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This morning, subways and buses in London were bombed. I have heard that an Islamic fundamentalist group--I haven't heard which yet--is claiming responsibility for the attacks. Bastards! Can I say it enough? Bastards, bastards, bastards!
Luckily, all of my London homies are accounted for so far. Should this happen into the sights of someone affected by the attacks, know that--for what it's worth--my strongest thoughts are with you, your friends, and your families. It is not hard for me to imagine what you are going through, as I can remember what I went through on 9/11. Memory of that day still makes me cry, and I do not cry easily, folks. But that will do it.
What pisses me off the most is that this shit happens in the name of religion. Of religion!!! In the name of a fairy-story that is supposed to promote peace and goodwill. These al-Quaeda fuckers (and I know I just spelled that wrong, but they don't deserve their name spelled right) are just another chapter in a very long book of violence, hate, and intolerance in the name of religion.
I am agnostic, so maybe it is hard for me to understand how people can take this crap literally to the point where they are willing to commit murder--and mass murder at that--because of something they read in a book. I have read parts of the Bible and other religious texts; they are suitable as guides for how one should live his or her life, but when people start taking this stuff too literally, then it seems that hate always flowers not far behind. We have the Moslems bombing trains and crashing planes into buildings; the Christians are bombing abortion clinics and burning people alive because they're gay...what the hell is wrong with people? Do they honestly think that Jesus or Muhammed or whomever their religion idolizes would want them to do this? Why do people feel their own beliefs so threatened because others do not share them? When did private prayer and faith cease to be enough?
(Actually, it never was. I am well aware that religious fanaticism is nothing new; it has been around, probably, as long as religion has. Or not long after.)
Anyway, that done, suffice to say that my coworkers haven't been making this much easier. Diane (Most Annoying Coworker of the Year recipient) has been calling me all bloody day. A minute ago, she beeped me on the Nextel to ask, "Do I have any new warrants in my box?"
"Yes," I said, "one. Kathy brought it today, and I just put it down there."
"It's not the old one I asked you to copy for me, is it?"
Did I not just f***ing say that Kathy brought it today??? Am I the only one around here with functional ears and brain???
(For those who don't know, Diane has been my nemesis for the last year I have worked here. Denser than a block of wood, and who does she seek to blame for her stupidity? I'll give you one good guess.)
That's guvment for you, I guess. Crappily yours,
Medium Dawn Felagund of the Fountain
Luckily, all of my London homies are accounted for so far. Should this happen into the sights of someone affected by the attacks, know that--for what it's worth--my strongest thoughts are with you, your friends, and your families. It is not hard for me to imagine what you are going through, as I can remember what I went through on 9/11. Memory of that day still makes me cry, and I do not cry easily, folks. But that will do it.
What pisses me off the most is that this shit happens in the name of religion. Of religion!!! In the name of a fairy-story that is supposed to promote peace and goodwill. These al-Quaeda fuckers (and I know I just spelled that wrong, but they don't deserve their name spelled right) are just another chapter in a very long book of violence, hate, and intolerance in the name of religion.
I am agnostic, so maybe it is hard for me to understand how people can take this crap literally to the point where they are willing to commit murder--and mass murder at that--because of something they read in a book. I have read parts of the Bible and other religious texts; they are suitable as guides for how one should live his or her life, but when people start taking this stuff too literally, then it seems that hate always flowers not far behind. We have the Moslems bombing trains and crashing planes into buildings; the Christians are bombing abortion clinics and burning people alive because they're gay...what the hell is wrong with people? Do they honestly think that Jesus or Muhammed or whomever their religion idolizes would want them to do this? Why do people feel their own beliefs so threatened because others do not share them? When did private prayer and faith cease to be enough?
(Actually, it never was. I am well aware that religious fanaticism is nothing new; it has been around, probably, as long as religion has. Or not long after.)
Anyway, that done, suffice to say that my coworkers haven't been making this much easier. Diane (Most Annoying Coworker of the Year recipient) has been calling me all bloody day. A minute ago, she beeped me on the Nextel to ask, "Do I have any new warrants in my box?"
"Yes," I said, "one. Kathy brought it today, and I just put it down there."
"It's not the old one I asked you to copy for me, is it?"
Did I not just f***ing say that Kathy brought it today??? Am I the only one around here with functional ears and brain???
(For those who don't know, Diane has been my nemesis for the last year I have worked here. Denser than a block of wood, and who does she seek to blame for her stupidity? I'll give you one good guess.)
That's guvment for you, I guess. Crappily yours,
Medium Dawn Felagund of the Fountain
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 07:40 pm (UTC)I just wanted to say that I agree with your views on religion. I was raised Roman Catholic - but we didn't get along. These days, I also consider myself Agnostic and I simply do not understand how these people think. Everytime something like this happens, I want to get further and further away from organised religion.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:06 pm (UTC)I was baptized a Catholic, and then I think my parents must have forgotten about it because--since then--I've been to church for other people's weddings, communions, and a Living Christmas Tree presentation that started great and tanked once the preaching started....
I have mixed feelings about religion because I understand its power for individual resilience, and I admire personal faith, but just look at history.... It makes me sad that something that could be wonderful and inspirational turns to such horrible ends.
So, until the world turns right, I will stay a happy agnostic :)
(On a happier note, I am looking forward to this unsent review. I am a greedy woman ;p)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:43 pm (UTC)And yes, most major wars have been started over religion. It's sad to see something that could be beautiful so tainted.
*********
I will try to get that review sent this weekend, I want to do it properly.
Until then, just know that I love the fic and it inspired me to write a semi-drabble about one of my favourite Silm characters! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:56 pm (UTC)*looks at tux*
Drabble? Silm character?
Which? And where can we read it?
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:59 pm (UTC)This entry:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/tuxedo_elf/54386.html
And I'm not telling! But you should figure it out easily! ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 09:16 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 07:45 pm (UTC)Especially not random killing of innocent civilians.
*feeling sick*
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:11 pm (UTC)I have been feeling alternatingly sick and dizzy for much of the day. It's like 9/11 all over again. That it is an ocean away (for me) this time makes it no better: Lives have still been lost for a stupid reason. I found myself getting rather peeved today at coworkers who were bumbling around like nothing at all had happened and looked at me and said, "What's wrong?" Perhaps I'm being overly sensitive (it's been known to happen before) :)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:32 pm (UTC)I remember 9/11 only too well... I was in my assistantship to earn my professional qualification then and should have been workind and studying that day... instead I spent the day glued to the TV, crying my eyes out.
I had such a horrible moment today when I went through my flist in my mind, just to reassure me that none of them had any reason to be anywhere near London, and then an awful moment of uncertainty about a special friend who returned from Paris last night: I could not remember if they had gone by train or plane or bus and when they were due to return... But she's fine, everyone of my flist is ok, and their friends and loved ones, too.
But this is such a horrible reminder that terrorism is everywhere, all the time. It is only a matter of time until all the other Western countries are struck.
Those bastards use the free and open society they despise so much to randomly kill innocent civilians. It's so ironic!
I can't shrug that off. I just can't.
And the thought "where will it be next time" - and knowing that there will be a next time, that really makes me sick.
For a short, precious year after the German reunification and the collapse of the Soviet Union, I felt that we really had a chance... for a better future, in a freer world.
Now... that feeling is long past.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 09:14 pm (UTC)It is sad, isn't it, when this is one of the rare certainties in our modern world? My husband studied terrorism in college before it was the "cool" thing to study--he was on his way to Intro to Terrorism when the first plane hit on 9/11--and works for Customs now, and he always echoes your sentiments almost to the letter: "It will happen again, but the question is where? When?" Now that he works in downtown DC everyday, I fear always about a London or a Madrid happening here because he takes the train to work. It is hard to convince myself that it is more painful to be afraid all the time than it is to suck it up and remind myself that he does wonderful things for the US and for the world every day--even if he must take a chance in doing so--and that as soon as something could happen in DC, it could happen in Baltimore or anywhere else. Still, I feel relieved when he tells me of a chance to transfer to an office in Baltimore soon....
I am so glad to hear that all of your friends are safe. I must confess to spending the better part of my (work)day, checking my email and my Friends page to watch as, one by one, people checked in or spoke of families and friends who were safe. I have an extreme adversity to the news media as of late, and most of my news came through these channels. I suppose that's okay, though: I was getting news that my friends were safe and that's what counts :)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 09:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:06 pm (UTC)I was raised Roman Catholic. My problem with most religions is that they are all the same in their holier-than-thou attitude. Get off your damn high religious horse.
My personal favorite are these pro-life nutcases who go around killing doctors. How frigging pro-life is that? Newsflash: You are KILLING someone. Duh.
And I agree, killing in the name of religion is the worst atrocity.
Feanor says: "These people almost make the kinslaying look forgivable."
Not quite, Elf, but ok.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-07 08:18 pm (UTC)And, of course, I agree with you. (Obviously, since it was me who posted this entry that seems to have garnered a lot of comments in a very short time). I've always chalked it up to having zero religious upbringing (thanks mom and dad!), but the more I talk to people who have been raised this or that, the more I hear sentiments a lot like my own. (My husband was raised a good Catholic Polish boy, and he is just as agnostic as I am. Worse, actually. He puts up with far less and will tell someone to shut up, whereas soft, sappy Dawn always just listens....)
But anyway, it is an atrocity. I am so sorry right now for everyone injured or who has lost someone today. It makes me very sad :(
Totally Random and Unrelated
Date: 2005-07-07 08:42 pm (UTC)Do you have a YIM screen name? Instadrabble RULES, man, it RULES!
Re: Totally Random and Unrelated
Date: 2005-07-07 09:26 pm (UTC)I am a bit scared by it since I am (as you can probably tell) excessively long-winded, but I would LOVE to try it! I've been wanting to expand my horizons to short fiction that is actually short for some time now.
No, I don't have a YIM, but I can get one....
Re: Totally Random and Unrelated
Date: 2005-07-08 08:10 am (UTC)You definitely belong to us!
The club of the completely crazy!!!
Last time we instant-drabbled I reeled to bed at 4 am in the morning... but that is because with my European time-zone I am a bit at a disadvantage.
Re: Totally Random and Unrelated
Date: 2005-07-08 08:37 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-08 08:46 pm (UTC)Why do people feel their own beliefs so threatened because others do not share them?
That is such a good question. It's like some people think that things such as homosexuality are some sort of contagious disease. If a gay person breathes the same air, they might catch those "gay germs" and become gay themselves. O.o Because that totally doesn't make any sense...
I'll step of my box now, before my thoughts and such get out of hand...
(no subject)
Date: 2005-07-08 10:42 pm (UTC)My sister is bisexual (and I hope she doesn't mind me invoking her in my journal :/ ), and so the homosexuality issue is particularly keen for me. I even researched Biblical evidence against homosexuality...what is there is so ambiguous or has been mistranslated so badly over the years that there's really nothing at all. What is there is that Jesus loved and forgave *everyone* from thieves to prostitutes...I doubt he would have condoned his followers hating homosexuals too.
Okay, I sense a diatribe coming on! ::stepping off my box::