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Why Can't They Just Ignore Each Other?

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:42:11 -0700

For those who don’t know him, please let me introduce my VOX neighbor, Tommy Hames.

Tom and I disagree on almost every current issue, I’ve noticed. And when we disagree politically, socially, economically and spiritually, well…I won’t sugarcoat this ─ I think he’s wrong. Dead wrong. And I think that I’m right. And my guess would be Tom thinks I’m wrong, dead wrong (can you imagine?) and he’s right.

And yet, it’s a funny thing…I still like Tom. And he likes me. Based on replies to my posts, comments he’s made on his, I know he thinks about my perspective, even if he will never agree with me. And I do the same about his.

In fact, sometimes, at dinner, I will tell my husband some of the things about which Tom and I disagree, and my husband almost always says I’m right and Tom is wrong. (He’d be a madman not to, wouldn’t he? After all, Tom doesn’t cook dinner for him.)

But, my husband and I talk about what Tom thinks and writes. And not once have we ever thought that Tom didn’t have a right to his beliefs, or perspectives. Not once have I ever thought him a person unworthy of my regard. Not once have I ever called Tom a bad name.

“What about Tom?” you might ask. Since he’s so wrong, he must get angry at me for being so right, right?

Wrong.

In fact, the one and only time Tom displayed public annoyance over something I wrote on my blog was because it personally involved him.

That one time, Tom was right and I was…well…wrong. And I apologized.

But guess what? Tom felt I didn’t have to apologize, and also felt I had a right to my thoughts. And then, he forgave me and forgot about it. Gracious and right, that was Tom, all in one day.

It was a bit hard to swallow.

Nonetheless, though I didn’t enjoy the taste of crow, I am so glad Tom disagrees with me and I with him, because he makes me think. He helps me remember that there are many sides to an issue, and that just as it’s happened in the past, someone will come along with a fact - a perspective- a news flash- that just might make me revisit my stance. Or at least, understand another stance more.

(Oh- it’s happened and I’m not ashamed to admit it.)

The fact that Tom and I are often diametrically opposed also teaches me to deal with my frustration over those oppositions in the same way that Tom does- with civility.

Here’s another thing. We’re friends. Yes indeed, Tom and I have become friends.

Here are some of the things Tom has done to show his friendship that in fact, some others who agree with me have not:

1)   He has sent me emails congratulating me on the success of my book. He not only ‘friended’ my book fan page on Facebook, he got his daughter to do it, also.( Who also sent me a very nice note.)

2)   He has asked my advice on his writing (which is very good, by the way) and thanked me for all of my help.

3)   He compliments often on my work and thanks me for my friendship.

So from these, I also learned that just because someone disagrees with me, it doesn’t mean s/he can’t be my friend and wish me well, and just because someone does agree with me, it doesn’t necessarily mean s/he will be my friend or wishes me well.

Yeah- Tom and I are very odd, apparently, because we don’t hate each other’s guts and say disgusting things to each other. Because we believe that we live in a country where it is our constitutional right to disagree, and where that very disagreement keeps a balance against the zealots and fanatics on either side of Tom’s perspective and mine.

And, because, despite the fact that we disagree, we share a love for ourselves, that spreads out to our fellow human beings.

And that, I think, is the root of it. People who hate and spread that hate, whether they are on the right side of any issue (mine, of course) or the wrong side of an issue, hate themselves first. Their reason for vehement, violent and nasty disagreement is not really fueled by frustration, but by a terrible fear that they are not respected, or worthy of respect.

Do I sound smug about all this? Well, maybe that's because I am. And a little disturbed, too, by some of the things I've been reading in my VOX neighborhood lately.

So thanks, Tom, for respecting yourself enough that you don’t have to be mean to me when you’re always wrong and I’m always right. You and the family should come over for a barbecue at our place sometime.

You do eat meat, of course, Tom – right?

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Today, I Will Let Someone Else's Words Speak for Me

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Mon, 25 May 2009 10:25:05 -0700

Danchoi

Lt. Daniel Choi, is a West Point graduate with a degree in ARABIC, yet he was tossed out of the military for being gay. Please read his open letter to the President posted below (or watch his interview via the link provided.) And if you feel this is a "slap in the face", show some support by pasting this to your blog to help get the word out.

And remember, YOUR tax dollars paid for his education at West Point. I think we have a right to see a return on that investment, unless there is a better reason for his having been relived of duty than his being gay.

http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/08/dont-ask-dont-tell-continues-under-obama/

Open Letter to President Obama and Every Member of Congress from Daniel Choi:

I have learned many lessons in the ten years since I first raised my right hand at the United States Military Academy at West Point and committed to fighting for my country. The lessons of courage, integrity, honesty and selfless service are some of the most important.

At West Point, I recited the Cadet Prayer every Sunday. It taught us to “choose the harder right over the easier wrong” and to “never be content with a half truth when the whole can be won.” The Cadet Honor Code demanded truthfulness and honesty. It imposed a zero-tolerance policy against deception, or hiding behind comfort.

Following the Honor Code never bowed to comfortable timing or popularity. Honor and integrity are 24-hour values. That is why I refuse to lie about my identity.

I have personally served for a decade under "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" - an immoral law and policy that forces American soldiers to deceive and lie about their sexual orientation. Worse, it forces others to tolerate deception and lying. These values are completely opposed to anything I learned at West Point. Deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a fighting force.

As an infantry officer, an Iraq combat veteran, and a West Point graduate with a degree in Arabic, I refuse to lie to my commanders. I refuse to lie to my peers. I refuse to lie to my subordinates. I demand honesty and courage from my soldiers. They should demand the same from me.

I am committed to applying the leadership lessons I learned at West Point. With 60 other LGBT West Point graduates, I helped form our organization, Knights Out, to fight for the repeal of this discriminatory law and educate cadets and soldiers after the repeal occurs. When I receive emails from deployed soldiers and veterans who feel isolated, alone, and even suicidal because the torment of rejection and discrimination, I remember my leadership training: soldiers cannot feel alone, especially in combat. Leaders must reach out. They can never diminish the fighting spirit of a soldier by tolerating discrimination and isolation. Leaders respect the honor of service. Respecting each soldier’s service is my personal promise.

The Department of the Army sent a letter discharging me on April 23rd. I will not lie to you; the letter was a slap in the face. It is a slap in the face to me, it is a slap in the face to my soldiers, peers and leaders who have demonstrated that an infantry unit can be professional enough to accept diversity, to accept capable leaders, to accept skilled soldiers.

My subordinates know I’m gay. They don’t care. They are professional.

Further, they are respectable infantrymen who work as a team. Many told me that they respect me even more because I trusted them enough to let them know the truth. Trust is the foundation of unit cohesion.

After I publicly announced that I am gay, I reported for training and led rifle marksmanship. I ordered hundreds of soldiers to fire live rounds and qualify on their weapons. I qualified on my own weapon. I showered after training and slept in an open bay with 40 other infantrymen. I cannot understand the claim that I “negatively affected good order and discipline in the New York Army National Guard.” I refuse to accept this statement as true.

As an infantry officer, I am not accustomed to begging. But I beg you today: Do not fire me. Do not fire me because my soldiers are more than a unit or a fighting force – we are a family and we support each other. We should not learn that honesty and courage leads to punishment and insult. Their professionalism should not be rewarded with losing their leader. I understand if you must fire me, but please do not discredit and insult my soldiers for their professionalism.

When I was commissioned I was told that I serve at the pleasure of the President. I hope I have not displeased anyone by my honesty. I love my job. I want to deploy and continue to serve with the unit I respect and admire. I want to continue to serve our country because of everything it stands for.

Please do not wait to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Please do not fire me.

Very Respectfully,

Daniel W. Choi
1LT, IN
New York Army National Guard
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/05/11/gay-soldier-dont-fire-me/

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New Book Trailer for Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss, and Greece

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:21:49 -0700

Hello VOX neighbours:

Today, I'm looking for your creative opinions. A friend of mine produced a short 'book trailer' for my book, including the music. I was very pleased with the gift.

For those who don't know, a 'book trailer' is like a movie trailer, except for books, not movies, obviously. I'd love to hear your critiques and comments.

You can still reach me at my email address patricia@patriciavdavis.com
even just to say "hello", (which would be very nice, indeed) and I'm also on Facebook now. I hope I get to see some more of you there.

Harlot's Sauce the book also has a FACE BOOK FAN PAGE, and we just ran a contest where one VOX neighbour won a $100 dollar American Express Card, a Harlots' Sauce Radio t-shirt, and an autographed copy of the book. There willbe more contests, so if you are on Facebook, and happen to like contests, come join the fan page. (It would probably also help if you actually liked the book, but I don't think they make you sign an affidavit to that effect! ; D )

Okay, so here is the video. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! You can post them, if you wish, at http://patriciavolonakisdavis.wordpress.com

(By the way, I can't believe how far I've come with my tech skills. Though still a newbie, I remember how Foxsy Dee and Paxton had to give me lessons on even the simplest things. Now I can actually post a vid!

Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss, and Greece Book Trailer

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Les cavernes de Tapolca

nobody@vox.com(amaurypest) — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:51:13 -0700

Voici une photo dans les cavernes souterraines de Tapolca, près du Balaton en Hongrie.
Tout petit tour en bateau à rames mais assez impressionnant!
À déconseiller aux claustrophobes!

photo.jpg

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Farewell to My Friends on VOX

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:56:49 -0800

For at least the third time in the past two months, I’ve had trouble not only posting on VOX, but replying to my friends and neighbours’ comments on my blog, and even with posting comments on some others’ blogs, as well. It’s become a tedious process to write here, and since I’ve contacted VOX several times with no response from them, I’ve had it. With the help of my two friends/webdesigners I am moving my blog to: patriciavolonakisdavis.wordpress.com.

I know I will not see some of you again, and I’ll miss you very much. But I plan to pop back in here and visit my neighbours’ blogs often. And when I do post at wordpress, in case anyone might want to see what I’m up to over there, I’ll try to make that easier by posting the link here. (If VOX glitches don’t stop me for doing that, that is.)

I’d like to say it was more than wonderful meeting you all, and I had a marvelous time. I learned more than I could have guessed about different countries, different points of view, and different people. But all that exposure only reaffirmed what I’ve always held to be true - the more people seem different from me, be it their nationality, their skin coloring, their sex, viewpoints, religion, or location - the more I see we are the same, once we really get to know each other.

Also, because in the United States we’re still in “Black History Month”, (a separation from plain old “American history” that I think is ridiculous, but that’s a subject for another post), I want to leave you with this one civilization-altering photo taken from Life magazine in 1968:

Black Power Salute 1968 Mexico City Olympics

During the Olympic Games in Mexico City, U.S. athlete Tommie Smith won the 200 metre race in a then-world-record time, with Australia's Peter Norman second, and U.S.’s John Carlos in third place. After the race was completed, the three went to collect their medals at the podium, where during the U.S. National Anthem, Smith and Carlos raised their fists in a “Black Power” salute to protest the human rights violations in their country, the United States of America.

This took place in October of 1968, just a little over forty years ago. They did this because, in their country, the United States of America, just a little over forty years ago, Americans whose ancestors came from Africa, or the West Indies, or anywhere else in the world nearer the equator where the Creator covered people with darker skin to protect them from the extra sunrays they’d be exposed to, were, by virtue of having that darker skin, judged as “lesser” by other Americans.

So the “inalienable rights” of their Constitution were not extended to them. They couldn’t even drink from the same public water fountains as their lighter-skinned American counterparts, because who knew whether or not dark skin might be catching? (Leaving the ludicrousness of that, as well as Coppertone and tanning salons aside for another post, too.)

The backlash for Mr. Carlos and Mr. Smith, their sports careers, their families, and even to Mr. Norman, the Australian up there with them, who supported them by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge, was staggering. I won’t detail what repercussions they all suffered – you can read many of them here

But now Smith and Carlos are in their sixties, and when asked recently if they would make the same sign again, in the same place and time, both answered, “Absolutely.”

Mr. Smith and Mr. Carlos realise what they did for the Civil Rights Movement, clearly.

But I wonder if they realise that their one gesture in Mexico City led to the first Black American President, who will shortly begin withdrawal of United States troops from a country which, (in my opinion) we should never have invaded in the first place?

Maybe, at this time, a white Democrat president would do the same, but that’s the not the point, really. The point is that forty years ago, when Smith and Carlos made their decision to stand up and stand out, non-violently,for civil rights, and when they then bravely bore the personal fall-out of that decision, they in essence became the salvation of thousands of young American men and women who will not be deployed to Iraq to fight and die there, and thousands of Iraqi civilians who, as a result, will not die at American hands.

When viewed in that light, the ramifications of Carlos and Smith holding their fists high and still in the air that day, are much more far-reaching than they would ever have imagined standing on that podium in their youth. Something done by two men in Mexico City forty years ago, engendered thousands of lives rescued today in a country where neither have ever been. It makes one wonder how differently history would have turned out if they decided against making their statement, had just taken their gold and bronze medals and gone home.

Everything we do in life, and everything we don’t, has a corollary effect far greater than we can possibly imagine on the entire planet, even if we are not Olympic champions. For example, thanks to some reconnections I’ve made on Facebook recently, I learned that what I said or didn’t say as a teacher in my classroom thirty years ago, still affects some of my former pupils today.

So, what about you? What gestures have you made or not made, what life-transforming thing have you done, said, or written, or not done, not said, not written, that can have had either miraculous or catastrophic results?

For better or worse, all that is done or not done by each of us, reaches far more of us than we could ever dream.

And with that last thought, I say, "Good bye and all good wishes to all of you."

Patricia Volonakis Davis

February 2009

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We Were All So Very Good....

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 12:29:28 -0800

.......but When We Were Bad, We Were Even Better!

With Warmest Wishes from Patricia

Here are my wishes for Neighbourhood Friends for 2009:

For Foxsy...A very happy birthday, a new great start and, down the road a ways, a loving partner who appreciates all that she is....

For R.G. Ryan, Shushnow, Margy and Baria...Spots on the NY Times Bestsellers' List!

For grrrace and Michelley-Shell...the true realization and recognition of their talents and their remarkable worth....

For Libertine...yet another liberating year!

For Street Vein, Kzinti, Ninja, Charms, Flamingo Dancer, and Jack Yan...even more remarkable insight to fill up our brains in the coming year....

For Bookmole and NayNay72...the miracle they deserve for their children...(I will ask the universe every day)

For IliasK...safety and illuminating experiences while he is in the Greek Navy

For Lightchaser, Brown Suga', and Dharmaji...a return to order and security in their beloved country

For Kirk...a Man of the Year Award that comes with a huge cheque and a year off...

For Snowy...many, many, MANY more Friday Night Philosophy posts

For Vicola...a book deal (It's coming, trust me!) and eggnog laced with tranquilizers for her in-laws....

For ekennedy and Lucy...nomination for poet laureate in their future....

For petermcc...(Sigh) what can you give the man who has everything, including a wife who's willing to trek the wilderness with him, and a Doctrate Degree in Patrichism?

For Toe-Knee...never, ever to be plagued by writer's block!

For Tammie...peace and reassurance and more friends like Tom

For liveoutlife...continued inspiration to keep writing and inspiring others...

For Steve Betz...major scienific discoveries that will change the world and which we in his neighbourhood will forever refer to as, "Best Betz"

For LaidOutInLavender...international fame for her photos and a very lucrative photoshooting comtract which takes her to a new exotic realm every (damn) Christmas

For Mrs. Peel...fabulous health, fabulous wealth, and a character to be designed after her in a new novel! (We've got one, let's work on the other two, eh, Cynth?)

For Paxton...much, much success and fulfillment in his new career!

For Raymond...a place to call home and lots of suportive, loving friends

For Crowseer... a chance to write a sitcom, which becomes a major fav...

For Ms.Genevieve...an appointment as social advocate for single mothers, which helps many women and brings her much prosperity...

For IrishLuckLass...that home in Florida! ASAP!

For Roboter...a mate for his robot, Ted and one for himself, too! But this time, let them both be women who appreciate how fantastic their men are!

For G.... The return of his spaceship and a welcome home as a hero to his home planet, Mars...

For Connie, Cap'n Stephel, dearbarbz, Java Janie, JustMe, Hannahbanana, I-Luv-Eeyore, and Ginger Sister...lots more fun with friends, work, and family, because it seems to me they know how to get the most from life...

For paikea...an extraordinary, perfect laptop, and great internet connections wherever she travels!

For Empress Nasi Goreng and Queen of Fractual Beauty...peace in their individual Empire and Queendom, and their continued wisdom and compassion in ruling over all they survey...

For Vibrant Nation and Renee/PR...recognition for founding two great mags!

For Funny Bunny...the continued love and support of her mum as she makes her way through this learning process called "life"

For Abie...lots of joy learning the African drums...

For Lorri and Artzy Carmen...an endless supply of craft materials, and all the time they need to create all they dream of with them!

for Lilia and Cavatica...brilliant success with those amazing, break-out photo compositions

For prairieplains, Tired Working Mom, and ButterflyBaby...continued adventures and development as they explore new motherhood...

For Alex...a happy marriage and a GUILT-FREE life!!!

For Beaner...miracle recovery and continued great sense of humour...

For Jayd...the absolutely perfect dancing partner...

For gundersonbee...enough of that home-made chocolate to share with everyone in her neighburhood (me! me! me!)

For Philhellene...to be able to snap his fingers and be in Greece whenever he feels the need...

For Indiana...continued courage that inspires us all...

County_Cinderella...all the cats, dogs, etc. etc., to care for and love that her heart desires...

Ancora Impara...the best of everything,and all you wish for, because you truly deserve it...

Molls...film contract in LA and, as a result, world domination...

Cupcate...a Magazine-of-the-Year Award and world domination to share with Molls...(believe me we'd all be better off with these two in charge...)

For Johnny Depp (or whoever you really are) Free massage. At Just Me's house. You bring the massage oil...

For Baby Michael... a grannie who adores him. Oh wait! You've already got that!

For the rest of my neighbourhood, I wish you all the peace, health, happiness and success we all work so hard to achieve. Thank you for finding my blog worth your time.Thank you for being my neighbours and friends.

A Most Wonderful New Year to You All!

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The Little Saint Nicholas

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:55:18 -0800

In light of the horror which took place in India, and another horror which is at this moment taking place in Greece (see photos at the end of this post) and has now spread to Spain and France, I think it's appropriate to post this excerpt from my memoir and dedicate it to my friends in India and Europe, with hopes that people will come to their senses and understand that there is always a a peaceful way to get one's point across....

The Little Saint Nicholas in Greece

"The Little Saint Nicholas"

(Excerpted from Harlot's Sauce: A Memoir of Food, Family, Love, Loss and Greece)

At the end of our new road, there was a little white stucco church.It had a clay tile roof and was no bigger in its entirety than my son Nick’s new
bedroom. It was Saint Nicholas Church, for which our street had been
named. It was open every day. There was no staff in attendance, but you could go in whenever you wished, to light a candle and leave a donation in an unlocked donation box. It was such a tiny space, there was no room for seating. So if you wanted to pray, you’d haveto do so standing. It was a unique kind of place and Nick, at only eight years old, was captivated by it. He’d go inside and stay forever. I’d wait for him outside, in our parked car.

I could see him from there, just standing in that little church. Once in
a while, he’d move his arms as though he were speaking to someone, and I
wondered if he liked being in there because he thought it was the perfect
place to talk to God.

One morning after Nick left for school, Gregori pulled me over to our television. “Look at this,” he said.

The news report was showing our little church. A group of protesters had thrown a Molotov cocktail into it. Everything in the interior was burned to ash and the pretty white exterior blackened with soot.

“Oh, no,” I said. “Nick will be devastated.”

Nick surprised us when we told him what’d happened, however. He didn’t get upset. He just said, “We’ll fix it. Right? Baba works for a paint company. He can give the priest paint.”

I didn’t know what to say. I looked at Gregori.

Gregori said, “The church needs more than just paint to fix it, Nikolaki. All the icons and candles are gone. Everything inside is destroyed.”

Nick waved his hand dismissively. “Those are for other people to get. We can get the paint. Baba, you’ll ask George Cristos for the paint?”

Gregori didn’t have the seniority to request that his company donate paint to a church. He was probably thinking the same as I, because he was looking at Nick dolefully. But Nick was looking back at Gregori with such hope. I held my breath as they stared silently at each other.

Suddenly Gregori said, “Of course, I’ll get you the paint. Tomorrow after school, you and your mother will go see the priest. Give him my card and tell him to call me at my office.”

The look on Nick’s face was worth whatever this would cost us. “Thank you, Baba,” he said.

After he’d gone to bed, I asked Gregori, “Do you think George will donate the paint?”

Gregori made his favorite Greek hand circling motion. “We’re talking about a lot of paint. Stucco’s very porous. It’ll need many coats to get rid of all that black smoke stain. I hate to ask George such a thing. But it’s important to Nick. Worse comes to worse, George will give us the wholesale price and we’ll just have to pay for it ourselves.”

I was proud of the way he’d handled this. “Okay, Gregori. That’s what we’ll do.”

If I was happy with Gregori, I wanted to give George Cristos a medal the next day. As soon as Gregori told him what the paint was for and that Nick had requested it, he said he’d donate it. Furthermore, Nick was right — other people did contribute everything else. Soon, the little Saint Nicholas Church was prettier than ever. I’d never seen anything get done as fast in Greece.

We later found out that the suspects were ‘The Anarchists’, a anti-establishment group that expressed their sentiments by destroying things.They threw homemade bombs into empty buses that transported pupils to private schools, because they were “against elitism.” Then they threw them into buses that transported pupils to state schools, because they were “against group-brainwashing.” In short, they blew up everything, because everything was what they were against. They offered no replacement alternatives; they just left behind a mess. Every November 17, in “tribute” to the brave students who’d been slaughtered by the junta, the Anarchists broke into the current day Athens Polytechnic University. Faces covered with black cloth, so these ‘fearless rebels’ couldn’t be identified, they’d climb over the university gates, smash the windows of the buildings and tear the school apart, causing millions of drachmas in damage each year. But they weren’t arrested for it, because the Hellenic population had vowed never to forget the slaughter of those students, and the new democracy in Greece declared that all government-owned school buildings would from then on be a political asylum for any protesters.

I wonder if anyone besides me, "the naive little American" as some of the natives like to call me, noted the contradiction that a group who professed 'anarchy' was being protected by a government decree. As you can tell, I wasn’t impressed by Anarchists. To me, they were just glorified hooligans.

But, interestingly enough, Nick never once concerned himself about the people who’d bombed his favorite church, or what their purpose or values were.

He simply said, “Let’s fix it.”

And we all did. The most powerful statement that came from the
bombing of a church was made by an eight-year-old boy.

-------------------------------------------------

Peace on Earth....Please

A Christmas Tree on Fire in Athens, Greece

Greek Policeman on Fire

Welcome to Greek Hell

Nike Anarchist Irony

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Les collines de Buda toujours enneigés!

nobody@vox.com(amaurypest) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:44:07 -0800

photo.jpg

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Du gui dans un arbre à Budapest....

nobody@vox.com(amaurypest) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:58:24 -0800

photo.jpg

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A Memo from Satan

nobody@vox.com(Patricia Volonakis Davis) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:40:00 -0800

A Memo from Satan

INTEROFFICE COMMUNICATION

FROM: Satan

TO: Minions

RE: The United States of America, Planet Earth

It looks like we’re finally making some real progress in the United States of America. Naturally, as your Supreme Leader, I take credit for the brilliant idea. But it was our diligent force of minions working tirelessly there, who carried out My plan so well. Indeed, using the Christians against themselves, without even one of them suspecting our ultimate goal, was a group effort of pure genius. So, I’m going to extend cautious congratulations to My force of followers who are working there.

You’ve done an excellent job - on the one hand you’ve calmed the suspicions of those annoying Americans who ever diligently fight for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, by not interfering in the citizens’ decision to vote in an African-American to the presidency. By allowing them the celebration of that one historical triumph against racism, they won’t be as upset, or nearly as suspicious, about what we’ve managed to pull off right under their noses.

But we mustn’t rest on our laurels. The Constitution in this particular country was so intelligently designed, that, though we’ve managed to drill some holes in it, it’s still holding up. The fact that it had “separation of church and state” as one of its major clauses has been problematic for us for more than two centuries. For the last 232 years, The United States has been the one of the few spots on earth where every religious denomination has lived peacefully side by side. A synagogue could be built as easily as a church, a mosque never attacked, because the law of the land was that all citizens of all the separate religions were allowed to worship their individual gods in any way they saw fit, with no interference from the government! And, in upholding that part of the Constitution, the government was not permitted to limit any citizen‘s civil rights based on their religious beliefs. People, all people, could enjoy their religious preferences and worship in peace and harmony!

It was disgusting, and very, very frustrating for Me. Those who’ve been with Me through the centuries can attest to the fact that our mission is most successful when a country‘s government is of a specific, ruling religion, and that ruling religion takes action against other minor religions that try to exist in the same area.

Oh, the bloodshed I enjoy when people try to rise up against religious discrimination, when one religion despises another! No other type of war we’ve created on earth has created more slaughter, more sin, than a religious war. But even those who are new to the forces of evil, can see how well we’ve done in the Middle East (re: Earth) All that human blood sacrificed in the names of all the different gods’ advances our cause greatly. It weakens the good will in men, makes them believe they are superior to one another, and ultimately brings down the very gods those men and women claim to worship. What a perfect scheme has religious war been for us! But with a government that protects all denominations, our work in the U.S. had not been easy.

Until we infiltrated the Mormon church and beguiled the Catholics and other Christian denominations into thinking that the Mormons want to work in harmony with them.

That one really made Me chuckle.

Because, thanks to My work done centuries ago, we’ve already convinced the Mormons that they are the only ones going to heaven. They truly believe they are the only chosen, therefore they won’t be in harmony with the other Christian denominations for very long, that’s for sure, because all the other denominations feel exactly the same. Their smug religious superiority will crack their veneer of righteousness. But now that they’ve come together this once and have been able to obtain the votes of so many denominations to pass the country’s first religious law, we here in Hell have finally witnessed that the United States’ Constitution is no longer impervious to current popular belief. Civil liberties are up for sale to those who can obtain the most votes. We have proven that with the passage of this new law.

This is enormous for our cause.

And relatively soon, maybe in five years, maybe in ten, if the Christians continue to believe they have upheld their religion freedoms by passing a religious law (don’t you love the irony?) the Mormons will start thinking about additional religious laws they’d like to have passed. And why shouldn't they, since this foray into political control was so successful?

Once that happens, with luck, timing and some clever minions in the right churches, (which reminds Me--I thought we fired Ted Haggart? Oh, well --- I’ll save that for another memo) some of those laws the Mormons will want enacted will anger some of the other religious denominations.

Like the Jews. They’ve proven volatile enough to get riled very quickly. If we get the right people in with the Mormons and some real troublemakers in with the Jews, there will be a religious uprising of one religious group against another in the United States, just as we’ve been able to create religious uprisings in other countries, as fast as you can say “JOSEPH-VEE-ESS-ABRAHAM.”

And all because we were able to convince Mormons, who were at one time in the past, as ostracized as gays are today, that gay marriage was threat to them.

I’m still laughing.

And the best part about this? None of the religious groups have any clue that they’ve helped to destroy their own religious freedom in the United States, one of the few places on earth where they were free to worship as equals. In fact, they’re so blinded to it, that even if they found this memo, they’d have no idea what in Hell I was talking about.

Congratulations, My most worshipful, hardworking minions. If you pull this off in Australia next, I think a bonus will be in order.

Satan

Fire Meany, Satan's Secretary

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