# Richard Gere, you sir are an idiot **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2001, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235 "2001-10-24T02:34:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/21 "2001-10-24T04:33:25Z")
**Ecclesiastes 3** 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. I think this was definitely a time and place to be silent. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/22 "2001-10-24T04:48:11Z")
Quoting the Bible to convince a Buddhist he’s wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/23 "2001-10-24T04:55:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by musicguy \* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > > Guin, > > > > Possibly the very same dude who said something about forgiving someone 70 times 7 times. > > With all due respect Monty, you didn’t feel all that forgiving in the thread about the kid who laced brownies with pot, you wanted him to be heavily punished, as an adult, no less. Yet you think forgiveness is an appropriate part of a discussion in regard to the terrorists who slaudered thousands of innocent people. That seems just a bit inconsistent. I’m a forgiving person but in this case, I just ain’t there yet and if I’m not, then I highly doubt that the NYC emergency workers are either. Good grief, mg! Learn how to freaking read. I didn’t say jack about how I felt the hijackers should be considered. FWIW: I think they should rot in hell and so should anyone who supports their actions. I also feel exactly that way about the little shit who drugged others. Got it now? I didn’t say I think forgiveness is appropriate. I didn’t say otherwise either in my post. I merely mentioned a bit aobut a religion’s teachings. I do think we all saw six weeks ago what can happen when a few idiots twist a religion’s teachings. BTW, anyone happen to know if there are (or were) any Buddhists or Muslims in the FDNY? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/24 "2001-10-24T04:56:02Z")
Well, isn’t it possible to say that 1. Richard Gere is acting true to his beliefs as a Buddhist to support non-violence. 2. Those beliefs are idiotic/wrong/offensive to other people. ---
**Author:** ![obidiah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@obidiah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obidiah)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/25 "2001-10-24T05:08:49Z")
\First off, the Ecclesiastes 3 quote is from the Old Testament. As I am sure you are aware Christians are not bound by any teachings from this covenant…Jesus Christ brought the NEW covenant unto the land with his teachings of, yep, you guessed it, love and tolerance. I am really distraught at the number of dopers that are so filed with hate and vengence. Where has this gotten us before? Have any of you even BEEN to the middle east to meet the people you are so eager to slaughter? \ Hmmm, I thought not. Well, I have been there, during another war, none the less. I have met these people who you desperately want dead and they are JUST like you and me. I suffered **VERY** personal losses on Sept. 11. My first reaction was not hate or fear (as it seems the majority of you felt) but loss and sadness. I wanted to say thanks to **Primaflora, Crankyasanoldman, Bricker, Guinastasia, Rasa and Monty** for not being bloodthirsty hate-filled ignorant bastards.\ Of course this is my own opinion and nothing more. ---
**Author:** ![Bossk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/26 "2001-10-24T05:16:55Z")
Richard Gere may act like the peacenik in regards to global matters, but remember a few years back when he thought Sylvester Stallone stole his girlfriend? I saw very little of the Buddha in his a-hole outburst. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/27 "2001-10-24T05:21:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*And Bill, nice job of twisting words there. “I hope we can harness our anger and turn it in a peaceful direction” means “War is wrong and we should turn tail?” Fuck man. Guess I’m out of touch with reality. \*\* Uh, Rasa? Enlighten me. What exactly did Brother Gere mean by, “I hope we can harness our anger and turn it in a peaceful direction?” And as for this: > [@](#): > > 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. Typical Hollywood fucking flake, if you ask me. Or even if you didn’t. Why don’t you get yourself up to bin Laden’s cave and give him some love and compassion, Mr. Gere? And somebody please take a video camera. It’s always a bit unseemly when the people who have to live in the real world and get their hands dirty interact with those who apparently live at The Neverending College Campus, forever masturbating with their unrealistic, unworkable idealism, who live only to give the unwashed the benefit of their enlightenment. This takes it to a whole new level. I only blame Gere for being the dumbass that he is to an extent. Who was the brainiac who booked him for a show designed as a respite for shell-shocked police, firemen and EMTs at Ground Zero? ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/28 "2001-10-24T05:25:36Z")
A buddhist who knows, of course, that tangible goods are unimportant but revels in them nonetheless. WHERE THE FUCK IS MY LIMOUSINE TO SPIRIT ME AWAY FROM THESE MYSTERIOUSLY IRATE PLEBEIANS? ---
**Author:** ![Chickenhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7cd45c/32.png) [@Chickenhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenhead)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/29 "2001-10-24T05:27:01Z")
Not to belittle what he said; I’m just being flippant. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/30 "2001-10-24T05:28:51Z")
We’re discussing Ghandi in Philosophy, and I’ve been taking the stand that as nice as Ghandi’s ideas were, it will never, ever happen. My Professor asks why I believe that. I think I will print out some replies to this thread (and others) and show him some perfect examples of why it’s impossible. ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/31 "2001-10-24T05:30:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*I didn’t say I think forgiveness is appropriate. I didn’t say otherwise either in my post. I merely mentioned a bit aobut a religion’s teachings. > > \*\* Monty, Well, then I really read a lot more into your statement than I should have. I’ll have to work harder on not doing that when I am all riled up. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![CBEscapee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@CBEscapee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBEscapee)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/32 "2001-10-24T05:47:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by obidiah \* > \*\*\First off, the Ecclesiastes 3 quote is from the Old Testament. As I am sure you are aware Christians are not bound by any teachings from this covenant…Jesus Christ brought the NEW covenant unto the land with his teachings of, yep, you guessed it, love and tolerance. > > I am really distraught at the number of dopers that are so filed with hate and vengence. Where has this gotten us before? Have any of you even BEEN to the middle east to meet the people you are so eager to slaughter? > \ > Hmmm, I thought not.\*\* Well obi I have BEEN to the middle east and other Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia and places of large Muslim populations in India. I don’t recall saying that I’d care to slaughter anyone let alone eagerly. So you are wrong on that point. As far as the quote from the Old Testament, I wonder if Buddha would have found any wisdom in it? _But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it._ – Buddha ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/33 "2001-10-24T05:49:06Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by obidiah \* > \*\* > I am really distraught at the number of dopers that are so filed with hate and vengence. Where has this gotten us before? Have any of you even BEEN to the middle east to meet the people you are so eager to slaughter? > \ > Hmmm, I thought not. Well, I have been there, during another war, none the less. I have met these people who you desperately want dead and they are JUST like you and me._\* I’m not filled with hate. I’m filled with disgust at the callousness displayed toward the greiving people in the audience by Gere disregarding their feelings. These people that you think I am “eager to slaughter” and “desperately want dead”? Lets clarify for a moment. I want extremely dangerous murderers brought to justice. I never said dead, although I will shed no tears if that happens. My tears are reserved for all of the victims of this tragedy. Or maybe… Were you implying that you have met the _terrorists_ and they are just like you and me? Because it is the terrorists we are after, not the people of Afghanistan. I have tremendous compassion for the innocent people there AND here. I don’t have compassion for murderers and I don’t have compassion for Richard Gere’s timing. ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/34 "2001-10-24T05:49:46Z")
I didn’t see Richard Gere’s statement. As a committed Buddhist, from what I gather here, I understand it. I have wrestled greatly with my emotions during the recent tragedy. I’ve felt anger, hatred, and immense grief. My Buddhist teaching was to help me to rise above that. I’ve had good teachers; Tibetan, who’ve had some centuries of experience overcoming their nation’s history of warfare. Tibetan Buddhism is not, at it’s heart, some LaLa New Age feelgood religion. It’s born of longtime lessons, and that outcome is that compassion is the best route for humanity. Compassionate action is what the NY Firefighters and Policemen gave their lives to in valiant service. That action is what makes us all cry in agony over their loss. Why, then, should a plea for selfless compassion be ridiculed? As a Buddhist, you’re taught to not only show compassion for those you love, but also your enemies. Equinimity. That’s the true test of the development of compassion. I can’t say that I’m dealing with it particularly well, but that’s the goal. Mr. Gere was acting in accordance with Buddhist teaching: to eliminate Hatred no matter how much you might hate doing it. I would hope that that’s the ultimate goal. ---
**Author:** ![Myrr21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e495f1/32.png) [@Myrr21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrr21)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/35 "2001-10-24T06:01:43Z")
> [@](#): > > We’re discussing Ghandi in Philosophy, and I’ve been taking the stand that as nice as Ghandi’s ideas were, it will never, ever happen. I dunno. Ghandi had a pretty good track record on his side… ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/36 "2001-10-24T06:21:41Z")
But that was in Ghandi’s lifetime when he could write, and speak, and fast, and _lead_, and get the message out to millions of people at a time. When he was alive he lived his ideals, literally practiced what he preached. I think that in this day and age, unless there is a strong leader (Like Dr. Martin Luther King) Ghandi’s ideas won’t work. And as many strong leaders there are, there are about a million or so people who want to “bomb the fuckers to the stone-age” so to speak. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/37 "2001-10-24T06:23:58Z")
Read the thread, tho. And all I can say is: “RIght on, RIchard.” Peace, stoid ---
**Author:** ![musicguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@musicguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/musicguy)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/38 "2001-10-24T06:25:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elelle \* > compassion is the best route for humanity. Justice is important too. > [@](#): > > Why, then, should a plea for selfless compassion be ridiculed? Was it ridiculed or vocally disagreed with, I think it was an honest response, given the circumstances and the freshness of the wounds. > [@](#): > > As a Buddhist, you’re taught to not only show compassion for those you love, but also your enemies. Equinimity. That’s the true test of the development of compassion. I can’t say that I’m dealing with it particularly well, but that’s the goal. If you are having trouble dealing with the accompanying emotions, imagine what the rescue workers are going through. While compassion for the enemy is perhaps a noble goal that all should strive for, wouldn’t it be appropriate to see that as a long-term goal and not a conclusion that the rescue workers should be expected to come to in such a short time after these events. Richard Gere should have been _compassionate_ enough to realize this. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/39 "2001-10-24T12:00:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Milossarian_ > > > [@](#): > > > > \*\* > > And Bill, nice job of twisting words there. “I hope we can harness our anger and turn it in a peaceful direction” means “War is wrong and we should turn tail?” Fuck man. Guess I’m out of touch with reality. > > Uh, Rasa? > Enlighten me. > > What exactly did Brother Gere mean by, “I hope we can harness our anger and turn it in a peaceful direction?” > \*\* Well, gee, I would take those words to mean “I hope we can harness our anger and try to make some good come out of it.” That sounds in keeping with the path of Right Action that a Tibetian Buddhist would espouse. But my interpretation is probably jaundiced by my “unworkable, unrealistic” Neverending College Campus ideals. I’d type more, but all my mastubatory idealism makes my wrists hurt. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235/40 "2001-10-24T12:58:09Z")
elelle said: > [@](#): > > As a Buddhist, you’re taught to not only show compassion for those you love, but also your enemies. Yes, well I would hope that as a HUMAN,he would have been taught some “tact”. > [@](#): > > Mr. Gere was acting in accordance with Buddhist teaching: to eliminate Hatred no matter how much you might hate doing it. I would hope that that’s the ultimate goal. As I said, he did this at the WRONG place, at the WRONG time, and said it to the WRONG people. **Milo** - I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, dude, you rock! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/richard-gere-you-sir-are-an-idiot/89235.md?page=3)