SAVE IT FOR THE ENEMY

After almost two weeks, things are returning to something resembling normal in America. The Stock Exchange is open again, and where it’s going to go is, like always, anybody’s guess. Baseball games are being played again, but the National Anthem is being sung with just a little more fervor than usual. And, oh yes: Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell are once again trying to get their feet out of their mouths.

Two days after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Falwell and Robertson appeared together on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s "700 Club". Falwell began by stating that the tragedy had occurred because God had lifted the protection he previously bestowed on the nation, allowing "the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve." Robertson, over in his own insane little amen corner, replied "Jerry, that's my feeling."

Falwell went on: "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen,' " Falwell said. Robertson chimed in during the diatribe with a few "Amen’s".

That’s right, folks, you heard it first from God’s own self-anointed spokesmen. It wasn’t maniacal Muslim extremists who were responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans. It was those doggone gays, lesbians, pagans, and the ACLU.

Once again, Pat and Jerry appear to credit God with the worst aim since Mr. Magoo. As far as I know, there wasn’t an abortion clinic or ACLU office in the whole World Trade Center, and who knows how many good Christians worked there. I’ll also lay odds that there wasn’t an office of People for the American Way in the Pentagon, although thanks to "Don’t ask don’t tell", there were probably more gays and lesbians sacrificing their lives in the line of duty than anyone suspects—right alongside their Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters in uniform.

It must come as a great comfort to the suicide bombers, wherever they are, that two of America’s most prominent clergymen have validated their cause. After all, it is the decadent, sinful ways of the West that they claim to be trying to defeat by slaughtering innocents in the name of Allah.

The outcry was immediate. Even born-again Christian George W. Bush called the remarks "inappropriate." Falwell began backpedaling almost immediately, claiming on his website that his remarks had been "taken out of context." He has since issued an apology, saying that the remarks may have seemed "harsh and ill-timed." Yes, Jerry, sort of like the Atlantic Ocean may seem a little damp.

Robertson, for his part, has decided to distance himself from Falwell, calling the remarks "totally inappropriate" and contending that they were "not fully understood by the three hosts of The 700 Club who were watching Rev. Falwell on a monitor." Myself, when I don’t fully understand something, I go "Huh?" not "Amen," but that’s just me. One wonders if the backlash might have been affecting Robertson’s sales of "Revival Doctor Formulated Soy Protein" (Only $24.95!) off the same website where his disclaimer appears.

This is a dark hour in our history. Thousands of our citizens lie dead, crushed beyond recognition beneath the rubble of our greatest monuments. This is not the time for our leaders, secular or religious, to be pointing fingers at other Americans and saying "you caused this." All that kind of divisiveness does is give aid and comfort to our enemies.

The days ahead are going to require sacrifices from all of us: straight, gay, pro-life, pro-choice, Republicans, Democrats, Christians, Jews, Wiccans, pagans, and even (maybe especially) Muslims of the non-insane, non-murderous variety. One of the first things we need to give up in this war is the idea that any of us can win it without the others.

Remember those old war movies, the ones about World War 2 where the platoon was made up of a bunch of different guys thrown together -- the country boy, the city kid, the Jewish guy, etc.-- all led by the crusty old Sergeant? There was usually a scene where two of the guys would get into some squabble and almost come to blows, and the Sarge would resolve it by growling something like "Can it, you guys! Save it for the enemy!" Hold that thought, because this is more serious than any movie.

I don’t know if Falwell’s apology is sincere or if he is trying to keep his support—political and financial—from eroding further than it already has. In the spirit of unity, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and accept his repentance as sincere. Because if one phrase in Falwell’s apology stands out for me above all the others, it’s this one: "The only label any of us needs in such a terrible time of crisis is that of 'American.' "

Amen.

COPYRIGHT 2001 BY JERRY D. RHOADES, JR.