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This Zook is a bit of a wanker, eh? found here
Whatever their faults and vices, the Amish communities have a
couple of enormous strengths it more worthy of study than
contempt.
My contempt over forgiveness isn't about the Amish. It's appropriate that forgiveness was a part of the narrative for the Amish in response to the Nickel Mines tragedy. But their use of the word forgiveness was a poor choice to honor what their faith asks of them, not that it mattered for them. They knew what actions their faith expected of them, and they executed. The issue is, why did the non-Amish community latch onto the word forgiveness, and attribute meaning to it without a rational examination of context, history, and whether it did justice to the intent of the user? What would have happened if the Grandfather who was asked if he had forgiven, would have first of all, chided the reporter for asking such a dramatic meaningless question? And then said; I hope, with Gods help to be able to honor what my faith asks of me, namely, to not engage in retribution or vengeance, but to act with kindness and grace towards others. I do not believe it is possible for me as a human being to fully implement this love, that was exemplified by my Lord, but none the less, I accept and embrace that I am called upon to try. As for forgiveness, If someday, my community and I can truely move beyond the hurt and loss which has been inflicted upon us, truely embrace each new day without our memories invoking pain, but only acceptance and grace, then we will be blessed beyond what I can even attempt to imagine right now. How can you taunt me of such an elusive and distant prospect in my moment of overwhelming pain and loss? (to borrow someone elses words) Have you no sense of shame? Have you no sense of decency?
From "The Happening, Nickel Mines School Tragedy" by Harvey Yoder
How did I know he was going to shoot? I just
felt it. That and because of all the racket outside,
We heard a pounding on the double doors in the back.
Something strong was being used! Would they rescue us?
Then the shooting started.
If a disturbed man with a gun has taken your child hostage, is this how you would want the police to respond? It's time for an independent review of this incident.
"The Happening" by Harvey Yoder is the most unadulterated writing on the Amish I have ever read. The beginning and the end have some mediocre to seriously problematic elements and the cover is kitsch. But, Wow! at some point the authenticity just screams off of the page and envelopes you. As you are pulled along, there is no point in which the writing becomes so obviously fake and contrived that your connection with the narrative is broken. I've never experienced that with writing about my people. I should be ambivalent about my joy in being an intimate confidant of Yoder's Huck Finn-esque portrayal of unspeakable horror, but I can't help myself. I've never felt so honored. Thank you. More on the book and where to buy it
ER doctor reaches out to first responders
By JANET KELLEY, New Era Staff Writer
"There are still a lot of people hurting."
Troopers talk about horror of Amish school tragedy
By JANET KELLEY, Staff Lancaster New Era
"I can say 100 percent, absolutely, that I stand by the way we
handled the incident," Hegarty said, his jaws clenched. "I just wish we could
have saved all 10."
If the Troopers that were at the scene are the only ones evaluating this, we've already gone over the edge.
You heard it here first, will Mr. Preemption chill with the "love your enemy" peeps, next week when he he comes to town?
Anniversary a painful reminder for Nickel Mines
By JACK BRUBAKER, Staff Lancaster New
Era
After instantly forgiving Roberts — and stunning a world more accustomed to
a vengeful response — the Amish attended Roberts' funeral.
Repeat something often enough and eventually it becomes reality... Right?The Amish immediately forgave a man who shot 10 of their children in the
head, killing five, before he killed himself nearly a year ago. full
article
