9/11: a day for reflection

We now interrupt this blog for a serious commentary.

Today is September 11th, the anniversary of the heinous
attacks on the World Trade Center. It shouldn't be a day
for anger, hatred, and thoughts of revenge. It should be
a day for compassion for all those who lost friends, loved
ones, and co-workers that tragic day in 2001.

It's important to remember that, even as our nation has
the obligation to defend its citizens agains terrorism, we
musn't allow ourselves to fall into the same mindset that
the terrorists have--ideological fanaticism, taken to the
extreme point where one can think it blameless to hate,
defame, harm, or kill people simply for being different
than us--whether the people concerned are Muslims,
Arabs, Americans, conservatives, liberals, et al.

Those who stand up to represent the principle of peace
have an obligation to be peaceful in their words and deeds
if they want the "peace movement" to be taken seriously.
And the only way it will be an effective movement is to be
taken seriously. Disagreement with government policies
and actions is one thing; hating the representatives of that
government is another altogether.

The late, great Hindu peace activist, Mahatma Gandhi, said,
"To take the name of non-violence when there is a sword in
your heart is not only hypocritical and dishonest but cowardly."

Also, I think that the Christian saying, "Hate the sin, love the
sinner" is appropriate here. Put it in your own words, if you
wish. The underlying principle is paramount: we find war
abhorrent, but we musn't let ourselves sink to the level of
hating the warriors or those who command them.