(Untitled)

[godasmywitness]

I can’t bear this hatred, this malice that seems to be built into every human being. People can so easily slip from logical, intelligent, compassionate men and women into monsters fueled by blind hatred. Sometimes I think it’s the most powerful thing in the world, that hatred…it’s raw and it’s coarse and it cuts deep. It can rip through flesh,

Comments

[orionxi]

I do not believe that hatred - true hatred - is ever "necessary," much less "good." In any way. Ever.

The hatred we see daily is deeply rooted in the demonization of other human beings. They're not human. They're opponents. "They're lower, they're inferior, they're different." Everything Eli mentioned. And on and on and on until we all someday grow past it, or all kill each other.

Religious extremism has much to do with it. Idiocy has much to do with it. In fact, any mental process that can ensnare and subjugate the human capacity for rational thought and replaces it with blind emotional fury is to blame. And there are many mental processes like that.

I'm not asking you to go out and change the world tonight. It doesn't work like that. I'm asking you to remember so that we have a shot at changing the world for tomorrow. I can't emphasize that enough: always remember. Because if we're not careful, we'll fall prey to hatred again and again. Hatred outlives the hateful.

Cliché, I know. But I think it's the truth.

That's my two cents. Make of it what you will.

[orionxi]

*replace

[godasmywitness]

I'm adding you.

[orionxi]

Right back at you.

[honorguideme]

I'll mention this tommorow...but do you think always remember bears a different conotation that "never forget"? Remember seems less negative. Never Forget...

I was just suggesting that I don't think our soldiers want to or should see the guy at the other end of their crosshairs as anything other than the enemy. He is obviously some mother's son, but he will kill our guy if he isn't gotten first. I know we've argued about this many a time. *shrug. My two cents worth.

[godasmywitness]

it's not a matter of wanting to or whether they should or shouldn't...it's generally in our nature to associate humanity with humans.

I don't even know where to begin is response to this. We've had this argument before, why are you repeating it? You know I'm not going to change my views overnight. I'll do us both a favor, and save us (or me at least) all of the frustration and heated words and fist-pounding, and I'll end our future discussion the same way it always goes:

Elizabeth: you don't understand, Joe. You don't now and sometimes I think you never will. There's no point in continuing this because I'm just going to get more upset and incoherent.
Joe: okay.

Basically what I am saying is don't mention this tomorrow. I honestly don't have the energy to deal with it. Try again again next week, if you're feeling bold.

Then again, next week isn't looking too good either...

[honorguideme]

No I've learned by now I really am unable to have discussion with you without upsetting you, you are correct with the typical ending. I was refering to the always remember never forget.

[orionxi]

Joe - you're essentially saying that hatred is necessary to make it easier for us to kill one another. And I agree with you. It does make it infinitely easier.

However, whereas you view that as sometimes being good, I view that as being bad. All the time.

Hope that clears things up. :)

[godasmywitness]

Thank you for putting so eloquently something I can't really phrase at all.

[orionxi]

Very welcome. :)