Gentle FudgeGentle Fudge

Gentle Fudge

religion, politics, current events, and other fashionable dinner conversation.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Can We Handle the Proof?

Controversy surrounding the photographic evidence from 'alleged' abuse of Iraqi and Afghani prisoners of war are now pushed to the forefront of our minds and demanding to be dealt with in this new presidency. What has been repeated over and over in proverb have again prophetically rose from the ashes: Deeds men do in darkness and shadow will be shown in the light of day for what they truly are.

But dare we publish these disturbing images? Could we actually suggest that there are those in our own ranks that have sunk to the basest of things and taken on nothing more than animalistic behavior, nothing more than something befitting of a sociopath seen in a WWII movie or horror flick? Surely not in our own military. Not one of ours. They're the Good Guys. Only those who side with The Terrorists would use such tactics as raping an innocent woman or torturing a man beyond his capacity for pain. Yet somehow there is evidence of this. Or alleged evidence. But it could be misplaced. Or taken out of context. Or perhaps that person could have asked for such abuse, if information was being withheld. Always the victim's fault. (S)He asked for it.

And of course, if these images were to get out, then all of our own troops would be in danger. Eye for an eye. That's the way that side of the world works. So it would be best to keep this information behind closed doors and let our military keep to itself and discipline itself. Just as it disciplines the men who rape or abuse the women in our own ranks. Don't ask, don't tell, right?

So yes, we should just cover it up. After all, I'm sure we all would have been better off without the pictures of Auswitz and the gas chambers and East Germany with the Berlin Wall and Russia during the Cold War. Life is far better with repression and false memories of the Golden Years. After all, we never do anything wrong.

And we should never apologize because the U.S. never makes mistakes.

See also: Pro Liberate: "Again, May God Forgive Us"
Additional information from The Rutherford Institute can be read in their report here.

Labels: Afghanistan, christian, conservative, current events, forgiveness, human rights, Iraq, Islam, liberal, middle east, politics, religion, right-wing, spirituality, war, women's issues

posted by Sara @ 11:08 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 29, 2007

State of the Union

People are confusing. Being the cynic that I am, I will generally subscribe that good can come about if we're willing to work at it. But this is the age of instant gratification. We want our rice cooked and on the plate in 90 seconds. We will sit with our turn-signal on, waiting for the soccer mom to load up her three young children in the SUV to get that prime parking spot 20 feet from the entrance even though there are open spots further down the row. We will spend an extra $5.00 for convenient, ready-to-serve entrees without caring about the extra "ingredients" that require a B.A. in chemistry to decipher. What exactly is "caramel color" and why is used both in Coca-Cola and sliced roast beef?

This spills over into not thinking before we speak. After all, we can always take a page from Hollywood and go into rehab if we offend or over-indulge. Take the latest from America's favorite state, Virginia. First, the George Allen Scandal which may have cost him the election. Now, Senator Virgil Goode.

The Chair of the Charlottesville Sierra Club wrote Congressman Virgil Goode. True to our automated nature, a letter came back that struck a nerve. It was published first in the local weekly and soon made its rounds over the World Wide Web. Now, I am all for free speech, but as a representative of the people, I also believe in discretion.

In brief, Keith Ellison, a Muslim, had been elected to serve the Fifth District of Minnesota. Apparently Sen. Goode took exception to that and, in his letter, made it known: "When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to the Koran in any way. ...(I)f American citizens don't wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran." Sen. Goode refused to apologize for the letter and stood by his statements. A representative from his office stated that the letter had been sent in error and was meant for "other" constituents.

Reminding Sen. Goode that he was an American citizen, Sen. Ellison decided to use Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Koran for his swearing in. Even tastier is that Jefferson has strong ties to Charlottesville; the founding father is the little town's claim to fame, next to Dave Matthews. The University of Virginia was founded by Mr. Jefferson and his home, Monticello (flip over your nickel for a picture), is open for tours.

True xtianity states that we are to love others as ourselves, even if we disagree. The tone of Sen. Goode's letter is anything but that. Why would anyone wish to take an oath on something that is not personal? Would Sen. Goode take his oath over the Egyptian Book of the Dead if it were our common religious book?

There was some local retaliation against Sen. Goode which I do not condone. As with others who have been caught in the snare of bad judgment or hatred, forgiveness is the only acceptable outcome with or without the guilty requesting it. I didn't say blind trust. I didn't say looking the other way. I didn't say repressing the memory. I didn't say laying down and letting it happen again and again. It is more so for us, so bitterness doesn't eat away at our conscience. It's hard. It takes work. It is not for those who wish to get over it and move on "now."

I do wish for an admission of guilt, but I don't see that happening. As ignorant as I think Sen. Goode is, I do [wish to] forgive him and pray that his eyes open up to see that this country is made up of all races, religions, and creeds. That is what it was based on; freedom to believe what you will, not being forced to attend church, not experiencing persecution if you subscribe to a different religion or denomination, not having to revere the government as infallible under threat of prison or death.

In a grand display of public forgiveness, Sen. Ellison sought out Sen. Goode and extended his hand in friendship and was accepted. I hope the exchange was more than just politics as usual.

Labels: Islam, politics, religion

posted by Sara @ 12:55 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Impulsivity

There have been death threats issued against the pope. A nun was killed in Somalia. This coming from a peaceful religious group, supposedly. They were cited (in a reading from an ancient text) as being violent, so they wish to disprove this through violence. Huh?

I understand the basic teachings of Islam and the command to eliminate enemies who wish them harm. But I still want to hear the quiet voices of Islam saying "This isn't the way." There was one last night on the local news, but he still began by denouncing the pope.

I'm not Catholic in the denominational sense, but I am trying to practice a more catholic (universal) faith. So seeing any one religious group start [physically] attacking another hurts. It makes me wonder what G-d thinks, watching all of this.

Misunderstandings breed like rabbits. Forgiveness needs to be first and foremost at the front no matter what. The pope has apologized. Twice. Now can I possibly relate firsthand at what was said? No. I will never be able to empathize fully. I have an inquiry put out to my bhai to possibly gain some better insight.

I am careful not to jump to conclusions or think that this is a simple situation the simple solution that can be solved through a 23 minute sitcom. All we can do at this point is wait and pray. I wish it were easier on the stomach.

Addition (10/04/06):
From Spaeth Communications Bimbo Awards

The Power of Words
Pope Benedict XVI made global news at a scholarly lecture he gives annually in Germany where he quoted the 14th century Byzantine emporer Manuel II Paleogus. The lengthy quote was meant to highlight the debate about whether faith can, or should, be spread by violence, however the phrase that made headlines was "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

(The incident touched off riots, violence and one death, reminiscent of the Danish cartoons satirizing Mohammed which touched off riots and attacks. Many thought the Pope had attained his goals of highlighting the need not only for Muslim-Christian dialogue but, more importantly, for Muslims to grapple with what defines Islam.) CNN.com, "Muslim Fury at Pope Jihad Comments," Sept. 15, 2006

Labels: forgiveness, Islam, pope

posted by Sara @ 8:38 AM 0 comments

About Me

Name: Sara
Home: gypsy wanderer, United States
About Me: Those who know me find me stubborn, opinionated, open-minded, strong-willed, of some intelligence, and yet they still hang around.
See my complete profile