I had something else in mind to write about today.
It is September 12, 2009.
Darcy Shaw on OS wrote "The ultimate astroturf project known as the 9/12 March on Washington will encompass all aspects of what's left of the Republican party in one place this weekend."
Middle Aged Woman Blogging just posted pictures and a rant that I can't disagree with.
Not unexpectedly, a bunch of folks with whom I disagree have been demonstrating, holding up signs of what I perceive as fear-driven idiocy:
September 12, 2001 I was pondering what was going to happen next. I was broken-hearted at the short-sighted rhetoric. Everyone was asking why. I was asking myself why did it take so long for it to happen: when you're the bully on the playground, someone, somewhere will want to take you down.
I was bombarded by images, even in my dreams. The world was waiting to see what we would do next. I could not find a prayer that seemed adequate to cover the grief and fear and anger.
Robin Sneed posted a powerful prayer yesterday: "Baruch Atah: How Then Should We Live." It reminded me of something.
September 12, 2001, I created this image:
Recreated from 09/12/2001. (The original was more menacing.)*
I had heard the writing as: Om Mani Padme Om, though I have seen it written otherwise.
The translation I had learned was: “As I take in the sorrows of the world, may I give out only compassion.”
It is my prayer flag for my country.
It is my prayer for our world.
I am hereby resurrecting this as my demonstration.
* The script on the flag is Tibetan. That it looks like Arabic for those of us who don't read either language made it perfect, especially for the time.
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Comments
The flag is amazing, touching...Thanks for this. R
I remember waking up on 9/12/01, and wishing I could go back to the way I felt waking up the day before - before it all happened. I knew that things were going to be irrevocably changed. Still, I didn't feel hatred. What's happening today seems to be that people are being encouraged to hate, and this is deeply saddening.
John - I hope you're right. When they do, I hope we're prepared to work for justice instead of revenge.
Jeannette - The beginning of the hate cycle, in my opinion, began in 2001.
I remember the question: Why do they hate us so much? The usual response was "because they want to take our freedom. They're jealous."
The response I only made at home was: "Because the US has been the bully of the world for a very, very long time."
Chicago Guy - Thanks, man.
Zuma - You have a knack for righteous prayer. It's almost midnight, here, so Happy Sunday, Zuma!
Kisses,
Marcela
It's Tibetan script. I liked that it looked like Arabic to those of us that don't read either language. I made it - image only. I've been thinking about doing a tattoo of it, although one of the reasons I didn't place it into any other form, especially at the time, was that I thought I might get my ass kicked.
We need to do more counter-demonstrations, I think, using these types of sentiments. "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE" is perfect - it calls on the humanity of us all.
I listened to a few minutes :`barfs!
I heard some rapper-song:`hokum!
It was on a public-radio kooky corny!
I was in DC for a H- Street Farm Market.
What's are these protesters sipping? Sops?
I think 'um need child's Pinata and bamboo?
Fill pinata? Salad, celery, beets, and arugula?
They're demented as if they are in the DC zoo?
`
I should no comment. The 'Speak Easy' bank from West Virginia play music at my daughters wedding. I just left the wedding shindig because another farm-market table is being spread in another town. The most interesting/bizarre normal (?) 'stuff' will be again, again, a class in 'wild'and 'deranged' or Owl_Say_Who can find a good word-lingo? Life will be happening again tomorrow! I need to go and flops? It's to be put-down, and go snooze! West Virginians say:` Naps? Bedtimes of any sort are:`Put downs! If Ya take s Nap Ya are conked?
Pooped?
It's to sleep.
`
The wedding was wild and fun. I teared and so did other folk who were there at a pleasant Place. DCs seems to be a Place where more and more folk gather.
IT'S an insane kook-place.
Off-topic. I need to act sane.
I'll go to DC and act like Owl!
I'll be sad I no go hit hay-sack!
What wild day's indeed O Owl!
I'll try to learn 'cuts and paste'!
Now, I shall go caress a pillow!
Sir Arthur - Sounds like a wonderful event! Oh sleep well! Oh have dreams of blueberries and cream! Namaste, dear poet!
“As I take in the sorrows of the world, may I give out only compassion.”
-raaated-
xo
Namaste.
Don't we know it.
Guess it's time to stand up for compassion. I'm good with that.
Namaste.
tears are my answer.
Owl - We were driving by some demonstrators today after an apt. w/ my 7-year old daughter (I call the "rook"), and she said, what are they doing mama? I said, "they, unfortunately, are spending a lot of energy being angry instead of working to find things we can all get along about."
She said, as she was reading some of the signs, "they're wrong! I don't like the way they make me feel. Helping the President is what we need to do, not try to hurt his feelings." Oh my GOD, out of the mouth of babes.
Peace, Love, and Understanding...
Must post about this, too.
Thought I would share...it helped me a lot today.
Kirsty - Likewise. Together we make little differences and keep each other looking for new ways to make bigger differences.
Tink - Thanks, man. It's no Lesbian Lunch, but fortunately we have you to cover that beat!
Kate - Out of the mouths of babes, indeed! Thanks for that.
Great comments, too.
Rated!!!!!
mamoore - Namaste.
Michael - It would not surprise me if "we" end up raising a million marchers sometime. It might surprise the media, and the rest of the world, if our signs had words reflecting a calm, loving, powerful vibe . . . appealing to that side of "them."
Lea - Anymore, I think our words and creativity, aligned with our hearts, will have more effect than anything else. Our anger provokes theirs. Their fear provokes ours. In reality, the division itself is an illusion - but it's a damn convincing illusion.
O'Really - There are a number of men who are right there on the line with us. Although I wear a "chick suit," I am one of them. And I have often thought the same thing - women may the the saving grace of the country. I've been toying with the idea that rather than shouting, we need to sing.
Marnehb - :~) Namaste.
Ou tout plaindre.
- Victor Hugo
(Hate nothing, my child. Love all, or pity all.)
That phrase should be sent to every single politician in our government. Might remind them who they work for, and more importantly why.
Thumbed.
anyway, thanks for sharing your idea from your dreams. There is always something very powerful about those thoughts because they are not entirely of oneself, but from beyond. You were, and are, being used as a messenger. Thanks Owl.
—Melissa
As Jon Stewart said on the Daily Show: I don't particularly want to be the person I was on 9/12/01'; I don't want to be angry, frightened and grief stricken all at once forever. The aftermath of 9/11 and the toxic breed of patriotism it engendered lasted longer, and the consequences were even more devastating; worse, our own leaders did it to us.
Om Mani Padme Om
Rated