I'm Offended That You're Offended

If you've ever seen a movie or a TV show that shows the stereotypical auto repair shop or garage at a car dealership, you'll no doubt see calendars hanging up on the toolboxes of the mechanics/technicians or on the walls. Some have the types of cars the dealership sells, some will have antique autos of different body styles, and yet others will have pictures of a whole different kind of body...you know what I mean. Such a calendar hung at the back wall of the car dealership where I work, though it was nowhere near as risque as you might think. The tool companies that frequent the dealership will bring these calendars around yearly and distribute them to the techs that give them the most business. This particular calendar had beautiful women that were wearing revealing outfits, but could not be called scantily clad by any stretch of the imagination. Basically I've seen calendars that show a WHOLE lot more. Yet, on a recent walk-through by our insurance company, it was suggested to our owners that this calendar, in plain sight of customers, could be offensive and should be removed immediately. One of the owners immediately complied.

The question I have for you, ladies and gentlemen, is this: do I have any recourse that I may take for this action, which I deem to be offensive? Before you answer, I can already tell you the answer is no. I'm finding that in this day and age, especially in our country's current configuration, if you're offended by something someone says, does, thinks, etc... you immediately have the upper hand. Whatever ruling body in charge that can make a decision to pacify the offended party almost has no other choice but to give in to the demands. So by this choice, the offenders could now also become the offended, taking an offense to the offense felt by the original offended party (this really does make sense, people...if you need a program to follow, one is for sale). Back to my situation. Not that I looked at this calendar all that much, but it did have a certain beauty to it that was a change. Now, instead of taking a minute to look at this calendar, all I can see from my desk are the technicians...and believe me, this carnivore isn't into the sausage-fest.

I put it to you, ladies and gentlemen, that we as a people are getting too thin-skinned and sue-happy. Just because someone has a varying opinion from us or of us, we have to take offense to it. At the same time, we have to acquiesce to the needs of every individual, which is in all actuality impossible because we are all different. If that doesn't happen, it's time to get legal representation involved. Instead, why don't we just agree where we can but disagree if we must? I think we've got some work to do here in the country and this is just one of the areas that could use some help.

Building a Better Mosque Trap?

The late, great comedian Bill Hicks once said, "A lot of Christians wear crosses around their necks. You think when Jesus comes back he ever wants to see an f*****g cross? It's like going up to Jackie Onassis wearing a rifle pendant." I can't help but think that if he was living today, Bill would modify the last line to read, "It's like allowing the building of a mosque near Ground Zero". Although, maybe I'm wrong about him saying it...but at least he'd think it.

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I'm a very tolerant person. I'm pretty well open-minded & I'm okay with whatever floats your boat. Black, white, red, yellow, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, straight, gay...it really makes no difference to me. But there are some things that when done blatantly cross the line. This whole mosque issue has done so. While I don't believe Islam to be a particularly peaceful religion, I understand Christianity has had a past which doesn't show its peaceful side either. Christians are attempting to change that and I would hope that many Muslims are trying to do the same for Islam. This is not fully why I have a problem with this mosque being built. My problem with it exists in the almost defiant nature that the proponents have in where the location must be. Why must it be built so close to Ground Zero?

When September 11th, 2001 occurred it put a bad taste in the mouths of many people around the world concerning Islam. While most, including me, understand that not all people who practice Islam are hateful murderers, there is a large section that is FULL of them & they are the ones who we constantly see in the news as spokespeople for their religion. Some of those extremists are the ones who hijacked the airplanes that caused such devastation nine years ago. Knowing this to be the case, why would the people in favor of this building be so gung-ho for it to be built near Ground Zero? It's as if they purposefully want to poke and prod a still-healing wound while pouring salt into it. I've also played enough strategy games like Warcraft to know that there is nothing more satisfying than placing your flag on enemy turf to boost your morale and destroy your enemy's at the same time. PERHAPS it is truly a gesture of peaceful Muslims trying to bridge a gap of understanding by getting people more familiar with their faith. If this is the reason, then I regretfully inform those people that they are going about it the wrong way. It is too soon to be attempting something like this.

So, I'd like to deliver some messages to some people about this issue, even though they will never read them, but at least I'll feel better getting it off my chest.

• To Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Patterson, President Obama & all other politicians in favor of this building: I don't know what your kickback is for supporting the mosque, but you are seriously endangering your own careers and your credibility for any other agenda you'd like to ram down our throats. Listen to your constituents and KNOW that the majority is NOT in favor of the mosque. Heed the warning or you'll be in the unemployment line.
• To the peaceful Muslims in favor of this mosque: I appreciate your efforts, but please go about this a different way. I would love nothing more than to have peace with your people, but this isn't going to work. Let's work on a different way. Oh, by the way, flush out the extremists from your religion so it'll make things easier.
• To the Muslim extremists: your efforts will NOT be successful and you will NEVER destroy America. If you plan on using this mosque as a launch pad, you will fail in one way or another. The American people will never allow you to succeed.
• To the American people: stay strong and diligent. Question with boldness. Investigate everything yourself and make informed decisions. Embrace honesty and sincerity, but be cautious of deception.