Lessons not learned. A new holocaust on the horizion?

[Skippy]

While I personally cannot say I am surprised, I do find this disconcerting. How long before aother Crystal Night, or yellow crescents sewn onto clothing?

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In U.S. poll, 44% favour restricting Muslims' rights
Over a quarter would force Muslims to register with government

Republicans, the 'highly religious' and TV news-watchers more likely to back repression

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ITHACA, N.Y. — Nearly one-half of Americans believe the U.S. government should restrict the civil liberties of Muslim-Americans, a national poll indicates.

The survey conducted by Cornell University also found Republicans and people who described themselves as highly religious were more apt to support curtailing Muslims' civil liberties than Democrats or people who are less religious.

Researchers also found respondents who paid more attention to television news were more likely to fear terrorist attacks and support limiting the rights of Muslim-Americans.

"It's sad news. It's disturbing news. But it's not unpredictable," said Mahdi Bray, executive director of the Muslim American Society.

"The nation is at war, even if it's not a traditional war. We just have to remain vigilant and continue to interface."

The survey found 44 per cent favoured at least some restrictions on the civil liberties of Muslim-Americans. Forty-eight per cent said liberties should not be restricted in any way.

The survey showed 27 per cent of respondents supported requiring all Muslim-Americans to register where they live with the U.S. government. Twenty-two per cent favoured racial profiling to identify potential terrorist threats. And 29 per cent thought undercover agents should infiltrate Muslim civic and volunteer organizations to keep tabs on their activities and fund-raising.

Cornell student researchers questioned 715 people in the national telephone poll conducted this fall. The margin of error was 3.6 percentage points.

James Shanahan, an associate professor of communications who helped organize the survey, said the results indicate "the need for continued dialogue about issues of civil liberties" in a time of war.

While researchers said they were not surprised by the overall level of support for curtailing civil liberties, they were startled by the correlation with religion and exposure to television news.

"We need to explore why these two very important channels of discourse may nurture fear rather than understanding," Shanahan said.

The survey indicated 37 per cent believe a terrorist attack in the United States is still likely within the next 12 months. In a similar poll conducted by Cornell in November 2002, that number stood at 90 per cent.

Click here for the source

[substand]

just bumping this so someone will pay attn

[dutchie]

This is horrible. But it's a development that is not only taking place in the US, I'm afraid. In Holland ultra rightwing and racist factions are also gaining ground FAST. Very disturbing figures come out of polls. When elections would be held at this very moment, racist political parties would benefit enormously.

Like Skippy said, hardly surprising. But why do the good always have to suffer by the actions of the bad? Are we THAT narrowminded?

[VegasRonin]

Like Skippy said, hardly surprising. But why do the good always have to suffer by the actions of the bad? Are we THAT narrowminded?

Afraid so Dutchie! All it'll take is another 9/11 type of event on U.S. soil, and I can foresee sweeping internal policies. There wold probably be internment camps set-up, well actually, they already are; They'd just be in operation at that point. I also believe there would be mass deportation of muslims taking place. Israel would take the opportunity to really put the boot to the Palestinians, and the U.S. would either say nothing or back Israel. I think this scenario is already being planned, and will be carried out in a short time.

[lotrfan55345]

Ronin, wow, was that a joke? JK (but you don't seem like the type who would say that?)

BUMP

No one cares?

[midnightsonblaze]

This would be a sad scenario if this started to happen.....I mean, were not going to see signs stitched into the clothing, it would have to be more subtle than that.......point is, like Ronin said, if a huge attack happened on US soil again, I don't want to really see the repercussions of that.....it gives me chills thinking of some of the possibilities.....just keep your fingers crossed that nothing extremely horrible happens.....

Later guys & gals.....

[derangel]

Just...awful. I knew that a lot of my fellow Americans aren't exactly mental giants or particularly open-minded people, but this is far worse than I expected. It depresses me, it horrifies me, and it causes me severe embarassment. If we openly discriminate against muslims and treat them like second-class citizens or worse, then we're defying our own constitution. I will not tolerate such open racism. Wasn't it Thomas Jefferson who said that a man who would trade a little freedom for security deserves neither? If this keeps up, I'm moving to Japan. And if anyone asks, I'll tell them I'm from Canada. I am tired of being surrounded by narrow-minded morons!

[dutchie]

Funny you should mention Japan... Look what happened to the Japanese community in the USA at the end of WW2... Lots of them were deported into concentration camps on US soil...

The whole scenario is less bizarre than you might imagine..

[lotrfan55345]

concentration camps on US soil...

The whole scenario is less bizarre than you might imagine..

Wow we had concentration camps?! 0_o

Gotta research on that...

[DarkAce]

Well, internment camps, which is essentially like what was done to the jews but minus the systematic execution.