The Extremists Are Coming Out Of The Woodwork

[dragonladybug]

I am horrified- I just read an article that relates comments made by Jerry Falwell referring to the terrorist attacks, stating that the ACLU and the People for the American Way, among others, "helped this to happen".  That all the groups who stood up for civil rights and civil liberties had secularized America to the point where "God lifted the curtain of protection" and allowed this to happen.



How is this intolerance any different from the intolerance of the terrorist groups?  Only in degree - the terrorists just took it further, but it started with this type of hatred and intolerance being preached by a figure of authority.  



Just goes to show you - extremists come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, but they're all the same underneath.





 

[radaro]

In my opinion the Moral Majority is neither moral and, thank goodness, not the majority.

[goldenearring]

*

[phoenix55]

Sort of going along with Radar--hey, it's just Jerry Falwell--ignore him!



         Karen

[bethalize]

The UK government has started going on about ID cards, which we have been opposing for years. I dread to think what they could do with them. Anyone ever read "The Handmaid's Tale"?

[dragonladybug]

Jerry Falwell is now apologizing for his statements made Thursday!!  Pat Robertson apologized for his guest as well.



Apparently, he even got a call from the White House staff because the President disapproved of Falwell's statements.



   In my opinion, he should be tarred and feathered, and run out of town on a rail!  Hatred and bigotry are the same, no matter which religion you profess.

[lioness70]

I'm Catholic, and I don't know how many of you know about apocalyptic Marian apparitions, but these Catholic extremists/fundamentalists, as I call them, are also coming out of the woodwork.  Their views about this tragedy are basically along the lines of Falwell and Robertson, and they use unapproved by Rome Marian apparitions to back up their views.  They even have ties to Robertson and some of these out-there "ministries" (after doing some research on who they supported and who is linked to their websites).  I was very disgusted by that Falwell and Robertson said and even MORE disgusted when I saw that some Catholics approved of what they said!  While I agree that our society has cut God out to a great degree and we need to bring Him back into our lives, every person needs to discover how to do this on their own terms.  I don't mean to offend anybody who isn't particularly religious.  I don't like religion being rammed down my throat by these extremists, and these people really need to keep their agendas away from the grieving families.  Such crass insensitivity shown at such a time of mourning.

[goldenearring]

Rev. Falwell's timing was *waaaaaay* off, to be sure.  I do feel, though, that his pain and anguish for this country was just as valid as anyone else's during this very trying time.  He just doesn't have a slick eloquence of words like some of our political figures for hiding how he feels, apparently.  I can't think of anyone I know who hasn't managed to put their foot in their mouth at a most embarrassing time when they felt so strongly about a particular issue and this, obviously, was one of those times for him.  However, for you to be calling him an extremist and neglecting to label the ACLU the same seems exceedingly odd to me.  They are just as biased toward their cause as he is!  They have a hatred and a bigotry and an intolerance toward everything Christian in this country, and go as far out of their way to try to tear it down as Rev. Falwell goes to try and hold it up.  I'm not saying that everything he does I agree with, and I certainly don't see eye-to-eye with him on all of his beliefs, but if you're going to "tar and feather and run out of town" the far right, I'm putting my vote in there for doing the same with the far left!  And, actually, although I don't find much humor in doing that to either side, the thought of Hillary Clinton being able to promote KFC does bring the start of a wry little smile to the left corner of my mouth.  You're right:  hatred, bigotry, and intolerance are the same, all around the board.  And, if we're going to do it here, I want to make sure that the "equal time" clause has been duly exercised.

[dragonladybug]

Agreed - 100%!!!  I didn't mean to pick on just Falwell, but all the extremists - he was just the current example - and the one with the worst timing.  Even the Sierra Club has decided to lay low on Bush-bashing for a little while!



The far right and the far left are equally abhorrent to me.  And you're right - maybe we should put Hillary on the same rail with Jerry?  (Along with most of the mainstream media?)



Just kidding - actually I probably only got that image from recently watching "O Brother Where Art Thou?", where they brought in the rail for that politician who was also the local KKK leader.  







 

[lioness70]

I never thought of the far left, but great point, GE.  Now is not the time for EITHER extremist side to be pushing their views.  Let the families grieve and leave the nonsense OUT.

[bethalize]

Isn't that the beauty of the free world? "I don't like what you say, but I will defend your right to say it."

Manners and tact, however, should be compulsory!

[sinatrafan]

I have never understood the rancor in some people's words when they speak about the ACLU. it stands for American Civil Liberties Union. And it's not an organization of terrorists or hate-mongers; it's a group of lawyers.  Their only purpose is to defend the Bill of Rights, to ensure that the rights guaranteed by the Constitution protect all of us, equally. Visit the ACLU websiste sometime (aclu.org) and see for yourselves some of the lawsuits they have filed--against racial profiling, in favor of free speech, against religious persecution. I certainly don't agree with every case the ACLU takes on, but I agree with and wholeheartedly support their mission.  And every case they have won (and mostly, that's what they do; they win) is because of their compelling arguments in favor of  the Bill of Rights and equal protection, for all American citizens.



Jerry Falwell has preached a theology of intolerance and divisiveness for 30 years. His most recent comments are in no way a deviation, or simply a case of gracelessness under pressure. But much as I despise Jerry and everything he stands for, the ACLU would be the first to rise in defense of his right to free expression. Isn't that a wondeful irony?



And as we embark on this war against terrorism, it will be the ACLU that makes sure that Congress, the FBI and the CIA don't chip away at our freedoms.  And God bless them for that. Because if we become a less free society because of the horrific events of September 11, then the terrorists will have devastated so much more than the magnificent skyline of New York City and the maze or corridors at the Pentagon.  And damn it, we can't give them that.  



Peace, everybody.

[goldenearring]

To one extreme one from another:  It never ceases to amaze me that two people can look at the same situation and see almost opposite things happening.



Granted, Falwell has his platform well established but, God bless him, he:  a) believes he is doing the right thing and b) regardless of how any of us feel about him he is still a man of God and I think we get out there on mighty thin ice when we debate his virtues and shortcomings.  If he weren't so outspoken, would people think out their own thoughts and feelings about certain topics, or would they just remain apathetic?



Maybe I need to research the ACLU more, but I always seem to hear mainly about the really stupid stuff they spend their time on, like defending a first grade kid who was excluded from going on a field trip to see the Vikings.  (details blurry with the passing of time, but here is what I remember)  The entire class was asked to wear purple and or gold, or they woudn't be able to go on the trip, and he (with encouragement from his dad) decided to wear his Green Bay Packers jersey because he didn't "believe in the Vikings" or something like that.  The teacher was put in the awkward situation of having to back up what he said, and the dad enlisted the aid of the ACLU.  My view of the ACLU is that they love nothing better to undermine authority, especially God's authority (as I described above).  Great lesson to the kid that no matter whose direction he is under, if he doesn't agree with it, he should take it to court . . . ?  I don't think so.  I don't think the ACLU did a thing to promote respect of teachers in this case.  I think maybe the kid could have just stayed home that day to show how he "didn't believe in the Vikings."  For the record, I don't believe in the Vikings either, and I've lived in Minnesota all my life.  LOL

[bethalize]

I'm sorry, you don't believe in the Vikings? I don't understand this. Do you mean you don't believe that Leif Erikson discovered America? Because I can assure you the Vikings did actually exist.

Or is this a football reference?

[northcarolina]

LOL!  It's a football reference, Liz.  ::Now how did I know that?  I don't even like the game; much less keep up with who the teams are!::



nc