After reading some of the comments made by heartless evil wingnuts about the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, I experienced a cold chill spread throughout my body. I found myself gulping for air, my fists were clenching and my heart started to race.
Hatred had taken over my soul.
Hate is not just an ugly word. It is a despicable emotion that breeds contempt, fosters rejection, alienates joy and obliviates love. I do not like hate.
As a pre-school teacher, I discourage the use of the word in my classroom.
We don't like. We don't hate.
Friends don't use that word.
I am what most people would describe as "nice". And yes, sometimes it feels more like a curse than a blessing. I once asked a friend to give me "bitch lessons", since I sometimes admired her gumption to get what she wanted while I bemoaned my ability to never say "no".
Well, therapy cured me of that.
As a Christian, (Evangelical Lutheran-we rock)I follow Jesus' message to "Love one another as I have loved you." I honestly try to see the good in everyone, look for some redeeming quality, even if I have to compliment shoes.
So hating does not come easy to me. I don't enjoy the feeling. I would much rather do without it.
Like walking into the kitchen and noticing the smell- that stinky moldy odor that lingers enough so you can sniff around until you find the source. I've been 'spraying air freshener' far too long. It is time to clean the garbage pail.
I shun them.
I will no longer visit Media Matters or News Hounds. I no longer care what they say or how they feel. They do not belong in "MY America". I will not include them in my world.
I will challenge our elected officials, in Teddy's name, to speak out against those who are determined to destroy this country with hate. I will continue to support boycotts and I will continue to pressure the FCC to remove the "news" from the FOX station identification. And health care reform will become my top priority.
Not even Bush or Cheney have raised my wrath to this state. My strongest retorts to to them were more in line with "Ooh,I do not like that man." "He makes me sick." "What a stupid idiot!" "Cheney, you're going down."
But the evil that is being portrayed by those who call themselves 'Christians'? I will pray every day for the gift to forgive.
Until then,
I shun.