This type of "absurdity" happens every day . . . the girl who was raped in a bar while dozens of people stood around watching, listening to her screams for help, and doing nothing (after all, she put herself in that position, didn't she?); children being bullied in school to the point that they commit suicide or go berserk and kill their tormentors (remember Columbine? teachers and administrators KNEW the bullying was going on, and did NOTHING, after all, those boys MADE themselves targets by being "different"); murders where there are dozens of people who know who did it, but no one is willing to be the first to come forward; people who turn up the television to drown out the screams of the child being beaten in the apartment upstairs (after all, it's "none of my business" and "I don't want to get involved")

It's a combination of "crowd mentality," where the group follows the lead of the loudest, most dominant member or members; and fear of social ostracization or physical attack if you step outside "the norm." Especially in a group situation, we are afraid to be the first to speak out because we're afraid that no one else will support us, and we will be attacked because we are "different." We learn this fear early, and often, from our families and society. When we step outside of what is "accepted" behavior or opinion, we are rejected and criticized. We learn to "go along to get along," to protect ourselves from that rejection and criticism.

To me, this parable has many meanings . . . you can look at it as a political statement, encouraging us to take a stand and speak out on the issues; or you can look at it as a statement about society, crowd mentality, blaming the victim and finding the strength to do what you know is right even in the face of opposition. It is both, and more. We will each find in it what resonates with ourselves and our own experience; whether that experience is as the victim, as the angry man, as the officer trying to figure out what to do, as the crowd, or as the man who shouts "do something."

FG - I know the feeling. I used to have to have a cover over me, too, but the night sweats (and hot flashes, I'm older than you) have broken me of the habit. I have a gift/surprise for you over on my blog . . . just check the commentluv link for more info.
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The first image that I think of is the television coverage of President Kennedy's funeral - the hearse, moving so slowly, the crowds, and Jackie standing with her children

Actually, window treatments are NOT necessarily curtains. They can be blinds, mini-blinds, shades, swags, curtains, shutters, or any combination of the above.

One of my huge gripes is "Valentimes Day." The last time I checked, there was no "m" in "valentine."

Another annoyance is "dest," as in, "I was sitting at my dest writing a letter." (It's a southern thing.)

Wendy
http://wendyburnett.wordpress.com