Ahmed Sharif, the New York City cab driver stabbed after allegedly being asked if he was Muslim, described the violent attack to local TV news reporters, saying he pleaded with his attacker not to kill him.

The man accused of stabbing a Muslim NYC cab driver hardly has the background one might expect from someone charged with a hate crime committed in a drunken rage.

"Ground Zero mosque" mania reaches exciting new heights. Last night a cabbie picked up a man at 24th and Second. The passenger asked "Are you Muslim?" The driver answered yes, and was promptly stabbed. He survived, thank god(s).

This is the new path to success: quit Wall Street, drive a cab, and then make it big in the TV business. Are you listening, laid off derivatives traders? It works!

Oh, so that's why there are flower decals on all the cabs. They were produced by a group called Garden in Transit, and the flowers were designed by kids. Horrible, hateful, evil kids. "Many New Yorkers have been delighted" by these decals, claims Jennifer 8. Lee. We dispute that made-up characterization! In any event, the project celebrates the taxi's 100th anniversary. [NYT]