"It's Just A Stupid Movie!"

As would be me, I'm writing this about a week later than I meant to, hah.  On September 12 we woke up to news of the outbreaks of riots in Egypt and Libya.  The New York Post ran the front page cover, "It's Just A Stupid Movie!"

That cover bugged me a little.

Yes, it's just a lame video.  But obviously it was significant in other parts of the world not viewing it through American eyes.

We are lucky to have free speech in this country.  The views of all, especially those that challenge our own, should be supported.  New, exceptional truths often come from unexpected places, initially met with resistance.  Jesus seems a perfect example of that one, else he might have lived a little longer...

We are lucky to have the right to free speech in this country, but there is always that side of our people which wants to take our freedoms for granted.  There is a streak of righteousness in us, feeling we are free to do and say as we please.  This last outbreak of riots in the Mideast and beyond is a clear example that shows what we do/say can have DEADLY repercussions.  Rights are not absolute; rights come with responsibilities.

A friend of mine was shocked when I suggested the maker of that video should maybe be prosecuted, saying critical views of religion should be protected.  Except that this isn't the case here, that video is hardly a "critical view" of Islam.  The video was made for obviously inflammatory purpose.  Re-release on or shortly before September 11th, with Arabic subtitles!  Unlike the country preacher, who even he in the end realized the potential repercussions and did not burn the Koran, this guy was entirely savvy about the current state of the middle east ready to blow, purposely trying to ignite the fire.  

There is an exception to our free speech; there are laws against yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater.  If this video didn't create an unnecessary danger, causing injury and loss of life around the World, then I don't know what would.  

9/11 R.I.P.

Here we are again another year later.  The media's calling it Day of Remembrance, though here in NYC it's impossible to not be reminded, on a daily basis, for 11 years now.

I have the utmost respect for those who lost their lives, those who had their lives torn apart, and celebrate the tremendous spirit of responders called to give of themselves for their fellows in need.  We shall, of course, remember and honor.  Let me first be clear that everything that follows is meant with the utmost respect.

I sometimes wonder about Pearl Harbor.  The two events were not the same, only just the most similar, the only similar events in American History.  There were many obvious differences but the similarities beg for comparison.  How was Pearl Harbor remembered and honored at the time?  How much did it take over the psyche of the country in the months and years afterward?  How long did it take to plan and build the memorial, for that matter.  Granted, the following wars were very different.  The difference I wonder about is the sensationalist media-driven world of modern day where we are constantly inundated with images and news of that horror.  If your family was a victim of a horrible tragedy, how would one be able to heal and move on with their lives if every day, day in and day out the reminders never stopped?

The question is not one of remembering or forgetting, but one of moving on.

My Happiness is Worth More Than Your Misery: An Aha Moment Memoir

People were talking about "Aha!" moments in life, a la Oprah.  Life's full of lessons but there is one defining moment that changed me forever more.  The particular situation of how this starts out might not be something everyone can relate to though whether or not you got into fist fights in school, getting pissed off is pretty universal...

Growing up in the countryside where I did was a lot more rough and tumble than what most kids grew up with.  Girls weren't necessarily so fragile, tomboys might rough and tumble right alongside the boys.  Kids in school always found it amusing when a new girl from out of area started a fight, thinking scratching and hair pulling would do the trick, ill prepared for where girls fight like boys.

At the end of lunch one day a girl confronted me.  I've long forgotten her name, one of those school mates you just never got along with.  I don't remember why she was mad, something pushed her to the breaking point.  I had never known her to get in any fights the couple of years I had known her, she wasn't a fighter so far as I knew.

Personally, I had enough on my plate.  I was in enough of a pickle at the time, I really couldn't afford to get into any more trouble, the consequences of which would have been... Severe.  So there I was, in front of all my friends, her friends, in front of the whole school out for lunch... Challenged to a fight I had no interest in getting into but no way you want to look like the chump with everyone there watching.  They say you should just walk away but that's just not a great option in reality when you still end up looking like the loser.  Or should I say, Loser.

Thoughts fly through your head faster than things happen around us.  A million thoughts can go through your mind in milliseconds.  In that moment, walking past the cafeteria, in the moment of decision all these thoughts poured through my head.  I couldn't afford to get into a fight.  The consequences of my getting into trouble was not worth getting into this fight.  I don't even like you!  You are not worth my getting into trouble for you, whom I don't even like.

The moment seemed almost in slow motion as all these thoughts poured through my brain.  What else could I do if I wasn't going to kick her ass?  In that second of time and a million thoughts later, without missing a stride I turned back to look at her, snort-chuckled and said, "You?" shaking my head as if in disbelief, turned back around and kept on walking.  Dismissed.

I snuck a second look over my shoulder after walking away and the look of pain and complete and utter horror on her face was the most satisfying Burn ever!  And I didn't even have to do anything!  Kicking her ass might have had it's satisfying points but Nothing compared to scoffing someone off as not even worth the attention.  With less risk of injury or trouble with the law!

Alright, typically we're not getting challenged to physical fights but this conflict aversion trick has served me well over the years.  Nothing is more infuriating that being ignored.  The trick is not just to walk away, the key is to dismiss them and what they're saying as beneath you, not worth the time of day.  Though I later reconsidered the wisdom of turning my back on an irate subway rider... In  retrospect, there are some crazy people in this town it's a better idea to keep your eye on! Hah.

As satisfying as that burn was, the Aha! moment came in that slow motion millisecond before walking away.  Fist fights in school aside there are plenty of times assholes and stupid people, stupid things want to piss us off.  Maybe it took that rock and a hard place to make the consequences clear but that thought has had a lasting impression over the years.  I don't like being pissed off.  Being upset isn't an enjoyable use of my time.  Before I let some dumb bloke push my buttons I'll usually realize that whatever it is, something I don't like and don't care about is not worth the bother.

Live life well  :-)