Have to say I react with equal parts amazement and bemusement and sadness when the right-wing peanut gallery (most particularly the self righteous
navel gazers at Little Green Balls) get all sanctimonious about the annual Hajj when people are
injured and killed in stampedes during the pilgrimage.
It's simple math. You put millions of people in one place, and then try to squeeze them into a more confined space, well people are going to get hurt, and probably killed. It's basic really.
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But, to point out the deaths in a clearly condescending manner, as if Muslims are somehow lesser than "us" because of it, well that is just plain stupid. But, of course, we are dealing with racist right-wing dingle berries. One particularly
idiotic poster has the arrogance to proclaim the deaths at the Hajj "Fanatical disregard for human life" with nary a note of irony.
What amazes me is that they truly think they are pointing out something that is entirely unique to the Muslim world. They go on, and on, and on, about the stampede at the Hajj, as if it is so emblematic of the Islamic penchant for violence and stupidity and proof of their own superiority.
The thing is, the exact same thing occurs here in the US from time to time, in one form or another.
Lest we forget, Black Friday is the annual American pilgrimage when people are crushed and stampedes seem to occur every year. A woman was killed a few years ago as I recall. And, I'm old enough to remember the great Cincinnati tragedy of 1979. Horrible.
Is there any doubt that if 1,000,000 people pushed their way into a Best Buy to get a good deal on a laptop that a few hundred would be killed? It would happen as surely as the sun does rise in the East.
Hell, sometimes, we don't even need a reason such as a religious pilgrimage or even a shopping spree to kill each other.
Today for example, some loser douchebags (Windows Media) took baseball bats to a few homeless men in Florida, injuring two and killing one. Random violence in the great search for G-d or a front row seat at a rock concert? Defending themselves from ruthless ninja terrorists hell bent on destroying their way of life and freedoms? Nah. Just kicks. "You up for some Krispy Kremes? We'll get some glazed chocolates and go beat the shit out of some black people! Yahhhoooo!"
We are a violent race. Pretending that we as American's are somehow less violent than Muslims....
It is ever so very sad.
People dying by being beaten to death, or trampeled to death, is a real and important tragedy. The honorable thing is to recognize that.
Crossposted at The S.N.A.F.U. Principle