Left I on the News

A story that got coverage on the news yesterday involved some racists on a New York subway attacking some Jews, and a Muslim man coming to their aid (successfully stopping the attack and getting beat up himself in the process). Some versions of the story, including the one I heard on TV, say he "ended up in the hospital." But, in what Lenin's Tomb calls an "All-American Muslim story," that's not true. Only the New York Daily News reports the real story:

Askari, all of 5-feet-7 and 140 pounds, said he was left with a swollen face.

He said he didn't go to the doctor because he's too busy working two waiter jobs and doesn't have the money for medical care.

George Bush would be so proud (if only Askari weren't a Muslim). I'm sure at least some of you remember Bush's response to the woman who mentioned she had three jobs:

THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?

MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.

THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)

Yup, funny stuff, hyuk, hyuk. George didn't dare ask her why she was working three jobs, or if any of them provided medical coverage.

Incidentally, in one of the more bizarre aspects of this tale, I can find absolutely no evidence that the New York Times has ever mentioned this story (searching for both the name of the Muslim and the original Jewish victim on both the Times site and on Yahoo News).