Wednesday December 2nd occurred one of those horrific moments where terrorism broke lose on a relatively unknown community ... Now when people in the media mention "San Bernardino" or maybe "Redlands" a certain picture emerges. Well for me these cities are more than just a media impression as I've lived in these cities most of my life. I was employed by the Regional Center that was attacked...and worked with dedicated Public Health employees for years... People who had no other agenda than serving those in need in the communities of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Another reason this was brought "home" to me was that I live within a block of the apartment that was rented by the suspects who allegedly had an arsenal of weapons, ammunition and pipe bombs... I walked my dog across the street where they lived. So there has been for me a numbness felt and memories of my past working experiences in various agencies years ago. Over the past weekend as a representative of the Baha'i Faith I attended two memorial services at local Islamic Centers in Redlands and the neighboring community of Loma Linda. I think the Muslims at these services were sincerely opposed to the assaults at the Regional Center in San Bernardino.. We united in prayer and sympathy for the innocent. One thing that is of most concern to me is the "back lash" that these events can inspire... We need to unite and share the values of peace and non-violence rather than resort to vengeance or to scape-goat minorities.
One of the purposes of these types of attacks is to create enough anger that there will be backlashes against other Muslims. Then the bad guys can point to how the Muslims are being persecuted here as justification for their actions, and the need for further actions. Unfortunately there is a clueless segment of Americans who will give them exactly what they want. Winners = 0.
That's got to be rough on you mate. My heart goes out to you and everyone involved. That's the way. Hang tough and show your support for the good in people. I don't see how anyone of any faith could condone such lunacy. Cowardice, terrorist are their own worst enemy. Keep the faith.
I found an interesting article in the Christian Science Monitor that I'll post here: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/1210/As-Muslim-harassment-rises-so-do-calls-for-tolerance To morrow my wife and I are going to a nearby campus to support middle eastern students... I hope to share what transpired in a day or so.
Chump, unfortunately, speaks to the ignorance and fear that is so much a part of our culture now. That he is leading in the Republican polls tells you everything you need to know about who these people are. To bash an entire people for popularity - now where have I seen that before. Oh yeah. Germany circa 1918.
We did participate in a Unity Walk at the University of Redlands today and I felt it was promising... http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/s...alk-for-peace-unity-at-university-of-Redlands
The inside collar of a T-shirt being sold after the Redlands/San Bernardino incident of December 2nd.
