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In "The Real Target of the 6 Imams’ Discrimination Suit" in the Star Tribune, Katherine Kersten repeats what I have maintained from the beginning: that the entire Flying Imams incident is an attempt to get religious profiling outlawed, thus giving jihadists a free hand in airports -- no matter how suspiciously they are acting, officials will be afraid to question them.
Note also that the Flying Imams' lawsuit wants to sue the passengers who complained about their activity also.
Their lawsuit appears to be the latest component in a national campaign to intimidate airlines and government agencies from acting prudently to ensure passenger safety. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is advising the imams, is also calling for congressional hearings and promoting federal legislation to “end racial profiling” in air travel. If the legislation passes, airport personnel who disproportionately question passengers who are Muslim or of Middle Eastern origin could be subject to sanctions.But the most alarming aspect of the imams’ suit is buried in paragraph 21 of their complaint. It describes “John Doe” defendants whose identity the imams’ attorneys are still investigating. It reads: “Defendants ‘John Does’ were passengers … who contacted U.S. Airways to report the alleged ’suspicious’ behavior of Plaintiffs’ performing their prayer at the airport terminal.”
Paragraph 22 adds: “Plaintiffs will seek leave to amend this Complaint to allege true names, capacities, and circumstances supporting [these defendants’] liability … at such time as Plaintiffs ascertain the same.”
In plain English, the imams plan to sue the “John Does,” too.
Who are these unnamed culprits? The complaint describes them as “an older couple who was sitting [near the imams] and purposely turn[ed] around to watch” as they prayed. “The gentleman (’John Doe’) in the couple … picked up his cellular phone and made a phone call while watching the Plaintiffs pray,” then “moved to a corner” and “kept talking into his cellular phone.”
In retribution for this action, the unnamed couple probably will be dragged into court soon and face the prospect of hiring a lawyer, enduring hostile questioning and paying huge legal bills. The same fate could await other as-yet-unnamed passengers on the US Airways flight who came forward as witnesses.
The imams’ attempt to bully ordinary passengers marks an alarming new front in the war on airline security. Average folks, “John Does” like you and me, initially observed and reported the imams’ suspicious behavior on Nov. 20. Such people are our “first responders” against terrorism. But the imams’ suit may frighten such individuals into silence, as they seek to avoid the nightmare of being labeled bigots and named as defendants.
Ironically, on the day the imams filed their suit, a troubling internal memo came to light at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The memo revealed that our airport is at particular risk of terrorist attack because of its proximity to the Mall of America, its employment of relatively few security officers and other factors. The memo advised heightened vigilance to counter “this very real and deliberate threat.”
Posted by Robert at March 15, 2007 8:55 AM
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Some omments to the story, to be found at the StarTribune site:
#1.
jr says:
1) Six imams are removed from a plane, sue MAC (etc.)
2) Cabbies licensed by MAC won’t take you if you have alcohol or an animal (ask my friend who has the seeing eye dog about that one).
3) Now they won’t ring your groceries at Target.
What’s next?
To the local Muslim leaders (particularly the Somalis): if you keep this pace going, the ability for your fellow Somalis to have *any* chance of being accepted into this community will have come and gone.
#2.
Swede says:
This is absolutely disgusting! As a European I have already seen this type of bullying happen for years, and the politicians have been more than ready to accomodate them. - AMERICANS, DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKES!
US Airways must relly fight back and not try and settle. If you give them this, they’ll keep at it.
God Bless America, as long as you put your foot down! This madness must be stopped. Go out and demonstrate outside that courtroom!
#3.
UncleSam says:
I grew up in India among millions of muslims…I have never seen any muslims praying in public places like that…I love USA and think the imams are taking advantage of this great land.
#4.
BornDemocrat says:
I have not heard anything that warranted them to be removed from the plane. That was wrong."
Perhaps you should read the original accounts of the stories. Anyone, regardless of race or religion, could have been asked to leave the plane under the circumstances.
When you agree to the purchase of a airline ticket, you agree to certain rules of conduct. Break them, and you can be denied service. It’s that simple.
Posted by: Hugh![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 15, 2007 9:23 AM
This is a continuation of terror against us: harrassing America through our precious legal system...........
Posted by: n.a. palm at March 15, 2007 9:25 AM
When you see Muslims in airports:
1) take their picture
2) if they leave baggage/packages unattended, report them to security immediately
3) watch the Muslims carefully
4) do not attempt to converse with them
5) take pictures of those they talk with
6) sue them if they talk to you in any derogatory manner...
7) if they talk to Muslim baggage handlers , take photos of the baggage handler..
8) if you are outside and you observe them being dropped off by private vehicle, note the make,the color, the model, and the vehicle tag number, take pictures.
9) make sure you have the airlines customer service phone number handy, as well as the phone number for the airport, the FBI, and the local police...just in case...
10) when sitting next to them , say the Lords prayer out loud.
11) when sitting next to them, read from the Bible ..out loud...
12) display your rosaries and crucifixes openly...
13) frequently inspect the bottom of your shoe as if you were looking for imbedded pebbles, be sure to point the bottom of the shoe towards the Muslim..
14) carry a bag of pork rinds for a snack should you get hungry..
15) remain observant and alert....
16) report any behaviour out of the normal...
17) remember Muslims intend to harm you, stay away from them...
18) Remember Muslims are not your friends...
19) Remember Muslims are seeking to create an incident.
20) Remember Muslims are not rational people..
remember you do not want these people in your neighborhood..Ban Muslim Immigration Now...
at March 15, 2007 9:35 AM
If people stand up now, and really stay cool and fight this, it will put a HUGE HOLE in CAIR. And it will expose them. This COULD be good for us. It will be hard, but it could be good for us.
at March 15, 2007 9:37 AM
We don't yet know the identities of the "John Doe passengers" being targeted by the imams. Once identitified, I presume they will be joined in the lawsuit. I'm hopeful there are a few attorneys that would be willing to work on their defense. perhaps a "defense fund" could be established on their behalf. The good folk that plane who were unsettled by the behavior of the imams - and who complained -deserve our support.
Posted by: omvi at March 15, 2007 9:44 AM
I meant to add to my comment above that a few attorneys perhaps could be found to work a defense of the John Doe passengers freee of charge...pro bono.
Posted by: omvi at March 15, 2007 9:47 AM
CAIR and the Imams already tried to shakedown US Air by asking for a financial settlement and apology and were rebuffed. I'm sure CAIR threatened a lawsuit but instead of settling US Air issued a statement in support of their employees.
By seeking to drag unindentified passengers into the lawsuit as defendants, the Imams are engaging in the same profiling they are supposed to be suing over.How in the world would they know what someone who looked at them and then called on a cell phone was doing?I don't see this suit going anywhere.The airline would have settled if they thought the Imams claims had merit. What this suit will succeed in doing is increasing the animosity toward Muslims that already exists in much of the free world.
Posted by: Roxane at March 15, 2007 9:55 AM
I suggest this be monitored closely and if this idiotic case actually comes to pass and if these decent Americans are harrassed that a legal fund be set up to help them. I'm sure, with yours, LGF, and Schlussel, and others, we can raise enough to completely handle any expenses.
Posted by: Seymour Paine at March 15, 2007 10:08 AM
Can someone contact Dershowitz?
We need a full-court press on this one!!
Golda once said:
"If its war the Arabs want,then war they shall get."
Posted by: Ynkedoodl2 at March 15, 2007 10:09 AM
There is only one way to address this problem, and that is for the flight attendants and pilots to stage a national, one-day walkout: in other words, no flights for one full day across the entire country.
If you're a passanger, and in a situation where there is suspicious activity before take-off, and you're afraid of being sued, just get off the plane before take-off. If all the passangers do this for a particular flight, that in itself will become a news story. They can't sue you for that.
Posted by: sonomaca at March 15, 2007 10:16 AM
OK, so we are supposed to make SPECIAL ALLOWANCES for and show UNUSUAL TOLERANCE for a religion that has declared WAR on us, that hates us, and wants to annihilate us, and that has MANIPULATED our system in the past, and yet they do not even LET A CHRISTIAN BIBLE in the country of Saudi Arabia, home of islam....!?
Posted by: angryeagle at March 15, 2007 10:17 AM
Three other things:
Charges should have been filed against the imams, just as they would have against any disruptive passanger.
The passangers must countersue.
The history (ie, terrorist ties) of some of these imams should discussed further.
I believe many people would be willing to contribute to a legal defense fund should it come to that.
Posted by: sonomaca at March 15, 2007 10:21 AM
Well, it doesn't look like US Airways is going to cave (go, guys!) ...
AND ... I'll bet that the rest of the airlines are going to do everything possible to help. And it wouldn't surprise me if the TSA is going to testify as well. I believe that they "tripped" (intentionally) some 6 of the 9 major terrorism-in-ation indicators.
Any passenger associations in the United States should file a CLASS ACTION SUIT against CAIR.
Posted by: Morgaan Sinclair at March 15, 2007 10:31 AM
exsgtbrown:
I like that post.
When I learned of the six imam's suit 2 days ago I immediately fired off an email to US Airway's CEO (W.Douglas Parker) encouraging him to fight this to WIN & reminded him that because of the imam's very suspicious activity prior to AND on-board events were of major concern.His employee's actions were PRUDENT & REASONABLE considering what were questionable acts out of the ordinary.
Also,after his company is exonerated,they should counter-sue for full monetary recoverary for all legal costs and also seek punitive damages for plaintiff filing a false claim.
Posted by: billybob at March 15, 2007 10:42 AM
I agree that this has the possibility of back-firing horribly on CAIR. All the facts will come out and the blatant obviousness of what the Imams were doing will be shown for all to see.
I only hope and pray that the court isn't too full of PC dhimmies to see whats right in front of their eyes
Posted by: kelisw at March 15, 2007 10:42 AM
I was absolutely disgusted to see Geraldo Rivera on Hannity and Colmes last night defending the actions of these flying Imans to Colmes.
Then it was Hannity's turn and he told Geraldo that he was absolutely wrong on this, and then Hannity proceeded to list all the reasons why US Air was correct in the actions that were taken. Geraldo tried to talk over the top of Hannity, but Hannity wouldn't let him; Geraldo finally gave up and openly admitted that he did not know about any of the facts of the case against the behavior of the Imans.
At that point I said that's enough of this crap and why are they letting this ill informed idiot comment on this at all! And with that I turned off the TV and went out to a nice dinner with my wife.
at March 15, 2007 10:49 AM
p.s.-I encourage all who read here to send your support comments to CEO W.Douglas Parker @ US Airways.
select "General Information" sub-section from the 'Contact Us' heading.
http://www.usairways.com/
at March 15, 2007 10:57 AM
This is a battle, just like a siege in Baghdad.
If we let them have this, it will be a slippery slope to more and more special privileges for muslims. It must stop here.
at March 15, 2007 11:06 AM
kelisw:
Instead of ..."back-firing horribly on CAIR"
don't you really mean...
"back-firing GLORIOUSLY on CAIR".
???
Posted by: billybob at March 15, 2007 11:07 AM
Geraldo Rivera is an appeasist stupid slug...do you remember him, while in Iraq, giving the militarys positions away on his TV reports....all the terrorists had to do to locate the American soldiers was to watch Geraldos broadcast....
Posted by: exsgtbrown at March 15, 2007 11:08 AM
So average Americans need a legal fund to go about their lives? String up the pols that have allowed these filthy rats into our country, the pols that are their apologists now. They may want the John Does named so as to sue them, but more likely they want the names so as to send some of their fellow rop’ers to stick a knife in their backs. Again I say, string up the pols who have allowed this before some average Americans are murdered. I have had it, I’m fed up, the filthy rats in the gubment brought this upon all of us and they deserve to be hunted people among us, scumbags. Average Americans were the target on 9-11 and they are the target now./ The difference, before 9-11 the pols did nothing regarding islamists, after 9-11 they have been helping them accomplish their mission here.
Posted by: tgusa at March 15, 2007 11:13 AM
Photographs of Islamo-fascism epicenter : Ramallah, in the Palestinian territories, photographed last week :
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1800303/posts
drzz
http://leblogdrzz.over-blog.com
at March 15, 2007 11:18 AM
E mail to Katherine Kersten this morning:
Dear Katherine:
Thanks for writing an article on this problem which if it gets legs with that Muslim attorney in New York it will end up making a mockery out of the efforts of Homeland Security,TSA, and the FBI that worked to establish security operations for the airlines.
First responders have an absolute duty to express their concerns over strange behavior on airplanes or in the terminals. In fact Homeland security encourages the average citizen to be on the lookout for unusual behavior because they cannot watch it all.
I don't know if your articles are picked up or syndicated to other newspapers throughout the country but it would be great if it makes the rounds. I hope more and more journalists such as yourself embrace and continue to follow this story for further developments.
Keep up the good work,this issue is way to important to ignore.
Regards
Mackie
at March 15, 2007 11:26 AM
Exactly why these proto-terrorists have not been charged is beyond me. Drunk and disorderly passengers are often charged; why not these guys?
And, as an aside, nothing these freaks could do would dissuade me from taking appropriate action if I feel threatened while flying.
Posted by: Seymour Paine at March 15, 2007 11:31 AM
"When you see Muslims in airports..." exsgtbrown
Too funny! Especially 10 through 14.
at March 15, 2007 11:39 AM
'In plain English, the imams plan to sue the “John Does,” too.'
Not necessarily. They may just want to intimidate the 'John Does'.
Nothing personal, but I hope these disgusting imams are humiliated in court.
Posted by: A Nonny Nonny at March 15, 2007 11:42 AM
What I find unbelievable is that while the courts appear to be sympathetic to these ideologically based criminals they have sent me a jury summons. Jury summons?! I dropped them a line and told them exactly what I thought and they told me, hey if you don’t show up we can arrest you. Yeah, well go for it then, first you will have to clear a bed of its illegal immigrant/criminal for me to use. They said, sir you have an obligation as a citizen. I said citizen? Don’t you mean slave? They told me that the courts need to be respected. I said Hitler had courts and judges and I wouldn’t have served on his juries either so try again to convince me and this time try to use something that I care about. They said, I don’t know what to do for you sir, I said, round up all the lawyers and kick them out of the country. They said that wasn’t possible, I said duh, you can’t even do the job you are paid to do, do you really think I thought you were capable of anything else? I'm not putting up with their garbage any longer.
Posted by: tgusa at March 15, 2007 11:57 AM
So average Americans need a legal fund to go about their lives? String up the pols that have allowed these filthy rats into our country, the pols that are their apologists now. They may want the John Does named so as to sue them, but more likely they want the names so as to send some of their fellow rop’ers to stick a knife in their backs. Again I say, string up the pols who have allowed this before some average Americans are murdered. I have had it, I’m fed up, the filthy rats in the gubment brought this upon all of us and they deserve to be hunted people among us, scumbags. Average Americans were the target on 9-11 and they are the target now./ The difference, before 9-11 the pols did nothing regarding islamists, after 9-11 they have been helping them accomplish their mission here.
Posted by: tgusa at March 15, 2007 11:13 AM
Amen to that! I'd rather deal first with the treasonous pols than with the jihadist filth that they have enabled. Hang them high. Hang them long.
As for this lawsuit, CAIR should be countersued for filing a junk lawsuit that is also endangering national security. Whatever happened to that legal reform BS these pols were spouting a few years back anyway? Oh yeah, they lied. Again. Bastardi!!!
at March 15, 2007 12:02 PM
If the imams win they will lose, for every action there is a reaction. The case will turn over the ultimate security of flights to the people on the flights. many will be very very worried and someone will make the decisions for the airplines and the government to keep our familys safe. One thing we have burned into our lifes from the 911 experience is that we will not let anyone take over another airplane as long as some of us are willing to kill or die to save our way of life.
Posted by: ga gunner at March 15, 2007 12:05 PM
This is the USA. The Imams have no rational case. But suing individuals on a plan for their suspicions is an attempt at becoming the thought police. The seatbelt action alone was enough to warrant suspicion. I just hope that they are investigated and this whole thing comes down on them.
Posted by: sh217 at March 15, 2007 12:13 PM
How to Handle Irritating seat mates:
go to www.boortz.com,
go to archives jan 31, 2007
see this topic in the middle of the page and follow its instructions...
try this next time you fly...
at March 15, 2007 12:18 PM
CAIR is engaging in insidious SLAAP
http://www.thefirstamendment.org/antislappresourcecenter.html#What%20are%20slapps
against those passengers in order to intimidate all of us. Fortunately some states have anti-SLAPP laws that help, including Minnesota if I’m not mistaken.
According to Newt Gingrich these Imams should have been arrested & charged criminally for their provocative behavior. CAIR must be fought.
at March 15, 2007 12:33 PM
Fine - Muslims can have it their way. No religious profiling? No problem.
READ THIS AGAIN: No problem.
Without pre-flight security, any physical action to stop or suppress said trouble makers in the air would be up to the passengers.
Politically correct security is no security at all and if the laws will not protect us in the air then I believe passengers have the right to do anything they like in order to ensure their survival at the physical expense of the perpetrator.
If MUSLIMS, trouble making ISLAMIC Imams or MUSLIM terrorists want to see mob mentality in a sealed aluminum can thousands of feet in the air, wish granted.
BTW, I find the concept of "terrorism" wanting. Every time an attack or threat of attack occurs, I do not feel even the slightest sense fear...I feel only exponentially growing fury.
Posted by: Quantum Infidel at March 15, 2007 1:17 PM
All that needs to be done is a Muslim tax by airlines as it has been proven Islam will sue airlines and delay flights which are costing the industry and passengers millions of dollars.
Islam wants to play the game.....the airlines can cover the costs for insurance. They can charge fat people and they can detain drunks, so they can charge turban heads and toss off chanters.
That is the beauty of capitalism. If Muslims don't like it they can WALK.
Posted by: Lame Cherry at March 15, 2007 1:42 PM
I called this entire thing what it is almost 4 months ago:
United States of Amerabia: The Media Assault Has Begun
Posted by: Foehammer at March 15, 2007 2:06 PM
Here's some comedy relief -- not coincidence this is currently the most popular entry at my blog:
Frank Sinatra Parody: Strangers on my flight
Posted by: Foehammer at March 15, 2007 2:12 PM
Where is the ACLU to represent the John Does?
Or has CAIR already met privately with the ACLU to confirm that ACLU will stay out of this?
If these imans where just praying then how do they have a 'play by play' of the people around them and what their reaction was? This validates that this was a staged event to get public reaction and record it.
Who is the person or persons that observed the John Does? What is his affiliation? His name (lets take him public)? Where was he standing? If he is muslim, then why was he not observing the muslim call to prayer and instead was recording the surrounding reactions?
WE ARE ALL JOHN DOES. The American people should start a petition where we can all sign on to be John Does and be included as Defendants. CAIR is expecting fear to be driven into the hearts and minds of 'future' witnesses. Lets drive it back down their throats and let them know we stand with fellow Americans and that we are all Defendants.
Where is the petition to sign?
Posted by: alaskan1000 at March 15, 2007 2:25 PM
That is the beauty of capitalism. If Muslims don't like it they can WALK.
Posted by: Lame Cherry
..right to the broder and across.. never to be seen again.
One can dream...
at March 15, 2007 2:34 PM
tgusa
Instead of telling the jury selectors to f*** off, you can do your part to influence the decision of the jury, that is if you get on. The system may be f***ed up but it is still workable.
Posted by: wrathofasma at March 15, 2007 3:03 PM
"John Doe", who ever they may be, were acting under the direct command of the President of the United States. Who, you might recall, commanded of all the Citizens of the US to be vigilant and report suspicous behavior to the proper Authorities.
Looks like CAIR overlooked that.
Could an "ordinary" Citizen view Muslims praying at an Airport to be their version of "last rights", for a successful attack on the Airline?
Posted by: flowerknife_us at March 15, 2007 3:12 PM
http://www.petitiononline.com/
Posted by: dms at March 15, 2007 3:22 PM
exsgtbrown made an excellent list of suggestions that were humorous yet practical as a way of discouraging...shall we say ..zee panky hanky.
First, it is not illegal to take photos, of anything or anybody in a public place. If they think you are feds..all the better.
It is not illegal to stare...surfers in California call it the "stink eye". You get the picture. It is not polite but I don't worry about that in some cases and this one of those. I once caused some people to leave a store by using the stink eye and it was the source of much amusement to me, then and now. If you are up to it, go for it and think..if you can't stop their immigration, at least let them know you aren't pleased. They are paranoid in public..absolutely paranoid and it doesn't take much pressure to accomplish your goal..go for it, you are actually doing no harm..it is their conscience that is your weapon.
at March 15, 2007 5:07 PM
Like some of their other law suits, this one will boomerang back on CAIR. They often bluster like a bully to see how far they can go. My bet is during the discovery phase, they will again withdraw. Let's hope that the numerous video tapes at the airport and possibly aboard the aircraft are now safely in the protective custody of Homeland Security and or the airline. There’s nothing like a clear video of a crime to shut down criminals.
Posted by: songdongnigh at March 15, 2007 5:29 PM
Be it known that the call was not all USAir. They called in the Federal Aviation Authority and they also concluded that the imams activity was suspicious. I hope they fry in the courtroom and CAIR gets national exposure for their subversive activity.
Posted by: Briars at March 15, 2007 6:19 PM
They are so going to settle. If they're smart that is.
Posted by: wrathofasma at March 15, 2007 7:24 PM
I don't know about the imams incident, but it seems to me there must be one or more mosques in the twin cities that are inciting the behavior of the cabbies and the store clerks. I really would like to see someone in Minnesota investigate which mosques are fueling this...perhaps with undercover filming like London's Ch4 did a month or two back.
Posted by: galts_generator at March 17, 2007 12:46 AM
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