Many of you know where I live. When my wife and I were house-hunting, we kept going back to “this house” in “this neighborhood” — in northwest Oklahoma City, near Lake Hefner. During the past four years, we have developed a good friendship with our immediate neighbors. But for the first time, I am ashamed to say I live in my neighborhood.
As I write this, we are twelve days from election day. Homeowners a stone’s throw from my house on three occasions have placed “Obama/Biden” signs on their corner lot. Driving to temple this morning, I learned that for the third time, those signs have been vandalized and destroyed. I know my neighborhood and often take long walks, street to street, and have not once seen a sign for “McCain/Palin” vandalized.
I am both saddened, frustrated and angered that someone or some people do not want my neighbors to exercise their Constitutionally-protected rights as American citizens: “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
I have had enough of how polarized our nation has become. I have had enough of how fear and false charges have been levied in an effort to gain power. At first, I watched evidence on the cable networks or read about them in newspapers or on the Web. Now I see the evidence down the street from where I live, in the neighborhood where my children play.
Four years ago, I put a “Kerry/Edwards” sign in my front yard. Nothing happened to it until I willingly removed it after election day. If I had put an “Obama/Biden” sign in my front yard this year, I can only assume that someone would have removed it for me, against my will, in violation of my freedoms.
How pathetic.
I hope and pray that in the coming months and years, our nation will heal and that together, united, we will confront the daunting challenges that stand arrayed before us. On June 16, 1858, Abraham Lincoln said in response to the issue of slavery, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Today, we remain enslaved to divisive political rhetoric that polarizes us and appeals to the mob mentality. This must end, and soon … for the sake of our democracy, our freedoms and for the noble experiment we call the United Statees of America.
October 27, 2008 at 6:45 am |
America has always had a difficult time dealing with differences in political discourse. And Oklahoma seems to have a more difficult time than most states – because there is still the slight mentality that this new state has to prove itself to be part of the US of A.
With commentators on Fox, MSNBC and talk radio yelling at us constantly it’s given some poorly justified reasons to go after the others in their midst. Perhaps we are actually entering a more civil time in our history. That only signs are getting stolen – there was a time when excessive damage to homes, vehicles and person would have occurred instead.
Of course I still would have preferred for the campaign sticker on my car not to have gotten stolen. :-/
October 27, 2008 at 8:52 am |
Well, it must be a good sign for Obama and Biden (pun intended). The McCain/Palin supporters must really be worried about losing if they keep taking signs. Our neighbor’s sign was also vandalized but their second one is still standing.
Barack’n'Roll!!!!
October 27, 2008 at 8:58 am |
We live south and it has happened numerous times in our neighborhood too! I put my sign up close to the house so it isn’t as easy to pull up without being noticed. My good natured neighbors who have been victims just got new signs and put them back out.
It is difficult to be a liberal in this highly conservative state so even when I don’t agree with someone’s political views I politely smile and say “The great thing about being in this nation is we all have the right to our own views and opinions!”
Great Blog Rabbi Cohen
October 27, 2008 at 8:31 pm |
I think that it is horrible that anyone would vandalize other people’s property. Unfortunately, this isn’t isolated to Oklahoma or political party. I was watching CNN over the weekend and they happened to have a story about political vandalism. Homes in Mass. had “F” McCain, 666, things of that nature spray painted on their homes. Obama signs were torn down and spray painted over. It is unfortunate that there are individuals who choose to destroy others’ candidates instead of supporting their own candidate. Those of us who can constructively support candidates will have to be even more vocal to overcome those who chose to be destuctive.
October 27, 2008 at 8:42 pm |
We have waited till this week to display our signs for this very reason. When I place them today they will INSIDE the front windows facing out. I’m hoping this will avoid ugliness.
My issue this year has been an innundation of hateful, racist & religious emails. Most are from people who do not know me well and some from family members. I have answered each one with facts, links & encouragement to examine the ISSUES not the skin color or anyone’s suspected religious leanings. Yet the hateful messages have continued.
I worry how divided our country is and whether we will be able to return to whatever is “normal”.
Thank you for speaking out on this issue, Rabbi. I believe it is useful for all of us to know that Rabbis deal with issues the same as the rest of us.
October 27, 2008 at 9:42 pm |
The deliberate actions of destroying political yard sides does not come as a shock to me. This is only an extension of those who wish to limit views of others that differ from their own. It is difficult to believe that adults would actually walk on to anothers property and seize signage. This is the manifistation of years of conduct that start in the home as a young person. How many of us have children who come home at the end of the day from school and share what other children have said about religion, politics, etc. Are those young minds developing opinions on these matters at such a young age or as I submit, they are echoing what they hear said by adults within their home?
The root of the problem is not in the actions taken by neighbor against neighbor but in the upbringing of people. Tolerance must be taught because it is a learned behavior and not in our DNA. We live in Edmond and are members of the same Temple as Rabbi Cohen. Upon mentionning to friends 11 years ago of our pending move to Oklahoma the response was, “You are moving to the belt buckle of the bible belt”. This wasn’t news to me having grown up in Tulsa. We live in a predominately Republican minded state, conservative in its history and conservative in its path toward the futur. Surprised by what the Rabbi reports and feels about his neighborhood? Not at all. It’s up to those of us who believe that differing points of view will inevitably lead to a better quality and way of life in America to continue to be outspoken when we note intolerance at any level.
October 28, 2008 at 12:01 am |
Just out of curiosity, which way would you have this country go?
I understand that people will have different opinions, and that’s fine. I just don’t approve of people forcing their beliefs on me. I will also say, however, that vandalism, in either case is out of line. People should be able to voice their opinions freely, but up to a point.
If you want a great example of why people are so angry with liberals, why don’t you click this link: http://cbs2.com/local/Sarah.Palin.mannequin.2.849299.html
If something like this doesn’t bother you, regardless of what side you’re on, then your moral compass is broken, my friends.
October 28, 2008 at 1:37 am |
Regrettably, underneath today’s veeer of civility and equality, the old racial hate still simmers in all too many of our “nice” people. In my lifetime, we have progressed from burning crosses, to “no Jews or Dogs” lawn signs, to this.
Actions speak louder than words so I distrust some of the polls which indicate so many caucasians support Obama. I can’t help but wonder, though, who will they actually vote for?!
October 28, 2008 at 6:00 am |
@Kris – I believe that is just as offensive as the Wisconsin teen who hung three black-faced scarecrows by their necks as a Halloween display.
I personally wish there was more of an emphasis on teaching the skill of debate to students. Not the mindless arguing that is prevalent on television – but real debate.
I think if more people had to be put in a position to defend a philosophy with which they don’t necessarily agree – it would allow them to be more open minded later in life. They still don’t have to agree with the position – but at least they can see where the logic resides.
October 28, 2008 at 6:38 am |
Kris, thank you for your post. I visited your link and was shocked by what I saw. Can we only imagine the moral outrage if it were a mannequin of Obama with a noose around its neck? I am saddened and frustrated that we as a nation have a long way to go before we grow beyond our years of segregation and Jim Crow.
All the best!
Barry
October 28, 2008 at 9:12 am |
I wouldn’t be ashamed. Appalled, disappointed maybe – it is a shame when people destroy signs, litter, do other property damage. Don’t assume there is a political motivation – sometimes it’s personal, sometimes kids. Frankly, I’m more appalled at the money being spent in these campaigns. As of a week ago, over $730 million had been spent by the two major party candidate campaigns (one, $200 million more than the other – hasn’t been this kind of disparity since Nixon v McGovern). In 2006, one Senatorial candidate spent $41 million to “win” her seat. It disgusts me – but it’s their right, isn’t it? Yuk! But on a more positive note, generous Americans gave $306 billion to public charities last year – that’s my idea of spreading the wealth! Every form of public charity gained. I hear one of the VP candidates even pitched in three hundred bucks. . . .
October 28, 2008 at 9:51 pm |
Adri, I’ll be glad to debate you any time, as long as it will remain civil and rational.