A Crash, A Fond Remembrance, and A Killing

As America processes the news of the terrible plane crash in Washington DC we await the facts. Some things are already known. A young St. Louis man, whose family is prominent and well-known in the St. Louis Muslim community, lost his wife. Several members of the United States figure skating team lost their lives. As the days go on, we will learn the stories of those whose lives were cut short and those tales will be as painful as learning about the children aboard the planes on 9-11.

I have nothing to add other than reminding people not to believe in online conspiracy theories which are already being promoted. The facts will come out. Be patient.

In terms of analysis, two things come to mind. A tearful Hammad Raza waiting on his wife at Reagan DC National Airport is a reminder that American-Muslims are ever present in the American story and not “others”. When Americans win American-Muslims win and when Americans lose American-Muslims lose.

The tragic loss of American figure skaters reminds me of the tragic tale of the 1980 US Olympic Boxing team. President Jimmy Carter canceled American participation in the Moscow games, so many of the fighters embarked on an exhibition tour throughout Europe. Unfortunately, LOT Polish Air 007 crashed during this tour and there were eighty-seven deaths (including a number of American boxers and staff). For St. Louisans, this crash was particularly awful, as local standout boxer Lemuel Steeples was on board. Many speculate on what could've been had he lived. Would he have been a superstar on the professional level? We'll never know. He is now buried at St. Peter's Cemetery in Normandy near my nephew.

Super Bowl

As a St. Louisan I'm an NFL orphan and no longer have a team. However, I've become partial to the Philadelphia Eagles over the years. I'll be rooting for them as they face a team that has nothing to do with St. Louis and none of us here should be rooting for. In the meantime, let's remember the glorious moment twenty-five years ago today when the Rams won a Super Bowl for St. Louis. Our city truly had a dip in our hip and glide in our slide during this era. Winning football, winning baseball, Nelly topping the charts, and Cory Spinks rising to the world championship level. Is it a coincidence that the murder rate was down during this time of unprecedented local pride?

Sweden Slaying

News comes from Sweden that the infamous Assyrian Quran burner Salwan Momika has been gunned down. It seems that Sweden has become a rather dangerous place in recent years due to a number of failed policies. One downside of importing a large number of people from a given country is that their beefs become your domestic squabbles. See the recent Hindu-Sikh street brawls in Canada or the Hindu-Muslim brawls in England. If Muslims are going to live in a secular post-Christain Europe or North America, that comes with great economic benefits and the opportunity for advancement. It should also come with the understanding that you’re in places that allow for the freedom of expression which may include the mocking of religion. You don’t get to have your cake and eat it too. The actions of Momika are of no harm to Islam or Muslims, as the Quran is preserved and Momika had no capability to harm Muslims in any way, but the actions of these criminal vigilantes could very well harm Muslims with their violent action.

Fight Pick

I like David Benavidez by a late stoppage over David Morrell Saturday night in another overpriced PBC PPV on Prime. I just don’t think the Cuban has the firepower to keep the monster off of him. In the realm of college wrestling, I’m not expecting a competitive dual between #1 Penn State and #2 Iowa and wouldn’t be surprised to see Cael Sanderson’s squad win every match.