Friday
There is a strange article in the LA Times called The Governor's cold shoulder to Muslims, in which Shakeel Syed, the executive director of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California criticises state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for refusing to meet with him. The title suggests this refusal amounts to cold shouldering 'Muslims' rather than just certain Muslims (i.e Shakeel Syed).
After waiting for more than a week, and following up with at least 10 phone calls to the governor's office, I had gotten no response. I felt it was my duty and my right as a citizen to avail myself of a public forum to reach the governor. When a reporter from the L.A. Times called, I spoke with him and, on Aug. 16, The Times correctly reported my perspective: The fact that the governor had ignored my request to meet was disrespectful and insulting.
Of course, what with being the governor of a large state, I would guess Schwarzenegger is not exactly an easy man to get a meeting with, so I am not quite sure why Mr. Syed thinks not being able to meet with him amounts insult and disrespect. Moreover he then tried to apply pressure to Schwarzenegger by attacking him in the LA Times for not meeting with him, whilst noting the Governor was quite happy to meet with "rabbis and others who support Israel".
He then acts surprised that Schwarzenegger's communications director stated that: "We did not meet with Mr. Syed [because] it was inappropriate for the governor to meet with someone who uses the media to demand meetings and threaten political retaliation." In other words, as Mr. Syed annoyed the person he wanted a favour from (to meet him), he was surprised that the person he annoyed was, well, annoyed enough not to meet with him.
In the earlier LA Times article, it said...
Muslim leaders on Tuesday called Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger disrespectful and insulting for ignoring their request to meet about the war in Lebanon so he could explain his appearance at a rally supporting Israel that was attended by thousands.
What does Schwarzenegger need to 'explain'? Clearly he supports Israel (the dead give away is that he attended a rally supporting Israel) and if some Muslims in California do not like that then perhaps they should consider not voting for him. Which bit of that needs an 'explanation'? Arnie obviously values the Jewish vote rather more than the Muslim vote.
But then if Schwarzenegger wanted some even better reasons for refusing to meet someone from the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, those would not be hard to find. Mr. Syed supports making it illegal to say or print things Muslims find deeply offensive, making the categorical statement "We call for laws that prohibits defamation of all Prophets and faiths". So the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California thinks the sensibilities of religious people trumps the First Amendment and therefore the rights of people who might think religion is so much superstitious claptrap to say what they please about a historical figure or a person's beliefs. Just a guess but I suspect the rabbis Schwarzenegger met were not urging him to pass any laws against making movies like The Life of Brian or other forms of satire which clearly defame religion.
Syed does not just demand tolerance, to which he is of course entitled, he also frequently demands respect, which is not something a person should get as a matter of right. I hope Schwarzenegger continues to tell him to get stuffed.
It would be interesting to actually hear whether any calls were returned by the minions etc along the way. (Not interesting enough for me to do any googling though).
I'm an elected Member in a minor authority (a Town Council) and that puts me under the auspices of standards in public life stuff. We had an interesting debate at a training day about what respect actually means (we have to respect everyone in the La-La land that is public office) and it is a bit of nonsense when there are people who I can't respect because they are feckless, foolish, arrogant, pompous, ignorant, delusional or just plain out & out wankers. I respect their right to be all of these things but that is a matter of tolerance. The consensus of the older generation was that repect basically meant a basic level of civility (i.e. good manners) but politeness and respect are poles apart. as an aside, I was the only representative of the younger generation, i.e. middle aged.
However, a Councillor can be legitmately rude to someone in moderation, e.g. a nuisance constituent. (Or a journalist, or a chiselling little ambassador crook).
I loved the line in the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy extended audio tracks where Arther Dent was talking to Zaphod beeblebrox after some particulary crass happening. It is something like:
"Zaphod, I really respect you.
.just not very much..."
I've saving that one up for a suitable occasion.
Posted by ian Grey at August 26, 2006 01:51 AM
This seems to be the real Arthur Dent quote:
"Zaphod. Whatever may or may not happen from here on in, I just want you to know something. I want you to know that I respect you.
Just not very much, that's all."
(You had to be there...)
Posted by ian Grey at August 26, 2006 01:56 AM
I call for a law to deport Muslims from California.
Posted by Mike James at August 26, 2006 07:20 AM
Maybe Mr Syed go0t pissed off after hearing Arnie's call-minder message "I'll be back..." for the umpteenth time.
Seriously though. It's a farce. Quite what viewpoint a governor of California could have on a scrap in a sand-pit 8000 miles away is beyond me.
Terminate Shakeel Syed.
Posted by Nick M at August 26, 2006 08:31 AM
These damn religionists are not showing sufficient regard for my devout atheism. They constantly offend me with their references to imaginary omnipotences.
Posted by Nick Timms at August 26, 2006 11:04 AM
