UPDATED: On BC Bud, Cocaine, and Balbir Dhami
UPDATED 5/23/11: This post has garnered renewed attention after the recent murder of Balbir Dhami. The Sacramento police does not believe it is a hate-crime and do to the circumstances, most in the community do not believe so either. I won’t make speculations, but will leave it to the law enforcement officials to sort out the case.
Earlier this week, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) sent their agents to capture an Elk Grove man.
Balbir Dhami 
[click on the link to see the news video], the owner of Dhami Trucking Plaza on Stockton Blvd in Elk Grove, was arrested and is accused of being at the center of a drug running business, moving marijuana and cocaine, between Canada, Elk Grove, and Los Angeles.
The news describes Dhami as a “prominent Elk Grove business man and leader in the Sikh community.” While I don’t know if he was a prominent business man or even a leader in the Sikh community, from internet searches, he does seem to have made political overtures as campaign finance records show that he donated to Democrat Dick Gephardt’s presidential campaign in early 2004.
His family has denied his involvement:
“I know my dad. What he’s being blamed for in the allegations it’s totally against our religion. It’s something he’s against and wouldn’t recommend anyone else to do something like that,” explains Aman Dhami [Balbir’s son]. [link]
While I cannot speak on Dhami’s specific case, I can speak about this being a common problem within the Punjabi Sikh community.
Many of us have relatives and friends in the transport industry. Drive along Highway 99 or Interstate 5 in California and you’ll see plenty of Khandas on big rigs. In fact Guddu Bhogal has a song called “Yaaran da truck” that captures some of the images and lifestyle of our trucker brothers.
The majority is extremely hard-working, honest, and their accomplishments are a matter of pride for the entire community. Their work is difficult, long, and lonely. They are often at the forefront and problems faced by the community. Whether it be government-encouraged discrimination and racism by their fellow truck drivers, fighting to wear their pagris (turbans) while on the jobs and in ports, or even for the ability to unionize against shady companies that underpay them and provide no benefits or securities, they are determined, tenacious, and brave in trying to better the lives of their family.
However, there are a few that do try to make money the easy way. Some might even claim it is the American way, but it definitely is not the Sikh way. Members of our community are involved in drug running throughout the United States and Canada.
The supply generally works as follows: BC bud (marijuana) has a particularly potent reputation and is relatively cheap in Canadian British Columbia. BC bud has become a brand name and is grown locally in British Columbia. Many Punjabi Sikhs are involved in drug running, but mainly at a lower level as the much more profitable heroine trade has been cornered by older Chinese syndicates. Punjabi Sikhs use their relatives and family networks in the transportation industry to move the marijuana and money to various hubs, especially California. Marijuana is sold and distributed in California for large profits and then used to purchase guns and cocaine. Cocaine from transit points such as Los Angeles fetch a high profit back in Canada. Again the friends and family networks in the transportation industry move the products back up to Canada for distribution and sale there.
The temptation for truck drivers to take the illicit cargo is huge. Sometimes people get paid up to $50,000 a load to hide the cargo as they cross the Canadian-US border. Anecdotally, I have met a number of individuals that have claimed to have made huge sums of money in this manner. Also anecdotally, Punjabi friends that work at popular banks such as Washington Mutual, Bank of America, Bank of the West, etc. have told me numerous times where other Punjabis have approached them to make unreported large scale deposits. All cash deposits exceeding $10,000 are recorded. In fact if you have family members, relatives, or friends in this industry and if you see unexplained sudden cash splurges on cars, houses, and other luxury items, this may have been the means for that wealth.
While there may be bigger structural conversations on consumerist culture and capitalism gone rampant that might explain the reasons for taking these risks, regardless it is a huge concern in our community and deserves some spotlight and attention. Any thoughts, solutions, or your own experiences?
67 Responses to “UPDATED: On BC Bud, Cocaine, and Balbir Dhami”
This has nothing to do with sikhism, and alot to do with punjabi culture which is become about how big of a house that you live and what kind of car you drive in the west. My Parents had cousins and uncles in this lifestyle who all of sudden become super rich over night and boughts manisons and then lost everything not long after that.
However sikh gurdwara leaders have done very little to speak out about this problem.
A trucking friend of mine said there are hundreds of Punjabi Sikhs in Detriot prisons, because they got busted transporting drugs over the Canada/US border. And the family of those prisoners usually lie to their friends/family by saying their husband (or whoever) is gone to India for a while….until he gets released. It's the lure of big sums of money that gets these people into this..and so they are punished by God.
This has nothing to do with sikhism, and alot to do with punjabi culture which is become about how big of a house that you live and what kind of car you drive in the west. My Parents had cousins and uncles in this lifestyle who all of sudden become super rich over night and boughts manisons and then lost everything not long after that.
However sikh gurdwara leaders have done very little to speak out about this problem.
A trucking friend of mine said there are hundreds of Punjabi Sikhs in Detriot prisons, because they got busted transporting drugs over the Canada/US border. And the family of those prisoners usually lie to their friends/family by saying their husband (or whoever) is gone to India for a while….until he gets released. It’s the lure of big sums of money that gets these people into this..and so they are punished by God.
[quote comment="1956"]
However sikh gurdwara leaders have done very little to speak out about this problem.[/quote]
I don't know about other Sikh Gurdwaras, but the "leaders" that I've heard about are usually the ones involved. I remember when a while back there was so much stuff going on at the Fremont Gurdwara. There was a shooting, people were caught stealing money from the Gurdwara and so much more. It was just a whole mess, and the so called leaders were the ones who started fights between the youth and sangat and benefited from them. Though such benefits usually don't go too far.
A lot of different people have been involved in the drug trade, including the Italians, Cubans, & Mexicans. But it really sucks to see a guy w/ a turban and beard, who represent themselves as leaders of the community, doing that.
No doubt that the truck drivers work their butt off, especially w/ the rising fuel prices. Then come along people like that to give them and the whole community a bad rep.
[quote comment=”1956″]
However sikh gurdwara leaders have done very little to speak out about this problem.[/quote]
I don’t know about other Sikh Gurdwaras, but the “leaders” that I’ve heard about are usually the ones involved. I remember when a while back there was so much stuff going on at the Fremont Gurdwara. There was a shooting, people were caught stealing money from the Gurdwara and so much more. It was just a whole mess, and the so called leaders were the ones who started fights between the youth and sangat and benefited from them. Though such benefits usually don’t go too far.
A lot of different people have been involved in the drug trade, including the Italians, Cubans, & Mexicans. But it really sucks to see a guy w/ a turban and beard, who represent themselves as leaders of the community, doing that.
No doubt that the truck drivers work their butt off, especially w/ the rising fuel prices. Then come along people like that to give them and the whole community a bad rep.
Some of the deaths involving punjabi gangs in Vancouver have been due to this issue with truck drivers and drugs.
There are truck drivers that get blackmailed or threatned and have no choice but to ship drugs in there trucks. Some of these are newcomers from Punjab, who may not understand all the laws of the United States or Canada.
The sad thing is that it's Punjabi's who doing this to other punjabi's.
Some of the deaths involving punjabi gangs in Vancouver have been due to this issue with truck drivers and drugs.
There are truck drivers that get blackmailed or threatned and have no choice but to ship drugs in there trucks. Some of these are newcomers from Punjab, who may not understand all the laws of the United States or Canada.
The sad thing is that it’s Punjabi’s who doing this to other punjabi’s.
Drugs are bad, no matter who do it. It can make one person financially rich but will destroy many other lifes. People should think, drugs can impact them and any of their family member one day. I heard some truck driver got their licenses with knowing a very little English, and they basically don't know the rules and regulations of government. I think before they qualify for driving a truck, there should be an English reading/writing test and a day or two training about transporting material(what they can transport or not transport). And information about punishment in case they get caught transporting wrong mtrl. Only education can eliminate some of the basic problems.
Drugs are bad, no matter who do it. It can make one person financially rich but will destroy many other lifes. People should think, drugs can impact them and any of their family member one day. I heard some truck driver got their licenses with knowing a very little English, and they basically don’t know the rules and regulations of government. I think before they qualify for driving a truck, there should be an English reading/writing test and a day or two training about transporting material(what they can transport or not transport). And information about punishment in case they get caught transporting wrong mtrl. Only education can eliminate some of the basic problems.
Comment Removed – Please don’t make assumptions, unless you can prove them, and watch your language.–Admin
Comment Removed – Please don’t make assumptions, unless you can prove them, and watch your language.–Admin
I heard some truck driver got their licenses with knowing a very little English, and they basically don’t know the rules and regulations of government.
Yes that is true, as a few months ago there was a trucking school in Surrey that get busted for giving licenses to people that didn't pass the test. This has been going on for years where people just pay the people who run the school some money to say that they pass the test. It things like this that cause a backlash against the punjabi community.
I heard some truck driver got their licenses with knowing a very little English, and they basically don’t know the rules and regulations of government.
Yes that is true, as a few months ago there was a trucking school in Surrey that get busted for giving licenses to people that didn’t pass the test. This has been going on for years where people just pay the people who run the school some money to say that they pass the test. It things like this that cause a backlash against the punjabi community.
Wow this is shocking stuff Jodha, I never realised this problem existed.
Its very bad that our sikhs are doing .Our religious not giving to us permission sailing drugs ,but I want without any proof Please dont involve religious .Our religious is very pure Please dont use wrong word.If he did then he will be punished,Please dont do any wrong story in the on-line ,This listen we are not happy that one sikh involve in drug case.I most request to the all sikhs Please avoid all stories ,Thanks
Wow this is shocking stuff Jodha, I never realised this problem existed.
Its very bad that our sikhs are doing .Our religious not giving to us permission sailing drugs ,but I want without any proof Please dont involve religious .Our religious is very pure Please dont use wrong word.If he did then he will be punished,Please dont do any wrong story in the on-line ,This listen we are not happy that one sikh involve in drug case.I most request to the all sikhs Please avoid all stories ,Thanks
Bahy,
Thank you for your comment, but unfortunately here in (or on) "The Langar Hall" we will not 'avoid all stories.' We are here to engage with our community in a critical fashion, not merely white-wash problems and act as a PR firm for our community. We highlight when Sikhs do great things; we will discuss when we believe that members of our community are doing things that are wrong.
Bahy,
Thank you for your comment, but unfortunately here in (or on) “The Langar Hall” we will not ‘avoid all stories.’ We are here to engage with our community in a critical fashion, not merely white-wash problems and act as a PR firm for our community. We highlight when Sikhs do great things; we will discuss when we believe that members of our community are doing things that are wrong.
This issue is a punjabi problem and not a sikh problem. There a things that go on in the punjabi community which very few outside the community know about but are against the law. I already in earlier post talked about the truck drivers that cheating to get there licenses.
Are few of them are
1. Illegal satellite dishes to get the channels from India that are not available on the 2 dishes that are legal in Canada. These are the dishes were if the signal goes down, somebody punch in new code for a smart card to get them going.
2.E.I fraud among the farmworkers when they don't have enough hours for E.I and then pay the boss to say the worked number of hours needed. And then working under the table during the winter.
3.Indian video stores selling bootlegs and counterfet movies and DVD's in which the company's that make movies don't make any money off.
4.Marrying someone for money so the can come to Canada and then divoricing them so they can come to Canada.
5.The men from the west who goes to the Punjab and marry a women for a dowry with no interest in bringing her over to the west, and many even had kids that they show no interest in.
These things are problems in alot of different communities, but to see this in the punjabi community is wrong when many of the people who do these things are from sikh background. We sikh's are better then this and should not be doing these wrong things. Other communties don't have sikhism to guide them, but we do so why is this happening.
A few months ago there was story in Canada, where a immigration office r said that Canada should set up a office in South India and look to immigrants there instead of the Punjab cause of the huge fraud from the Punjab.
This issue is a punjabi problem and not a sikh problem. There a things that go on in the punjabi community which very few outside the community know about but are against the law. I already in earlier post talked about the truck drivers that cheating to get there licenses.
Are few of them are
1. Illegal satellite dishes to get the channels from India that are not available on the 2 dishes that are legal in Canada. These are the dishes were if the signal goes down, somebody punch in new code for a smart card to get them going.
2.E.I fraud among the farmworkers when they don’t have enough hours for E.I and then pay the boss to say the worked number of hours needed. And then working under the table during the winter.
3.Indian video stores selling bootlegs and counterfet movies and DVD’s in which the company’s that make movies don’t make any money off.
4.Marrying someone for money so the can come to Canada and then divoricing them so they can come to Canada.
5.The men from the west who goes to the Punjab and marry a women for a dowry with no interest in bringing her over to the west, and many even had kids that they show no interest in.
These things are problems in alot of different communities, but to see this in the punjabi community is wrong when many of the people who do these things are from sikh background. We sikh’s are better then this and should not be doing these wrong things. Other communties don’t have sikhism to guide them, but we do so why is this happening.
A few months ago there was story in Canada, where a immigration office r said that Canada should set up a office in South India and look to immigrants there instead of the Punjab cause of the huge fraud from the Punjab.
Basically, to be a “good” person you have to identify as only being a Sikh and all “bad” people are Punjabi? What if you’re both … then what kind of person are you?
No I didn't mean to say that, I'm just really fustrated about these issues. But my main issue is that punjabi culture is hurting sikhism today. And all these bad things being done today should not be blamed on sikhism. It just things that I have seen in the last 6 years in the Vancouver punjabi sikh community are hurting the images of sikh's.
I don't have the answers, but I want to know why these things go on in the community.
Sukhi,
I can understand your concern about these issues. However, I question your approach to addressing them.
You write:
However, I ask do you really think being Punjabi and Sikh are mutually exclusive in people’s everyday lives? Do you think people tell themselves during this interaction I am going to be Sikh because I should be good (forget about being Punjabi) and in this next moment I am going to be bad and act like a Punjabi? Basically, to be a “good” person you have to identify as only being a Sikh and all “bad” people are Punjabi? What if you’re both … then what kind of person are you?
Sukhi,
I can understand your concern about these issues. However, I question your approach to addressing them.
You write:
However, I ask do you really think being Punjabi and Sikh are mutually exclusive in people’s everyday lives? Do you think people tell themselves during this interaction I am going to be Sikh because I should be good (forget about being Punjabi) and in this next moment I am going to be bad and act like a Punjabi? Basically, to be a “good” person you have to identify as only being a Sikh and all “bad” people are Punjabi? What if you’re both … then what kind of person are you?
Basically, to be a “good” person you have to identify as only being a Sikh and all “bad” people are Punjabi? What if you’re both … then what kind of person are you?
No I didn’t mean to say that, I’m just really fustrated about these issues. But my main issue is that punjabi culture is hurting sikhism today. And all these bad things being done today should not be blamed on sikhism. It just things that I have seen in the last 6 years in the Vancouver punjabi sikh community are hurting the images of sikh’s.
I don’t have the answers, but I want to know why these things go on in the community.
Suki, whilst you make some worthwhile points, I have to take issue with your description of it being a 'Punjabi' problem at all.
I imagine that the problem is one of a group of criminals who realise that a lot of money can be made by exploiting the opportunities afforded by truck companies with routes between America and Canada.
Their cargo probably represents a miniscule percentage of the drugs being smuggled into Canada. The ethnic background of the overwhelming proportion of people involved in that trade is probably white Anglo Saxon, as well as other ethnicities like Chinese, Black, and others too.
Can you ascribe cultural traits amongst Anglo Saxon white people that leads so many of them into criminality and into drug dealing, drug smuggling, and (because lets face it the majority of cocaine users are white), drug snorting?
Apply the same analysis to white, black, Chinese people as generalisations and I think you'll see how limited that explanation becomes.
There are just some people who are greedy and easily compromised. When opportunity (a fleet of truckers who can act as couriers) meets money, the potential for corruption is vast.
The disgraceful thing about this individual (if he is guilty), is that he postures as a 'respected member of the community'.
That kind of thing only gives justification to the bigots who decide to ascribe communal culpability to others for his crimes, (whilst not ascribing communal culpability to white people in toto for the crimes of white drug dealers, for example)
Suki, whilst you make some worthwhile points, I have to take issue with your description of it being a ‘Punjabi’ problem at all.
I imagine that the problem is one of a group of criminals who realise that a lot of money can be made by exploiting the opportunities afforded by truck companies with routes between America and Canada.
Their cargo probably represents a miniscule percentage of the drugs being smuggled into Canada. The ethnic background of the overwhelming proportion of people involved in that trade is probably white Anglo Saxon, as well as other ethnicities like Chinese, Black, and others too.
Can you ascribe cultural traits amongst Anglo Saxon white people that leads so many of them into criminality and into drug dealing, drug smuggling, and (because lets face it the majority of cocaine users are white), drug snorting?
Apply the same analysis to white, black, Chinese people as generalisations and I think you’ll see how limited that explanation becomes.
There are just some people who are greedy and easily compromised. When opportunity (a fleet of truckers who can act as couriers) meets money, the potential for corruption is vast.
The disgraceful thing about this individual (if he is guilty), is that he postures as a ‘respected member of the community’.
That kind of thing only gives justification to the bigots who decide to ascribe communal culpability to others for his crimes, (whilst not ascribing communal culpability to white people in toto for the crimes of white drug dealers, for example)
Suki, out of your list, problems 4 and 5 are the most pressing. Those are immigration abuses and frauds and the only way to deal with them is about bringing them out in the open, getting victims to talk, and then legal bodies prosecuting perpetrators. A few ‘bride abandoning’ men spending a few years behind jail will help bring the problem under control, I feel.
Suki, out of your list, problems 4 and 5 are the most pressing. Those are immigration abuses and frauds and the only way to deal with them is about bringing them out in the open, getting victims to talk, and then legal bodies prosecuting perpetrators. A few ‘bride abandoning’ men spending a few years behind jail will help bring the problem under control, I feel.
I heard they opened a specific department in punjab to deal w/ the last problem (marring women and then leaving them). They made some new laws where they'll check the groom's documents to make sure he's actually a green card holder in Canada and that he's not already married. (this is what i've heard from relatives) I guess at least they're taking some steps in Punjab to tackle the problem. I agree that people need to speak out more.
I kind of agree w/ Suki at some terms. I think some of these can be called punjabi problems, as they are ingrained in the Punjabi culture (girl abortions, honor killings) but would be completely against Sikhism.
I heard they opened a specific department in punjab to deal w/ the last problem (marring women and then leaving them). They made some new laws where they’ll check the groom’s documents to make sure he’s actually a green card holder in Canada and that he’s not already married. (this is what i’ve heard from relatives) I guess at least they’re taking some steps in Punjab to tackle the problem. I agree that people need to speak out more.
I kind of agree w/ Suki at some terms. I think some of these can be called punjabi problems, as they are ingrained in the Punjabi culture (girl abortions, honor killings) but would be completely against Sikhism.
Can you ascribe cultural traits amongst Anglo Saxon white people that leads so many of them into criminality and into drug dealing, drug smuggling, and (because lets face it the majority of cocaine users are white), drug snorting?
What about ethnic white groups like Irish, Polish, Swedish, Swiss, Dutch Italian, Scottish and Greek. If you did a closer look you will see that white groups have different cultures that set them apart. The same way Punjabi, Gurjarti and Bengali are all Indian but they have things that see them apart.
Can you ascribe cultural traits amongst Anglo Saxon white people that leads so many of them into criminality and into drug dealing, drug smuggling, and (because lets face it the majority of cocaine users are white), drug snorting?
What about ethnic white groups like Irish, Polish, Swedish, Swiss, Dutch Italian, Scottish and Greek. If you did a closer look you will see that white groups have different cultures that set them apart. The same way Punjabi, Gurjarti and Bengali are all Indian but they have things that see them apart.
well, im from elk grove and i know about this family..and they are not a bunch of angels.
the son has a criminal background…was wanted for shooting, fighting, and his family hide him and told cops that they dont know where he was…bullcrap…
the father incourages his son to fight, the father himself trys to fight with younger youth children…and i know this because he tried to fight with a friend of mine
i think dumbass people such as these ones should be locked up and pay the price for all the bad they have done to others..and try to look all good and act better then others in public..you got what you deservied and that is that
well, im from elk grove and i know about this family..and they are not a bunch of angels.
the son has a criminal background…was wanted for shooting, fighting, and his family hide him and told cops that they dont know where he was…bullcrap…
the father incourages his son to fight, the father himself trys to fight with younger youth children…and i know this because he tried to fight with a friend of mine
i think dumbass people such as these ones should be locked up and pay the price for all the bad they have done to others..and try to look all good and act better then others in public..you got what you deservied and that is that
People need to change their mentality ,instead of blaming others on community issues. If a person starts from himself to change his thinking and sort such issues in a proper way it would better.
==============================
Thomson
Crack Cocaine
People need to change their mentality ,instead of blaming others on community issues. If a person starts from himself to change his thinking and sort such issues in a proper way it would better.
==============================
Thomson
Crack Cocaine
Jodha,
A few points I wanted to make.
Starting with, why do you continue to disparage the government in the US? I don't see you post for awhile and then you come up with this story. How surprising… The italics are mine…
No one in government is encouraging racist or discriminatory behaviour as public policy. If you have information that someone is, then you need to bring it to the Attorney General or local prosecutors office. But you won't because you can't, you just spout your own invectives against the government.
You can't blame the government for everything and expect it to be taken seriously. You undermine yourself with such ridiculous accusations.
Secondly, as for the truckers, of the criminals, how many of them are actually practicing Sikhs who engage in this behaviour? Just because some of them are from a 'Sikh' background doesn't qualify them to be included as Sikhs in any factual sense. Being a Sikh is more than just a social club identifier. These people if you asked them what they are, would 9 times out of 10 say 'Punjabi' as the first thing out of their mouths, whereas, I would venture that people with a Sikh identity would say 'Sikh'…
Thirdly, Jodha, you are taking a general community social issue and framing it around Sikhs. You make such sweeping generalizations such as,
How is it a common problem amongst Punjabi Sikhs? Do you know how many Punjabi Sikhs there are in BC, Ont, and the US who drive trucks and rigs? 20 thousand, maybe more? What percentage of them are involved in drug running?
If you accept there are about 20k Punjabi Sikhs in trucking, which is a lot for this one industry, in North America then what percentage are all truckers of the total Punjabi Sikh population? There are at least 300k Punjabi Sikhs in Canada (they may self-identify as Sikhs but may not be in any practicing or factual sense) alone. In the US in total maybe you have that many. So you have around lets say 600k Punjabi Sikhs in Canada and US combined. Out of that you have maybe 20k in trucking industry, which is 1 out of 30 or roughly 3%. I would venture there are at least that many or more Punjabi Sikhs who work in the service sector industries including gas stations, 7-11s, convenience stores, fast food industry… So how is it in any way common for Punjabi Sikhs to be involved in drugs in the trucking industry?
In Conclusion, what is common is for some people to try and malign all Sikhs for the actions of a few and exaggerate stories and anecdotes for their own purposes. That's what's common.
Regards.
Jodha,
A few points I wanted to make.
Starting with, why do you continue to disparage the government in the US? I don’t see you post for awhile and then you come up with this story. How surprising… The italics are mine…
No one in government is encouraging racist or discriminatory behaviour as public policy. If you have information that someone is, then you need to bring it to the Attorney General or local prosecutors office. But you won’t because you can’t, you just spout your own invectives against the government.
You can’t blame the government for everything and expect it to be taken seriously. You undermine yourself with such ridiculous accusations.
Secondly, as for the truckers, of the criminals, how many of them are actually practicing Sikhs who engage in this behaviour? Just because some of them are from a ‘Sikh’ background doesn’t qualify them to be included as Sikhs in any factual sense. Being a Sikh is more than just a social club identifier. These people if you asked them what they are, would 9 times out of 10 say ‘Punjabi’ as the first thing out of their mouths, whereas, I would venture that people with a Sikh identity would say ‘Sikh’…
Thirdly, Jodha, you are taking a general community social issue and framing it around Sikhs. You make such sweeping generalizations such as,
How is it a common problem amongst Punjabi Sikhs? Do you know how many Punjabi Sikhs there are in BC, Ont, and the US who drive trucks and rigs? 20 thousand, maybe more? What percentage of them are involved in drug running?
If you accept there are about 20k Punjabi Sikhs in trucking, which is a lot for this one industry, in North America then what percentage are all truckers of the total Punjabi Sikh population? There are at least 300k Punjabi Sikhs in Canada (they may self-identify as Sikhs but may not be in any practicing or factual sense) alone. In the US in total maybe you have that many. So you have around lets say 600k Punjabi Sikhs in Canada and US combined. Out of that you have maybe 20k in trucking industry, which is 1 out of 30 or roughly 3%. I would venture there are at least that many or more Punjabi Sikhs who work in the service sector industries including gas stations, 7-11s, convenience stores, fast food industry… So how is it in any way common for Punjabi Sikhs to be involved in drugs in the trucking industry?
In Conclusion, what is common is for some people to try and malign all Sikhs for the actions of a few and exaggerate stories and anecdotes for their own purposes. That’s what’s common.
Regards.
Kaptaan,
I have to wonder if you read the same posting from Jodha as I did. It clearly says… and I quote:
So you went off on this huge tangent to reiterate the same thing Jodha said. Though I share your frustrations with stereotyping and false assumptions.. I think you were off the mark on this one.
Respectfully…
Kaptaan,
I have to wonder if you read the same posting from Jodha as I did. It clearly says… and I quote:
So you went off on this huge tangent to reiterate the same thing Jodha said. Though I share your frustrations with stereotyping and false assumptions.. I think you were off the mark on this one.
Respectfully…
Kaptaan,
Click on the link provided in the article.
Just in case you missed it, here it is.
Best and Rabb Rakha!
Kaptaan,
Click on the link provided in the article.
Just in case you missed it, here it is.
Best and Rabb Rakha!
Anyone figure out the connection between this story and what went down in Sacramento yet?
Anyone figure out the connection between this story and what went down in Sacramento yet?
Toor, so it's either a common problem or its only a marginal segment of the population doing this. It can't be both and you have shown how Jodha doesn't make sense saying both things in the same article. Common implies that the behaviour is more than just marginal and that it is widespread and prevalent.
You took him to mean that it is an UNcommon occurrence based on him writing that its a small group of individuals, but Jodha clearly states that it is common. So which is it?
I would recommend that Jodha just stop posting. Time to get someone else. Why not enlist someone with a strong knowledge of Gurmat to post articles related to Sikhi?
regards.
Toor, so it’s either a common problem or its only a marginal segment of the population doing this. It can’t be both and you have shown how Jodha doesn’t make sense saying both things in the same article. Common implies that the behaviour is more than just marginal and that it is widespread and prevalent.
You took him to mean that it is an UNcommon occurrence based on him writing that its a small group of individuals, but Jodha clearly states that it is common. So which is it?
I would recommend that Jodha just stop posting. Time to get someone else. Why not enlist someone with a strong knowledge of Gurmat to post articles related to Sikhi?
regards.
Jodha,
I read the link you made to the TIME magazine article (earlier as well). While the idea that you can identify "Islamics" by turbans is ignorant, those weren't the words of the instructor conducting the 'eyes and ears' program, from what I read those were the words of individual truckers who were showing their own bias in an interview conducted AFTER the session was over.
The bigoted remarks, racism, and discrimination are NOT government sponsored. You don't know if the people running the program to identify people acting suspiciously told them to 'off the record' to 'profile', but we know for a fact that they tell people in these kinds of programs 'on the record', as TIME indicated, to NOT profile. The following is a quote from page 1 of the TIME article talking about what Jeffrey Beatty said in his session,
Your link, in fact, only shows that the government program actually tells people not to be BIASED or to racially/ religiously profile. Racism on the part of individual truckers is not the fault of the government, but if anything it is an indictment of the public education system which failed to brainwash, I mean teach, those people in the state run school system to not be bigots.
BTW, you end your comments with Rabb Rakha and try to show a 'moderate' face, but at the same time you say 'there's no point' in engaging in debate or discussion. Is that because you have such an 'open' mind and the Langar Hall is supposed to be a place to 'conversate'?
My problem with your articles is your consistent anti-government bias. You are being intellectually dishonest in this case by not indicating that the bias you claim is government sponsored is nothing of the sort. When I point this kind of behaviour on your part out in my comments, you fail to acknowledge this as well… I'm wondering what you'll do in this case when your bias is so blatant.
regards,
Kaptaan
Jodha,
I read the link you made to the TIME magazine article (earlier as well). While the idea that you can identify “Islamics” by turbans is ignorant, those weren’t the words of the instructor conducting the ‘eyes and ears’ program, from what I read those were the words of individual truckers who were showing their own bias in an interview conducted AFTER the session was over.
The bigoted remarks, racism, and discrimination are NOT government sponsored. You don’t know if the people running the program to identify people acting suspiciously told them to ‘off the record’ to ‘profile’, but we know for a fact that they tell people in these kinds of programs ‘on the record’, as TIME indicated, to NOT profile. The following is a quote from page 1 of the TIME article talking about what Jeffrey Beatty said in his session,
Your link, in fact, only shows that the government program actually tells people not to be BIASED or to racially/ religiously profile. Racism on the part of individual truckers is not the fault of the government, but if anything it is an indictment of the public education system which failed to brainwash, I mean teach, those people in the state run school system to not be bigots.
BTW, you end your comments with Rabb Rakha and try to show a ‘moderate’ face, but at the same time you say ‘there’s no point’ in engaging in debate or discussion. Is that because you have such an ‘open’ mind and the Langar Hall is supposed to be a place to ‘conversate’?
My problem with your articles is your consistent anti-government bias. You are being intellectually dishonest in this case by not indicating that the bias you claim is government sponsored is nothing of the sort. When I point this kind of behaviour on your part out in my comments, you fail to acknowledge this as well… I’m wondering what you’ll do in this case when your bias is so blatant.
regards,
Kaptaan
My personal view on this is that no one has a right to say anything. FOr instance, yes what happened was wrong and no one should do drugs, but who are we to gossip and say anything to these people. Instead of blaming them and what our sikhs are doing wrong how about we try to find solutions to these kind of problems. Instead of being so judgeamental lets focus on making our sikh community better. Another thing is that only god can judge us and I find it quite interesting how everyone on here is blaming one another.
Thank You.
My personal view on this is that no one has a right to say anything. FOr instance, yes what happened was wrong and no one should do drugs, but who are we to gossip and say anything to these people. Instead of blaming them and what our sikhs are doing wrong how about we try to find solutions to these kind of problems. Instead of being so judgeamental lets focus on making our sikh community better. Another thing is that only god can judge us and I find it quite interesting how everyone on here is blaming one another.
Thank You.
Yea, Mr. Dhami is completely innocent of the charges and accusations, right. And I'm a giant, talking, yellow canary.
The DEA doesn't mistakenly arrest someone. They conduct months, and sometimes even years, of investigation to gather evidence that leads them to make an arrest. If Mr. Dhami was smart to begin with, he wouldn't be in this situation. Along the line somewhere, Mr. Dhami dropped the ball and made a stupid mistake or mistakes. So, he only has himself to blame.
You can't blame his naive family for sticking up for him though.
Personally, I think it's great that the DEA busted a foreigner importing marijuana into the US. We have enough of our own good smoke, and the profit should be going to the benefit of our own country and not to some raghead from Canada, especially given the current state of our economy.
I'm not a proponent of the War on Drugs but, in this case, I'm glad the DEA put an end to his operation.
Yea, Mr. Dhami is completely innocent of the charges and accusations, right. And I’m a giant, talking, yellow canary.
The DEA doesn’t mistakenly arrest someone. They conduct months, and sometimes even years, of investigation to gather evidence that leads them to make an arrest. If Mr. Dhami was smart to begin with, he wouldn’t be in this situation. Along the line somewhere, Mr. Dhami dropped the ball and made a stupid mistake or mistakes. So, he only has himself to blame.
You can’t blame his naive family for sticking up for him though.
Personally, I think it’s great that the DEA busted a foreigner importing marijuana into the US. We have enough of our own good smoke, and the profit should be going to the benefit of our own country and not to some raghead from Canada, especially given the current state of our economy.
I’m not a proponent of the War on Drugs but, in this case, I’m glad the DEA put an end to his operation.
I know plenty of truck drivers and have delt with plenty of drug users and dealers. Just because someone wears a turban or claims to be a Sikh does not put them on a high podium. This is just an illusion in your own mind fed to you since you were kids. When the person has not connected with the guru spiritually it makes no difference if he/she is from the Sikh community, Christian, Jewish etc. if they run in drugs they are sinful as the next sinner.
Lets not bash on these people to hard. Just walk into your local grocery store like Bel-air and you will see shelf after shelf of alcohol which kills and ruins just as many families as drugs. One just markets their drug better then the other guy making it socially acceptable. I am not promoting that what these people are doing is good, but who hasn’t, Italians, Chinese, Mexicans, African Americans, White Americans the list just goes on. You should not be shamed in anyway of your people, who are you a shamed to? People who have a history of Slave trade, gun running, dropping nuclear bombs, glorying the porn industry, whipping out Native Americans.
And Suki
“Illegal satellite dishes to get the channels from India that are not available on the 2 dishes that are legal in Canada. These are the dishes were if the signal goes down, somebody punch in new code for a smart card to get them going”.
They are only illegal if you get free HBO, Zee Tv etc. all the rest are illegal because people have been blinded by corporations such as Dish network, Direct Tv and Comcast and do not know that all tv transmission is free what these dish and cable companies charge us for is bringing the signal to our homes, if we can do it with our own code, there is nothing illegal about it. All dish network is doing is the same thing just charging you for different packages. It is illegal as long as you allow the corporations to bully you around; fight back, getting your own satellite is the best way, stop using Windows start using Ubuntu it is free and comes with openoffice.org (similar to Microsoft office) which is excellent for high school level students and most college level. Knowledge through all medias is the God given right of all peoples no corporations should be allowed to profit off of it, which regulates and denies some.
I know plenty of truck drivers and have delt with plenty of drug users and dealers. Just because someone wears a turban or claims to be a Sikh does not put them on a high podium. This is just an illusion in your own mind fed to you since you were kids. When the person has not connected with the guru spiritually it makes no difference if he/she is from the Sikh community, Christian, Jewish etc. if they run in drugs they are sinful as the next sinner.
Lets not bash on these people to hard. Just walk into your local grocery store like Bel-air and you will see shelf after shelf of alcohol which kills and ruins just as many families as drugs. One just markets their drug better then the other guy making it socially acceptable. I am not promoting that what these people are doing is good, but who hasn’t, Italians, Chinese, Mexicans, African Americans, White Americans the list just goes on. You should not be shamed in anyway of your people, who are you a shamed to? People who have a history of Slave trade, gun running, dropping nuclear bombs, glorying the porn industry, whipping out Native Americans.
And Suki
“Illegal satellite dishes to get the channels from India that are not available on the 2 dishes that are legal in Canada. These are the dishes were if the signal goes down, somebody punch in new code for a smart card to get them going”.
They are only illegal if you get free HBO, Zee Tv etc. all the rest are illegal because people have been blinded by corporations such as Dish network, Direct Tv and Comcast and do not know that all tv transmission is free what these dish and cable companies charge us for is bringing the signal to our homes, if we can do it with our own code, there is nothing illegal about it. All dish network is doing is the same thing just charging you for different packages. It is illegal as long as you allow the corporations to bully you around; fight back, getting your own satellite is the best way, stop using Windows start using Ubuntu it is free and comes with openoffice.org (similar to Microsoft office) which is excellent for high school level students and most college level. Knowledge through all medias is the God given right of all peoples no corporations should be allowed to profit off of it, which regulates and denies some.