I'm from near Amarillo, Texas. It of course filled my heart with native pride to read that a group of Amarillo fundamentalists calling themselves "Repent Amarillo" ("which aims to deter promiscuity, homosexuality and non-Christian worship practices through confrontation and prayer" ... heavy emphasis on confrontation) had intended to get in on the "Burn a Quran and Get National Fox News Attention."This is, after all, where I'm from, only about 70 miles to the south-southeast of Amarillo, and one likes to see one's native land doing proud things in the light of day. When I was growing up, though, Amarillo was considered a liberal hell-hole. Still is, obviously.
The whole "Repent Amarillo" book-burning moment was ended abruptly, however, when a skateboarder snatched up the Quran and someone else snatched the would-be book-burner's lighter and even more anti-book burners covered the charcoal grill intended for book-burning with their hands before anything could be ignited, and the director of "Repent Amarillo" was left holding just a can of lighter fluid.
The Amarillo Daily News has the full story.
The heroic skateboarder turned the previously doomed Quran over to a religious leader from the Islamic Center of Amarillo. That's the skateboarder (shirtless, natch!) in the photo, along with the local imam who is holding the rescued tome.
"Skateboarding is not a crime".
ReplyDeleteIn fact, it can be quite virtuous don't you know.
Down right....American.
Good on you, skate rat, for having the cajones to do what's right.
Perhaps the lesson, "skate, not hate" is a bit too complex for some to understand?
On the topic of religious freedom, Pennsylvania's governor handled the business quite effectively today.
It is encouraging to see some sound push back against the fascist behaviour of some.
A lot of good has come as a reaction to the wrong-headed idea of burning the Quran. I too am encouraged, and I hope it has been heard around the world that religious tolerance is still of great importance to Americans.
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