Hope in Dark Days

I added my condolences to a board dedicated to the memory of the racehorse Barbaro. On the board, I saw some nice tributes to the horse, some unbelievably sentimental, maudlin ones, and some comments that were completely unnecessary.

I realize some people were born to be party poopers. They've rained on parades all their lives--generally because theirs were always rained on. They are obviously sad people, and I do feel sorry for them. However, some of the comments were just nasty and incredibly bitter.

Many people voiced opinions against horse racing in general, and I can certainly understand these. I even feel these were appropriate in that forum. Then, there were the "just a dumb animal" comments, which don't deserve the dignity of a reply. The ones that made my blood boil were those implying that, with all the problems in the world today, no one should care about Barbaro. The story was of no significance whatsoever. One person went so far as to say that since he had complications from the AIDS virus, that he hoped people posted all these condolences when he was gone. I believe I mentioned the word "Bitter."

This country has had some dark times the past several years. I'm not that old, but I am older, I know, than many of those posting on those forums. Many of them have grandparents whose memories go back to right before Vietnam. Most of them don't know people who remember, or fought in World War II, to say nothing of being alive during The Great Depression. They don't even know what that was. My parents were raised during the Depression. My grandfather fought in World War I.

In dark times, people, tired of hearing news of global warming, malaria and bird flu epidemics, the razing of the rainforests and war, very often reach oout for what is positive, hopeful. This was true in the 1930s, when the frothy Busby Berkley musicals thrived. For a nickel or dime admission, people could forget their troubles for a while. They could at least imagine a world where there were no soup kitchens or apple-sellers on the corner. Screwball comedies and fantasies like "The Wizard of Oz" thrived in these years.

Barbaro's story was one that appeals to most Americans: the gallant soul fighting against the odds, and succeeding. Americans just naturally root for the underdogs. When the human heroes in sports have been arrested for drugs, fined for steroid use and charged with sexual crimes, it is natural for people to reach out for an uncorrupted hero--and animals are naturally incorruptible. What about the long-ago popularity of Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and lately, Seabiscuit? Little boys used to dream of having a Silver or Trigger as their noble steed, and little girls read "Misty of Chincoteague," while millions have found comfort and a measure of self-worth in the love of a faithful horse.

I hope these bitter cynics never lose a pet or a loved one. Equally, I hope they never have to care for an elderly parent or other living being that has "outlived its usefulness." I doubt there were very many people who put Barbaro's welfare above other world problems, and if his owners spent more money on that horse than is often spent on humans, well, it was their money and their choice to spend it so. They didn't ask for money from other people, or from the government. Funds raised for the laminitis treatment research fund will benefit all equines, not just racehorses. I'm very aware of the world's troubles, but I checked the website for Barbaro's progress.

Admiration for a horse or other animal is a safe admiration. It cannot be corrupted by greed or crime on the animal's part. Yes, Barbaro was only a horse, just another horse in a world of horses. But his story gave people something positive to think about and focus on. Maybe it will raise awareness about the dangers of horse racing.

There are a lot of lonely people in the world. Maybe they felt part of something in rooting for that horse. Hope is a precious commodity these days, and I'm all for anything that boosters it. Those cynics can go rain on their own parades. I'm tired of hearing them clatter.

Mea maxima culpa

Well, I was soooo wrong in an earlier blog. The Associated Press has reported that a Scientology great high mucky-muck has officially announced Tom Cruise is Scientology's "chosen one." He is their Christ.
My, my, my. Did I screw up or what? I simply cannot believe I have been so very wrong about this demi-god! How can I have failed to see his obvious divinity all this time? I just thought he was a good-looking guy who went looney-tunes. And all this time, he's been worthy of worship! Wow! It isn't often you get to see a real-life Messiah being proclaimed as such in your lifetime. What an honor! I am simply overcome with emotion.
You know, there's nothing like having a Messiah complex, and actually being proven right! How often does that happen? David Miscavige, the aforementioned great high mucky-muck said, "Cruise will be worshipped like Jesus all over the world as he becomes a prophet for the religion.” And he should know, right? Being the mucky-muck, and all, and former personal assistant to the great man, L. Ron Hubbard himself. So, he should recognize a messiah when he sees one.
Anyone who wants to see truly creative "religious" beliefs needs to check out Scientology on Wikipedia. It is as eye-opening as it is confusing. But I can't get into that here. No, this blog entry is specfically to apologize to Messiah Cruise for my earlier blindness.
This does bring up an interesting issue. How does one address a Messiah? He's not Jewish, so "Rabboni" or "Rabbi" doesn't work. What about "My Lord", "Your Majesty", "Your Holiness." But all those titles are simply too commonplace, too ordinary--too earthbound. No, for this new Messiah, we must bring our pitiful language skills to bear and create a brand-new title for such an exalted being: "Your Celestial Beingness" , "Your Cosmic Awareness" , "Your Inner Sanctumness." Hmmm. Somehow, they all fall far short of the magnificence that is Messiah Cruise.
There are other terms, however. What about "Wonderful, Counselor, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace"? What about "The Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" or "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" or "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"? All these terms are in use, of course, by the only Messiah who has ever proved worthy of the name: Jesus Christ.
I've got news for Cruise: he never told me, "Drink of the water I offer and thirst no more." He doesn't know me, doesn't number the hairs on my head, doesn't offer eternal life. Most of all, Tom Cruise never died for me. He never took my sins on his shoulders so I don't have to carry them. He's never atoned for my sins, or paid my debts that I could not pay. He doesn't answer my prayers and doesn't hear me when I cry in the night.
What Tom Cruise is, in reality, is a sad, pathetic, tragic human being, headed for a mental breakdown. As tempting, and admittedly, amusing as it is to ridicule his megalomania, I really shouldn't. This man needs prayer if a human ever did. Anyone involved with Scientology does. I hope Nicole remembers him at Mass and in her Rosary. May God have mercy on him.