Unlike emails and phone calls, which they could ignore; they would have to spend time and resources opening these protest letters, thinking there are donations inside. Let the games begin.
Posted on 03/11/2002 5:22:33 AM PST by gohabsgo
Saturday being a typically slow news day, I sat down with the morning coffee to read a front page article published in the Orange County Register titled: "Kid’s Chance to sing dissolves in discord." In it, writer Rachanee Srisavasdi described how a student singing group was forced to bow out of a Red Cross show rather than drop ‘God’ and ‘prayer’ from their songs. Group director Cherilyn Bacon had produced a 9/11 tribute called "Heroes Trilogy" dedicated to the rescue personnel who responded to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The 26-member singing group consists of seventh and eighth graders from the Orange County High School of the Arts. Their offense? A desire to sing three songs: "America the Beautiful", "Prayer of the Children", and "God Bless the USA."
There are conflicting reports as to whether the group and the Red Cross had already agreed to the song format prior to Bacon’s decision to cancel, or whether the disagreement occurred after the Red Cross refusal to allow the words ‘God’ and ‘prayer’ to be included in songs at all. One thing is certain though, the Red Cross stands firmly by their policy, that any expression of ‘God’ shall be excluded in the name of tolerance, religious diversity, impartiality, neutrality and inclusion. Seems to me I recall a lot of people in New York desperately expressing a need for God’s intervention on, and in the days following that hideous moment in history. So what is it about ‘God’ and ‘prayer’ that so sets Red Cross hairs on end? It’s simple: out of control tolerance policies disguised as being inclusive of all (while excluding any mention of God or Christianity) prevent anyone in a policy-making capacity from exercising common sense.
The official policy statement according to the Red Cross website states in part: "The American Red Cross Chapter in Orange County and the Orange County High School of the Arts regret that we were not able to reach agreement on the music program with conductor Cherilyn Bacon. The dispute was over the music program and has nothing to do with patriotism. The dispute centers only on our sensitivity to religious diversity, and a preference for a music program that would be inclusive and not offend different populations participating in this particular event". To put things in perspective, this is the same Red Cross who just last month trooped off to Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo to investigate mistreatment of Al Qaeda prisoners making sure that they had ethnically sensitive meals, prayer rugs, clean clothes, and cigarettes. No word yet on whether the relief agency also provided matches for the terrorists to light their cigarettes (or anything else near them they might care to ignite). Oops...back to the story.
Disappointed members of the group voiced their disapproval of the Red Cross decision. They said taking ‘God’ and ‘prayer’ out of their medley would negate its meaning. "I don’t understand why we can’t honor the heroes of Sept. 11 the way we want to," said Nicholas Baragno, 13. Klarisa Mesee, 14, wrote a poem that was going to be read at the March 10 event. "I just wanted to tell the heroes of Sept. 11 how much we appreciated what they did for the country. I was so excited."
Like many of us, I recognize the Red Cross for all the good things they do; the blood drives, humanitarian aid, and the selfless sacrifice of all of the volunteers. Yet, here a group of kids wants to express their gratitude in a manner very common in American tradition, and the Red Cross in effect accuses Bacon and her kids of playing politics and intentionally offending different populations participating in the event. Are you kidding me?
It gets more ridiculous. The school’s executive director, Ralph Opacic, criticized Bacon, stating "It was an inappropriate decision made by an instructor. To project your values as an entertainer is unprofessional." Really? Try telling that to self-appointed Hollywood elites like Alec Baldwin and Babs Streisand. I have one question for Mr. Opacic. If you have no values and no value system, what then do you have?
So I decided to send an e-mail to the Red Cross, voicing my objection to their stance. They were quick to respond. Within 30 minutes, a detailed e-mail came back stating in part: "What you heard reported has been entirely blown out of proportion and is in fact inaccurate, and we're trying to work with the media right now to get the facts out as they happened. The Red Cross representative suggested the program director (Bacon) look at other, more inclusive selections so that a very diverse community would be reflected in the program."
To which I replied: "I interpret your stance as one where Judeo-Christian charity is offensive, evinces exclusion, and may be hurtful to those who don't share the same views. I suppose brotherhood, mutual respect, and compassion equates to intolerance in your pathetic world view. In the future, I will give my money to the Salvation Army. They understand what America is about far more than the Red Cross. Inclusion should mean everyone, not just those who falsely cover their anti Judeo-Christian behinds with seemingly objective usage of terms like tolerance and diversity."
The Red Cross needs to get a clue and realize that it is they who promote division with ludicrous policies, in the name of "inclusion." In October 2001, the Red Cross fired its $450,000-a-year president, Dr. Bernadine Healy, during the controversy over how to distribute the $505 million dollars sympathetic Americans had contributed to help the WTC victims. Ms. Healy had earmarked $26 million from the fund for "community outreach to teach tolerance." Tolerance of what? Certainly not God and people who believe in God. And yet, the present Red Cross leadership is apparently intent on continuing the same policies.
These are the new politically correct thought police, tasked with enforcing intolerance of anything even remotely Judeo Christian. If one of their many policy makers were to examine very closely a one dollar bill using their ACLU-clouded coke bottle glasses, they’d discover in bold letters "In God We Trust." The Red Cross may indeed try to characterize the efforts of Ms. Bacon and her well-intentioned objective to permit these kids to express their gratitude for the volunteers as some sort of hate crime, but the majority of Americans see things differently. And it is for the wonderful, generous, care-giving Red Cross volunteers for whom I feel the most compassion for, for it is they who will have to live with the unfortunate fallout created by disdainful Red Cross decision-makers too intent on shamelessly insulting people with their arrogant disregard of common sense.
According to the Register, Annette Zufall, 50, of Orange, was one of the Red Cross volunteers who traveled to New York City to help with the rescue effort. While the registered nurse said it is important for the chapter to follow the Red Cross’s principles, she was saddened that the students wouldn’t perform. "Personally, I would have loved to hear it," Zufall said. "I don’t think any of the volunteers would have taken offense." Neither would the majority of Americans Annette. But, like many other organizations contaminated by leftist lawyers and judges, we are forced to watch helplessly as the values we held dearly in our childhood fall prey to the next perverted assault. These people have turned family, God, country and patriotism upside down in the name of diversity and tolerance, to the point where being an American makes one feel guilty of some form of profanity.
It is up to each American to realize what is happening here, right now in this country, and have the moral courage to voice their disapproval to the appropriate perpetrators in the strongest terms possible. Otherwise, don’t complain when saying "God Bless America" becomes a hate crime.
The United Way almost lost our support years ago after the Boy Scout debacle and after this and the NY 9-11 fund abuse, looks like Salvation Army might be the only national "community chest" agency to receive our donations.
Dear Sir or Madam,
I've just read an article indicating that "God", "Prayer" and other religious types of speech is frowned upon by your Orange County Chapter. As an ER doctor, I've seen and done my share of fundraising and blood donations in the past. I'll never allow a nurse, medical student, volunteer, or aide collect money for the American Red Cross again while I'm on duty. I'll also forward your policy to the Director of our Emergency Room and the CFO and CEO of our hospital with a copy of the article and a letter to the editor of our local newspaper.
Thank you for your time.
(My favorite is still: "In God We Trust" is on my cash, so I won't be sending you any more now that I know it offends you.)
You should encourage her to spend time here to get hardened to that leftist crap.
glad to heard the old RC exclusionary policy on "greenbacks." Don't send checks or money orders or credit card.
Unlike emails and phone calls, which they could ignore; they would have to spend time and resources opening these protest letters, thinking there are donations inside. Let the games begin.
2. Blood donation is screened for HIV, drugs, etc, etc, in the effort for pure blood. But pure blood is a physical result of spiritual cleanliness, clean living (the 80% plus that believe in a Creator and follow a social/sexual code of conduct). No God = no clean blood? Maybe an extreme statement, but how far from the truth is it really?
3. Secular humanism and the NEA/NOW invaded the government schools and the alternative (private) schools prospered. Should the Salvation Army get into the Blood Donation and welfare business as a Judeo-Christian alternative to the Double Cross??? Why not. 4. So many organizations and people have equated racial intolerance with religious intolerance. They have been welded together courtesy of the CNN/Clinton years and leftist college/media/NGO/ACLU dominance. I am a sectarian. Not racist. I pray for Chinese Christians and Sudanses Christians etc. The true God is not racist, but He is "sectarian" if thats the right word for it -- exclusionist. God is not into the Koran and jihads and merciless laws that mutilate His Laws. My attitudes, patriachial or whatever, reflect that. Get over it Mr Red Double Cross. Don't try to ethnically cleanse me! Tolerate sectarianism.
The Red Cross in the Cross Hairs?
Source: INSIGHT magazine; Published: October 12. 2001;
Author: Kelly Patricia O’Meara
It's perfectly clear what global sector the American Red Cross has embraced as its "international" buddy.
No wonder the Red Cross cannot allow the non-Muslim lyrics of "God Bless the USA" to insult the Islamic sensibilities of its twin sister organization in the charity game.
The Koran specifically forbids these "God" references to any name but Allah.
The Red Cross has deep concerns over the acceptability of the word "God" sung by American children--yet the Red Cross is voicing very grave concerns over the Gitmo living conditions of the Muslim terrorists who attacked America.
The American Red Cross has made its position crystal clear--it has chosen Allah over God.
It'll only cost you less than two bucks:
Take a dollar bill; CUT the 'In God We Trust' out of it, and send it to them.
A 'Show-n-Tell' item will hit home harder than e-mails they can delete enmass!
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
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