Ringer for Osama bin Laden?

So, I'm doing my best to make it through my life as a husband, student, brother, son, uncle and worker. I don't agree with probably 95% of what the Bush Administration is doing, but it doesn't mean that I'm some crazy rebel terrorist who's going to try to take America down.

I believe in Peace and "The Other Way." There is always ANOTHER WAY to any seemingly dead end situation. No matter what you believe, there are always "cards" (as my History Professor likes to say--you know who you are) that you can add to or take out of your pile.

In that sense, we are all always growing, learning and becoming more and more open to what's out there...or are we?

At work last night, I was doing my best to get the photo orders done on time and make sure the lab looked straight. I very often look up to make sure no one is left standing around waiting to be helped. I noticed this one seemingly happy older gentleman staring my way.

"Could I help you, sir?," I offered.

Still smiling, he said, "You look like a million bucks!"

Thinking he meant our photo lab, I replied, "Well, thank you, sir. We appreciate it!"

He continued, "...You look like a ringer for Osama bin Laden with your beard 'n your skin 'n all..."

"Thank you, I suppose." was my reply. How do you respond to something like that?

I turned my head and made sure that he couldn't see my face, because I felt a great bit of anger rush over me...

...anger because I was compared to someone I know that everyone hates (with good reason).
...anger because that man had no regard for how that would make someone else feel.
...anger because I know his mind will never try to understand that Osama and his Al Qaeda associates do not represent Islam in its true sense.
...anger because I knew there was nothing I could do or can do.

I am part of what I believe to be the silent majority. The minority of this country (Oligarchy might be the word you're looking for) have gained control of "America" and are giving Americans new faces throughout the world. Apparently, in some small minds, my face is not one of them.