Posted on 10/06/2007 5:24:29 PM PDT by Alouette
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. --A Muslim inmate is suing a southwest Missouri jail, claiming the facility's administrators violated his religious rights by feeding him sandwiches with a pork product concealed in them.
Odell M. Edwards, who as a Muslim is not allowed to eat pork, filed his lawsuit against the Greene County Justice Center this past week in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Jail officials maintain that the jelly is made with fruit pectin extracted from plants. Pectin is a natural substance that thickens jams and jellies.
The sandwiches in question were served to Edwards and other Muslim inmates during the holy month of Ramadan. Jail Director C.E. Wells said officials consulted with a Muslim spiritual adviser when planning the Ramadan menu, and the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were preapproved.
But Edwards said the jelly in the sandwiches contained gelatin, which is often extracted from pig tissue. He appears to be seeking $250,000 per day for the period in which he was served the jelly.
Edwards, a federal prisoner, is awaiting trial in Springfield on drug charges. He's been an inmate since April 2006.
It's not clear whether the court will dismiss the lawsuit as unfounded - which is what happens to many such cases - or allow it to proceed.
Edwards said in a court filing that jail guards told him on Sept. 12 that his meals contained pork and had for some time. Edwards filed a request for remedy with the jail, asking to see the jelly ingredients and demanding a cultured cook or a dietitian that handled Muslim and pork-free foods.
"I would also like to be compensated for the foul act!" he wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at bnd.com ...
...better than lead (in Iraq.)
I hope he wins. That would surely trigger a Risk Management reaction amongst the authorities everywhere. Thereafter all Muslims would be fed “safe” foods only in prisons, hospitals, the armed forces, and other government institutions where the authorities decide the menu.
Muslims in these places would get mighty tired of an unvarying diet of bread and water, and Odell would probably find himself exceedingly unpopular at the mosque very quickly: he might never live to spend his $250,000 per day.
Nothing wrong with poetic justice.
He is probably correct.Feed him lead instead.
First he complains about the pork. Now he complains about the chicken.
I enjoy Jimmy Dean pork sausage almost every Saturday and Sunday morning. It’s mighty good stuff, and seems as good now as it was 20 years ago.
No reason Odell shouldn’t enjoy a tasty bite of good quality ground hog. :)
“Sweaty meat for an orange... Yo, sweaty meat for an orange, You mutha F****** listen? I got orange drink for sweaty meat ...”
Kentucky has its own jelly? ;)
Any citizen who refuses the pork rind should be immediately deported to the non porcine nation of their choice, at their own expence. Home Security is actually quite simple.
Thanks to Piggly Wiggly.
B-52s should be dropping live pigs onto Tehran from 50 thousand feet, to help the poor starving bustards. While we are at it, release a herd of pigs daily inside the UN, and the halls of that wonderful institution would be far cleaner than they are now.
What IS the terminal velocity of a dropped pig I wonder,greased lightening!
Come on, now. There are many better ways for screening out potential terrorists. And you would denying entry to Jews who observe dietary laws as well as vegetarians, for example.
Ditto
He SHOULD have been fed TO the pigs.
I see we have a Deadwood fan here
I don't know why but you post made me think of this joke.
A priest and a rabbi were flying to a conference and decided to engage in some small talk to pass the time.
The priest asked the rabbi, "is it true you cannot eat pork rabbi?"
The rabbi nodded yes, "It is forbidden to consume pork."
"Have you always followed this law rabbi?" the priest asked.
The rabbi looked thoughtfully and said, "Once I broke down and had a ham sandwich."
The two were silent for a moment then the rabbi asked the priest, "Is it true that priests may not have sex?"
"This is true," said the priest, "we may not have sex."
Have you always obeyed this commandment?" asked the rabbi.
The priest nodded negatively, "Once I was weak and had sex."
Both men were silent for a few moments and the rabbi said, "Sure beats the hell out a ham sandwich doesn't it?"
Thanks for the ping.... one can never guess what one eats... IIICKKKK I have a totally different opinion about PB&J’s.
He was? GOOD!
Too Bad
He bought his own pork chop
Here’s a suggestion, Mohammed, don’t get your butt thrown in jail and you won’t have this problem.
My family also ?
(Jewish)
Ever been in a 52 ? 47’s rule !
Give him his Summary Judgement. Pay him. AFTER deducting and charging him for his detention, upkeep, and frivolous lawsuit cost. How much will he owe us tax payers ?
Wrap his but in bacon !
Hehehe. You must be in "corrections". The food loaf- take everything on a normal inmates plate, put it in a mixer, add bisquick, stick in oven, hand to crazy inmate....repeat until said inmate asks for "real" food again.......
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