Until now, I thought the reports I heard about the controversial sheriff of Davidson County, NC, were great.(can't remember his name)

He painted the prison pink, inside and out, to make it stand out and embarrass the prisoners about the fact they are prisoners. He returned prisoners to black and white striped jumpsuits for the same reason. He also returned prisoners to labor while imprisoned, instead of watching TV and lifting weights they are performing needed services. He has done many things to deter crime which aren't politically correct but have been effective. To this point, I thought his "old school" approach had merit.

Then he mailed Christmas cards showing him on the front holding Osama's head in one hand and a bloody scimitar in the other. Nothing too wrong with this, other than poor taste.

But now, he's gone too far. Inside, the inscription on the card reads "Happy Ramadan, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year." Without the reference to Ramadan, this card would have been just in poor taste, but now he's offended local Muslims, which is completely wrong.

They are right in being offended because this card included them in the same thought and on the same level as Osama, and that is wrong in everyway. Ramadan isn't about Osama! It's about the legitimate Muslim faith.

I am completely pro-war, and I am completely anti-Osama and the Taliban, but I am also pro-Muslim. I believe their beliefs are as important to them as mine are to me. I'm not for stopping the offensive during Ramadan, but I think abject disrespect is wrong.

People who do things like this do not help the argument for war because they are not representative of the pro-war effort, and I would rather they not be considered on my "side".

[ 11-14-2001: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]</p>

Yea, I kind of liked that guy but this was an utterly stupid idea on his part. I'm not even sure where that county is here(in NC) but yea I can see where people would be offended.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lord of Alcohol:
Yea, I kind of liked that guy but this was an utterly stupid idea on his part. I'm not even sure where that county is here(in NC) but yea I can see where people would be offended.<hr></blockquote>


I still think he has good ideas and has been much more effective than many sheriffs, but this was just too much.

I simply can't believe someone would do something like that. I mean , come on - Thats an attack on Osama, yet it could be also considered an attack upon the Valid Muslim Religion. I don't see why ANYONE would go so far as to do that. I think its terrible that there are people pulling Anthrax hoaxes, and making things such as the Christmas Cards. Its as if they don't realize that 1000's were killed, and the global econnomy faltered. (Look at our poor Candadian $ up north! Its reached 2 ALL TIME lows! in the past month)

OK, well, I guess I'm missing something. Yes, it's in poor taste but I really don't see why the muslim community would be so hyped up aside from them trying to show to others that they are victimized more then they really are! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Muslims. I have something against this so-called political correctness! [img]smile.gif[/img]

You see, I take the opposite approach. I consider the card as a statement to bring Americans togheter (mind you, he did forget the jewish Eunika (sp)). After all, he did include the Muslim Ramadan in his holiday card. I would be more offended if I was a jew because he forgot me!

It's funny that you don't see the christian population of NC crying out because he associated Bin Ladden's death to Christmass. Last time I checked, Chrismass was a celebration... of life: that of the Christ.

Sorry, but what I have to say is : "grow up and give me a break!"

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ryanamur:
OK, well, I guess I'm missing something. Yes, it's in poor taste but I really don't see why the muslim community would be so hyped up aside from them trying to show to others that they are victimized more then they really are! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Muslims. I have something against this so-called political correctness! [img]smile.gif[/img]

You see, I take the opposite approach. I consider the card as a statement to bring Americans togheter (mind you, he did forget the jewish Eunika (sp)). After all, he did include the Muslim Ramadan in his holiday card. I would be more offended if I was a jew because he forgot me!

It's funny that you don't see the christian population of NC crying out because he associated Bin Ladden's death to Christmass. Last time I checked, Chrismass was a celebration... of life: that of the Christ.

Sorry, but what I have to say is : "grow up and give me a break!"<hr></blockquote>

He was being sarcastic with his inclusion of Ramadan. Further, he did it as a publicity stunt. Muslim's in the states feel that Osama has made them and their religion look bad. This joke was offensive to them.

You may want a break, but "Growing up", doesn't mean you forget to care about people. Not everything done in an effort to be unoffensive is "political correctness".

Christmas is a celebration of life. You might also want to look up compassion and empathy. :D

I respect anyone who is striving to be ecumenical in their bad taste. I think that everyone has a choice whether to be offended or not. Considering the source, it shouldn't be suprise that the card would be offensive in some way. I saw a special on the prison and the treatment of the inmates.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ronn_Bman:


He was being sarcastic with his inclusion of Ramadan. Further, he did it as a publicity stunt. Muslim's in the states feel that Osama has made them and their religion look bad. This joke was offensive to them.

You may want a break, but "Growing up", doesn't mean you forget to care about people. Not everything done in an effort to be unoffensive is "political correctness".

Christmas is a celebration of life. You might also want to look up compassion and empathy. :D <hr></blockquote>

Well, was he truly sarcastic about the inclusion? If he was, then yes, I agree with you, the guy, however effective he his, should loose is badge! But, since you just put the facts in your initial post, I didn't see any sarcasm in it! That's why I took his defense. I think that the answer can only be found in the true intent of that sheriff.

[ 11-15-2001: Message edited by: Ryanamur ]</p>

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ryanamur:


Well, was he truly sarcastic about the inclusion? If he was, then yes, I agree with you, the guy, however effective he his, should loose is badge! But, since you just put the facts in your initial post, I didn't see any sarcasm in it! That's why I took his defense. I think that the answer can only be found in the true intent of that sheriff.

[ 11-15-2001: Message edited by: Ryanamur ]<hr></blockquote>

Sorry I neglected that point :D He's a publicity hound!

<font color="white">Sheriff Hege.
He is down in the Lexington area, about an hour south of where I live in Winston-Salem.</font>