Muslim Cabbies Impose Booze Ban

CNN just aired a story about Muslim cab drivers in Minnesota refusing to take fares from people carrying alcohol. I simply don't see the story here, but it has caused quite a controversy in Minnesota. Last I checked: (1) cab drivers were not providing a public service, they were members of the private sector providing a service to the public; (2) people possessing alcohol were not some constitutionally protected minority. Does anyone else see the problem with a private business refusing to accept business from people carrying alcohol? I don't.

I just feel for the cab driver who is going to try to explain to a group of drunk college students that they aren't allowed in the cab. One of my college buddies once fought a cab driver because he wanted to drop him off a block away from his house (he lost the fight btw).

Yeah I definitely feel for a cab driver in general because their life isn't easy. But this guy clearly did it for his personal beliefs, and it is not like the cab company has anything in contract that the driver sings, which indicates he can refuse service based on his religious beliefs.


However they may be some thing in the contract which allows cabbies to deny anyone for any reason.

Islam does not in any way or shape condone the conduct of these cab drivers who refuse to take on drunk, gay, or people with dogs. This is more of ignorance and cultural issue.

As for cab drivers, they are licensed to operate a business that serves the public. A public restaurant can't refuse to serve black people because they are black and neither can a cab driver. It's not a membership based business therefore it must be open to all. If you can't do what the job demands, go into some other god damn field.

In any case, I found this shit hilarious (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1118413921) and sad.

I think I'll start a business and refuse to serve Muslims because they are carrying ....................muslim food. I wonder how far I'll get?

i say, if its their business, they can do whatever they want. if they are working for someone, then they have no say in the matter. but also, no more law suits saying how their rights are violated because of their religion. discrimination works BOTH ways

I can understand. If I were a cabbie I wouldn't want to take fares from people carrying smelly diapers, or something like that. :)

Just last week at my conference, a Pakistani cabbie let me DRINK some of the thirty beers I was carrying with me to a club. He was saying hilarious things like, "I love to do the doggie style! I LOVE THE BIG ASS!"

He was one cool dude.

You guys are comparing apples to oranges. They aren't discriminating against a race like you plan to do with your new business ventures. Yes, a restaurant can't refuse to serve Muslims. However, they can refuse to serve you alcohol at any point for any reason. Is that discrimination? No.

Im sure it's great taking drunks in a cab, they vomit, they're loud, and they're obnoxious. I totally see where this is coming from. It's their business and they can refuse people entry when drunk or drinking just like many other services throughout the states do.

Last time I checked drunks aren't a protected group so what's the fuss here?