Seidemann: Say what you mean and mean what you say

Posted

From the other side of the bench

by David Seidemann

Issue of August 20, 2010/ 10 Elul 5770
Let me be clear as an American and as a person who is not the President of the United States. Every human being has the constitutional right to pour kerosene, vinegar and rubbing alcohol on an open wound. This position is consistent with the position of the framers of the Constitution and is the bedrock of American society.

"Mr. Non-President, I think you just advocated pouring rubbing alcohol on an open wound".

"Well, let me rephrase that. I wasn't commenting on whether it would be wise to pour rubbing alcohol on an open wound. I was simply speaking in constitutional terms that every American has the constitutional right to do so, should he or she desire."

"Mr. Non-President, that seems most obvious. Why would you comment on something that is not in dispute, that is fundamentally accepted, i.e. that any moron so inclined could pour rubbing alcohol on a cut on their knee? Perforce you must have been commenting on your personal feelings as to whether such an endeavor would be advisable. And no, we are not arguing with  the position you have taken on the matter, Mr. Non-President. We are simply saying, do not take us as fools to believe that you were commenting in a vacuum. You were expressing your opinion on the actual matter, as we don't need you to comment on the constitutionality of an issue that all agree is constitutional.

This has nothing to do with constitutionality, Mr. Non-President. Rather the issue is human sensitivity despite one's religious or political rights.”

Some 15 years ago a rabbi from Israel, his wife and their sick child found their way to Lubbock, Texas. He was there because only in Lubbock could he find a doctor to treat a rare disease that afflicted their infant daughter. There wasn't a Jew within miles, not to mention a synagogue or kosher food. The family made friends with a real estate agent who took them from house to house as they searched for a rental.

Only one house fit the bill but there was a problem. A cross had been hung in every room.

When the rabbi and his family moved into the house a few days later, they were surprised to see that the non-Jewish realtor had removed every single cross. The rabbi told the realtor that it really was not necessary, that the owner had a right to have the crosses remain in the house, and that the family would find its own way to deal with the issue. The real estate agent replied that while she understood her rights, given that the crosses might would offend the rabbi's sensibilities, she felt compelled to take them down.

My mother, may she rest in peace, gave birth to six out of her eight children in the same Catholic hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Each time she was admitted to the hospital to give birth, in advance of her being transferred from the birthing room to her hospital room, the non-Jewish nurses would remove the cross from the wall above my mother's hospital bed. The nurses were not required to do this and my mother never asked them to, but they did so of their own volition because they understood that one of the fundamental religious principles is sensitivity to those with different beliefs.

I don't fault Muslims for wanting to build a mosque at or near Ground Zero. It furthers their goals to construct at that location. Nor do I expect them to factor into their decision what others might consider insensitive. We all make decisions in life that for better or worse, are best for us. That is human nature.

What I find intolerable and inexcusable, however, are  opinions stated and then retracted or modified for political expediency. Do not insult our intelligence by giving us a lesson in Constitutional Law 101. Do not insult our intelligence by stating your position and then camouflaging your opinion. Do not insult our intelligence by stating that Ground Zero is a local New York issue.

Do not render an opinion on the non-issue and claim not to have an opinion on the ultimate issue. If indeed you are the leader of the free world, then lead. Take a position or state clearly that you will not take a position.

It is clear what occurred on September 11, 2001. Almost 10 years later our leaders should speak with an equal amount of clarity. For days after the attack, smoke and ash from the towers filled the sky, rendering invisible the truth of what was there to be seen.

It is disheartening, at the very least, that with the passage of time certain truths are still hazy.