Planned Billboard Angers Arab-Americans

[The Straight Story]

Planned Billboard Angers Arab-Americans
Billboard Designed To Prevent Terrorists From Getting Driver's Licenses

POSTED: 8:43 pm EST December 15, 2005
UPDATED: 8:53 pm EST December 15, 2005

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A proposed billboard that would go up near the state Capitol in North Carolina is sparking controversy.

For the people who want to post it, it's a sign of the times. But an Arab-American organization says it's racist.

The group behind the billboard is trying to tighten standards for obtaining driver's licenses. The billboard shows a man wearing a traditional Arab head scarf, clutching a grenade and a North Carolina license. The message on the billboard reads: "Don't license terrorists, North Carolina."

A spokeswoman for the Arab American Institute said the ad sends the message that "Arabs are dangerous and violent people." She called the message "bigoted."

http://www.local6.com/news/5547418/detail.html

[mattclearing]

1. Yay for institutionalized racism!!!

If this thing actually goes up, I'll be really sad.

[ClintonTyree]

2. How long until we start having.........

roving gangs of bigoted idiots roaming around beating the crap out of "swarthy" individuals as in Australia? I give it until springtime, then our bigoted "morans" will start doing the same thing.

[Warpy]

3. Thanks for reminding me why I ran away from home

as soon as I saved up enough money for a rattletrap car and enough to get me through the first couple of months in Boston.

My ex didn't realize how bad some of that state was until we drove through on the way to Florida and he saw the "United Klans of America Welcome You" sign at the border with SC.

The problem with bigots is that they associate with other bigots, and they all nod their heads sagely at each other's common sense. Unfortunately, NC has all too many of them in the eastern half of the state, which is Jesse Helms country and where Raleigh is.

Maybe there are enough enlightened folks there to get this hideous billboard stopped. I correspond with quite a few of 'em, so there's hope.

[mmonk]

4. Similar ones are planned for New Mexico and Wisconsin

[The Stranger]

8. What is the name of the organization behind this hate campaign?

Anyone know?

[mmonk]

9. The Coalition for a Secure Drivers License.

[The Stranger]

10. This is on the Internet:

"Coalition for a Secure Driver's License"

http://www.securelicense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=homepage

The Billboard Campaign:
Statement from Amanda Bowman

We chose images of real terrorists so as to differentiate them from ordinary Muslim American citizens whom - in fact - we believe are the first victims of the Islamofascists. Patriotic American citizens know that it is the terrorists themselves--not us--who are disparaging their own culture and religion through their actions. These terrorists are the one who pose a threat to American values of tolerance and respect for others' religions and cultural beliefs.

. . . .

We came together as a group of concerned citizens soon after the 9/11
attacks, convinced that securing driver’s licenses was one way that
ordinary Americans could make our nation safer. We have no other agenda.

. . . .

Amanda Bowman
President Coalition for a Secure Driver's License

Here is the "Coalition's" "Board of Advisers"

Bruce Brotman

Marti Dinerstein

Stephen Flynn

Barbara Leflein

http://www.securelicense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AU_boardofadvisors

[The Stranger]

12. "Elements of a Perfect Driver's License"

http://www.securelicense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IC_elementsofaperfectlicense

Elements of a Perfect Driver's License

1. Proof of legal presence in the United States;

2. Proof of state residency;

3. Social Security number verification, and;

4. Biometric identifiers, like a digital photograph.

Licenses also should expire on the same date as visitor visas expire.

And applicant names should be screened against a federal terrorist watch list.

[PsychoDad]

5. Happy Holidays.

At a time when Jews are being targeted as responsible for the war on Christmas it's good to see that the state of N. Carolina hasn't forgotten the contribution of Arab culture. :sarcasm:

Is there ANYONE these people don't hate?


Hannakah Mubarak :) and peace.

[Warpy]

6. Well, I was a kid with an Irish Catholic mother, a Jewish last name

and an outspoken atheist who was great in math and science, all disqualifications for the sweet flower of gentle southern womanhood.

Those people didn't know what direction to run away first.

[mmonk]

11. I don't think its "the state of North Carolina"

It's a coalition that plans a multistate billboard effort.

[The Stranger]

13. That's correct. See linked information above.

[The Stranger]

7. All Americans should confront racism, bigotry and hate everywhere.

This sign should be destroyed and workshops and classes held to educate people about racism, bigotry, and hate.