Sassistas! Our dish on the social soup.

Repaying Evil

Meet the media's latest money-making nutcase.

His name is Terry Jones, pastor of the 50-member Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. A few weeks ago, Jones announced that his church would host an "International Burn A Koran Day" to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.  It's hard to believe that such an idiotic demonstration -- blatantly designed to get media attention -- would, in fact, get media attention.  But yesterday, Jones was the main story in nearly every online media outlet thanks to Gen. David H. Patraeus' denouncement of the church's actions. 

Patraeus warned that the demonstration could "endanger troops" and damage the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan.   "Even the rumor that it might take place has sparked demonstrations such as the one that took place in Kabul yesterday," said Patraeus.  "Were the actual burning to take place, the safety of our soldiers and civilians would be put in jeopardy and accomplishment of the mission would be made more difficult."

Asked about Patraeus' reaction, Jones said in a CNN interview, "we have firmly made up our mind" to carry out the Koran burnings, "but at the same time, we are definitely praying about it." He said his group is "weighing the situation." He added: "Our message is a message of warning to the radical element of Islam.  America needs to wake up.  The President needs to wake up."

Hey bozo -- you need to wake up. When Flannista first heard of your planned demonstration several weeks ago, I was appalled but then relieved because I knew your nutty story would quickly go away, like that JetBlue attendant on the emergency chute.  But seems like it's been swept into the current anti-Muslim zeitgeist, if you will. It's kind of cool to take a strong stand against the "radical element of Islam," isn't it?  Bet you feel real patriotic. After all, what could be more American than being a media darling?

There's just one thing needling me, though.  I need you to tell me a bit more about this Jesus you claim to follow.  Is it the Jesus who preached about turning the other cheek?  Or the one who said, "Blessed are the peacemakers"?  How about the one who inspired this portion of a letter to the Christian community at Romans: 

Do not repay evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Hey, I'm just joshing ya, Jones.  I know this isn't the Jesus you follow.  You follow the one who, in your words, "requires me to put forth a show of force for radicals who don't follow the truth of America."  I'm certain that teaching of Christ is in the New Testament somewhere.  Gosh, I'm such a lousy American.  Worse, I'm a lousy Christian!  Because right now I'd like nothing more than to slap the living bejesus out of you. Shame on me . . . but hell, bet I get an interview on CNN!

I'm Listening

Yesterday morning, Flannista woke up to a slew of Facebook messages in regard to an article Chrysosistah posted on her Facebook Wall which detailed Florida Governor Crist's backing of President Obama on the controversial Islamic Center.  Needless to say, it roused a couple of "friends", particularly one, who mercilessly lambasted Chryso's consistently thoughtful First Amendment position.  Following are excerpts (please note that Flann did not correct misspellings):

CHRYSO:  Ultimately, it comes down to a First Amendment right built into the Constitution, part of civil liberties our founders felt were extremely important based on what they and their forebears had experienced. They are RIGHTS, not privileges, and should not be subject to mob rule.

FRIEND: How can anyone refer to themselves as a "peaceful" religion when they willfully murder as they please, provide safe harbor for those of their "faith" who commit such murders, and lie to authorities when questioned about such activities . . . . if followers of Islam are so peaceful, so good-natured, and truly are interested in pursuing worship, rather than murder and espionage and violence against American citizens at every opportunity...then let them turn Osama Bin Ladin over to American authorities.

CHRYSO:  The Muslims I know were horrified about 9/11, and Muslims were among those maimed & killed. Timothy McVeigh was Catholic, but we don't hold that against the church. What about all the other wackos thru time (that guy with the Koolaid in Guyana comes to mind)- they all professed strong religiousity, but were completely off their rockers. So it is with these terrorists. Believe it or not, there are Muslim Americans, many of them, and I think they deserve the same right to worship we all have.

FRIEND:  I'm hopeful that not all Moslems are intent on committing murderous acts against American citizenry, HOWEVER...their group seems to be able to justify murdering anyone they choose. Do the Southern Baptists do that? the Methodists? Catholics? I wonder how many people who support the mosque that close to Ground Zero would feel that way, had they had loved ones diving from 1500 feet onto the pavement below on 9/11...

CHRYSO:  I'm sorry this post has upset you that much; but let's not conflate all the issues this country faces into one rant. Americans, ALL Americans, have the Constitutional right to worship (or not) as we see fit. And that includes building or keeping a house of worship within zoning and building code rules.

FRIEND: Does the right of free religion also include support of murder and treason? Perhaps they don't all do that, but their "religion" is a greater than significant base for planting terrorists in the US...sorry, but I don't believe there is any God that would be good with that, and as a peace-loving individual, I would never connect myself with an entity like that. 

[FRIEND then includes a long excerpt from the Qur'an on its concept of war.  FRIEND then continues:]

I am entitled to discern for myself whether or not "someone's religion is truly a religion", as are you. You seem determined to believe that these people are totally harmless, and their rights will be violated if they aren't allowed to build their mosque on that particular site. I don't agree with you, because I DON'T see these people as harmless and peace-loving, and the location they have chosen is (in my opinion) a trophy for them and a reminder of their "victory" on 9/11. You deftly deflected their "scripture" I provided you, but it is simple and straight-forward...no one is right but them, and they are entitled to kill anyone who opposes them. 

After Flannista read these fb comments, she posted this one, addressing the FRIEND:

FLANNISTA:  I know that you will probably read this, FRIEND, but your adamantine stance on this issue reminds me of a scene in Teaching a Stone to Talk by the Pulitzer-prize winning writer, Annie Dillard. One day, while walking in the woods, she comes across the remains of a fox and a badger, the badger's jaw still deeply imbedded in the remains of the fox. The badger had died defending himself. Seemed noble at first, but that's not the point of Dillard's essay. The point is that the badger was stubborn -- to the point of death.

Your points about the issue of the mosque were lost once your stubbornness eclipsed them. I could tell you were not listening to Chrysosistah, one of my beloveds, and frankly, it pisses me off. I've lost count of the number of friends who have had to tell me to over the years to shut up and listen. Looking back, I'm grateful to them.

With the gift of listening comes the gift of healing. Shut up and listen.

FRIEND:  Stubbornness in a debate is two-sided if neither party gives in, wouldn't you agree? I'm sure that people who agree with me in this issue would consider those who oppose to be stubborn as well. At least I didn't stoop to your tactic of personal attack.

. . . and...if personal attack is your best weapon...perhaps it would be best if you, Flannista, were the one to shut up.

Flannista felt rather convicted by the FRIEND'S last comment, so she went to her small reading room, read some scripture and pondered it all.  She then posted this to the FRIEND:

FLANNISTA:  FRIEND, with the gift of listening comes the gift of healing.  I'm listening.

FRIEND: I actually ran across an article in an Ottawa newspaper, authored by two muslims, who stated the reasons for building the mosque in that particular location. I didn't post it in this discussion because I felt Chryso and I had debated it "to the end", avoiding personal attacks, and we had agreed to disagree. To have posted it here, would have, in my opinion, shown a disrespect for our agreement. It is posted on my profile, should you wish to see it.

FLANNISTA:  I read the Ottawa article in your profile, and I'm still listening.

FRIEND:  Flannista, your condescending tone reveals that if you're listening, it's for what you want to hear. It also points to your possible desire to, to paraphrase you, "piss me off". You aren't going to accomplish that. Therefore, if you're really listening, I guess you'll just have to change the station.

What can Flannista say?  She changed the station.

TORKED: A CorrectSass!

Seems the Sassistas!^TM twisted some information on our May 1 post, "A lot of Yacht." In a comment about that post published right here in our sassosphere, Tork Buckley, editor of The Yacht Report, shared the following (punctuation added and/or corrected by the Sassistas!^TM for clarity):

Just couple of minor details: the link to our site should be to www.synfo.com. The one you used takes visitors straight to a subscription offer. We are, of course, happy when people subscribe but the URL above takes you to our home and news page. The second is rather funny because the link on my name takes visitors to a picture of Peter Tork, who was one of [the members] of the 70's boy band, "The Monkees." I remember the band but never played in it!!

Sorry about that Tork. You'll see your actual photo on the right. Also, the Sassistas!^TM spent a few moments sailing around www.synfo.com and discovered a lot of useful information. For example, the "synfo jobs" link posts job openings for yacht chief stewardesses needed in Italy and France. The "synfo fleet news" includes news such as the construction of two large yachts, complete with heli-pad, yacht ice rotation (we're assuming so one doesn't have to actually stir margaritas), one owner and four guest staterooms, with room for a crew of ten. Clicking on "synfo 'pic of the week' " takes site visitors to yacht images supplied by www.superyachtart.com that boasts, "With the right image you will get noticed!"

The Sassistas!^TM hopes this corrects and clarifies Tork's concerns. To ensure future reliability when reporting on the yacht industry, the Sassistas!^TM invite Tork to take us on a global yachting tour. As we promised in our original post, we'll supply the Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its!

In the meantime, click here to see our own exclusass floating pad!

Bagging the War

Five years ago today, the United States entered into war with Iraq. To mark the day, the Sassistas!^TM would like to print a CorrectSass! regarding our post about Prince Harry. We have learned from youngasista, who has two sons on active duty in the military, that Prince Harry would have been issued a desert military duffle bag and not the one in the original post.

The Sassistas!^TM apologize for the oversight. What's more, we would like to pause for a moment and say a few words about Peter, one of youngasista's sons. While serving in Iraq last year, Peter was injured in an IED attack and earned a Purple Heart. He has since completed his Iraq tour and is now stateside and doing fine (that's Pete, to the right). It's not often that the Sassistas!^TM are lost for words, but we'd like to say to Peter what we said to our World War I dough-boy --€” 107-year-old Frank Woodruff Buckles: thank you.

Back to just plain sass.

Curious that the military issued different duffle bags depending on where a soldier is stationed, the Sassistas!^TM did some exhaustive, in-depth research. Simply click on the links to learn what we discovered:

• Soldiers stationed on Italian bases are issued this bag.
• This bag is issued to soldiers stationed in Scotland.
• In Cleveland, soldiers are issued this bag.
• Last, here'€™s the Commander-in-Chief'€™s bag.