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Home » Musings » RE: Terrorist Attack In New Orleans – Resist The Urge To Scapegoat
Musings

RE: Terrorist Attack In New Orleans – Resist The Urge To Scapegoat

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 2, 2025January 2, 2025 45 Comments

a collage of a man and a soldier

2025 is off to a bloody start in the USA with a violent terrorist attack in New Orleans. As despicable as the villain was who perpetrated this attack, we let his ideology win if we scapegoat an entire group as a result.

Confronting Our Urge To Scapegoat After New Orleans Terrorist Attack

In an unrelated post yesterday, a regular reader left the following comment:

The news is it was a Muslim terrorist who killed and maimed the innocent people just celebrating New Years in NOLA. Once again showing it’s a cult of jealousy and hatred of Americans.

For all of you who support them living here, you are contributing to the animal’s actions. Even worse is those of you who “visit” the wastelands of humanity they come from. You are funding their terrorist goals. Keep saying it’s only a “few”, it’s not, it’s imbedded in their religion. And too many have forgotten 9/11, they would do it again if they could.

The anger average Americans are going to have against them in the coming days is well deserved. F you Mr Jabbar! RIP innocent victims.

I do understand the anger. I’m angry too at the pig named Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old, Texas-born US citizen who served in US Army and worked for accounting firm Deloitte. While information is still emerging about his motives, it appears Jabbar was radicalized after a messy second divorce. After originally planning to murder his family, decided to murder New Year’s revelers on Bourbon Street in New Orleans instead.

I’ve lamented the debauchery of New Orleans in the past, but that debauchery does not remotely justify the carnage inflicted on 01/01.

Had Jabbar still been alive, I would have advocated for his swift execution…our appeals system is a hallmark of equal justice under law, but in this case there is incontrovertible evidence in the form of a manifesto and surveillance footage of his attack. Hang him without delay.

But scapegoating is the worst type of overreaction and serves to at least partially validate Jabbar’s radical hatred that inspired his attack.

Scapegoating is a hostile tactic often employed to characterize an entire group of individuals according to the unethical or immoral conduct of a small number of individuals belonging to that group.

How little we have learned through history when we condemn a whole people for the actions of a subset of them.

Rather than foolishly lump all Muslim Americans with the “terrorist”  label, I want to paint a contrast and praise Salwa Sarameh, a lovely Muslim woman who owns a Mediterranean restaurant called Oasis in Gallup, New. Mexico. I recently enjoyed a delicious dinner there and was impressed not only by the warm hospitality and succulent lamb kabobs followed by knafeh, but the entrepreneurial spirit that is at the core of the United States…something that makes me proud to be an American.

How dare any of you say, “X is like this so everyone who looks like X or has the same faith system as X is like this.” It’s pure ignorance and absolutely counterproductive in creating a society in which we can all flourish together.

We live in a land in which “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” As much as I love the trappings of the Church of England or the Evangelische Kirche (EKD) in Germany, I’m so thankful for the separation of church and state in the USA that has allowed faith to flourish and prevented government overreach, including during the pandemic. Let’s celebrate that across the ideological spectrum and realize that such freedom and mutual respect has allowed all of us to prosper together…a blessing of being an American citizen.

It’s very simple: judge others on their own merits, not by their religion or skin color. We all make this country a little better than when we do so. I condemn the NOLA terrorist attacks and mourn for the lost. But a tragic situation becomes all the more tragic when we respond by scapegoating.

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Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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45 Comments

  1. listen Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 3:27 pm

    i think it reasonable safeguarding to decide limited immigration slots shouldn’t be available to muslims. to safeguard is to generalize.

    • Bob Reply
      January 2, 2025 at 3:40 pm

      amen brother

    • Antwerp Reply
      January 2, 2025 at 10:31 pm

      Tell that to the immigration officer in Dubai the next time you try and enter there.

      Dude, seriously? This is no different than Europeans imagining that Americans are all gun toting truck driving hicks wearing overalls. Honestly, get some balls and a few convictions as to reality.

      • David Arnett Reply
        January 2, 2025 at 11:13 pm

        Whites commit the lowest level of violent crime of any race. The immigration officer in Dubai exists off the backs of European derived architecture, engineering, and oil extraction equipment which turned a sand lot into a tourist destination. Without one group that’s 13% of the population, the U.S. would have the lowest crime rates in the world even with all the firearms just like Switzerland.

        • emercycrite Reply
          January 3, 2025 at 3:14 am

          LOL is that right? I guess Hitler wasn’t white then.

          • Alert
            January 3, 2025 at 6:54 am

            Yep … On the one hand , the Germans in WWII were in the list of most murders , and other crimes .

            Yet … on the other hand , there are and were many good Germans , who were also victims .

            Nevertheless … the Germans are by necessity urgently re-thinking their immigration open door .

        • Aaron Reply
          January 3, 2025 at 3:20 am

          Just looking at mass shootings in the US, statistics show that White people make up the majority of the shooters.

          • Alert
            January 3, 2025 at 6:59 am

            Yep … the only common characteristic amongst the bad ones appears to be mental insanity .

            Frequently cited causes include drug usage , computer-spread crazy ideas , and ideological or religious fervor .

            I would add lack of religious upbringing , a lack of charitable behaviour in their life , and disrespect to others .

          • Chi Hsuan
            January 3, 2025 at 8:14 am

            STFU Aaron

          • Aaron
            January 4, 2025 at 3:49 pm

            @Alert

            Does your rear end ever get jealous of the fecal matter that comes out of your mouth? Because that has to be one of your most nonsensical word salads to date.

          • Aaron
            January 4, 2025 at 3:50 pm

            @Chi

            Make me. I am daring you to.

    • Samus Aran Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 6:36 pm

      The attacker was a US citizen. “Limited immigration slots” would have been pointless.
      People of all religions have committed abhorrent mass murders.

  2. Lukas Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 4:27 pm

    When I talk about travel, I always say that people from the Middle East are the nicest, kindest people I’ve ever met. People who only know Middle East from the news see it as a completely unfathomable statement from me. I feel bad for people who live there because it casts a very dark shadow on all of them. I’ve even heard a man from Aceh region in Indonesia (where sharia is the de-facto law) that he hates those Muslims. Enough said.

  3. Jeffrey Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 4:36 pm

    Matthew, I’m amazed you mentioned Oasis in Gallup. I travel to Gallup frequently for my job in the navy reserves and have enjoyed meals there many times. I know that this isn’t your style, but if you want to see some patriotism next time you roll through, please visit the Comfort Suites just east of town. They love their Navajo code talkers and have reserved parking for Purple Heart recipients. Everyone in Gallup has been so kind and welcoming to those from all walks of life. I’m glad you were able to make a stop.

    • DavidM Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 2:14 pm

      Matthew…at a Comfort Suites? Even if …and that’s a big if…he were only stopping at a CS, such an event is almost unimaginable. The only event that could surpass that would be him stopping at a Motel 6….lol.

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        January 3, 2025 at 2:30 pm

        I do stick to Hyatt! 😉

  4. JRG Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 4:36 pm

    “As much as I love the trappings of the Church of England or the Evangelische Kirche (EKD) in Germany, I’m so thankful for the separation of church and state in the USA that has allowed faith to flourish and prevented government overreach, including during the pandemic.”

    Here in the USA, that same Christian faith is always trying to intrude and avoid such separation. Such as Louisiana and their posting of the ten commandments at public schools law. So the separation you allude to is often attacked.

    As an agnostic, I deplore any such trappings, from whatever religion……

  5. Trk1 Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 4:54 pm

    great article

  6. Chi Hsuan Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 7:29 pm

    And yet it’s always Muslims.

    • Antwerp Reply
      January 2, 2025 at 10:21 pm

      At LALF it seems to always be you. Just sayin…

      • Aaron Reply
        January 4, 2025 at 3:51 pm

        An no statistics to back up any of his comments.

    • Alert Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 7:01 am

      @Chi … Think 911 .

      • Alert Reply
        January 3, 2025 at 7:02 am

        9-11-2001 .

  7. Joe United Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 7:38 pm

    So using this convoluted logic that is so common that one Muslim who perverts his religious is representing all Muslims then it also means that we pain all white people with the same bush when one commits and act of terrorism or sustained violence against a particular race. The bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building was done by self described Christians who were white. Most mass school shootings have been by white males. The burning of Black Wall Street was done by white people. The reign of terror by the KKK…. Hmmmm let me think, oh yes white people. Locking up American citizens of Japanese descent during World War……… oh yeh, white people again. There have been more acts of violence and terrorism by whitey ( Christians) against people of other races than minorities attacking Christians in the United States. So if you want to ban immigrants who you think will commit large acts of violence here in the United States now you know what countries to start with. Oh, I am as white as a yeti in a snowstorm, but I identify as Latino. Best music, delicious food, sexiest women/ have a very pleasant day. Ole!

    • David Arnett Reply
      January 2, 2025 at 11:23 pm

      Whites commit the lowest level of violent crime of any race. That’s the difference. Whites also invented every facet of modern life and every technology from electrical power to aviation to IPads. There is also a difference between fighting for freedom from government oppression which Whites have done and other groups ruining every community they enter with rape, looting, and carjacking. The rape gangs in Britain and the subway stuff we see in NYC reflect that.

      • Aaron Reply
        January 4, 2025 at 3:52 pm

        Any statistics to back up any of your claims?

  8. David Arnett Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 9:36 pm

    The fact is open borders are a cancer. Every race on earth deserves its own countries. No one suggests China or Japan be forced to take in groups that are completely antithetical to their culture and way of life but they do with majority White countries. Without immigration there still will be problems and these type of events but it would be much better than it is now. We don’t want your diversity. Europe is unsafe not because of pro freedom Christians but because of Muslim Arab/turkish/south Asian rape gangs.

    With that said this is still no excuse to support the atrocities being done by Israelis in Palestine and Lebanon. This is no excuse to hate devout Muslims in their own countries. This is no excuse to pretend the U.S. government and police don’t commit the same type of atrocities enforcing its tax system, drug wars, and anti Christian policies.

    • Antwerp Reply
      January 2, 2025 at 10:27 pm

      And exactly how did border policy contribute to this atrocity in MSY? I mean, you do understand he was an American citizen who served in our military for years. Yes? Help me here….

      • David Arnett Reply
        January 2, 2025 at 11:17 pm

        Open borders mean legal immigration too. The fact that he is a citizen and served in the military shows how sick the government has become.

        Again, no excuse to support endless wars in the Middle East or criticize devout Muslims in Muslim countries. It’s just these type of things would be lessened if everyone lived among their own people in peace and weren’t forced together.

        • Antwerp Reply
          January 3, 2025 at 8:26 am

          I’m sure the Native Americans would agree with you.

  9. jcil Reply
    January 2, 2025 at 10:10 pm

    I get it–I’m to turn the other cheek, but I’m also to be called to profusely apologize for my “microaggressions”

    • Alert Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 8:06 am

      @jeil … +1 . Good one .

  10. Brent Reply
    January 3, 2025 at 2:59 am

    I love how people want to point out that he is US-born and was in the military and act like he wasn’t a Muslim. A radicalized Islamic terrorist. It’s not even an ethnicity issue it’s a violent, extremist view that is written all throughout their religion. For some reason, it also seems lost on people that those who are like this asshole, will fight to the death to kill others who are not the same as them. But yet, not allowing someone from Muslim/Islamic countries is somehow worse. Get a grip!

    One day, when these Islamic sleeper cells are fully activated here in our country we will reap what our weak resolve to protect our borders, our culture and way of life will eventually sow. But keep telling me what pronouns to use, that everyone should be let into the country, that transgenderism is for kids, and that Muslims in most parts of the world don’t want to see an end to western civilization.

    • Alert Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 9:28 am

      You perceptively hit on the real danger : ” … sleeper cells … ” Controlled by Iran and/or other bad actors .

      There is a long history of the commie equivalents : underground … ” … sleeper cells … “

    • Aaron Reply
      January 4, 2025 at 3:55 pm

      Ok but what about all of the mass shooting perpetuated by White males? They are the largest group to commit those types of crimes. And far outnumber any crimes being committed by Muslim Americans.

  11. john Reply
    January 3, 2025 at 10:30 am

    Low T take.

  12. D3Kingg Reply
    January 3, 2025 at 12:14 pm

    Although fresh ; I’m not taking the bait Matthew.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 12:28 pm

      I don’t understand what bait you are referring to.

  13. Paper Boarding Pass Reply
    January 3, 2025 at 1:33 pm

    Matt, I think you need to express your caution to the local news agencies here in New Orleans. All 4 TV stations and the local newspaper HAVE GONE WILD on this story. All in a frenzy for a possible Pulitzer Prize award at any costs.

    As an example, the first think reported was the the flag attached on the rear of the truck in question without knowing anything else about the details. This gets mentioned morning, noon, and night by each NOLA news agency. The feeding frenzy went into the stratosphere when the Vegas story broke!

    And, don’t get me started with the crazies on You Tube.

  14. DAVID D Reply
    January 3, 2025 at 3:10 pm

    If only Americans were this angry when other Americans kill at will. There are over 10,000 gun shot homicides in the US, yet our focus is on Muslims and terror. Stephen Paddock killed how many people? I dare say none of you have said white people of a certain ethnicity need to go. Hmmm

    • Samus Aran Reply
      January 3, 2025 at 6:58 pm

      The reason a lot of Americans don’t care is because of selfishness and the NRA.

      The NRA’s brainwashing, aided by the the GOP (which should stand for Guns Over People), has infiltrated every level of politics at the federal level including the judiciary. This affects every state, even though originally, the Second Amendment only applied to the *federal* government until the judges decided to legislate from the bench.

      The GOP cries “state’s rights” a lot, but when a state wants to do something about guns, the GOP gets furious and claims “bans don’t work” (and yet the GOP wants to ban a lot of things, such as books, porn, video games, and abortion).

      The GOP also claims there’s a right to life, but clearly they don’t care once the fetus leaves the womb. If there’s no right to life after birth, how can there be a right to do anything else?

      • Dave W. Reply
        January 3, 2025 at 8:51 pm

        Really? You can argue states’ rights and also believe states must obey the constitution. So, you think the GOP shoul support an anti-free-speech state law? Don’t get me wrong the Repubs and Dems are both full of hypocrites, but your analysis is fatally flawed. I know it is convenient to imagine those who oppose you are brainwashed; you don’t have to use your brain, then. Improve your arguments.

  15. Jay Reply
    January 4, 2025 at 12:16 pm

    >>Had Jabbar still been alive, I would have advocated for his swift execution…our appeals system is a hallmark of equal justice under law, but in this case there is incontrovertible evidence in the form of a manifesto and surveillance footage of his attack. Hang him without delay.<<

    Sorry, but you have no understanding of how capital sentencing works. Guilt is not the metric for whether someone should be executed. Review the ABA Guidelines for the Appointment & Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases to begin to understand what capital sentencing entails. And then you might understand why even when there is a death verdict, there are necessary appeals and post-conviction habeas procedures to ensure that the defendant was provided the effective assistance of counsel that the 6th Amendment to the US Constitution demands. Now if you want to do away with the Constitution when it doesn't suit your purposes, then come out and say it.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      January 4, 2025 at 12:24 pm

      With respect, you lack reading comprehension.

      I spent an entire semester studying capital punishment in law school. I’m very aware of the protections in place (and the systematic problems with captial punishment in the USA), which is why I mentioned the extended process in the first place.

      I specifically mentioned the importance of constitutional safeguards – that doesn’t change my personal lament that this pig would have stayed alive for decades at taxpayer expense. Sometimes, that is the price of having a system that seeks to minimize executing the wrong people.

  16. GUWonder Reply
    January 4, 2025 at 4:44 pm

    I am against capital punishment, even when I may think a criminal doesn’t deserve to live. I am against capital punishment in a civilian context because in a civilian context it makes monsters of the executing side and errors are inevitable and irreversible. And I say this as someone whose relative ordered and was required to bear witness to executions as part of his judicial responsibilities and who told me to make sure to never become a judge hearing capital crime cases because it was a stain on his soul as a devout man of faith who followed the law as per his professional duty.

    A cruel society makes for crueler criminals.

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