Bush's Memorial Day speech

[suzer1013]

This is sort of a meandering post, but bear with me....

I went to an eye appointment this morning, and while I was in the waiting room, the television channel in the room happened to be turned to the President's Memorial Day speech. It would not have been my choice of viewing, but obviously, the tv was not under my control. (And it's not because of lack of respect for our veterans, who I value highly - - I just can't stand even hearing Dubya's voice at this point.)

The whole speech sickened me, as the Coward in Chief tried to tug at our heartstrings to get us to approve of his illegal war. The quote that perked my ears up, however, was this:

"Bush said the greatest memorial to the fallen troops could not be found in the words "we say or the places we gather," and "the more lasting tribute is ... a country where citizens have the right to worship as they want, to march for what they believe, and to say what they think."

(I found the quote on a Chinese news agency -- could not find it on the "official" White House transcript or on U.S. news reports)

At first blush, there appears to be nothing wrong with this comment. But knowing Bush's theocratic agenda, and remembering some of the conversations I've heard about Christians who believe they are under attack -- well, it just made me wonder what he was getting at.

At that moment, an older man across the room from me commented to his wife: "Did you hear what the President said? The right to worship -- that's right -- free of the sodomites trying to take over."

I couldn't believe my ears! I couldn't see too well, because my eyes were dilated, but I shot him an incredulous look. Not much I could really do in the situation, but I sat in disbelief that someone would say such a thing! Well, not disbelief at what he said, but disbelief that he would say it so publicly in a doctor's waiting room. I mean, I see this stuff on the internet all the time, but I rarely hear someone express their anti-gay feelings publicly (aside from protesters at GLBT events).

So, I did the only thing I could do -- held my book up a little higher, so he and his wife could see what I was reading: Elaine Pagels' "Beyond Belief, The Secret Gospel of Thomas." Of course, it may have been lost on them if they don't know who Elaine Pagels is, but I felt it was all I could do. (I had to read the book an inch from my nose anyway, so holding it up was almost necessary!)

I left the appointment flummoxed -- I know that preachers give sermons saying GLBT people are a threat to people's religious belief, that we are trying to take over churches, change the Bible, etc., etc. These folks believe whatever their pastors say, vote for who their pastors tell them to, and repeat the anti-gay rhetoric to anyone who will listen (most unfortunately, their children).

We have a long way to go in teaching love and acceptance. Why, oh why, is it easier for some to embrace a negative, hateful message, than a loving one?

Susan

[andrewlittle]

... but it takes little effort to remain ignorant - very little time invested in reading or learning, certainly free from the discomfort of introspection and self-examination, and then there's those catchy little soundbytes that we can just spit back up whenever someone rings the little bell. I mean, really, don't you wish you could rest your head so comfortably upon or within the soft confines of your own buttocks.

But, no, you had a choose a path of learning, reading, contemplating, debating and on and on ... all that energy wasted that could have spent spouting of unreflective one-liners and watching bloodsports. Such a waste.

[Emproph]

But, no, you had a choose a path of learning, reading, contemplating, debating and on and on ... all that energy wasted that could have spent spouting of unreflective one-liners and watching bloodsports. Such a waste.
Well isn't that the bedspread calling the sheet white..tsk tsk tsk.

~~
The whole speech sickened me, as the Coward in Chief tried to tug at our heartstrings to get us to approve of his illegal war. I ran across the speech earlier too and heard about 6 seconds of how anyone who doesn't support his Iraq debacle is emboldening the terrorists, and then promptly changed the channel. I can't imagine having been forced to sit through the whole infuriating drivel, again, as all his speeches are the same. I've given up on hearing anything intelligent come out of the man's mouth, but he doesn't even change his rhetoric!

Apparently that technique works on some people though, as you had the chance to find out first hand.

"Bush said the greatest memorial to the fallen troops could not be found in the words "we say or the places we gather," and "the more lasting tribute is ... a country where citizens have the right to worship as they want, to march for what they believe, and to say what they think."

At first blush, there appears to be nothing wrong with this comment. But knowing Bush's theocratic agenda, and remembering some of the conversations I've heard about Christians who believe they are under attack -- well, it just made me wonder what he was getting at.

When I read that Bush quote, I thought you were going to say you took it as an allusion to the hate crimes legislation, but this is even worse:

At that moment, an older man across the room from me commented to his wife: "Did you hear what the President said? The right to worship -- that's right -- free of the sodomites trying to take over."

The religious right leaders have fully inculcated their base to associate homosexuality ITSELF with a strategic attack on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.

Susan, I would have lost it.

[marutidas]

... but it takes little effort to remain ignorant - very little time invested in reading or learning, certainly free from the discomfort of introspection and self-examination, and then there's those catchy little soundbytes that we can just spit back up whenever someone rings the little bell. I mean, really, don't you wish you could rest your head so comfortably upon or within the soft confines of your own buttocks.

But, no, you had a choose a path of learning, reading, contemplating, debating and on and on ... all that energy wasted that could have spent spouting of unreflective one-liners and watching bloodsports. Such a waste.

Here ,here.
:D,
By the way, doesn't bush sorta look like a chimp?(not wanting to insult chimps everywhere, just an observation)

[suzer1013]

It was the way he said the word "sodomites", with such venom and disgust in his voice -- similar to the way Fred Phelps might say it. And the choice of that word to begin with -- it was rather shocking to hear in a place like the doctor's office, you know? If I'd been sitting closer to him, and been able to see better, I might have said something. I wouldn't want to start an argument, but perhaps just try to understand why he said such a thing. And perhaps at the same time remind him that the freedom to worship and hold beliefs and march in support of those beliefs applies to EVERYONE (even the "sodomites"!!!).

Susan

[Zerbie]

Hiya Suze,

Ain't that mind-boggling?

I really don't know what to say. I have NO idea what, if anything, I would have said or done. Especially if I couldn't see!! Probably nothing - -

- - he sounds like a crusty old man with a slammed shut mind, just grumbling impotently to himself. Yuck.

I might tell the receptionists I'd be waiting in the parking lot because the weather is so lovely.

[revtj]

I saw only the laying of the wreath at the Tomb Of the Unknown. It is always high military protocol. I couldn't help but snicker when, at the national anthem, the Pres. accidentally put his hand over his heart too soon, and then looked around at what all the soldiers were doing and copied them.

And it made me think of one of the ironies of his personality and of his presidency. The man is riddled with self doubt and yet he attempts to present himself as "the decider," an authoritarian whose word should never be questioned. :disagree:

[rustaman]

Hi Susan-
I am on a break at work, so I have to be brief.

A few years ago, our paster told this story during the Sunday morning lesson. He was at an interfaith lunch with other clergy and a racial joke was told at the table. He just sat there, said nothing, and pretended it wasn't happening. He said he later felt so ashamed of himself for not speaking up. And he promised himself that if something like that ever happened again, he would say something like, "that is a completely inappropriate thing to say in public, and I would appreciate it you would keep those kind of jokes and remarks to yourself." He said that if anyone objected to that, he would excuse himself, and get up and leave. I was very moved by what he said and I have never forgotten it.

Because of his example, I have been practicing this ever since - at work, at home, and yes I do get mouthy in public - when something is wrong - it's just wrong.

I think we all need to find a way to speak our truth in a firm yet respectful way when we are confronted with any type of prejudice. Sometimes it's scary. and yes, a small number of times it is dangerous, and you should keep your mouth shut. But most of the time it's the right thing to do. And believe me, the reason people get mad when you confront them, is that they know you are right.

All of us have to go through these embarrassing times before we finally say "enough". This was a learning situation for you - uncomfortable, embarassing, and full of possible solutions. The blessing is that you are allowing yourself to be challenged in a way that will change you.

Namaste.

[BrentRichards]

Had a related experience today ... there's a local bar/grill I often go to on Wednesday nights ... their "wing night" (I'm a hot wing addict, I'm afraid) ... though I'm on friendly terms with the staff as a regular, I've not made any effort to be "out" there ... but tonight several of the other patrons were being particularly boisterous and offensive about gay people. One is a guy who often makes such comments, but tonight he was louder than usual, and it just got under my skin more than usual. He was more than a bit innebriated (as usual) so I didn't think a conversation with him was likely to be useful, but I did gripe to the bartender, who as I say, I am on friendly terms with. He acknowledged that the guy was being a jerk, and should live his own life and mind his own business. Encouraged by that response, I explained why I was so annoyed by his comments ... though the bartender was surprised ("I didn't know you were gay!"), he also apologized for the remarks (isn't it funny how good people apologize on behalf of the jerks who should be apologizing?) and said, "Well, next time I'll tell him to shut up." I think he will, too ... small victories, right?

[Emproph]

Susan, I would have lost it.

If I'd been sitting closer to him, and been able to see better, I might have said something.

All of us have to go through these embarrassing times before we finally say "enough".

but I did gripe to the bartender, who as I say, I am on friendly terms with.

In agreement. I think Rustaman's post encapsulated the sentiment very well.

Personally I think I am more afraid of saying nothing when insulted than actually being insulted. It seems that I get angrier at myself when I don't say anything than when I at least attempt to defend myself, and perhaps make a fool of myself.

But being hypersensitive I lose just by engaging. That seems to be the challenge, knowing how and when to engage. But most important, and most frustrating it seems, is knowing how to be PREPARED.