More senseless killing in Paris

[Jambalaya]

Yes, Telephone, while terrorism is undoubtedly very scary, I do think it's very important to examine our initial outrage and shock instead of just going with the primal emotions that such terrorism can unleash in any of us. In the last few days people everywhere just seem to have become hysterical, with airports and planes and concerts and sporting events all disrupted in various countries, and people taking revenge on innocent Muslims. It's completely ridiculous and it is the result of fear and prejudice. The chances of being involved in terrorism are minute. And can you imagine being homeless, hungry, and cold, and separated from your family who might be dead, and then told that you may not be allowed asylum because you could be a terrorist? It's awful and I feel really sorry for all the genuine refugees who are now suffering from a fresh wave of prejudice thanks to the Paris terrorists, who must be very pleased with all the psychological chaos they have created.

 

[Jambalaya]

Matata, I did not single out any person or response the way you singled out me, not that I care. Also, I don't agree with what you say. I think people can have occasional dim-witted thoughts and responses without being actually dim-witted. Easily. I've had lots of stupid thoughts in my life, although I'm possibly quite dim-witted myself, but I wouldn't know. And I truly don't mind if you call me whiny. It's not the first time it's been said. And please don't tempt me with images of pie.

 

[telephone89]

Matata: I think therefore I am doesn't apply in this sense. I believe you can question/insult/criticize an idea/thought/expectation and not be personally insulting a person.

 

[Jambalaya]

Yes, you can indeed separate them, exactly. Plenty of intelligent people say stupid things sometimes. I object to some of the prejudices in this thread and those ideas do seem dim-witted to me. And as I said above, I did not single out any person or response. I will keep to myself the particular responses that I consider to be redolent of dim-witted prejudice.

I feel like having a whine but I can't think of anything right now!

 

[missy]

Exactly, Telephone. I named no names either and I said that I thought this thread contained some dim-witted fear and prejudice, not that anyone themselves was same. I was waiting for this. Predictable. Trying to convince us that people can be separated from their thoughts. When you call a thought dim-witted, you are calling the person who gave birth to the thought a dim-wit.

Fear and prejudice isn't an intelligent response. And neither is name calling. I am sure that there have been times in my life when I have absolutely been guilty of the same.

We are all frightened sometimes and fear makes us respond in some primal ways. But when we stop and think things through, that's when we realize how groundless many of are fears and prejudices are. I attacked no one personally myself but I was insulted and called whiny, Ahhh here is another irony. Read your words above -- you did not call anyone a dim wit, just their thoughts. I did not call you whiny, just your posts. Same thing right? which only made me laugh. You won't see me whining about being called whiny! ROFL That's precisely what you just did.

I like the images you posted above, Telephone.

Hey, all you dim-witted prejudicial ignorant fearful PS humans, let's have some pie!

Alj--if you're still reading this, do not give me any grief because it's not a cream pie.

[/quote]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

 

[Matata]

Matata: I think therefore I am doesn't apply in this sense. I believe you can question/insult/criticize an idea/thought/expectation and not be personally insulting a person.

I disagree. It depends solely on which side of the comment you're on. Momhappy was upset by the use of that term among others. Her feelings are not invalid or irrelevant simply because a claim is made that there is a differentiation between one's thoughts and one's being. Jambalaya could have said she disagreed with those expressing fear and prejudice and given her reasoning for why those traits contribute to rather than solve social issues. Instead she chose to characterize others' thoughts as dim witted and ignorant. Those types of characterizations are not conducive to a free exchange of ideas. What I do agree with is that dim wittedness can be fleeting.

 

[Matata]

[quote="missy|1447882462|3951452"
Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.[/quote]
Ooooooo, how yummy would it be to take some of that cream pie, a good dose of the bourbon and whip it up in a blender, and top it with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings

 

[missy]

Exactly, Telephone. I named no names either and I said that I thought this thread contained some dim-witted fear and prejudice, not that anyone themselves was same. Fear and prejudice isn't an intelligent response. I am sure that there have been times in my life when I have absolutely been guilty of the same. We are all frightened sometimes and fear makes us respond in some primal ways. I think some of the responses here are knee-jerk reactions to the events in Paris. When we stop and think things through, that's when we realize how groundless many of are fears and prejudices are. I attacked no one personally myself but I was insulted and called whiny, which only made me laugh. You won't see me whining about being called whiny!

I like the images you posted above, Telephone.

I love facebook. For the most part I have very pro-refugee people on there, and they find these sorts of things. I certainly can't take credit!

I think people don't like being shown their prejudice. The whole 'check your privilege' thing comes to mind. But you're totally right. Taking a step back and rationally (not emotionally!) looking at what is going on, there is no need for so much fear. I mean, c'mon, if Paris is celebrating and enjoying life, why should other (western) places be so afraid? Take their cue, and get on with life.

You could be speaking about yourself Telephone. Not too long ago you made a comparison that really showed who you are and what you think...let me see if I can find your exact quote...here it is

I personally do not really know any jewish people, most of the people I grew up with are 'brown' (indian, east african, pakistani, etc), and so with the gaza conflict I feel like they automatically side with the palestinians,...snip...Netanyahu just recently compared Hamas/isis to the nazis, but it kind of seems like they're doing the same thing as was done to them many years ago.

Talk about ignorant comments. That takes the cake. Or shall I say pie.

 

[telephone89]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

So long as you aren't trick or treating

 

[missy]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

Ooooooo, how yummy would it be to take some of that cream pie, a good dose of the bourbon and whip it up in a blender, and top it with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings :lockout:

Count me in! I just hope Alj likes the cream pie I chose.

 

[telephone89]

Exactly, Telephone. I named no names either and I said that I thought this thread contained some dim-witted fear and prejudice, not that anyone themselves was same. Fear and prejudice isn't an intelligent response. I am sure that there have been times in my life when I have absolutely been guilty of the same. We are all frightened sometimes and fear makes us respond in some primal ways. I think some of the responses here are knee-jerk reactions to the events in Paris. When we stop and think things through, that's when we realize how groundless many of are fears and prejudices are. I attacked no one personally myself but I was insulted and called whiny, which only made me laugh. You won't see me whining about being called whiny!

I like the images you posted above, Telephone.

I love facebook. For the most part I have very pro-refugee people on there, and they find these sorts of things. I certainly can't take credit!

I think people don't like being shown their prejudice. The whole 'check your privilege' thing comes to mind. But you're totally right. Taking a step back and rationally (not emotionally!) looking at what is going on, there is no need for so much fear. I mean, c'mon, if Paris is celebrating and enjoying life, why should other (western) places be so afraid? Take their cue, and get on with life.

You could be speaking about yourself Telephone. Not too long ago you made a comparison that really showed who you are and what you think...let me see if I can find your exact quote...here it is

I personally do not really know any jewish people, most of the people I grew up with are 'brown' (indian, east african, pakistani, etc), and so with the gaza conflict I feel like they automatically side with the palestinians,...snip...Netanyahu just recently compared Hamas/isis to the nazis, but it kind of seems like they're doing the same thing as was done to them many years ago.

Talk about ignorant comments. That takes the cake. Or shall I say pie.

It's nice that you didn't post of the rest of the conversation, where we discussed the intricacies of the conflict and I believe NEITHER side is correct. I don't like Netanyahu. I don't think his tactics are correct. I also don't believe that ALL of Palestine are hamas or isis. I don't believe in bringing a nuke to a knife fight, as Israel is/has done. If you want to discuss that again, I'm more than happy to pop over to the other thread with you

ETA - so I just looked it up - According to the always correct Wikipedia, my city is comprised of (aprox) 0.005% 'people who identify as jewish' (not sure what that means). I just haven't had a chance to meet many of them! Though I am friends with a few online on another forum.

 

[Matata]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

Ooooooo, how yummy would it be to take some of that cream pie, a good dose of the bourbon and whip it up in a blender, and top it with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings :lockout:

Count me in! I just hope Alj likes the cream pie I chose.

Alas, missy, she nearly started WW III on PS endlessly debating the superiority of lemon versus lime pies. I doubt she'd call your pie choice dim witted or ignorant but she may say it was in poor taste. (A thousand apologies in advance to Alj if it appears I'm attempting to put words rather than pie in her mouth and may the fleas of a thousand camels infest my panties if I have insulted her.)

 

[missy]

Matata: I think therefore I am doesn't apply in this sense. I believe you can question/insult/criticize an idea/thought/expectation and not be personally insulting a person.

I disagree. It depends solely on which side of the comment you're on. Momhappy was upset by the use of that term among others. Her feelings are not invalid or irrelevant simply because a claim is made that there is a differentiation between one's thoughts and one's being. Jambalaya could have said she disagreed with those expressing fear and prejudice and given her reasoning for why those traits contribute to rather than solve social issues. Instead she chose to characterize others' thoughts as dim witted and ignorant. Those types of characterizations are not conducive to a free exchange of ideas. What I do agree with is that dim wittedness can be fleeting.

Yes it is far better to discuss things calmly and with purpose instead of letting it degrade into name calling and such. Of course when provoked it is human nature to be defensive but telephone and jambalaya I feel you went too far. Telephone you are passive aggressive and not naming names doesn't mean it is OK to be offensive and same to you Jambalaya. You can get more bees with honey and being caustic and defensive does not bolster any points you are trying to make yanno?

It's funny because we are all on the same side but you would never know it from reading these posts. How can we move forward and make progress if we degrade into behavior such as this? The only reason I quoted that previous post of yours telephone from another thread was because you said people don't like being called out on their prejudices. Well there you go. I agree.

 

[Jambalaya]

As I said above, plenty of intelligent people say stupid things sometimes. I object to some of the prejudices in this thread and those ideas do seem dim-witted to me. I said that because I was generalizing. I wouldn't single out any particular person or response. Prejudice and fear based on ignorance should be called out, and called what it is - a dim-witted response. I will always consider prejudice to be a dim-witted response, and I will not apologize for that opinion. And I have already spent time explaining a lot of why I think what I do, including the math to demonstrate how very small the chances are that anyone here will be involved in terrorism, which in turn demonstrates how unfounded prejudices against certain groups are. The truth is that each individual in this country is at extremely low risk from terrorism, so there is no need for all this silly fear-mongering.

 

[missy]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

Ooooooo, how yummy would it be to take some of that cream pie, a good dose of the bourbon and whip it up in a blender, and top it with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings :lockout:

Count me in! I just hope Alj likes the cream pie I chose.

Alas, missy, she nearly started WW III on PS endlessly debating the superiority of lemon versus lime pies. I doubt she'd call your pie choice dim witted or ignorant but she may say it was in poor taste. (A thousand apologies in advance to Alj if it appears I'm attempting to put words rather than pie in her mouth and may the fleas of a thousand camels infest my panties if I have insulted her.)

Oh no, a thousand apologies. Will this do? One of each.

 

[telephone89]

Yes it is far better to discuss things calmly and with purpose instead of letting it degrade into name calling and such. Of course when provoked it is human nature to be defensive but telephone and jambalaya I feel you went too far. Telephone you are passive aggressive and not naming names doesn't mean it is OK to be offensive and same to you Jambalaya. You can get more bees with honey and being caustic and defensive does not bolster any points you are trying to make yanno?

It's funny because we are all on the same side but you would never know it from reading these posts. How can we move forward and make progress if we degrade into behavior such as this? The only reason I quoted that previous post of yours telephone from another thread was because you said people don't like being called out on their prejudices. Well there you go. I agree.

I fail to see how I was being prejudice - but if you'd like to further explain, please do. I stated that most of the people I know automatically side with Palestine w/o research. I am not one of those people. I believe there was another thread recently where someone said that any negative words towards Israel are automatically considered anti-semetic. I also said that in that previous post.
If you are trying to say im prejudice against jewish people (because I don't know any?) then I think you have misread or misunderstood my original post.

 

[Matata]

Pie sounds delicious. Thank you Matata. Please allow me to bring the bourbon. And some cream pie for Alj.

Ooooooo, how yummy would it be to take some of that cream pie, a good dose of the bourbon and whip it up in a blender, and top it with real whipped cream and chocolate shavings :lockout:

Count me in! I just hope Alj likes the cream pie I chose.

Alas, missy, she nearly started WW III on PS endlessly debating the superiority of lemon versus lime pies. I doubt she'd call your pie choice dim witted or ignorant but she may say it was in poor taste. (A thousand apologies in advance to Alj if it appears I'm attempting to put words rather than pie in her mouth and may the fleas of a thousand camels infest my panties if I have insulted her.)

Oh no, a thousand apologies. Will this do? One of each.

Kudos to you for representing both sides of the citrus cream pie war.

 

[Jambalaya]

I do not think that calling prejudice a dim-witted response is going too far.

 

[missy]

Exactly, Telephone. I named no names either and I said that I thought this thread contained some dim-witted fear and prejudice, not that anyone themselves was same. Fear and prejudice isn't an intelligent response. I am sure that there have been times in my life when I have absolutely been guilty of the same. We are all frightened sometimes and fear makes us respond in some primal ways. I think some of the responses here are knee-jerk reactions to the events in Paris. When we stop and think things through, that's when we realize how groundless many of are fears and prejudices are. I attacked no one personally myself but I was insulted and called whiny, which only made me laugh. You won't see me whining about being called whiny!

I like the images you posted above, Telephone.

I love facebook. For the most part I have very pro-refugee people on there, and they find these sorts of things. I certainly can't take credit!

I think people don't like being shown their prejudice. The whole 'check your privilege' thing comes to mind. But you're totally right. Taking a step back and rationally (not emotionally!) looking at what is going on, there is no need for so much fear. I mean, c'mon, if Paris is celebrating and enjoying life, why should other (western) places be so afraid? Take their cue, and get on with life.

You could be speaking about yourself Telephone. Not too long ago you made a comparison that really showed who you are and what you think...let me see if I can find your exact quote...here it is

I personally do not really know any jewish people, most of the people I grew up with are 'brown' (indian, east african, pakistani, etc), and so with the gaza conflict I feel like they automatically side with the palestinians,...snip...Netanyahu just recently compared Hamas/isis to the nazis, but it kind of seems like they're doing the same thing as was done to them many years ago.

Talk about ignorant comments. That takes the cake. Or shall I say pie.

It's nice that you didn't post of the rest of the conversation, where we discussed the intricacies of the conflict and I believe NEITHER side is correct. I don't like Netanyahu. I don't think his tactics are correct. I also don't believe that ALL of Palestine are hamas or isis. I don't believe in bringing a nuke to a knife fight, as Israel is/has done. If you want to discuss that again, I'm more than happy to pop over to the other thread with you

ETA - so I just looked it up - According to the always correct Wikipedia, my city is comprised of (aprox) 0.005% 'people who identify as jewish' (not sure what that means). I just haven't had a chance to meet many of them! Though I am friends with a few online on another forum.

Umm who ever said all of Palestine are Hamas or ISIS? Don't go throwing monkey wrenches (or nukes and knives) to divert from the topic at hand. Whether or not you like Netanyahu doesn't matter. No way can you reasonably compare him and what is happening to the actions of the Nazis or Hamas or ISIS. Hamas has continued to cry for the entire destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. Have you ever heard Netanyahu or Israel asking for the same? The Nazis exterminated millions of innocent people for no reason. The infirmed, women, children, the elderly. They tortured them, did heinous medical experiments on them, worked them to death. I could go on and on. I mean cmon when you made that comparison and still do it reeks of I don't want to say.


Just to be clear I don't know you Telephone and so I cannot say whether or not you are prejudiced from just some words. They are ignorant words IMO but I cannot say you are prejudiced nor do I want to say that. I hope you are not. But I am just pointing out that what you wrote could easily be construed as leaning that way because that comparison you made is insulting and yes ignorant. IMO.

ETA: Kenny was the person who said some people feel anything said against Israel is anti-semitic. To be clear I am not one of those people. I am not for everything Israel does and I am not afraid to speak my mind and I am definitely not anti-semitic. Kenny was saying however that *some* people take it as an affront against jewish people if you say anything bad about Israel. That's all he was saying I believe. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[telephone89]

Exactly, Telephone. I named no names either and I said that I thought this thread contained some dim-witted fear and prejudice, not that anyone themselves was same. Fear and prejudice isn't an intelligent response. I am sure that there have been times in my life when I have absolutely been guilty of the same. We are all frightened sometimes and fear makes us respond in some primal ways. I think some of the responses here are knee-jerk reactions to the events in Paris. When we stop and think things through, that's when we realize how groundless many of are fears and prejudices are. I attacked no one personally myself but I was insulted and called whiny, which only made me laugh. You won't see me whining about being called whiny!

I like the images you posted above, Telephone.

I love facebook. For the most part I have very pro-refugee people on there, and they find these sorts of things. I certainly can't take credit!

I think people don't like being shown their prejudice. The whole 'check your privilege' thing comes to mind. But you're totally right. Taking a step back and rationally (not emotionally!) looking at what is going on, there is no need for so much fear. I mean, c'mon, if Paris is celebrating and enjoying life, why should other (western) places be so afraid? Take their cue, and get on with life.

You could be speaking about yourself Telephone. Not too long ago you made a comparison that really showed who you are and what you think...let me see if I can find your exact quote...here it is

I personally do not really know any jewish people, most of the people I grew up with are 'brown' (indian, east african, pakistani, etc), and so with the gaza conflict I feel like they automatically side with the palestinians,...snip...Netanyahu just recently compared Hamas/isis to the nazis, but it kind of seems like they're doing the same thing as was done to them many years ago.

Talk about ignorant comments. That takes the cake. Or shall I say pie.

It's nice that you didn't post of the rest of the conversation, where we discussed the intricacies of the conflict and I believe NEITHER side is correct. I don't like Netanyahu. I don't think his tactics are correct. I also don't believe that ALL of Palestine are hamas or isis. I don't believe in bringing a nuke to a knife fight, as Israel is/has done. If you want to discuss that again, I'm more than happy to pop over to the other thread with you

ETA - so I just looked it up - According to the always correct Wikipedia, my city is comprised of (aprox) 0.005% 'people who identify as jewish' (not sure what that means). I just haven't had a chance to meet many of them! Though I am friends with a few online on another forum.

Umm who ever said all of Palestine are Hamas or ISIS? Don't go throwing monkey wrenches (or nukes and knives) to divert from the topic at hand. Whether or not you like Netanyahu doesn't matter. No way can you reasonably compare him and what is happening to the actions of the Nazis or Hamas or ISIS. Hamas has continued to cry for the entire destruction of Israel and the Jewish people. Have you ever heard Netanyahu or Israel asking for the same? The Nazis exterminated millions of innocent people for no reason. The infirmed, women, children, the elderly. They tortured them, did heinous medical experiments on them, worked them to death. I could go on and on. I mean cmon when you made that comparison and still do it reeks of I don't want to say.

I didn't say anyone said all Palestine was hamas, I was just clarifying for other readers as they will not have seen the entire convo, and I wouldn't want anyone to infer that.

Also, this was after that convo, but seriously:
http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/netanyahu-palestinians-government

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to appoint Ayelet Shaked as justice minister in his fourth government. Shaked is a Member of Knesset (MK) representing the far-right HaBayit HaYehudi (“Jewish Home”) party. She is known for her extreme, ultranationalist views ... During Israel’s summer 2014 attack on Gaza, MK Shaked essentially called for the genocide of Palestinians. In a Facebook post on July 1—a day before Israeli extremists kidnapped Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir and burned him alive—the lawmaker asserted that “the entire Palestinian people is the enemy” and called for its destruction, “including its elderly and its women, its cities and its villages, its property and its infrastructure.”

It still sounds like they ARE trying to do what was done to them... You might be correct in that they have more of a motive, but that doesn't make this right.

 

[missy]

Sorry telephone. I still don't agree with your comparison of Israel to the Nazis or Hamas or ISIS. Within Israel sure there are extremists just as with all nations/countries. However I still stand by my original comments to you in that thread and now here.

 

[telephone89]

That chain was getting too long, but here is another quote from the article:

These remarks led Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to compare MK Shaked to Hitler. “If these words had been said by a Palestinian, the whole world would have denounced it,” he remarked.

I still stand by that what I said was not ignorant, and I appreciate your recognition that it wasn't (to your knowledge) prejudiced.

 

[missy]

Yes how can we say one is prejudiced without really knowing that person more than what we occasionally post on a forum? It is too easy to jump to conclusions and the written word is powerful. Sometimes too much so when you are writing like this. Not seeing each other IRL and having a real face to face conversation. I sure hope we can continue discussing this critical issue of the refugees who need shelter, food and a safe place to call home.

 

[telephone89]

Sorry telephone. I still don't agree with your comparison of Israel to the Nazis or Hamas or ISIS. Within Israel sure there are extremists just as with all nations/countries. However I still stand by my original comments to you in that thread and now here.

I don't think you need to be sorry. If you don't want to believe that, that is fine. Each person is allowed to have his and her own beliefs and that is one of the wonderful things about living in our countries. I am fine with your comments, though I disagree as well.
But man, PS threads can really get derailed and go sideways if given long enough haha.

 

[missy]

Sorry telephone. I still don't agree with your comparison of Israel to the Nazis or Hamas or ISIS. Within Israel sure there are extremists just as with all nations/countries. However I still stand by my original comments to you in that thread and now here.

I don't think you need to be sorry. If you don't want to believe that, that is fine. Each person is allowed to have his and her own beliefs and that is one of the wonderful things about living in our countries. I am fine with your comments, though I disagree as well.
But man, PS threads can really get derailed and go sideways if given long enough haha.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[kenny]

ETA: Kenny was the person who said some people feel anything said against Israel is anti-semitic. To be clear I am not one of those people. I am not for everything Israel does and I am not afraid to speak my mind and I am definitely not anti-semitic. Kenny was saying however that *some* people take it as an affront against jewish people if you say anything bad about Israel. That's all he was saying I believe. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Good summary, missy.

ETA: But I would not phrase it, " say anything bad about Israel".
I'd phrase it, "point out that certain things the Israeli government does are bad".

Doing something bad is quite different from being bad.

Plus, the other thread had caveats and clarifying detail I won't go into here.
This thread, I mean roller coaster ride, has seen enough.

I'm kinda sorry I started it ... but I think overall discussions, even heated ones, are always good in the long run.

 

[purplesparklies]

Acknowledging concern does not mean that one has changed their life in any way. It does not make one dim-witted. Burying one's head in the sand accomplishes nothing. It is important to be aware and be based in reality. Yes, I am concerned. I am concerned about this issue. I am concerned about racial tensions in this country, overall. I am concerned about the lack of basic respect people have for other people. I am in no way disrespectful to anyone. Regardless of whether they agree with me or disagree with me. Not in real life, and unlike some here, not via keyboard.

It is fascinating to me that there are those who preach love and respect yet they are so quick to cast dispersions about those with whom they have a philosophical difference of opinion over a political issue on an online forum.

Although it doesn't fit with the agenda being pushed here, of those who are cautious about the lack of security measures being used during this volatile time being dim-witted, cold, disrespectful and full of hate, I can rest comfortably knowing that the percentage of income given to charity, including Catholic Charities, by my family is far higher than the vast majority. I can rest assured knowing that we choose to truly live the words, "to whom much is given, much is expected". I can enjoy holidays having always included neighbors and acquaintances who otherwise would be alone. I can be proud of the fact that we give our time, talent and treasure to our community in many ways, including volunteering at our local food bank which myself and my boys have done every week for years. If there is one parenting goal which I truly focus on, it is kindness. I teach my boys to open their eyes and notice the needs of those around them. They are the first to volunteer to help. They are the kids who sit with the new student and make sure they feel welcome. Having a position contrary to some online keyboard warrior means nothing. Watching my boys live kindness and generosity every day? That is a reflection of me. My life is a good one and I have worked hard to make it so. I have worked hard to improve the lives of many along the way.

Of course, that is inconvenient for those who prefer to look down from their self-appointed position on a moral high horse.

 

[Jambalaya]

Oh, acknowledging concern is not the problem. For example, Momhappy acknowledged some mild safety concerns in a very sensible, moderate way.

"Dim-witted" is the polite form of what I really think about some of the other ideas floated here. I have no idea who said the things I'm thinking of without going back and reading. It was the ideas that leaped out at me. Let's just say that the ideas I'm thinking of are a very slippery slope toward the kind of world that nobody wants. "Dim-witted" is a very, very kind description of those ideas. I know they struck Telephone in the same way.

 

[kenny]

I can rest comfortably knowing that the percentage of income given to charity, including Catholic Charities, by my family is far higher than the vast majority. I can rest assured knowing that we choose to truly live the words, "to whom much is given, much is expected". I can enjoy holidays having always included neighbors and acquaintances who otherwise would be alone. I can be proud of the fact that we give our time, talent and treasure to our community in many ways, including volunteering at our local food bank which myself and my boys have done every week for years. If there is one parenting goal which I truly focus on, it is kindness. I teach my boys to open their eyes and notice the needs of those around them. They are the first to volunteer to help. They are the kids who sit with the new student and make sure they feel welcome. Having a position contrary to some online keyboard warrior means nothing. Watching my boys live kindness and generosity every day? That is a reflection of me. My life is a good one and I have worked hard to make it so. I have worked hard to improve the lives of many along the way.

Of course, that is inconvenient for those who prefer to look down from their self-appointed position on a moral high horse.

Gee. No irony or 'moral high horse' in that post.
Just saying.

 

[Paz]

I too, have concerns about ISIS blending in with genuine refugees and comitting more attacks like those in Paris. At the same time, my heart breaks for those forced to flee their homeland to escape the atrocities. There are no easy answers.

I choose to be aware of the *potential* threats, but live my life with love and compassion. If I see an unattended bag at the airport or mall, I'll point it out to security and be on my way. If I see a Muslim family, I smile and say hello, just like I do with every other human I encounter. If I notice others are avoiding them, I will make a point of sitting next to the "brown" people, and strike up a friendly conversation. I've lived in the south for almost a decade now, and the prejudice still suprises me. As a white woman, I do make an effort to make eye contact with people of other ethnicities and smile, compliment them, or offer a friendly word. I'm friendly to everyone naturally, but seeing people be slighted for the color of their skin (or age/disbility/religion) just makes me want to be extra kind.

The only other thing I try to do only a regular basis is to pray for the world's leaders to have wisdom, compassion, and discernment. I send prayers and positive thoughts to all who are touched by terror and war, and try to support programs that respond to worldwide disasters, natural and manmade.

If you are concerned with how the world is now, make a change where you are! It doesn't matter if you are for refugees coming in or you question the wisdom of opening your country, you can help people in need. I know many of us already donate our time and money, but winter is coming and it's a great time to go through your closet and get rid of extras. You can donate locally, or see if there is a collection for items being shipped to the Syrian refugees. *steps off soapbox*

I am thankful to live in a country where we are free to debate these things and not have to flee for our lives. I am thankful for the Parisians and their joi de vire (sp?)! I am thankful for the Syrian refugees, who still have hope for better lives. I am thankful for pie. Mmmmm, PIE!