An Inclusive Litany

10/31/01

At the all-star Concert for New York City on October 20, actor Richard Gere was loudly booed when he got onto the stage to proclaim: "the horrendous energy that we're all feeling, and the possibility of turning it into more violence and revenge, we can stop that. We can take that energy and turn it into something else. We can turn it into compassion, and... love, and... understanding."

Ten days earlier, Gere told ABC NewsRadio: "In a situation like this, of course you identify with everyone who's suffering." Gere went on to say that people also should consider "the terrorists who are creating such horrible future lives for themselves because of the negativity of this karma. It's all of our jobs to keep our minds as expansive as possible. If you can see [the terrorists] as a relative who's dangerously sick and we have to give them medicine, and the medicine is love and compassion. There's nothing better."

[Ed.: Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) was also booed at the concert, though to achieve this she did not have to open her mouth.]