a sample letter

Submitted by Richard Freedman (United States), Oct 10, 2006 at 12:58

Dear Metropolitan Airports Commission,

I have read of your proposed two-light solution to the problem of Muslim taxi drivers refusing to take passengers carrying, or suspected of carrying, alcohol. But I urge you to drop that plan, and return to the standard, observed everywhere else in this country where taxis are licensed, of not allowing drivers to discriminate among prospective passengers. Discrimination has already been reported elsewhere, with drivers refusing to take disabled passengers with dog guides. If we allow Shari'a to impinge on our laws, we would soon see drivers refusing to take women with too much of their arms or faces exposed, or refusing to take unmarried couples. Who knows where it might end? What will you do when drivers seek the right to pass up a passenger who looks rather middle-class, because they see the next passenger in line is well-dressed, looks prosperous, and might be expected to give a bigger tip? This is not a matter of respecting the religious views of a driver, but of requiring drivers, as a condition of their license, to respect our societal requirements. If they cannot carry a passenger with alcohol because of their religious views, they are in the wrong line of work.

Richard Freedman

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