“Red” Cross?

O.K. So, My mother works for the American Red Cross. I’m very proud of her because she’s nationally known and respected and they just offered her a real paying job. Well, she used to work on one of the city boards and now she’s running one of the city offices and she lectures at conventions and now they’ve offered to pay her to teach.

And that’s not even the tip of the iceberg for my mom’s accomplishments.

Anyway, she collects old American Red Cross stuff. I’m always on the look out for stuff for her. (In fact if you see a sewing pattern for an old WWII uniform, she’s looking for it. ). So, when I found this picture of an old Red Cross poster to the left (courtesy of geek philosopher), I decided to forward it to her. However, I accidently also forwarded it to a mailing list set up for my friends “back home” (though some of us are now scattered). Peter, who was insulted that the media used the color red to distinguish the Republicans from the Democrats in the election coverage because it’s the “communist color”, sent the following response:

Boy, do they sure have RED right in that one. Where did they hide the hammer and sickle?

Maybe I over-reacted but I sent back two emails:

Since my mother works for red cross…I take insult to the insinuation.

I mean, come on. You have the American Flag, a quote from a former President, AND the White House. How American can you freaking get? People call *me* paranoid. Geese!

I mean, am I wrong? I mean, I’m so annoyed I’m still dwelling on it an hour later.

I know we grew up with the threat of “the evil empire” and looking back on the 80’s, I remember kind of a dark decade where the threat of nuclear war seemed to hang over us all the time. But for good grief, we’re over 30. The Communist Threat isn’t really anymore. There are other things to worry about. What about the Red, Frickin’ White, and Blue? Should we friggin’ drop the red because once upon a time we were in a Cold War with the Red Terror?

How can someone so smart be so stubbornly ignorant?

tags: Red Cross, communism, paranoia, dysfunctional drama, stupidity

8 comments

1. on August 24, 2005 at 11:26 pm

   Big Dog said:

   Since the Red Cross is the international symbol for a medical organization then there should be no problem.
   The red in the American flag represents the blood spilled by brave people to make us a nation.

   I think I work for the Red Cross too. I have given them 5 gallons of blood. They take the blood in blood, sweat, and tears literally. Tough job….

2. on August 25, 2005 at 8:55 am

   Tamara said:

   He’s being silly, in my opinion. I am your age and I almost never associate the color red with communism, and when I do it’s because I’m reading something like this post and your friend’s reaction, rather than a gut association. Some people will really grasp at straws!

3. on August 25, 2005 at 10:23 am

   n. mallory said:

   This morning I was further frustrated by the whole thing when I started thinking about it because he is obsessed with Russia. He’s been to Russia, studies Russia’s history, wants to learn Russia, etc. It just makes no sense. I feel like I’ve been banging my head against a wall.

4. on August 25, 2005 at 2:26 pm

   Tamara said:

   I know what you mean. I have friends and family members whose positions I can’t begin to comprehend — primarily because they either get their opinions from their spouses (my mom, who couldn’t articulate WHY she supports Bush to save her life) or Rush Limbaugh (my stepdad, so you can see what my mom is up against!)

   Hang in there!

5. on August 25, 2005 at 2:54 pm

   n. mallory said:

   I know exactly what you’re saying. This same person is a big Republican but whenever I get into a political discussion with him, I just get broad rhetoric statements and no real facts. A lot of what comes out of his mouth obviously came from his parents — two bigots, one of which is crazy and the other is a womanizer. (Please note, I am not saying that all Repubs are bigots and crazies; I am saying that his parents are though — from my point-of-view.)

   I am increasingly thankful that my parents encouraged me to think for myself and form my own opinions. I also had several good teachers who made me provide references to back up my opinions on more than one occassion.

6. on August 27, 2005 at 8:31 pm

   Tamara said:

   My parents didn’t teach me that, per se, but it is my inherent personality — and I think it’s yours, too, so your parents raising you that way was icing on the cake!

7. on September 7, 2005 at 12:38 am

   Anonymous Truth said:

   Nothing personal against your mom, but the Red Cross is not as good as everyone thinks it is…

   http://prisonplanet.com/articles/september2005/010905redcross.htm

   http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2005/030105redcross.htm

8. on October 14, 2005 at 11:06 am

   The Naked Truth » Blog Archive » What Hypocrites These Mortals Be! said:

   […] Remember back in August when I wrote how my friend made annoying comments implying that the Red Cross was somehow communist or whatever. Mind you this friend is one of those rhetoric spewing Republicans who are always talking about how people should take care of themselves and not live off of government money, etc. […]

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