Satire can show us who we really are
It is two weeks since the Cd'A Press published Mr. Fahlgren's spoof piece on the unique tendency of our small community to take sides against particular groups in society. I will keep this clipping on the side of my fridge so I can be reminded of how satire can cut to the core of our ignorance.
Charlie Hebdo in Paris does it as their platform to raise awareness. They paid a price for their daily digs and unrelenting spoofs across all groups in French society, not just Islamists or Mohammad. Their magazine sub banner even celebrates themselves as a "journal irresponsable." In the Middle East I saw journalists for Al Jazeera risk their lives and freedom on a regular basis to combat the Islamists out of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. (Caution: You never speak openly in the Middle East about politics or religion unless you need a flight home or a secure cell for the night or the year - without trial.)
On a lesser scale in North Idaho we have factions of biased groups that feel all of society needs to adhere to their views, no discussion. What happened to lively debate and sharing of viewpoints? We continue to be pummeled by the same fire and brimstone folks who threaten and shake their fists. The religious leaders of Coeur d'Alene who assume all of society follows their doctrines; the anti-gay contingent who feel threatened that the LGBT directly affects their values; the racists who trust no one of color or non-USA origin; the NRA folks who use their right to bear arms as a threat more than a right.
When I had the misfortune to be living in LA during the "Worst of Times" 1991-1996 (think O.J. Simpson, race riots, fires, Foothills division, Northridge quake), Rodney King, imperfect and damaged citizen that he was, said "Why can't we all just get along?"
For a country founded on freedom and a diversity of aboriginal and foreign peoples following a breadth of religious and political freedoms, North Idaho has carved out a narrow-minded niche of judgmental folks unique in its fervor. Our local Cd'A Press attempts to pepper us with both sides of an issue but the silence from the underdog is often deafening. You may think it but you dare not say it or be run out of town.
Mr. Fahlgren is obviously one of the "smart guys," but I'm not sure his target audience has enough sense of humor to get his digs. His humor cuts to the core: If we keep our kids uneducated we recharge the pool of low income jobs. If we underpay our teachers, police and fire folks, we lose the ambitious ones to other states. I liken our local society to the Arabs who kept the females uneducated, only allowed the men to be indoctrinated in the mosque and manipulated the Koran to suit their agenda. If the narrow-minded folks of North Idaho continue to dominate and out-shout the opposition, Coeur d'Alene will continue to be the laughing stock of the nation for its fervent close mindedness and rabid ignorance.
My Scottish mum said, "Isn't it great we are not all alike? Life would be such a bore otherwise."
Lynn M. Fleming is a Coeur d'Alene resident.