Is it the balance of Ying and Yang - do we need to pay for all the good years with the horror of the donald show? Do religious zealots have to turn to the anti-christ because it balances out the good works and word of Jesus? Are we in this constant need for a Genghis Kahn, Caligula, Hitler, Mussolini to balance the scales of Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, Schweitzer? Is the human organism so in need of this terrible balance? Why do we have the KKK, Nazis, Proud Boys, January 6 insurrectionists parading as ICE when we all dreamed of peace and love? I am ashamed that we continually allow these low lives to get to center stage. I just wish I knew why?
I don’t think truly kind, compassionate people can ever understand cruel, mean people, and possibly vice versa. It seems to me the trick to maintaining a humane, civilized society lies in educating an electorate in the ways of empathy, civility and respect. I think (hope?) we will find the vast majority of people would rather live in a state of peace and justice than anger and hate. The challenge is to restore faith in the ability of our institutions to be more altruistic than self-serving. Keep on teaching by example, Doug. It is your calling.
The hurting part has two interrelated parts: cruelty/sadism and pain/masochism. Helping requires compassion and responsibility, two very different qualities. Religions are supposed to transition people from the cruelty/pain spectrum to compassion, but they often work in the other direction. Some people are, for whatever reason, unable to gain the insights to escape from hurting others and self. We are now ruled by them, with assistance from terrible theologies and a public that accepts hurt as a political tool. “May you live in interesting times.”
It is and always will be beyond my understanding. I grew up thinking that all human beings were inherently good, and I always looked for the good in everyone. I’m beginning to think I was wrong. 😞
This simple way of looking at our current cultural abyss gave me goosebumps. It seems so rare to find such a clear process to make decisions. This process is a first step in decision making - should be. I do not care whether it is a personal decision or a global decision. Where are the thinkers and doers who can see the value in this? It is inconceivable to me that one lone nature loving, storytelling, bird watching, savor of lost kittens, husband, father, son, brother, caretaker, etc. is the only voice, the only brain to land on this. If I had not credited Mr. Campfire with logical genius, I do now.
Followers - be the megaphone!!!!!!!! Reply to everything, everyone - does this hurt or help people. If they want to argue, walk away. There is only one answer to this question.
I don't understand either. It doesn't cost anything to be kind or empathetic. My empathy is killing me though as there is no break from them for like you said 20 years.
Is it the balance of Ying and Yang - do we need to pay for all the good years with the horror of the donald show? Do religious zealots have to turn to the anti-christ because it balances out the good works and word of Jesus? Are we in this constant need for a Genghis Kahn, Caligula, Hitler, Mussolini to balance the scales of Gandhi, Buddha, Jesus, Schweitzer? Is the human organism so in need of this terrible balance? Why do we have the KKK, Nazis, Proud Boys, January 6 insurrectionists parading as ICE when we all dreamed of peace and love? I am ashamed that we continually allow these low lives to get to center stage. I just wish I knew why?
Me too, my friend. Me, too.
I don’t think truly kind, compassionate people can ever understand cruel, mean people, and possibly vice versa. It seems to me the trick to maintaining a humane, civilized society lies in educating an electorate in the ways of empathy, civility and respect. I think (hope?) we will find the vast majority of people would rather live in a state of peace and justice than anger and hate. The challenge is to restore faith in the ability of our institutions to be more altruistic than self-serving. Keep on teaching by example, Doug. It is your calling.
Thanks Dale.
The hurting part has two interrelated parts: cruelty/sadism and pain/masochism. Helping requires compassion and responsibility, two very different qualities. Religions are supposed to transition people from the cruelty/pain spectrum to compassion, but they often work in the other direction. Some people are, for whatever reason, unable to gain the insights to escape from hurting others and self. We are now ruled by them, with assistance from terrible theologies and a public that accepts hurt as a political tool. “May you live in interesting times.”
It is and always will be beyond my understanding. I grew up thinking that all human beings were inherently good, and I always looked for the good in everyone. I’m beginning to think I was wrong. 😞
Many of us are.
😞
I too don’t understand it,though I see it daily. I suppose it is beyond my comprehension to relate to feeling like MAGA seems to about
their “alleged” enemies. My big question is: when will they have had enough of punishing? Will they ever have had enough?
No.
This simple way of looking at our current cultural abyss gave me goosebumps. It seems so rare to find such a clear process to make decisions. This process is a first step in decision making - should be. I do not care whether it is a personal decision or a global decision. Where are the thinkers and doers who can see the value in this? It is inconceivable to me that one lone nature loving, storytelling, bird watching, savor of lost kittens, husband, father, son, brother, caretaker, etc. is the only voice, the only brain to land on this. If I had not credited Mr. Campfire with logical genius, I do now.
Followers - be the megaphone!!!!!!!! Reply to everything, everyone - does this hurt or help people. If they want to argue, walk away. There is only one answer to this question.
Thanks Barbara!!
I don't understand either. It doesn't cost anything to be kind or empathetic. My empathy is killing me though as there is no break from them for like you said 20 years.
Sadly, you are not wrong. The culture of MAGA and Trump is to oinflict pain. Even when that pain impacts them. Which it rarely will to Trump.
But as long as others are hurting, and those “others” are seen as a problem, the culture will revel in their pain even when it is there own.
Cruelty for the sake of cruelty.
Sadly, indeed.