When America Itches, the World Gets Scratched...

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Air date: 
Mon, 09/12/2011 - 12:00am
Interview with Rais Bhuiyan, survivor of Aryan hate pleads for his attacker's life.

Texas Governor Rick Perry is leading the howling, slavering rabid pack at the moment – but this is an American moment for what that’s worth.  Perry’s claim to fame with his gun-totin;’, Bible-quotin’, show-boatin’ followers is 234 executions in the Lone Star State during his regime.  I presume the rationale is that if you can’t afford to educate people, you can just kill them instead. 

Which brings me to my guest on Air Cascadia this morning.  Rais Bhuiyan.

Bhuiyan was shot in the face at close range after 9/11 by Mark Stroman, an Aryan Brotherhood member, partially blinding him in his right eye. Stroman also killed Vasudev Patel, an Indian immigrant who was Hindu, and Waqar Hasan, a Muslim born in Pakistan.

Bhuiyan sued Governor Rick Perry in order to stop the execution of Stroman, saying: "I strongly believe what Mark Stroman did was a hate crime because of his ignorance, and he was not capable of distinguishing between right and wrong. Otherwise, he would not have done what he did. ... The way my parents raised me, and my Islamic faith teaches me, that he is the best who can forgive easily. And my faith teaches that no one has a right to take another human life. Islam doesn’t allow for hate and killing.”

 In a statement written in prison, Stroman says, “Not only do I have all my friends and supporters trying to save my life, but now I have the Islamic community joining in ... spearheaded by one very remarkable man named Rais Bhuiyan, who is a survivor of my hate. His deep Islamic beliefs ... gave him the strength to forgive the unforgiveable ... that is truly Inspiring to me, and should be an example for us all. The hate has to stop, we are all in this world together." Despite Bhuiyan's efforts, Stroman was executed on July 20.Victimania   

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