The Fear Induced Following of the Religious Right

Hate is caused by fear, fear is of the unknown, the unknown is ignorance and ignorance is bliss.  So, we have a great many people in this country that live blissful lives.  Yes, I’m saying it.  There is a great deal of ignorant people in this world…many who live right here in the U.S.

The thing that always gets me, is how those very people, who confess a love for their country, and “God”, are most often the ones who are using their ignorance to induce more fear, and ultimately hate in order to “take back” what they claim has somehow been taken from them…a country of racist, homophobic bigots!

This past week, on 9/11, when reflecting on that day, I never think it will affect me the way it does.  I always become saddened.  I think of the innocent people who lost their lives.  I think of those who lost their loved ones.  I can’t seem to stop the ‘replay’ of what happen that day from going through my mind and the lump in my throat  never seems to get any smaller.

While most of my sadness comes from the losses, some of it comes from the hate found within our own population.

I ran across a post on People for the American Way, which recalls a personal experience about 9/11 which sums up the other part of my sadness.

Below is an excerpt:

“My colleagues and I were stunned to hear Jerry Falwell blaming gays, liberals, feminists, church-state supporters, and People For the American Way, among others, for the attack, and to see Pat Robertson enthusiastically agreeing with him. It was breathtaking even for those of us accustomed to the televangelists’ harsh rhetoric for all who disagreed with them.

PFAW moved quickly to put video of that exchange on Robertson’s TV show into the hands of national news organizations and helped the world understand more clearly the cruelty at the heart of the Religious Right political movement.

That mean-spiritedness is again on public display, with Religious Right leaders energetically peddling false charges about supporters of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples and portraying their political opponents, including President Obama, as bent on the destruction of liberty in America. I wonder what sort of patriotic platitudes we’ll hear from today from the leaders of a movement that has tried for decades to claim ownership of patriotism and the flag and smear as un-American all those who don’t share their vision of an America in which some are more equal than others.

Will they even bother to pause from their ongoing efforts to destroy the president, denigrate their opponents, and rile enough fear and hatred to push their way back into power?

I simply don’t understand…and perhaps it would frighten me if I did.  But this IS right wing terrorism…and it’s alive and well in this country. The ‘right’ was an embarrassment on 9/11. I can only imagine how those who organized the attacks must have viewed our nation…a nation of fools, blaming our own people for the attacks.

I look for the day when the Glenn Becks, Rush Limbaugh’s, Ann Coulter’s, Pat Robertson’s et al, are no longer earning millions by fueling the fears that drive the ignorant.  I look forward to the day when America becomes educated.  It may never happen, but I have to hope that it will.

I know President Obama was fully aware of what he faced going into this presidency.  He was aware of the racism he would face…I suppose I was the one hoping for more…or perhaps less.

9-11 Remembered: A Flight Attendant’s Story

Many of you may know that I am a former flight attendant. What you may not know is that I was in the air on September 11th, working a flight leaving New York City going to Florida. I worked for an airline that has live TV’s in every seat, so we were some of the few people in the air that actually watched the horrors of that day unfold live.

It all started normally enough. The crew of 6 (four flight attendants and two pilots) met for the early morning flight, expecting a short trip to Tampa and back. The plane was full of people, mostly bleary-eyed from having to make it to the airport on time. We did a quiet, low-key service, chatting with the few passengers who were awake, then went to our respective galleys to rummage up some breakfast for ourselves.

Then it happened…

Find out at: The Bilerico Project!

A Sobering Tribute to 9/11 Victims & Survivors

Anyone born before 9/11/2001 is a survivor of one of the most horrendous acts of violence in history. The tragic events of 9/11 will forever stay in my memory, as I’m sure it will yours. It’s been said, something good comes out of all bad, and if there is good to come of this, it would be that we all try to accept our differences, in a civil, non-violent manner, as hate is the only true abomination, and hate is what caused the events of that infamous day.

Please take a moment today to remember. Remember those who lost their lives and those who lost loved ones. Remember how fortunate you are to be on earth, and remember to not take anything for granted.

Remember to love each other as we are all human and we all share this earth together. Remember to be thankful for all you have, and most importantly yourself.

Let this day remind us of why hate, is not an American Value!

Remembering 9/11: Seven Years Later

Today we remeber the tragic events of the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington.  It still echos through my mind, my heart and my soul.  It still brings a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat, for today I think of the 2,792 victims and their families.  Today I give thanks for what time I have hear on earth.  Today I think about the hate in the world. Today I remember why we need change.  Today I know more than our country needs allies, not enemies that fear us.  Today I am saddened by the events of the past. Today I stand tall, with hope for the future.  Today is the day, to embrace love. Today is the day, to stop the hate.