warning: the following post contains irony, twisted logic and trace elements of the pathetic.
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| La Metropole - July 2010 |
The cartoon was published in the July 2010 issue of La Metropole in Quebec. It depicts a Hasidic Jew calling to passengers from his cab, labeled Taxi de David, “Come in! May Yaveh be with you ...”
The headline reads, “A taxi transformed into a ... synagogue?”
Much to their credit, so many people communicated their disgust - in both official languages - that La Metropole issued a fast, if slightly loose apology... but one still has to wonder how it was "they saw nothing offensive in it" in the first place.
The headline reads, “A taxi transformed into a ... synagogue?”
Much to their credit, so many people communicated their disgust - in both official languages - that La Metropole issued a fast, if slightly loose apology... but one still has to wonder how it was "they saw nothing offensive in it" in the first place.
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| the real Arieh Perecowicz & the guilty dashboard |
It was "inspired" by the case of one Arieh Perecowicz, a Montreal cab driver whose dashboard featured photos of his family, religious artifacts, a couple of flags and a Remembrance Day poppy.
He is 65 years old, and has more than 40 years experience driving cab in Montreal. As he points out "In 43 years, no one has said they were offended or opened the door to take another taxi...".
Nonetheless, a municipal court judge has ruled that Mr. Perecowicz is guilty of violating city bylaws and fined him a total of about $1,000, which may or may not be above and beyond the six tickets, totaling $1,400 in fines he's received from the Bureau du taxi.
Mr. Perecowicz feels that there is an element of religious discrimination and hypocrisy here, given that there is a crucifix hanging over the Speaker's chair in the Quebec National (sic) Assembly.
He says he is going to appeal the verdict, and is ready to take the case as far as the Supreme Court.
I understand his feelings, but he may be setting his hopes for justice a little high...
Mr. Perecowicz feels that there is an element of religious discrimination and hypocrisy here, given that there is a crucifix hanging over the Speaker's chair in the Quebec National (sic) Assembly.
He says he is going to appeal the verdict, and is ready to take the case as far as the Supreme Court.
I understand his feelings, but he may be setting his hopes for justice a little high...
***
meanwhile, in another court room,
not so very far away
not so very far away
In one of those "you can't make this up" moments, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected a defamation class-action lawsuit by a group of Haitian and Arab taxi upset by remarks made
by a Montreal shock-jock talk-show host-turned politician.
In an 8-1 ruling, the court said Arthur's right
to a diatribe trumped an attempt to gain compensation by 1,110 cab drivers who were humiliated by his diatribe.
by a Montreal shock-jock talk-show host-turned politician.
In an 8-1 ruling, the court said Arthur's right
to a diatribe trumped an attempt to gain compensation by 1,110 cab drivers who were humiliated by his diatribe.
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| Gee- he doesn't look like he talks through his ass! |
Mr. Arthur’s rant referred to Creole as speaking ‘nigger,’ and called drivers of Arab origin 'fakirs',
as well as insights like:
“Why is it that there are so many incompetent people and that the language of work is Creole or Arabic in a city that’s French and English? … Taxis have really become the Third World of public transportation in Montreal. …
as strange/sad/stupid/etc as these two cases
might be, we've only just scratched the surface of Xenophobia Month in La Belle Province.
Don't believe me? Check this out.
might be, we've only just scratched the surface of Xenophobia Month in La Belle Province.
Don't believe me? Check this out.
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