Facebook Exchange Proves My Point

One of my Facebook Friends, I'll call Chad, posted the photo below, which came to him via the "Liberal And Proud Of It" FB page. One of his Friends, the father of one of his high school classmates, took great exception and posted a comment to that effect. That prompted a string of comments, including a couple from one of Chad's lifelong friends. All of that left me musing, once again, about how so many labels in our world, such as "Christian" and "liberal" and "conservative" have been turned on their heads.

Here's the photo Chad posted:



Here's the comment from Chad's former classmate's father, whose first name is Bill:

"Do you remember when you learned to strip down, inspect and repair the brake and safety systems on your car? It was taught to you by a STRAIGHT, CHRISTIAN, REPUBLICAN, CORPORATE EMPLOYEE on his day off, using his own tools and buying you parts at wholesale, simply because he cared about you and knew your dad couldn't do that for your. Please remember that before posting your ANTI-CHRISTIAN, ANTI-REPUBLICAN, ANTI-CORPORATION HATE MESSAGE ON MY WALL. I would still do the same thing today if it was needed, regardless of POLITICS, RELIGION OR ORIENTATION because I was always taught THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I still love and respect you even though I don't agree with many of your points of view. Keep sending your pictures on animals and other amazing wonders of GOD'S CREATION, I like those."

Here's the first response from Chad's lifelong friend:

"Bill, I'm sure Chad remembers every kindness he's received with great gratitude...and I'm sure he's passed them on in spades to others...because that is the kind of person he is. I'm sure he was also able to recognize good in you, despite whatever vile thing apparently festering in you would make you say such a hateful thing to someone you supposedly "love and respect" just because you dislike what he says, because, again, that's Chad. No one is forcing you to read what Chad posts, but rather than politely ignoring his posts, or quietly blocking them or unfriending him altogether (heaven forbid you attempt a polite discussion), you choose to make a crude and shameful attempt to muzzle him by turning something that may have been a kindness thirty-some years ago into a manipulation...bringing his dad into it for an extra kick to the tenders. Just because you say you're a Christian, doesn't make you Christ-like. You certainly don't appear to treat others in any way that I've heard Christ teach. No doubt Chad would respond to you with the care and courtesy you have failed to afford him, but I have no problem suggesting (that) you...nah, it sounds like your world is hate filled enough already."

Then Chad posted this comment:

"The site this came from is 'Being Liberal'. I posted the picture not because of the origin but because of the message. The message accurately reflects what you and many others thought me.

You are a generous and kind man. Your daughter is one of my dearest friends. Our relationships are not based on similar (or different) beliefs. Rather, in my humble opinion, we share similar values, experiences, hopes and dreams.

My posts are meant to be anti-hypocrisy and anti-discrimination. There are many who fall in to that category. Left, right, center, religious and not.

I hope to provoke thought. I am saddened that I provoked this response from you.

Liberal is not a dirty word. Neither is conservative. Christian is not a negative label. Neither should be atheist.

I will attempt to filter some of the 'negative' page origins of the content of things that I share. I am always happy to discuss issues." 

That elicited this comment from Chad's ll friend:

"(Chad), you have a generous, tolerant and forgiving heart."

At this point another of Chad's FB Friends, who does not know either Bill or his daughter (Chad's former classmate), posted the following comment:

 “I have found that there is nothing black or white, no person wholly good or wholly evil. Kernels of truth, food for thought, acceptable moral rules of behavior can be found many places some we may not fully agree with or like. I search for truth and moments that touch me in all things and I never "throw out the baby with the bath water".”

That Friend then posted this:

“"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." : Mahatma Gandhi”

That Gandhi quote summed it up so well for me.

Bill's comment, in castigating Chad for his postings as anti-Christian and hate filled, was itself so anti-Christian -- or more accurately, anti-Christ, in that it was so antithetical to how Jesus led his life and wanted his followers to lead theirs -- and brimmed with hate-filled judgmental rhetoric about those who don't echo his version of Christianity.

It also encapsulated so much of what has gone askew in today's neo-Christian, regressive segment of society. 

Although I have no intention of engaging in Chad's FB-posting debate, I was tempted to tell Bill that:

(1) Christian and Republican are not synonymous,

(2) The Jesus of the Bible was inclusive, not exclusive, and embraced prostitutes, beggars, non-corporatites, and most likely homosexuals, too, although he never mentioned homosexuality in any way.

(3) That as a blue-collar worker (which I know Bill was) employed by a corporation, you benefited and continue to benefit mightily from liberals and policies liberals enacted into law, including the Social Security payments you now receive and the Medicare that has kept you out of poverty due to medical expenses you would never have been able to pay for out of yous pocket and that would not be covered by insurance as you and all Americans of your advanced age would have been kicked off your insurance plans because of pre-existing conditions.

(4) I don't know what your being straight has to do with Chad or the picture he posted--or his other postings since Chad is straight and has never behaved in any way that might lead anyone to think otherwise, not that you or anyone else would have the right or authority to judge him if he were not straight.

(5) Chad has posted nothing on your Wall. Chad posts his Status Updates on his own Wall (or Timeline as it's now called). They appear on your Wall/Timeline because you Friended him. As Chad's ll friend pointed out, you can Hide any or all of Chad's posts so you doesn't have to see them or you can unFriend Chad. You are in your own driver's seat.

This FB exchange seems so apropos to the theme of this blog as it illustrates so vividly this Brave New Alice-in-Wonderland world in which "conservative" has become "liberal" -- given the very liberal expression of hate, intolerance and narrow mindedness of those who claim to be conservative -- and those labeled liberal are truly conservative in so many ways, and that so many who claim to be Christian act like anything but.

Dishonoring the Uniform

A despicable email with the subject, “ I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS...... A Must See !” is flying around cyberspace, primarily, from the looks of it, among military veterans. That’s how it ended up in the inbox of my husband, a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. It was forwarded by a friend of his and included some of their mutual acquaintances as other recipients.

 

The email contained a photograph of five men standing on a dais. Three are military officers – Navy, Army and Air Force – who are saluting. One is a civilian whose right hand is over his heart. The other is President Barack Obama, whose hands are in front of him with his fingers intertwined.

 

The text of the email says:

 

“Every veteran should be especially offended!!    The Crotch Salute!!!!!   by guess who?????  At the Ft. Hood Memorial Service... The Crotch Salute Returns I am sorry folks, but is this the jerk that was elected President of our country? You know, the United States of America . I do believe that saluting the flag goes with that, as does respecting and honoring the service members who have died. Does this pompous ass believe he is above that gesture? If not a salute, how about a hand over the heart like the other guy? He can shower us all with flowery words (via teleprompter) and dazzle us with his bull shit, but actions speak louder. He has no idea about patriotism or respect. EVERYONE needs to see this Pic! How in the hell does he get away with this....How does the Military and our Armed Forces have any respect for this guy ???” The person who forwarded the email to my husband and the other recipients wrote: “Guys, Hope this doesn't go on much longer!” My husband was indeed highly offended, in fact, outraged – but not by the photograph or what the email sender wanted recipients to think was offensive. He was outraged by the email writer’s distortion, false portrayal of President Obama, and his attempt to misinform and to spread such vile propaganda. He was even more outraged that the sender was using military veterans as the vehicle to spew such hate mongering. It took my husband a while to fashion a reply. It also took a lot of soul searching, because he knew his reply could very possibly cost him friendships. This is what he wrote: “Guys, To quote a popular saying, ‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not entitled to their own facts.’

 

I have sent access to information below in viewable video, which I have watched for myself, that refutes the 'crotch salute' nonsense. Every honorably serving veteran should be offended that their service is in any way referenced by this remarkably ignorant, shamelessly false flag waver.

 

The ‘hand over the heart’ issue is less clear cut, but in the vein of the ‘crotch salute’ its intent appears to be racist-level put down. My life teaching as a civilian has been to stand (hat off) and sing the National Anthem and face the flag with hand over heart for the Pledge of Allegiance. The obvious reason for the hand over heart is in the first lines, ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America’. For the National Anthem, I and others do not pledge anything to the song. We stand in respect, most managing to take hats off. The millions at sporting events are not all visibly hand over heart and most usually can't make it to the end of the National Anthem before yelling for their team. Should they be called out for their behavior? Are they unpatriotic? I don't think so.

 

As in the heading of this message... I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, I can't believe that there is not a discernable difference between not liking an individual and spreading provably false information about them. And that intelligent professional individuals grasp onto bogus information from erstwhile political sources that would never pass a credibility check in any other part of their lives. With me, shared political views is not a requirement for friendship. Like you, I'm a veteran who believes in sometimes jumping on the bandwagon for the dignity of military honors, the flag and our country, but there must be care to see that the lead vehicle selected to represent our views in the procession is a well-decorated float, not a garbage truck.

 

Best wishes.”

 

My husband added links to these two websites of the photograph and explanations of what President Obama was attending (not Ft. Hood ceremony), and what was going on (neither the playing of the National Anthem nor the recitation of the Pledge to the Flag).

 

1. snopes.com: Barack Obama at Arlington on Veterans Day ••• 
Photograph shows President Obama during a 2009 Veterans Day ceremony?
...or the Flag is going by, or WHAT, but EVERYBODY in the picture is either saluting or has his hand over the HEART. All except ONE. Guess who. I do...
...because it would be inappropriate for him to be engaged in a gesture of saluting himself. (Department of Defense instructions state that "During all...
Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:32:44 GMT http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/photos/veteransday.asp 

2. snopes.com: Barack Obama and the National Anthem ••• 
Barack Obama does not place his hand over his heart when the U.S. national anthem is played?
Wed, 15 Aug 2012 11:24:08 GMT http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp “

Two thoughts came to my mind about the individuals whose names were on the email my husband received.

1.     I know that all were officers when they were in the military and I find calling the person who is serving as President of the United States and the military services' Commander-in-Chief a “jerk” and a “pompous ass” very much to be conduct unbecoming an officer.

2.   I also know that the only reason all of them ever wore the uniform of this country is because they were about to be drafted into the military (we’re talking the 1960s) and took the Air Force officer route to avoid becoming Army draftees (or as they would say, "grunts", and that all of them served the minimum number of years required then got out to become highly successful businessmen. So I do look askance at their now, more than 45 years later, assuming their uber-patriotic flag-waving military-veteran mantles in their attempt to call out the President – and using such a bogus way of trying to do so.

What is honorable or "conservative" about that?  

Evaluating a Job Applicant

Much ado is being made over presidential candidates' tax returns these days. The biggest to do is over 2012 presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's -- or the fact that he won't make the past several years public. His attitude is pretty much, None Of Our Business.

Yet we learn that Romney gave 2008 presidential candidate John McCain 23 years of his returns when McCain was considering Romney as a vice-presidential running mate. That was part of McCain's "vetting" process, we are told.

Romney's recently announced running mate Paul Ryan told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week" that he provided several years of his tax returns to Romney as part of Romney's "vetting" of Ryan.

What strikes me in all of this kerfuffle is that even though Romney would have served in John McCain's administration, had McCain chosen Romney to be on his ticket and won the election, and that the same would be true of Ryan and Romney, neither Romney nor Ryan would have been working for the presidential candidate who tapped them. Both would have been working for us, The People.

The same is true of the presidential candidates themselves. Romney would be, just as President Obama is, working for us. Thus, we should be vetting them. Tax returns provide vital information about not just where and how they accumulate assets, but what they do with those assets. We should demand that their returns be made available for public scrutiny. Should they refuse to do so, as Romney has done to date, that should be considered a deduction from their qualifications.

Just as we as employers in evaluating the qualifications of job applicants -- be they direct employees for a business, a contractor to reroof our house, a plumber to plug a leak, a babysitter to care for our children -- if they refuse to provide information we think pertinent to their character or ability, would we hire them anyway?

What's Wrong With This World?

Following is an email exchange I had with a neighbor the day after the Sikh temple tragedy in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I share it here because she and I both know that, even though we have never gotten into debates, we have different views on various issues: 

MY NEIGHBOR:

The stress of yesterday's attacks at the temple is just so awful.  It's 
amazing 
> how something like this touches a community. We were at a soccer game 
yesterday 
> when my friend's husband was called away (he's a Franklin detective).  Then 
> another mom received a message that her husband, a Milwaukee cop, was being 
sent 
> over there.  I know a member of the Sikh community also and still don't know 
if 
> he was there or worse, one of the casualties.  (My daughter) is friends with a young 
gal 
> who was there and posted it on Facebook.  Some friends of ours lives a block 
> from the killer's home and were evacuated last night. It's all just so 
extremely 
> sad. And to have something like this happen in our quiet community. What is 
> wrong with our world??  I'll be anxious to hear if they have any updates at 
> 10:00.

ME:

e --
Yes, once again a mass shooting invades a quiet Wisconsin community. Wasn't it 
Brookfield where some guy killed several people in church a few years ago? If I 
recall, people there just like in Aurora, Colorado, said the same thing -- how 
can something like this happen in a quiet little place like this?
> 
> 
> What's wrong with this world, you ask?
> 
> 
> You probably didn't expect me to answer, but here's what I think:
> 
> 
> There's a lot wrong, particularly in the U.S.
> 
> 
> 1) Violence is glorified. It permeates everything -- music, movies, television 
shows, video games, sports, domestic and foreign relations, political views. 
Violence is, and is promoted to be, the "court of first resort" in this country.
> 
> 
> 2) Intolerance has become an American value. Socially, culturally, 
religiously, politically and in just about every other way. If you don't like 
the way a person looks, acts, believes, etc., we've been desensitized into 
thinking that "taking 'em out" is the American way.
> 
> 
> 3) "Self" reigns supreme. Americans have become so egocentric that the only 
thing of value is what benefits "me."  "Sense of community' is becoming a ghost 
town. The individual "I's" don't want to take care of anyone else -- especially 
if it might cost "me" any money.
> 
> 
> 4) We turn young people into killing machines, send them into very real 
psychologically distorting guts-oozing and blood-spurting, shoot-first-don't-worry-about-questions-or-consequences 
combat situations then expect them to march back into the normalcy of quiet 
little towns and suburbs to be loving family members and healthy productive 
citizens.
> 
> 
> 5) Gun worship and the obscene promotion of only one half of the 2nd Amendment 
to the U.S. Constitution -- "...the right to bear arms..." -- and pretending the 
other half -- "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a 
free State ..." doesn't exist. And being in denial of the context and times in 
which those words were written.
> 
> 
> 6) The fantastic success those with agendas, such as the very profitable 
financial gain from gun sales, have had promoting the ridiculous notion that 
"guns don't kill people, people do" when the evidence is so stark. Here are 
handgun death stats for last year alone:
>  Great Britain - 8
>  Sweden - 21
>       Switzerland - 34
>  Germany - 42
>  Japan - 48
>  Canada - 52
>  Israel - 58
>       United States - 10,728
> 
> 
> Well, if it's people who kill people and not guns, those stats don't speak 
very well for people in the U.S., do they, especially given that many other 
countries, such as Sweden and Canada have rather liberal gun laws. Yet guns per 
capita in the U.S. is off the scale compared to other countries -- about 90 per 
100 residents. (I'm not for banning gun ownership in this country, but am for 
some sanity regarding sales.) 
> 
> 
> That said, there's an awful lot good about our world, too. 
> 
> 
> Your observation about the way yesterday's tragedy touches a community gives 
me hope that it might be possible to snatch 'sense of community' back from the 
spectre of ghost town. While we in our own little neighborhood hold different 
views on various issues, I have been and continue to be thankful that we have 
put our sense of community above such differences. For everyone to respect the 
fact that 'I think I am as right as I know they think they are' is societal 
glue, so far as I'm concerned. 
> 
> 
> I hope you'll accept this cathartic rant for what it iS. I too am 
grieving for the victims of yesterday's shooting, as well as for those of the 
many previous ones and for those, no doubt, to come. Thank you for your 
shoulder.

>   
MY NEIGHBOR:
Amen.  You said it all too well.  Those are some of the very things 
I've been thinking since yesterday and you phrased it all perfectly.  I know, 
too, that people who do this have to have a missing piece to their psyche -- no 
one of a sane mind could do this type of thing.  But, yes, adding 
righteousness/intolerance to someone's insanity is a dangerous mix along with 
putting a gun in their hands. I'm not for banning guns but I do believe we need 
to find a better way of reviewing a person's character and background before 
allowing them access.  Sure, guns will still be available on the black market 
regardless of laws but maybe things like this might be less.  I think the thing 
that struck me the most with both Aurora and this is that they attack people in 
the most common of places - places where we typically feel secure.  That 
certainly qualifies for terrorism.  And what's hard for me to deal with is what 
this does to our sense of security.  It shakes us to the core because we realize 
we aren't safe anywhere.  I'm saddened also for our children - that this has 
become so common in recent years and it has messed with their sense of security 
as well.  It sickens me.  

I also appreciate your evaluation of our neighborhood.  I know we have different 
feelings about various issues, but we care about and love each other regardless.  
That's what our world should be all about.  
 
Thanks for your email.  It was perfect.


ME:

Thank you.. I am hopeful that if enough people who feel the way you and I do about responsible review of a would-be gun buyer's background, etc., made our views know to lawmakers, there might be a chance for change.
Take care and have a great week.

(ONE THING I DIDN'T INCLUDE IN MY LIST OF WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS WORLD IS THE ASTRONOMICAL RISE IN THE NUMBER OF WHITE HATE GROUPS (I CAN'T CALL THEM SUPREMACISTS. THERE IS NOTHING SUPREME ABOUT THEM) SINCE PRESIDENT OBAMA WAS ELECTED.