Tennessee mayor defends sending out false anti-Muslim email.
Tennessee mayor defends sending out false anti-Muslim email.
Johnny Piper, the mayor of Clarksville, TN, recently forwarded an anti-Muslim email urging all “patriotic Americans” to protest a U.S. Postal Service stamp that commemorates an Islamic holiday. Piper’s email falsely claims that the creation of the Eid stamp was ordered by President Obama. In fact, the stamp was first issued in 2001, during the Bush administration. It was reissued in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Nevertheless, Piper is defending his email:
“I don’t see any reason why it would be inappropriate,” Piper said.
He said he forwarded the e-mail to provide “information” that others could make up their own minds about.
“I was surprised at a stamp being developed, and would have thought others would be, too,” he said. He added that he did not know what the stamp was commemorating.
“I laughed when I read it,” said Ahmed Joudah, head of the Islamic Center of Clarksville. “But at the same time, I felt sorry that we still have people around us that think that way.”
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Me too Ahmed Joudah
September 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pmNo end to right-wing stupidity. I bought that stamp last year way before the election. Effin idiots.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pmWe believe in freedom of religion in this country. But remember … the only real religion is Christianity. All the others are merely cults, so they deserve no recognition.
Right?
September 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pmIsn’t it kind of telling that the head of the Clarksville Islamic Center LAUGHED???
Without outrage and blowback from our side, we’ll never win these battles.
Laughing and ignoring DOES NOT WORK!
September 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pmGrasping at straws, now it’s stamps…How pitiful…P. B & J
September 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pmWe have to face it: the Right in America constitute a major public-health threat. Future generations will wonder why we even allow them to run free.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pmMore and more cucarachas are creeping out of the woodwork trying to influence others to become as half-witted as they themselves are.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pmNow this elected official will probably repeatedly say that “I didn’t write it–I just passed it on.”
What a loser!
This sort of thing is old hat. The Republicans have been using fear as a campaign tool since Al Smith. They smeared various politicians who were Catholic and Jew. Now, they have added Muslims to their list.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm“I was surprised at a stamp being developed, and would have thought others would be, too,” he said.
– - You think THAT’S a surprise? These are not self-adhesive and since they must be licked, the Mooslims are planning to lace the backside of them with cyanide.
((Thud.))
September 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pmThese days just about any teenager can go online and debunk lame urban legends like these.
And the GOP wonders why they continue to lose younger voters.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pmI’ve been putting that stamp on my Christmas cards to relatives for years. :D
September 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pmI thought we loved Islamists? We took over by force two of their countries.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pmIt’s not only an anti-Muslim email – it’s anti-Obama as well.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pmHe said he forwarded the e-mail to provide “information” that others could make up their own minds about.
today’s media philosophy also… “we report, you decide”…
but, it just doesn’t work when that “information” is LIES.
good gawd…
September 7th, 2009 at 1:34 pmThis is just the type of incident the Rabid Fox news would love to do a story on even though it is no story. There has got to be a way to shut these people up. I know we can’t physically shut them up although it is so tempting, but we have got to find legal ways to shut them up. Spouting hatred has got to have its consequences but I’m not seeing them! Free speech is one thing, but this situation has gotten so totally out of control in this country.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:35 pmLet me get this right. From as long as I can remember which is the Kennedy years of 1961 Presidents have been speaking to kids about staying in school and now it’s a No No. President Bush approves a Muslim stamp with no problem, now the stamp is coming out it’s Obama’s fault. Just how many stupid people are in American anyway? I’m seeing Officials from States, Government Law Makers and people who call themselves Leaders as as dumb as door knobs and these are the people parents want their kids to liken to. Most Law Makers don’t know how many States make up the USA, have never read the US Constitution and some seem to be so far gone on drugs that their brains have been fired.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pmDamn socialist postal service…
September 7th, 2009 at 1:38 pmCAIR Sends Quran to TN Mayor Who Circulated Anti-Islam E-Mail
http://ccun.org/Opinion%20Editorials/2009/September/7%20o/CAIR%20Sends%20Qur‘an%20to%20Clarksville,%20TN,%20Mayor%20John%20Piper,%20Who%20Circulated%20Anti-Islam%20E-Mail.htm
i googled the guy… he seems to have a problem with people of “color”…
September 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pmRight away this wingnut throws Obama`s name into the mix.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:45 pmThese wingnuts will stop at nothing. What a sad bunch of assclowns.
katy’s link. Something happened to it when she posted it:
CAIR Sends Quran to TN Mayor Who Circulated Anti-Islam E-Mail
September 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pmSeveral questions arise regarding the Mayor’s actions in sending this email that must be answered….
* Did the sending of this email by an elected official violate any local, state, or federal laws.
* Did this email violate city policies.
* What action would have been taken under current city personnel policies had another city employee sent the same email.
* Did the sending of this politically oriented email using city computers, on city time, to city email addresses constitute misuse of city computing resources.
* What was the cost to the city in time and resources from this incident, and will the Mayor reimburse the city for these costs.
* How do we prevent this from happening again.
http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2009/09/04/the-mayors-anti-islamic-email-is-a-major-embarrassment/
September 7th, 2009 at 1:48 pmthanks fred… i found it at that google link i posted…
September 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pmAnd, if you read it backwards at 33 1/3 it says ‘Paul is dead.’
September 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pmHere ya go folks…
GO HERE and tell the Mayor he’s (another) disgrace to The United States of America:
http://cityofclarksville.com/mayor/index.php
September 7th, 2009 at 1:49 pmPeople believing outright lies: The worst menace to our society.
People TELLING outright lies: The second worst.
People refusing to believe outright liars: The only solution.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pmThe email in question is the equivalent of a chain letter, which according to the Snopes Urban Legends web site was first seen in 2002. The letter was modified in August 2009 to falsely accuse President Barack Obama of ordering the U.S. Postal Service to issue a 42 cent first class stamp in honor of these Islamic holidays. In fact the stamp was first issued on September 1st 2001, and has been re-release several times since then.
damn right it’s anti-obama…
clarksvilleonline
September 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pmIt’s a 42 cent stamp. Obama has presided over 44 cent stamps only.
How easy was this lie to debunk? Easy. Who believes the debunking? Only those with working brains.
Why do you have to lie to win, Republican wingnuts? Because it WORKS, of course. But it’s still lying. Ninth Commandment, and all. You’re all going straight to Hell, kiddos.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:52 pmMayor John E. Piper One Public Square 4th floor Clarksville, TN 37040.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:54 pmOffice (931) 645-7444 Fax (931) 552-74799.
E-Mail: mayorpiper@cityofclarksville.com
Another dishonest person who will probably say he is a good christian.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:56 pmWhere the hell is Outlaw284 to explain the obvious contridictions here….
September 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pmSo, in the 21st century, we are still arguing about MY spirit being better, stronger, taller, more effective, etc than YOUR spirit? I am afraid our species is doomed. We chase spirits rather than find solutions to our own problems…Sigh.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pmSoapBox, thanks for your service. You always provide a link with contact info when you come around.
I often follow up.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:58 pmWe will also, in all likelihood, find out this hypocrite was for freeing the poor oppressed muslims in Iraq.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pmAccording to Scopes, the original version of this email (pre Obama) began circulating in December of 2002. The altered version of this email (after Obama) began circulating in August of this year. Chances are the person who altered the original version of this email (the one who makes shit up) lives in Clarksville, TN and quite possibly be the mayor himself (who is obviously a Republican and therefore can do no wrong). Also, too, as a little FYI, Clarksville is the closest
citytowndive to Ft Campbell, KY.Stamping Grounds
September 7th, 2009 at 2:06 pmkaty says:
Mayor John E. Piper One Public Square 4th floor Clarksville, TN 37040.
Office (931) 645-7444 Fax (931) 552-74799.
E-Mail: mayorpiper@cityofclarksville.com
September 7th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
The following is worth noting about Clarksville,TN.
This community is the next big, little place to a major U.S. military installation: Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Campbell is home to an Army Division called the 101st Airborne, as well as other military groups.
What the mayor said will be tolerated very well by the citizens living at Campbell as the well as the ones living in Clarksville.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:08 pmI think maybe good old Johnny Piper may has his eye on bigger things like going from Mayor to elected office in Washington.Promoting hatred and falsehoods serve as the springboard to bigger things in the GOP.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:09 pmClarksville, TN is a drainage ditch for Kintucky.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:15 pm“Tennessee mayor defends sending out false anti-Muslim email.”
Stupid is as stupid does. Stay classy, Johnny.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:16 pmSo this means we can’t have Christmas stamps, either? That’s the premise of this creep, but I doubt he’d agree with that…
http://sunstateactivist.org/ssablog
September 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pmSoapBox says:
GO HERE and tell the Mayor he’s (another) disgrace to The United States of America: http://cityofclarksville.com/mayor/index.php
– - Thanks, I did.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pmOkey dokey – so I just sent this bonehead an email at his official mayoral address. Why don’t you do the same!
September 7th, 2009 at 2:19 pmmayorpiper@cityofclarksville.com
And of course, there’s the obligatory addendum:
He added later, “I don’t believe, just for the record, that all Muslims are linked together with radical Muslims that are out to harm Americans … I have several good Muslim friends.“
“… I just don’t think they should celebrate their religion as I do mine”, he silently added to himself.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:37 pmvigor says:
What the mayor said will be tolerated very well by the citizens living at Campbell as the well as the ones living in Clarksville.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Then they are morons. Reasonable people do not tolerate stupid lies and bigotry.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:49 pmI’m going to send out a chain email “informing” people Johnny Piper, mayor of Clarksville TN. likes to get methed up, dress in women’s clothing then heads on down to the local playground to molest little boys in the men’s room.
Just playing by the rules the cancervatives have established, folks…”information” doesn’t need to be true.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pmHe added later, “I don’t believe, just for the record, that all Muslims are linked together with radical Muslims that are out to harm Americans … I have several good Muslim friends.”
– - Uh huh, just like Stephen Colbert’s black friend.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:57 pmClarksville, TN is a drainage ditch for Kintucky.
–
September 7th, 2009 at 2:59 pmI forget the name but there is a company that makes a decent Q sauce in Clarksville…
The secret ingredient is ditch water…
September 7th, 2009 at 3:13 pmMy mother forwarded a variation of that email to me back in October. She called me the next day and was foaming at the mouth about it. The election hadn’t even happened yet, but she was still convinced that Obama was destroying the country. She grew furious when I told her what the holiday commemorates. She said ‘filthy Muslims’ need to stay out of the Bible. We didn’t speak again for nearly a month.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:17 pmTheir rub isn’r too bad either but anyone can mix together a rub. Still I wonder who hates Q sauce so much as to waste time voting it down…
September 7th, 2009 at 3:20 pm@#35 Vigor says: “What the mayor said will be tolerated very well by the citizens living at Campbell as the well as the ones living in Clarksville.”
I must take exception to grouping all of us into this. My husband retired from the Army after 21+ years, we had two tours at Fort Campbell, and settled just a few miles from the post and Clarksville when we retired. Yes, there are many bigots and racists in this part of the south, but the majority of the military (any branch) are the least racist of all. I’m not saying that there are none in the military, just that the majority are not full of prejudice and hatred.
Agreed that Piper is an idiot. Well past time for him to retire to his trailer park by the creek. His bigotry has shown itself time and again, yet he still keeps his job – go figure! But then I look at Bush getting elected twice and nothing surprises me any more.
Once again, here’s Piper’s e-mail – hope he gets so much that his system locks up!
September 7th, 2009 at 3:22 pmmayorpiper@cityofclarksville.com
Typical bigot. There are stamps for Christmas and Chanuka, why not Eid? We are a multicultural society and celebrating these different cultures is a good thing. Grow up Piper stop being an ass and recognize the value of multiculturalism.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:25 pm“’I was surprised at a stamp being developed…’ [Piper] added that he did not know what the stamp was commemorating.”
In other words: “I don’t know what the fark I’m looking at, but I’m outraged it exists.”
September 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pmI have an idea: let’s bombard the mayor’s office with postcards with Eid stamps.
September 7th, 2009 at 3:42 pm.
Dear Johnny Piper,
Way to keep looking forward. Never mind that part of history that should have taught you the morality to disparaging others, based solely on Religion. Yep, that Hitler gave good speeches, youbet’cha?
September 7th, 2009 at 4:00 pm.
.
I’m proud to live in a Nation that affords it’s people the ability to elect…
… IGNORANCE.
.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pmOnce again, inbred morons!
September 7th, 2009 at 4:02 pmHow do these piss-soaked cowards manage to function at all? They seem so terrified of, well, everything that I can’t imagine how they summon the courage to leave the basement.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:10 pmI am so tired of these pukatard rightwingers trying to place the blame on Obama for crap that happened before he took office. These bozos don’t research anything. It’s always, open mouth, let $hit out. They are as dumb as dirt, and when it is proven that they are wrong, they stubbornly refuse to admit it. They are stupid for thinking that Muslim-Americans could vote for them after hearing about this, and they will hear about it.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:16 pm“Take the last train FROM Clarksville…”
September 7th, 2009 at 4:19 pmThere’s been a little progress (read that: little in Tennessee, but this is the kind of thing that makes me ashamed to live here. Too much of this kind of thing remains entrenched here and it’s extremely frustrating.
September 7th, 2009 at 4:20 pmDuh thstoopid….
Typical repiggie stupidity…
September 7th, 2009 at 4:39 pmIs plain old stupid. Simply stupid. The self-destruction of the Republican party continues apace…
September 7th, 2009 at 4:43 pmAlthough attitudes have become ‘friendlier’ (and what a relief!) the 2001 Immediate (press)Release from the U.S. Postal Service, which announces and praises the issuing of ‘Eid’ stamps, applies a related, indirect acknowledgment of the shared, biblical story of Abraham and Issac.
The authoritarian terminology employed in the article, names that story as a ‘Judeo-Christian’(biblical) story and then separately defines the holiday of Eid as deriving from “…the Muslim account (of that story).” Whereas the four peaceful religions ostensibly coexist, and the language of the article implies a set of unresolvable dissagreements (between religions), IMO, discussions surrounding a single biblical story, will never even possibly, reach a consensus that relates perfectly, to the reality of present-day affairs!
Whereas, 1) biblical stories have an indescribable aesthetic appeal, of literature and poetry 2) any single interpretation of written history, such as from within a religion, will contain a unique belief, which began some time earlier, and that applies all the way up until now, and continues until some future outcome; in the case of a religious story, a consensus among or between various beliefs (among religions?)would never thoughtfully, capture reality!
September 7th, 2009 at 5:46 pmThis was my email to Piper:
You, Mr. Piper, are an EMBARRASSMENT to Americans and REPUGNANT as well. Your racism speaks volumes about who you TRULY are inside – UGLY. SHAME ON YOU for allowing your bigotry to show not only in your hatred of Muslims, but also because you made it apparent that you can’t stand OUR President since you state that ‘he ordered’ the Eid Stamp. You should be reprimanded by having to stand in your City Square for a week wearing a sign [both front and on your back] that states you are repentant for bringing so much SHAME to your city of Clarksville as well as to all other American municipalities! Moreover, you deserve to lose your job as well because no one who expresses your racism should never be allowed to ‘lead’ any office, especially in an elected position.
You must be a ‘good’ Sunday CHRISTIAN who is forever preaching how Jesus would act in any given situation, but you never apply His teachings to yourself. In addition, it goes without question that you are RETHUGLICAN because ‘only’ they hate our President as much as your actions have shown! AGAIN SHAME ON YOU!
September 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pmTesting, please disregard
September 7th, 2009 at 6:31 pmMorgan423 says:
There’s been a little progress (read that: little in Tennessee, but this is the kind of thing that makes me ashamed to live here…..
It is not just Tennessee. I am in Chicago and today the local news had a story about a tea bag party here. The reporter asked two old women why they were there and both responded they were concerned about the loss of freedom. The reporter asked them what freedoms they lost and one could not say what she had lost. The other who was crying at that point told the reporter she lost the freedom to say the US is a Christian nation. If I were the reporter I would smacked her. Absolutely disgusting and embarrassing.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:42 pmThat’s a big part of it, pags2. The fundies are in a panic because they no longer have a President as stupid as them. As for anyone who’s convinced that “True Christians” are being persecuted? They are so far removed from reality that we may as well just give their names to the cops and try to ignore them.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:50 pmPiper is yet another lying Republican dork. Is there any Repub who isn’t? We’re yet to see one. My God, these Repubs are liars, shameless, & just plain hateful.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:52 pmWhy doesn’t CNN, ABC, NBC, Fox (yeah, right!), etc. call these idiots on their lies? I’m so sick of blatant Repub lies– so easy to document their dishonesty, yet the media pussyfoots around everything– Oh, we’re so scared to criticize these Repub liars!!…. (even though all the real facts are there to rebut Repub garbage)
Reprehensible. Why does the media want America to be completely destroyed by lies? Why does the media want children to think lying is the best way to get what you want?
Despicable.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:56 pmMmmmm, more Southern ignorance and bigotry? I’m shocked.
September 7th, 2009 at 8:18 pmOh, he’s just mad that there wasn’t a foot-tapping bathroom stall stamp, a blowing-up abortion clinic stamp, and a Joe the Plumber stamp.
Pfffffffft!
September 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pmScary Brown Chick says:
September 7th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
______________________________________________________
I think you forgot the “I found my soul-mate” stamp, the birth certificate commemorative stamp, the “celebrating death panels” stamp, etc.
September 7th, 2009 at 8:34 pmI sent that despicable little bastard this email:
You, sir, are an IDIOT. Not only an idiot, but a g*ddamned bigoted idiot at that.
Shame on you, you loathesome toad.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:14 pmZooey: so have I, actually, for the sheer “WTF?” quality. (Incidentally, most of the people on my Christmas Card list live in South Carolina, so the irony is lost completely on most of them.)
September 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pmIt should have been obvious that this was an old issue. First Class postage has not been 42 cents for a long time. These clowns are dumb and dumber.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:33 pmI am proud to live in a nation where I am free to put the yearly madonna stamp on my Christmas cards. I am equally proud to live in a nation where my Muslim brethren can put the Eid stamp on their greetings. Your freedom to worship does not diminish mine.
September 7th, 2009 at 11:44 pmI’d like to see a stamp honoring the Winter Solstice.
September 8th, 2009 at 12:24 amThe only times that I’ve seen the sort of tenuous grip on reality that is symptomatic of Republicanism is in cases of delerium tremens, the use of hallucinogens and psychotic episodes.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:00 amI have a sense that these guys need to just say, “no”, or better yet, just shut the hell up, altogether.
Well, crap, it’s obvious that President Obama is just continuing a generous American tradition established by our very own regime changing, nation trashing, President Bush (43). Johnny Piper is just a whiner and he should take it up with DarthBarney Cheney if he disagrees with an original Shrub policy or practice.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:36 amKILL THEM KILL THEM ALL
Face it, this is what the Gov really means.
September 8th, 2009 at 1:50 amHow is it in this day and age people take a damn email chain at its word? This is exactly how wingnuts get their power, and why the rest of the world laughs at us for our gullibility. No one uses their God given brains to CHECK THE FACTS. For Pete’s sake, this man is a duly elected representative of his people, and that’s just sad.
Snopes is your friend, Mr. Piper.
September 8th, 2009 at 6:00 amThank you for your sharing.!
September 11th, 2009 at 2:43 pm