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| (Image by Paul Whiting) |
"'If You See Something, Say Something®' is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and how to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement."
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
A Requiem for the Boston
Marathon Act of Terror
(Or "A Requiem in Rain")
I hope all of the souls
who are responsible
for this terrible tragedy
—and all of the souls
who think the same way
that these souls do, by
believing that violence
somehow solves problems
—can find a sense of peace
within themselves that
prevents them from ever
wanting to harm another
soul ever again!
-Paul Whiting
(a.k.a., Small All White in the Forest)
"I am no barrier to its sun; the light and I are as one!"
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My Writing About The Boston Marathon Act Of Terror On April 15th, 2013: I have grown so very weary of all the senseless violence in America that I've practically run out of tears! I can no longer simply grieve for the victims and their loved ones! For, grieving doesn't seem to stop all of the violent thinking in America! So, I hope all of the souls who are responsible for this terrible tragedy—and all of the souls who think the same way that these souls do, by believing that violence somehow solves problems—can find a sense of peace within themselves that prevents them from ever wanting to harm another soul ever again! –Paul Whiting (written April 15th, 2013, revised September 25th, 2022 and revised September 25th, 2023)
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My Writing About Using Violence For Problem Solving: Violence DOES NOT SOLVE problems! Violence ONLY CREATES problems! –Paul Whiting (written July 12th, 2014 and revised September 1st, 2022)
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My Writing About How Weapons Do Not Create: Weapons DO NOT create! Weapons ONLY destroy! –Paul Whiting (written May 12th, 2015 and revised September 1st, 2022)
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My Writing About How Weapons Do Not Make You: Weapons DO NOT make you! Weapons ONLY break you! –Paul Whiting (written May 12th, 2015 and revised September 1st, 2022)
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My Writing About How Violent Criminals Project The Way That They Feel About Themselves Onto Their Victims: The problem with criminals—who endeavor to violently cause harm to others—is that violent criminals are causing harm to others whom the violent criminals think deserve to be caused harm due to the way that the violent criminals feel about themselves which the violent criminals are projecting onto those whom they are causing violent harm. –Paul Whiting (written April 22nd, 2022, revised April 23rd, 2022, revised September 1st, 2022 and revised September 24th, 2022)
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My Poetic Notes:
The reason that I wrote this poem can be summed up with the following statement: I wrote this quote (and subsequent poem) after I heard about the Boston Marathon Act of Terror on April 15th, 2013:
"I have grown so very weary of all the senseless violence in America that I've practically run out of tears! I can no longer simply grieve for the victims and their loved ones! For, grieving doesn't seem to stop all of the violent thinking in America! So, I hope all of the souls who are responsible for this terrible tragedy—and all of the souls who think the same way that these souls do, by believing that violence somehow solves problems—can find a sense of peace within themselves that prevents them from ever wanting to harm another soul ever again!"
And this poem was also published on my "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer" blog (please see the hyperlink below for the blog), since I feel that the message in this poem applies to the message that I am trying to convey through "Paul Whiting — A Creative Writer."
This poem was written in Portland, Oregon.
-Paulee
https://paulwhitingwriting.blogspot.com
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"If You See Something, Say Something®" from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
"'If You See Something, Say Something®' is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and how to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.
We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. It’s easy to be distracted during our daily routines such as going to work, school, or the grocery store, but as you’re going about your day, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something..."
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
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September 25th, 2023 Update: "If You See Something, Say Something®" Awareness Day (a.k.a. #SeeSayDay) is today, September 25th, 2023, since "If You See Something, Say Something® #SeeSayDay" is yearly (annually) on September 25th, as explained below from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security "If you see something, say something" website:
"'If You See Something, Say Something®' is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the signs of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, and how to report suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.
We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. It’s easy to be distracted during our daily routines such as going to work, school, or the grocery store, but as you’re going about your day, if you see something that doesn’t seem quite right, say something..."
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
September 25 is #SeeSayDay
We all have someone, or something, to protect. On #SeeSayDay, join us by taking a pledge to protect your community. Be the one that speaks up; your tip could help save a life.
Take the Pledge to Protect:
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/seesay-day
If You See Something, Say Something® #SeeSayDay
Year-round, the “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign works to empower and educate the public on the importance of recognizing the signs of terrorism-related suspicious activity and how to report it to law enforcement. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated September 25 as “If You See Something, Say Something®” Awareness Day, also known as #SeeSayDay. On this day, DHS and its campaign partners across the country come together to remind the public to be aware of suspicious activity and how to report it to law enforcement.
How to Participate:
“If You See Something, Say Something®” is more than just a slogan; it is the mindset that we all play a role in the safety of our communities. For #SeeSayDay 2023, we encourage the public to make a "Pledge to Protect" communities by being ready to report suspicious activity to local authorities.
This #SeeSayDay, learn how to identify (https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/recognize-the-signs) and report (https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/how-to-report-suspicious-activity) terrorism-related suspicious activity to local authorities. Then on September 25, share your Pledge to Protect on your personal or organization's social media channels using #SeeSayDay social media graphics (https://www.dhs.gov/publication/seesay-day-socialmedia) and draft posts below. Use the hashtag #SeeSayDay to note your involvement!
And, after I read the website above, I selected the "Ready-to-Use Newsletter Blurb," as well as the "Ready-to-Use Social Media Posts," both of which can be found below:
Ready-to-Use Newsletter Blurb:
Take the Pledge to Protect This #SeeSayDay
We all have someone, or something, to protect, and we all play a role in keeping our communities safe. That is the message of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign (https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/about-campaign), a national awareness campaign that encourages the public to recognize and report terrorism-related suspicious activity to local authorities. Remember, factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not suspicious.
September 25 marks “If You See Something, Say Something®” Awareness Day, also known as #SeeSayDay. On this day, DHS and its campaign partners come together to spread the word about suspicious activity reporting.
This #SeeSayDay, the campaign encourages you to make a pledge to protect your community. It starts with taking the following simple steps:
[✓] Learn and be aware of the warning signs of suspicious activity and threats.
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/recognize-the-signs
[✓] Immediately speak up to report suspicious activity to local authorities.
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/how-to-report-suspicious-activity
[✓] On September 25, 2023, use the campaign’s #SeeSayDay social media graphics on your social media accounts and “pledge to protect” your community. Use the hashtag #SeeSayDay in your posts.
(https://www.dhs.gov/publication/seesay-day-socialmedia)
Don’t be a bystander and ignore suspicious activity. Starting this #SeeSayDay, pledge to protect your community. For more information, visit DHS.gov/SeeSay.
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
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Ready-to-Use Social Media Posts:
This #SeeSayDay, I pledge to protect my community by reporting suspicious activity. Learn more about how you can make a difference ➡️
https://go.dhs.gov/opJ
We pledge to protect our [neighbors / community / organization / workplace / customers] by encouraging everyone to report suspicious activity to authorities. Visit the #SeeSayDay website to learn more ➡️
https://go.dhs.gov/opJ
Today is #SeeSayDay! Take a pledge to protect your community by learning the signs of suspicious activity and how to report it ➡️
https://go.dhs.gov/opJ
Therefore, "this #SeeSayDay, I pledge to protect my community by reporting suspicious activity," so please "learn more about how you can make a difference," because "today is #SeeSayDay!" Join me and "take a pledge to protect your community by learning the signs of suspicious activity and how to report it," since "we [can all] pledge to protect our family / friends / neighbors / communities / organizations / workplaces / businesses / customers by encouraging everyone to report suspicious activity to authorities."
Please "visit the #SeeSayDay website to learn more":
https://go.dhs.gov/opJ
–Paul Whiting (September 25th, 2023)
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This "Small All White in the Forest" Post No. 155 was edited on September 25th, 2023.
"Poetry is using the fewest words possible in order to describe all that is possible to describe." –Paul Whiting [June 1st, 2022]
