Sunday, June 26, 2011

Sen. Kirk wants FAA to investigate alleged religious discrimination by Delta

By Keith Laing
 
Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk (R) called Friday for the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate allegations Delta Airlines blocked Jewish passengers from flying as part of an agreement with a Saudi Arabian airline.

USA Today reported Thursday on rumors circulating Internet that as part of Saudi Arabian Airlines's agreement to join Delta's SkyTeam alliance, Delta would enforce a Saudi ban on passengers from Israel and non-Islamic religious artifacts.

Delta denied the accusation, saying it had a nondiscrimination policy, but Kirk still called for an investigation Friday.

"I am deeply concerned by the June 23, 2011, report in USA Today entitled 'U.S. Jews not able to fly on Delta flights to Saudi Arabia,'" Kirk wrote in a letter to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.  "If true, this policy appears to violate the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause while undermining the purpose of the Federal Aviation Administration – to promote the safety and expansion of U.S. civil aviation.
"I request your investigation into this matter to determine whether Delta Airlines violated U.S. law or regulation and to ensure no U.S. citizen is denied their right to fly solely on the basis of their religion," he continued. "Since a core mission of the FAA is to promote civil aviation, I would expect the FAA to use its full statutory and regulatory power to ensure that America's civil airways are not restricted for persons regardless of faith."

Delta sought to tamp down the controversy before Kirk's letter, taking to its blog on the company's website to respond to the report.

"We’ve gotten questions today from you, our concerned customers, following an article about Saudi Arabian Airlines joining SkyTeam (the global airline alliance that includes Delta as a member)," Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter wrote on the company's blog.
"After listening to many of your thoughts today, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some information and help to clarify some of the questions we know you have," Banstetter continued. First and foremost, I think one of the most important things to mention here is that Delta does not discriminate nor do we condone discrimination against anyone in regards to age, race, nationality, religion, or gender."

The company added that "requirements to enter any country are dictated by that nation’s government, not the airlines, and they apply to anyone entering the country regardless of whether it’s by plane, bus or train."

"We, like all international airlines, are required to comply with all applicable laws governing entry into every country we serve," Banstetter wrote. "You as passengers are responsible for obtaining the necessary travel documents, such as visas and certification of required vaccinations, and we’re responsible for making sure that you have the proper documentation before you board."

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabian also moved Friday to try to dispel the rumors, saying in a statement that "rumors being circulated via the Internet regarding passenger flight restrictions on Saudi Arabian Airlines are completely false.
"The Government of Saudi Arabia does not deny visas to U.S. citizens based on their religion," the Saudi statement said.

from: http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/aviation/168339-sen-kirk-wants-faa-to-investigate-delta-religious-discrimination-rumors#.TgZrobUdUnE.twitter

Dearborn Police Bar Christian Group from Public Street Near Mosque

Peaceful Muslims threw rocks, bottles at Dearborn Arab fest

A little snippet from a completely one-sided report on last weeks Islamofest in Dearborn, Michigan. via Dearborn Learns from Protests at Arab International Festival – Dearborn, MI Patch.
Several more arrests occurred within the Arab International Festival on both Friday and Sunday, as several anti-Muslim Christian groups vocally attacked Islam in and around the free speech zone guarded by Dearborn police and Wayne County sheriffs. The demonstrations drew the ire of hundreds–if not thousands–of festivalgoers, some of whom threw rocks, bottles and insults at the evangelist groups.
Dearborn youth not thrilled with concept of free speech
Despite the sometimes violent responses–a Sunday scuffle led to the arrest of one of the self-proclaimed “Bible Believers,” as well as the man who attacked him–Dearborn officials were generally pleased with the weekend.
Violence led to arrests
Some conclusions based on what the limited information the dhimmi media has actually reported:
  • Dearborn Muslims and Arabs are so volatile and prone to violence that even the bizarre “free speech zones” have to be protected by police
  • Some Muslims and Arabs threw rocks, bottles, and insults at those in the police-protection required free speech zones
  • Despite police presence, Muslims and Arabs (and leftist tools) still responded violently with multiple arrests for physically attacking a non-Muslims
  • Dearborn officials were pleased with the Muslim – Arab response to free speech
Dearbornistan, USA