There are some things I never forget. The day President Kennedy was assassinated. The day the Challenger exploded. Columbine. What I was doing on 9/11/2001. My husband called me and said turn on the television. I got there in time to see the second plane hit the tower. I watched with my hand over my mouth then turned to my little son and said “Kyle, … Continue reading 9/11 Ten Years Later
A couple of years ago I read a book called “The Faith Club” where three women got together regularly to talk about faith. They were a Christian, a Muslim and a Jew. The experience and friendship was transformative as they worked through their differences and came to realize their similarities. I am having a dialogue with a man named Ben Coker, Jr. in South Carolina who responded to a blog I wrote on Veterans Day. We are politically miles apart but we are finding common ground and having an inspired conversation. It continues here.
Vicky, please call me by my first name. I am also enjoying this dialogue with you. I fully agree with your assessment about our not being able to run to every segment of the world. I vividly remember Mogadishu. That was an absolute fiasco. We went over there for humanitarian reasons. There was no functioning government to control the population. Reagan sent the military as a part of the contingency to provide this assistance. The radicals have taken over that area. Of course we exited that area in disarray. We should have never been there.
How do we differentiate between the areas we should try to help and those we should not. I agree with you about our being able to win the friendship through creating conditions that enrich the lives of the people and promoting quality of life. Do you remember the Marshall Plan that was utilized to rebuild Europe in an effort to develop and cultivate friendship and to improve the lives of the people as well as international commerce? This was a very successful operation. However, it was successful because the Allied Armies and the Nazis destroyed all the infrastructure throughout Europe. The Allied Armies had beaten the adversaries into submission. They had nothing left. The military leaders were allowed to conduct a very aggressive battle plan that left them helpless. The adversaries could not resist the USA’s and other’s plan to resuscitate the economy of the world. The enabled the nations to develop a resurgent economy conducive for ALL citizens.
One of the most interesting things I read in the newspaper while in Delhi was the matrimonials in the Sunday Times of India. The section consisted of page after page of personal classifieds by families unapologetically seeking the perfect made to order husband or wife for children whose time has come to make a love connection. Some of the ads were very specific. They spelled … Continue reading A Westerner Ponders Arranged Marriage
Several of my friends and even my family think social networking is a waste of time. They won’t Facebook, Twitter or read blogs and can’t really understand what I get from it. I’ve found the most vehement opposition from my tango dancing mother and my friends who are cyclists. These are not ladies who exercise casually, but rather women who compete on the dance floor, do … Continue reading Favorite Friends I’ve Never Met
My barista leaned over the counter today. “What do you think of the MSNBC host who said she hoped it was a Tea Party member rather than a Muslim who set the car bomb in Times Square?” His colleague at the cappucino maker edged closer to hear what I had to say. “Well,” I replied, “I wish it was someone from the Tea Party. It actually kind of … Continue reading Politics with my Cappuccino
Eboo Patel writes a column featured in USA Today reminding people that moderate Muslims are also in the fight against extremists. They believe terrorism goes against the teachings of Islam and call on all Americans not to let the radicals make us fearful and divide us from good neighbors who also are longing for peace. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/01/column-moderate-muslims-were-everywhere-.html For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Moderate Muslims
To celebrate Barbie’s 50th anniversary a line of Muslim Barbie dolls have been released to help Arabic children connect. There’s a love/hate relationship with Burka Barbie. They wear hijab and brightly colored burkas. What do you think of this diversity doll? http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2009/12/arab-world-burka-barbie-iconic-doll-gets-an-islamic-makeover-for-50th-anniversary.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BabylonBeyond+%28Babylon+%26+Beyond+Blog%29 For more information on Vicky Collins visit http://teletrendstv.com. Continue reading Burka Barbie
Over the course of reading the book “The Faith Club” many things resonated with me but one statement from Ranya, the Muslim woman, sums things up. “Once you can see things from both sides you’re on the side of compassion and humanity.” Another thing that impressed me was a bit of wisdom from my friend, Cheryl, during a walk last weekend. “Don’t judge a religion … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 4
Three years ago I was on the road in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Rosh Hashanah. As is my custom when I am traveling I find myself a service wherever I am. One year I celebrated Rosh Hashanah in Wilmington, North Carolina while covering a hurricane. Another time I spent Passover in Kampala, Uganda where we substituted Indian naan for matzah. There was Yom Kippur in Savannah, Georgia and a seder at a … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 3
My son, Kyle, was born with a bump on his head and it terrified me. As a first time mom I was certain he would become gravely ill and I would not be able to hang on to him. Perhaps it was the postpartum imbalance of hormones but I found myself crying in the shower. Then and there I surrendered. I conceded I could not do … Continue reading The Faith Club Part 2
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