Posted on 09/28/2013 11:21:13 PM PDT by Slings and Arrows
On Jan. 16, Jagjeet Singh, 49, a long-haul truck driver from California on his way to pick up chickens for delivery in Texas, was pulled over for driving with a flat tire in Pike County, Miss.
Officers at a weigh station operated by the Department of Transportation demanded that Singh turn over his "kirpan," a 3-inch ceremonial blade carried by all Sikh men and frequently sewed into the waistband of their trousers, according to the ACLU.
"Contending, wrongly, that his kirpan was illegal, the DOT officer demanded that Mr. Singh turn it over. Mr. Singh tried to explain that he was a Sikh and that the kirpan was a sacred religious article," the ACLU wrote in a letter of complaint to the DOT. "In response, however, the officer laughed at him and mocked his religious beliefs.
"One officer declared that all Sikhs are depraved and 'terrorists,'" the ACLU said in its letter. DOT officers then arrested Singh for "refusing to obey a command" when he would not turn over his kirpan to police, according to the ACLU.
-snip-
Singh appeared in court on March 26, when, his lawyers said, he was further demeaned by Pike County Judge Aubrey Rimes.
"Court officers told him he had to leave because he was wearing a turban and the judge wanted it removed. He was intimidated and horrified," said the ACLU's Atwood.
Rimes allegedly called Singh's turban "that rag" and insisted he remove it or his case would be called last on the docket after everyone else in the courtroom had left. Singh refused to remove the turban and was called last.
According to the ACLU, Singh pleaded guilty to the charge of refusing to obey a command and paid a fine.
(Excerpt) Read more at gma.yahoo.com ...
Conforming to the dress code of the court is one thing. But he shouldn’t have been singled out for harassment and had his property seized by the cops in the first place without probable cause.
I see your point.
You surely make a Sikh joke, but what’s “reasonable” creeps daily and not to the benefit of practitioners of some traditional world faith. For example now it is not considered “reasonable” to run a business in accordance with their beliefs.
A habit I heartily applaud. I also believe completely in abiding by Gibb's Rule Number Nine at all times.
Ah, they should be sheeple like you making excuses for evil?
I also believe completely in abiding by Gibb’s Rule Number Nine at all times.
What is Gibb’s Rule Number Nine?
We appear to have very different definitions of “reasonable.”
Never go anywhere without a knife.
Never said a word about supporting 0dumdu and his marxist / communistic / socialist "Executive Orders", so I have no idea what you are going on about.
Maybe some people need to learn that they should not come to expect that the world will go out of its way to cater to their every little whim and fancy. Burkhas, face-veils, heck, even blokes wearing kimonos or knee-high white silk stockings are not considered 'normal' in this country last I saw. Not going to change any time soon to appease anyone who somehow feels entitled to do so here.
Thanks, JPB.
I’ll take my gun to a knife fight. LOL
I’ll take a knife and a gun, thank you.
“My advice for the Sikh’s is to conform a little bit more.”
I understand your point, but that is like telling an Orthodox Jew not to wear a yarmulke. It is something mandated by their respective religions. It is not a option. It is not a statement or affirmation. It’s a religious imperative.
Vinny Gambini: My clients...
Judge Chamberlain Haller: What are you wearing?
Vinny Gambini: Huh?
Judge Chamberlain Haller: What are you wearing?
Vinny Gambini: [wearing a black leather jacket] Um... I’m wearing, uh, clothes.
[the Judge angrily stares ominously at Vinny]
Vinny Gambini: I... I don’t get the question.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: When you come into my court looking like you do, you not only insult me, but you insult the integrity of this court!
Vinny Gambini: I apologise, sir, but, uh... this is how I dress.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Fine. I’ll let you off this one time. The next time you appear in my court, you will look lawyerly. And I mean you comb your hair, and wear a suit and tie. And that suit had better be made out of some sort of... cloth. You understand me?
Vinny Gambini: [not comprehending] Uh... yes. Fine, Judge, fine
Later:
Vinny Gambini: [about his secondhand suit, which has an 18th-century look and is red] I bought a suit. You seen it. Now it’s covered in mud. This town doesn’t have a one hour cleaner so I had to buy a new suit, except the only store you could buy a new suit in has got the flu. Got that? The whole store got the flu so I had to get this in a second hand store. So it’s either wear the leather jacket, which I know you hate, or this. So, I wore this ridiculous thing for you.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: Are you on drugs?
Vinny Gambini: No. I don’t do drugs.
Judge Chamberlain Haller: I don’t like your attitude.
We were founded on religious freedom and we should respect it as long as that religion doesn’t present any threat to us. They shouldn’t have to conform at all in order to be treated fairly by our authorities. The cops are the bad guys here and simply have no reason to seize property from someone without probable cause.
Riding a horse and buggy on the road isn’t normal either, but we don’t have any problem with the Amish doing it here in Pennsylvania. America is about respecting the religious beliefs of others and as long as they don’t conflict with laws that apply to all of us then we should instruct our authorities to respect those views.
As far as not obeying the commands of a LEO, try these on then, mate:
"License."
"Registration."
"Proof of Insurance."
"Why did I pull you over? I did not see you clearly wearing your seatbelt. Plust your taillight appears to be intermittant."
"Your 'Registration' appears to have expired. Your vehicle is being towed and you can pick it up in three days after you get your papers in order and pay the towing and storage fees."
"Sign here."
"If you do not sign, you will be arrested and go to jail right now. Today is Friday. You can talk to the judge on Monday at the earliest, maybe."
...
Let Me know how your refusal to obey any one of those orders works out for you. I will carefullly wipe a tear.
Excellent choice. Shotguns are also quite effective suppressors simply by their appearance, I might add.
Yes, I see your logic, but you cannot pull someone’s yarmulke off and slice them open with it because the yarmulke is but embroidered cotton. The Kirpan a ceremonial blade is in the end, still a blade, an object capable of misuse and brandishment by those disrespectful and non-devout.
Those aren’t frivolous orders, they are related to enforcing the law. Do you think the cops should be allowed to seize any gun or weapon from your vehicle if you are legally licensed and entitled to have it?
How many Sikhs were involved in 9/11? 0. So, I have no idea what you are talking about. By the way, whatever they do to Sikhs, they will do triple to Christians.
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