve not been to Iran. But of the 70 nations I have traveled, Syria and Jordan were by far the most welcoming. Egyptians I found very warm too.

I can’t say much about Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia. But, it’s much more complicated than you and I know.

More university graduates in Saudi Arabia are Saudi women than men, and female literacy is estimated to be 91% (though lower than male literacy) is far higher than just 40 years ago. The average age at first marriage among Saudi females in the kingdom is 25 years. …

The World Economic Forum 2013 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 127th out of 136 countries for gender parity. …

same hate new target

Islamophobia is fairly new. When I was in school the evil enemy was the Commies. It was the Cold War. Friends of mine parroted Better Dead than RED.

better dead than red

I recall how shocked Richard Englehardt was when I told him I would not fight the Russians. Most of my sport heroes were Soviet gymnasts. Many of my coaching mentors were Russian. In fact, I told REnglehardt, I’d probably be better off coaching under the Red Menace.

My grandparents immigrated from Ireland. In that era they suffered persecution.

no-irish-sign-1

(I’d heard about signs like this.  But one historian argues they are a myth.) 

It seems to be human nature to want to hate some enemy. The enemy frequently changes. Haters not so much. 😦

related – Guardian – America’s embrace of Islamophobia is new – but not surprising

in praise of Angela Merkel

On By Rick McIn ethics, governmentLeave a comment

… naysayers are wrong to suggest she has lost her way on migration. Quite the opposite.

During the crisis the Lutheran pastor’s daughter has found a forceful political and moral calling.

Mrs Merkel did not cause the onrush of migrants, as her critics maintain. The migrants were coming anyway: she acted to avert a humanitarian disaster. Fences will not hold back the flow. Mrs Merkel can neither stop the wars that drive people out of their homes nor set the policies of the countries they pass through. Her critics offer no plausible alternative.

Short of overturning international and European law, and watching refugees drown or die of exposure, EU countries must process the claims of asylum-seekers. The question is: will the process be orderly or chaotic? …

The indispensable European

Angela Merkel faces her most serious political challenge yet. But Europe needs her more than ever

Forbes – The World’s Most Powerful People – #2 Angela Merkel

angela-merkel-2011-7-19-10-0-51

Justin Trudeau: “Because it’s 2015”

On By Rick McIn ethics, governmentLeave a comment

How about this for gender equity? 🙂

Fans of gender equity will like this kind of reverse discrimination.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Justin Trudeau beamed as he explained why he felt the need to put together Canada’s first cabinet with an equal number of male and female members.

“It’s an incredible pleasure for me to be before you today … to present a cabinet that looks like Canada,” Trudeau said on Wednesday afternoon in his first statement as Canada’s 23rd prime minister.

‘A cabinet that looks like Canada:’ Justin Trudeau pledges government built on trust

New prime minister promises that his government would be one based on trust and teamwork that delivered “evidence-based policy.”

Scottish racist

On By Rick McIn economics, ethics, GOP USA, government, travel1 Comment

… Britain, the U.S., Canada and Australia more tolerant than anywhere else. …

map of racism

But if you walk alongside the Clyde River in Glasgow you’ll likely see a Gypsy lady with a disposable cup siting on one pedestrian bridge. She sits quietly.

There must be enough regular pedestrian traffic to bring in some money each day. She’s there at least 10hrs / day.

I was passing when a young Scottish guy diverted to give her some grief. He then wanted to bend my ear.

“Scum taking the jobs of the white man.”

She was as white as he. Clearly didn’t have a job.

Most of the rest of the rant was unintelligible. He was angry. She a convenient target. Perhaps he shouts at her every day on the way to work.

Unhappy. Fearful. This is the kind of voter Donald Trump appealed to when he said:

They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

Washington Post

Gypsy beggars are common in Europe.

begger

I don’t like begging. But this woman on this bridge is no problem.

I don’t like illegal immigration. I’d rather spend the tax money to resettle illegal immigrants. Or – if they decline being returned to their homeland – to deliver them to a safe refugee camp.

We should spend even more tax dollars improving the systems of how illegal immigrants are processed. It’s the right thing to do.

Note: Most of the Romani people (Gypsies) in Europe are not illegal immigrants.

___ related

CK on jobs

Delhi Police return $1000+ to stupid tourist

On By Rick McIn ethics, travelLeave a comment

IMG_3616

To: Commissioner Delhi Police

Dear sir,

I write to commend your officers at the IGI Airport.

Arriving Delhi September 11th, 2015 (jetlagged after many hours) I accidentally dropped my money belt outside Terminal 3.

It was recovered by Police.

Head Constable Hanuman Sahib Meena used the documents within to track me down to a hotel in Leh, Ladakh where I was on holiday. He telephoned to arrange for me to collect the pouch on my return to Delhi, 3 weeks later.

I did check in at the Terminal 2 IGI Police Station on September 30th, 2015. Your officers were courteous, efficient and friendly.

I collected my money belt from lost property. Everything was there, including over $1000 cash.

I’m not sure the Canadian Police would have done better.

My sincere thanks.

Richard McCharles
Canada

Reagan and GHW Bush on illegal immigrants

On By Rick McIn ethics, governmentLeave a comment

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (1980)

Six years later, as president of the United States, Reagan signed the Simpson-Mazzoli Act that created a pathway to citizenship for 3 million undocumented immigrants.

Today’s politicians are far to the right of Reagan and the good Bush. History will prove the Tea Party wrong.

$350,000 to shoot a rare black rhino

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, economics, ethics, governmentLeave a comment

Sounds horrendous. The hunter faced death threats from outraged conservationists.

black-rhino-etosha-namibia_wide-40b65374e6f35f56faf85d069d2b72ba87191945-s1500-c85

But the issue is far more complex than it seems at first glance.

The permit came from Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Each year it targets several older rhinos that are no longer able to breed but still pose a deadly threat to younger males. The proceeds are meant to go toward anti-poaching and conservation efforts.

NPR

That $350,000 does much to protect black rhino. Many hunters are keen conservationists.

Want to know more?

Back in 2014, Corey Knowlton paid $350,000 for a hunting trip to Namibia to shoot and kill an endangered species. He’s a professional hunter, who guides hunts all around the world, so going to Africa would be nothing new. The target on the other hand would be. And so too, he quickly found, would be the attention.

This episode, producer Simon Adler follows Corey as he dodges death threats and prepares to pull the trigger. Along the way we stop to talk with Namibian hunters and government officials, American activists, and someone who’s been here before – Kenya’s former Director of Wildlife, Richard Leakey. All the while, we try to uncover what conservation really means in the 21st century.

Listen to the story on RadioLab.

President George H. W. Bush resigns from the NRA

On By Rick McIn education, ethics, firearms, GOP USA, governmentLeave a comment

He did the right thing.

Bush resigns NRA

May 3, 1995

I was outraged when, even in the wake of the Oklahoma City tragedy, Mr. Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of N.R.A., defended his attack on federal agents as “jack-booted thugs.” To attack Secret Service agents or A.T.F. people or any government law enforcement people as “wearing Nazi bucket helmets and black storm trooper uniforms” wanting to “attack law abiding citizens” is a vicious slander on good people.

Al Whicher, who served on my [ United States Secret Service ] detail when I was Vice President and President, was killed in Oklahoma City. He was no Nazi. He was a kind man, a loving parent, a man dedicated to serving his country — and serve it well he did.

In 1993, I attended the wake for A.T.F. agent Steve Willis, another dedicated officer who did his duty. I can assure you that this honorable man, killed by weird cultists, was no Nazi.

John Magaw, who used to head the U.S.S.S. and now heads A.T.F., is one of the most principled, decent men I have ever known. He would be the last to condone the kind of illegal behavior your ugly letter charges. The same is true for the F.B.I.’s able Director Louis Freeh. I appointed Mr. Freeh to the Federal Bench. His integrity and honor are beyond question.

Both John Magaw and Judge Freeh were in office when I was President. They both now serve in the current administration. They both have badges. Neither of them would ever give the government’s “go ahead to harass, intimidate, even murder law abiding citizens.” (Your words)

I am a gun owner and an avid hunter. Over the years I have agreed with most of N.R.A.’s objectives, particularly your educational and training efforts, and your fundamental stance in favor of owning guns.

However, your broadside against Federal agents deeply offends my own sense of decency and honor; and it offends my concept of service to country. It indirectly slanders a wide array of government law enforcement officials, who are out there, day and night, laying their lives on the line for all of us.

You have not repudiated Mr. LaPierre’s unwarranted attack. Therefore, I resign as a Life Member of N.R.A., said resignation to be effective upon your receipt of this letter. Please remove my name from your membership list.

Sincerely,
[ signed ]
George H. W. Bush

NRAtabloidThis is the guy I blame more than any other for the disproportionate influence of the NRA on American politics – Wayne LaPierre, vice president of the National Rifle Association.

prevalence of guns results in more murders / suicides

On By Rick McIn economics, ethics, firearms, GOP USA, government, things getting worse4 Comments

If you like guns, fine. Buy them. Use and store them safely.

But don’t tell me the average person is safer at home with a gun than without. They’re not – even if 63% of American believe that NRA lie to be true.

WITH one of the highest murder rates among OECD countries—second only to Mexico—America retains its reputation as a disproportionately dangerous country.

The number of violent assaults in America is comparable to those of other western countries, yet murders are much more common. The prevalence of guns goes a long way toward explaining America’s terrible record—they are used in two-thirds of all murders. Americans are five times as likely to be murdered as Brits but over 40 times as likely to be murdered with a gun. …

Economist 

firearm stats