I think we need to hear more stories like this.

[Darius11 12]

Not only does it show what normal people are like, but it does good for every one.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2005/08/05/1161076-cp.html

Quote

Cabbie returns forgotten jewelry

By DONALD MCKENZIE





Montreal Jewler Thierry Bellisha displays the suitcase full of bridal jewlery he accidentally left in the trunk of a New York taxi cab at his store in Montreal on Friday. (CP PHOTO/David Boily)
MONTREAL (CP) - Take a Muslim cabbie from New York City, a Jewish businessman from Montreal and a forgotten suitcase containing valuable diamonds and precious stones and what do you get?

One honest taxi driver and one relieved jewelry dealer.

Thierry Bellisha, 32, and two colleagues had just finished lugging several suitcases out of Hossam Abdalla's taxi at LaGuardia Airport on Thursday morning when Bellisha realized one was missing.

The co-owner of Montreal-based Crown Ring immediately looked up but it was too late - Abdalla had already sped off, unaware he still had a suitcase worth several hundred thousand dollars in the trunk of his yellow cab.

"I screamed and I prayed to God like crazy," Bellisha, an Orthodox Jew, recalled in an interview Friday when asked his initial reaction. "I just asked God right away, 'Please help me now, I need your help right away.' "

As panic settled in - calls were even made to "important rabbis in Israel" for divine intervention - Bellisha and his partners returned to their hotel to review the establishment's videotapes to see if they could identify the taxi's number.

But the blinding sunshine from that morning obscured the numbers.


Several kilometres away, Abdalla, oblivious to his customer's anguish, happened to look in his trunk and saw what he called "a weird bag."

"When I opened it, I found the jewelry inside," Abdalla said in an interview from New York City on Friday. "It was mostly wedding bands, lots and lots of them.

"It was crazy. I've never been in a situation like that."

Abdalla, who will turn 30 later this month, then looked in his taxi and found one of Bellisha's business cards. The name matched the name on the suitcase, so after a call to Crown Ring in Montreal, Abdalla was soon talking to one very relieved businessman.

"There are not enough words to describe how he felt."

The two men eventually hooked up at LaGuardia on Thursday night for the switchover.

"It was an incredible gesture," Bellisha said. "It was very humanitarian.

"That cab driver is a perfect lesson for humanity all around the world."

The tale, which made the front page of Friday's New York Daily News, didn't leave Abdalla feeling like a hero and had him playing down the religious angle.

"Of course, I hope everyone would have done the same thing but this proves there's no such thing as Jewish or Muslim or whatever. We all pray to the same God.

"In a situation like that, you don't think 'What is he, Jewish Buddhist, Muslim?' He's just a human being working hard for his money."

Abdalla, who moved to the United States from Egypt in the late 1990s, said the greatest joy he got from the experience, aside from witnessing Bellisha's obvious relief, was hearing the pride and happiness in his father's voice when he called him back home to tell him what had happened.

Abdalla said Bellisha has promised him a reward.

On top of that, Abdalla will be getting the Montrealer's business whenever he's in the Big Apple from now on.

"Actually, he became my personal cab driver now in New York," Bellisha said. "I know I'm in good hands when I drive with him."

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Sen.Blutarsky 0]

Quote

He's just a human being working hard for his money."

We're all human beings, you and I, just trying to get through our day. Even in New York.


Blutarsky 2008. No Prisoners!

[ViperPilot 0]

Good article...wish everyone had moral standards like this. But such is life.

[Jasmin 0]

A few years I was waiting in line at the post office at my uni, when a guy walked in and asked if someone was missing their wallet, as he'd found one.

Nobody came forward and he left it with the clerk, but before he could walk out the door a girl handed him an envelope he'd dropped- he'd dropped his paycheck walking into the post office.

Good things do happen, but honesty (much like good manners) seems to be getting so much rarer and its very saddening!

xj

"I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with the earth...but then I wouldn't recommend picking a fight with a car either, and that's having tried both."

[JohnRich 4]

Were you only interested in more of "these" stories because the honest cab driver happened to be Muslim?

Would you have posted this news item if the cab driver had been a white anglo-saxon protestant?

Would you also like to see more stories of the good things that U.S. troops are doing in Iraq, like building schools and hospitals, and restoring electricty and water?

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Were you only interested in more of "these" stories because the honest cab driver happened to be Muslim?

It's topical in today's context.

Frankly, there is a point to be made to 'some' people (not as many as some posters here would like to think, but they base much of their content on the exceptions) that Muslims have a cross section of people that go from decent to average to extremist psychos - just like any other group of people. The knowledge would make it easier to take people one at a time rather than a biased view - stereotyping.

The other point is yours. Is it so rare that a story of a 'nice Muslim' actually has to make the news, or is big brother "the organized media" trying to make a self congratulatory point to the masses they consider ignorant or "unenlightened" - the arrogance of those guys.

But, John, taking a feel good post like this and turning it into a SC topic might be fun, but does ruin a likely innocent intent on Darius' part - even if it did have an inferred (your taken point) political slant.

Edit: If he answers - NO, YES, YES would you believe him or just call him insincere?

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

taking a feel good post like this and turning it into a SC topic might be fun, but does ruin a likely innocent intent on Darius' part - even if it did have an inferred (your taken point) political slant.

If it was an innocent feel-good post without political undertones, he would have posted it in the Bonfire forum, instead of Speaker's Corner.

The fact that there are about 6 million Muslims in America, and they haven't all been rounded-up and deported, nor have there been any mosque-burnings, demonstrates that Americans recognize that the large majority of Muslims are not violent murderous terrorists. So I don't see how one story about a cab-driver changes anything.

[billvon 3,116]

>If it was an innocent feel-good post without political undertones, he
> would have posted it in the Bonfire forum, instead of Speaker's
> Corner.

Then you would have replied, and someone would have replied to you, and it would have quickly been moved to SC. He made the right call by posting it here.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

The fact that there are about 6 million Muslims in America, and they haven't all been rounded-up and deported, nor have there been any mosque-burnings, demonstrates that Americans recognize that the large majority of Muslims are not violent murderous terrorists. So I don't see how one story about a cab-driver changes anything.

And that IS a good point to bring up.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rhino 0]

Quote

Were you only interested in more of "these" stories because the honest cab driver happened to be Muslim?

Will you give it a rest for once.. Change your damned avatar.. Looking at your posts then that pic is aggravating. lol

[Darius11 12]

Quote

Were you only interested in more of "these" stories because the honest cab driver happened to be Muslim?

Would you have posted this news item if the cab driver had been a white anglo-saxon protestant?

Would you also like to see more stories of the good things that U.S. troops are doing in Iraq, like building schools and hospitals, and restoring electricty and water?

Hey John


With all the negative publicity about anything Muslim, I thought it was cool that something went to print that didn’t have the word Muslim and they hate us, or trying to kill Americans, or fanatic in it.
The story also made me feel good about humanity. Like maybe even with all the bull shit you hear about, The average Jew, Muslim, and Christian are decent people. Unfortunately the Media seems to concentrate on what is humanities worst. Weather it is a Muslim terrorist who blew up children, or a member of our troops who shot a wounded man in the back. You never hear about the good things people do. I for one believe there is more good in this world then bad. I just wish more attention was paid to it.


The reason this was posted in SC? Well I think Bill hit the nail on the head.


Please feel free to post any good news threads about any one you like. I think that would be a great change even for SC.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

Will you give it a rest for once..

Pot: Meet Kettle.

Must you see conspiracy in everything?

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

taking a feel good post like this and turning it into a SC topic might be fun, but does ruin a likely innocent intent on Darius' part - even if it did have an inferred (your taken point) political slant.

Quote from Darius:

With all the negative publicity about anything Muslim, I thought it was cool that something went to print that didn’t have the word Muslim and they hate us, or trying to kill Americans, or fanatic in it.

You see, Rehmwa, he did have a Muslim political point he was making with this posting - it wasn't as innocent as you wanted to believe.

I have no problem with that, BTW. I just don't see the need to be coy or clever about it. I'm sure Muslims, just like Americans, do lots of good things every day that we never hear about in the press.

[Darius11 12]

I have no problem with that, BTW. I just don't see the need to be coy or clever about it. I'm sure Muslims, just like Americans, do lots of good things every day that we never hear about in the press.
***

Not being coy or clever.
I am always very honest about the way I feel and my reasons. I think you might(not sure that you do) feel that every thing I post follows an agenda but it doesn’t. It was just nice to see something-different go to the papers.
If I wanted to be sneaky I would have never made the post I did.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

You see, Rehmwa, he did have a Muslim political point he was making with this posting - it wasn't as innocent as you wanted to believe.

My philosophy about people -
take them one at a time
their actions are more important than words or appearance
give them the benefit of the doubt as most intend well and deserve that benefit
give the rest (those that don't deserve it) the benefit and they might come around because we treat them as deserving

Let's change his italics quote around to something that would resonate with you -

With all the negative publicity about anything American, I thought it was cool that something went to print that didn’t have the word America and how they hate us, or 'cowboy' in it.

I've seen parallel postings about nice stuff about our country and seen certain posters flinch on that just like you flinched on D's post.

Either way, it's notable to see the occasional feel good story as that doesn't normally sell newspapers.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[JohnRich 4]

Another helpful cab-driver story:

Cabbie Helps Capture Fugitive Couple

The cabbie who picked up the couple suspected in a deadly courthouse escape in Tennessee said Thursday he did not buy their story that they needed to get to Ohio for an Amway convention.

A tip from cabdriver Mike Wagers led police to George and Jennifer Hyatte, who were arrested without a struggle Wednesday night at a budget motel in Columbus, Ohio, authorities said.

Wagers said the pair told him they were headed to an Amway convention and that he became suspicious because they didn't act like Amway representatives...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5203987,00.html

[Rebecca 0]

I was gonna post that too!
Those retards. Amway?

Sharp cabbie!

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[Darius11 12]

what the hell is amway?



cool story

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[Sen.Blutarsky 0]

Quote

what the hell is amway?

It's a mild form of social security-type pyramid scheme. Trust me Darius you will enjoy the company of Jehovah's Witnesses more than a solicitation by an Amway salesperson Chances are you will understand soon enough ...


Blutarsky 2008. No Prisoners!

[sinker 0]

Quote

I was gonna post that too!
Those retards. Amway?

Sharp cabbie!

Retards -and murderers- is right. It's embarassing that they are from TN, since that is where I reside.

As for the muslim cabbie story, I'm glad it was posted. I think it IS worthwhile to put forth stories like that so that hopefully some bigotry will erode about both muslims AND jews.

Here in Nashville, we have a VERY large population of muslim immigrants (sp?) and my experience w/ them has generally been outstanding. However, I still struggle w/ stereotyping them sometimes, and being judgemental about them. It's something I constantly have to keep in check.

I travel extensively for work and frequently use cabs to go to and from the airport. On one occasion, after finally arriving home late at night on my birthday, an old muslim man who noticed how tired and down I was to have been travelling on my birthday, waived the fare as a birthday present. He didn't give me a card, he didn't ask me to call him if I needed another cab, he just wished me happy birthday and refused my money.

On another occasion, I landed home in Nashville the night that the Gulf War(W's version) started. The cabbie was playing the live radio feeds from Kuwait and Iraq and was simply ecstatic. When I asked why, he said he was Kurdish and fled Iraq w/ his family before Saddam's henchmen killed them, which evidentally was imminent. He was thankful that our government was "finally doing something" about Saddam and he too refused my money. He said that he was refusing all fares that day as his way of thanking the American people for helping to oust Saddam, who was responsible for the deaths of so many Kurds.

Whatever one thinks of the war in Iraq (I've always been mixed about it), or muslims in general, this second cabbie I wrote about, as well as the first one, illustrate what others here have already said... people are people, there are some bad ones but there are lots of GOOD ones too.

Now I have that damned Depeche Mode song in my head.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[JohnRich 4]

Quote

what the hell is amway?

It's a company that enlists you to go door-to-door selling home cleaning products. And it's a pyramid scheme. The goal is to get a bunch of other people serving as your legion of salesman, with some of each of their profits coming to you.

Don't ever accept an invitation to their home to hear their speech.

[sinker 0]

my uncle made a shitload of money off amway. i think he's in organized crime too. go figure.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[rhino 0]

It's a mild form of social security-type pyramid scheme.

You don't even know what a (pyramid scheme) is.. do you work for someone? ever seen government structure? chain of command? Insurance company compensation diagrams??

AMWAY stands for American Way. Fantastic company started by 2 men in their basements selling soap. They paved the way for home based businesses.

You are obviously uneducated in the subject and choose to follow the masses and judge what you know nothing about.

No.. I am not in Amway. Amway is a great company.

Rhino

[rhino 0]

Quote

It's a company that enlists you to go door-to-door selling home cleaning products. And it's a pyramid scheme. The goal is to get a bunch of other people serving as your legion of salesman, with some of each of their profits coming to you.

Don't ever accept an invitation to their home to hear their speech.

My opinion of you gets lower and lower with every post.

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Another helpful cab-driver story:
...
A tip from cabdriver Mike Wagers led police ...

So, what color is he? what religion? what are his politics? is he gay? handicapped? bald?

How DARE a newspaper make a report about someone without some useless piece of PC information that doesn't add to the content of the story?

I think that's the cynicism we are looking for.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants