I often find myself disagreeing with Phil Luciano, especially in regards to his snarky antagonism to the Smoke Free Illinois Act. However, I have to give him kudos for his column today. Luciano dispels some nasty internet rumors flying about regarding the new owner of a Bartonville gas station – Yosef Abdullah, an American citizen.
Abdullah took down the American flag that used to fly over the former Freedom Oil outlet, which started the rumors flying. He took it down because it was ripped, not because he “hated America” like some contended in a series of emails demanding a boycott of Abdullah’s station. He has a new American flag ready to fly when the station re-opens.
All along, he [Abdullah] had planned on displaying the new banner at the end of repairs. But he doesn’t like being bullied by know-nothings.
“It’s up to me to put up the flag. That’s freedom,” he says. “I ordered the flag. I want to put the flag up. But I don’t want people to tell me to put up the flag.
” … Why don’t they go to other gas stations and tell them to put up a flag?”
You tell ‘em, Yosef! I think I’ll make a trip over the McNaughton Bridge to purchase my next tank of gas.
Thanks to Phil Luciano for highlighting this issue in his column.
Addendum: PI and the Pundit also put the smackdown on local racism.
2 responses so far ↓
1
Ms. Teacher
// Jun 2, 2007 at 11:17 am
One of my “friends” just circulated this ugly rumor as a bulletin on MySpace, and I couldn’t believe her poor judgment. I’m so glad Phil went there and got the real story. I think I’ll be frequenting that gas station as well. Thanks, KiD!
2
Lyle Meece
// Jun 6, 2007 at 12:32 pm
I was not a big fan of Mr. Luciano. He however, is not a writer to be liked. He wants to be read. And read him I do. He wrotabout a man with an extensive criminal past. He stated that Peoria was better off with out him. A class at Greeley Alternative Safe school thought it was an unfair column. The teacher contacted Mr. Luciano and told him what the class felt. He came to the school, and defended his column. I thought that was huge. So, now I read him, and like him sorta.
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