posted 09-15- 05:01 PM               

The "Reverend" (and I hesitate to use that term because despite being an athiest, I have never met a clergyman I have disliked. They have all been wonderful, caring people) has provided a prime example of how people of his ilk will exploit the differences between us for their own ends. Believe me, if we "repented" as he suggested and got rid of the types of people he now names (which would include me), and the problems would surely not be gone, he would then turn on the next most different group (perhaps Catholics?) and blame them for the nation's troubles.

The irony is that as a stalwart supporter of Israel, it is one of the things Falwell holds most dear which can actually be pointed to as a direct link to the current situation. Don't get me wrong, I support Israel too, but I don't give them a blank check with my approval. Even if he believes what he's saying, voicing it publicly now is nothing short of giving aid and comfort to the enemy, something he would crucify others for doing if they spoke against Israel.

However, also as I said elsewhere, I see it as a sign of strength that we allow idiots like Jerry Falwell to speak their mind. I hate what he's saying, but I will defend to the death his right to say it. If there's a silver lining on this front, it's that perhaps now many of those taken in by would be leaders like Falwell, will see him for the madman he and his kind are. Bush is not my favorite person in the world, but I'm behind him now. He would earn my genuine respect if he now rose to the occasion and spoke out against such hate mongering.

I will conclude my first Flame Wars topic with one of my favorite quotes:

"In Germany, they first came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me - and by that time, no one was left to speak up"

Pastor Martin Niemoller

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