AMAZON

Sunday, January 09, 2011

A World without Vitriol

Click HERE to join the online vigil for the victims of the Arizona shootings.



When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous. ~ Pima County, Arizona, Sheriff Clarence Dupnik


I have great respect for Sheriff Clarence Dupnik and have had this respect for quite a while. As you may remember, he refused to enforce Arizonia's anti-illegal immigration law:





I agree fully with his observation about the increasing vitriol--the anger, the hatred, the bigotry—that has become the norm in todays politics. It's source seems to come exclusively from right wing origins: Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, FOX News, the Tea Party, Sarah Palin, the so-called religious right, etc. 

I don't ask that these purveyors  of ugliness and hatred be muzzled. I believe too much in our freedoms for that. 

I do ask—and pray—that they learn to respect the rights, ethnicity, and religious beliefs of others; that the end the words of prejudice and implied voilence that have become their norm. . Is that asking for too much?

A world without vitriol I can imagine a much better place.


7 comments:

  1. Well said, Nick. I couldn't agree more. When I hear what comes out of some people's mouths, I know why I prefer my cats.

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  2. Well said, Puss-in-Boots! I agree, especially about cats. Alex is no where as near "catty" s many contemporary politicians and TV/radio talking heads.

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  3. Those of us with rational minds can turn away from so much of the outrageous words and imagery that passes for debate.

    I don't know what this shooter's problems were. I don't know why he decided that yesterday was the day he would act.

    But I agree with you...we need to stop the vitriol that passes for debate. We need to embrace civility and respect in our public discourse.

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  4. As a retired clergyman now living in Tucson, I applaud your words, Reverend Saint.

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  5. This is one reason I think this country will be fascist--maybe not in my lifetime, but in my son's. The right are making us miserable in a very clever fashion: by attacking the so-called socialism of the Democrats, they are creating an environment in which more political rights will be taken away because of extreme reactions to their rhetoric. They aren't defending the constitution; they are killing it.

    Love to Alex from Artemis.

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  6. Dear Nick ~~ Lovely to hear from you and I hope all is well at your house.
    I sympathize with the Arizona tragedy and there are too many tragedies in this world. I so enjoyed the video of Imagine by John Lennon.Unfortunately I lost your e mail so cannot keep it.
    That song should be played everywhere every day and maybe folks would finally get the message.
    Thanks so much for that and I hope 2011 will be a better year for you
    my friend.Love and Best Wishes, Merle.

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  7. Strange. I used the word, vitriol, in my own post today. Great minds?

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