Yesterday was a holiday called COLUMBUS Day here in the United States. It meant that most government offices and schools were closed in honor of the DISCOVERER OF AMERICA. (I should say THE Americas as he didn't actually land on North America or what would become the United States.) COLUMBUS DAY IS A TRADITION.
To be honest, a lot of people are just grateful to have a day off, maybe just to go shopping for all the sales that feature early winter clothing. No one wants that holiday removed from the calendar if it could mean loosing that day off. (We really do not have much off time here in the States.) I went out shopping for several hours, something I loath to do, but my neighbor enticed me with a big coupon she had for more savings from the local Macy's. I barely thought about the discoverer of America or any of the issues now connected to him as I walked the mall and tried on lots of shirts.
As a child the adventures of Columbus, his sailors, and the ships the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria, certainly captured our imaginations in school. How could they have sailed all the way across the ocean in those small rickety ships thinking there were sea monsters at the edge of the world?
I recall that classrooms were decorated on the theme, and that we did art drawings and projects that focused on this adventurer and discoverer. We tried to imagine what the Native Americans that he and his sailors encounters thought when they saw those ships and saw people who were very light in complexion. (Our teachers figured we were too young to understand venereal disease.)
These days some of the Native American tribes are particularly upset about the dedication of a day to the man. These days there is speculation that Christopher Columbus was NOT the first European to sail and land on a beach in the New World - America - a CONTINENT that was either totally unknown or long forgotten. For a very long time there was no opposition, speculation, or CONSPIRACY THEORIES attached to Columbus and his discovery of America, a voyage that was financed by Queen Isabella of Spain, and about the time that Jews were being converted or expelled from that country. It was simply a day to be enjoyed.
So maybe it's true that Queen Isabella financed the trip, not for the greed of gold, but actually thought that Columbus could find some place for the Jews to go live?
The expulsion of Jews from various European countries over time is history. It was thought that all the citizens of a country should be unified in the same religion, the same values and way of life and that it would bring unity.
And I've been reading around Hungary's position as a Christian (Roman Catholic mostly) country that does not want to take in thousands of fleeing refugees from war torn Syria or anywhere else particularity Moslem. I was thinking about how countries often have an OFFICIAL RELIGION but here in the United States at the founding of our country it was decided that religious freedom was key. So recently there have been some statues of Satan popping up in this nation.
Although I understand that people who flee their countries are desperate, leaving everything behind, and risking their lives, and that many of these people end up dead because the boats they paid to get on sink or there is a stampede or illness, I frankly also understand that sometimes a country has to look at it's budget and it's own citizens who are living in poverty, and for Hungary that often means the Rom (gypsies), and admit to itself that it cannot afford to help.
I'm not picking on Hungary here. Hungary can fit in our state called "Indiana," but I actually think that until the United States houses all it's own homeless it should stop being parental to the world.
I look at it from a one person standpoint. I have friends who I like and care about who are in need and maybe I can invite one of them over for dinner once in a while, and I can afford to share food, but I'm not able to pay their rent.
Hungary is also concerned about Moslems because of a history of being occupied by the Moslem Turks for a substantial amount of time, that Christianity and Christian values will be threatened by too many of these refugees. It may be unpopular to say, but I can understand these fears, especially when it comes to the value, attitudes towards, and treatment of women.
The United States is thought of as a Satan country by Moslem terrorists. That's why we had 9/11 et el. A family of Moslems lives down the street peacefully and no one seems to think badly of them just on that basis, but as they are surrounded by people with Western Ways, they must tolerate knowing that their neighbors include people who have sex without being married, women with educations who work at jobs full time and don't have families, and so on.
Germany has taken thousands of refugees willingly. Germany's economy can afford more. But as I read around the subject, hours of reading, I found ONE EXCELLENT QUESTION that we should all be asking which is WHY ARE THE WEALTHY MOSLEM DOMINATED COUNTRIES NOT TAKING THESE REFUGEES?
Why are they running all the way to Europe? Is it the reputation of these countries? Is it that they perceive that the Western World is overall wealthy? How many of them wish to make major changes in their point of view and lifestyle to fit in, contribute, and cooperate?
Let me make this personal once more. One of my friends in need has eaten a dozen times at my table this year, and if I could not afford it I wouldn't invite him so no I don't feel used, and on occasion he brings a loaf of bread or a bottle of wine or some other contribution, but has never offered to wash a dish. Compare him to the friend who is also in need, also eats, sometimes contributes, but who always offers.
All for Now!
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