As of right now, 2 are dead, dozens injured. May the deceased rest in peace, and may the injured heal, physically and psychologically. When those folks woke up this morning, they were looking forward to watching a famous sporting event. Maybe they were there with friends and loved ones. Pictures were taken. Jokes were exchanged. It was supposed to be a good time.
Maybe for a few days, we’ll become introspective, kinder. The nasty words that have been flung on this site for weeks will cease, or at least slow down.
But in a few weeks? It’ll start up again.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
There’s nothing wrong, of course, with a civil exchange of ideas, even if that debate becomes heated and passionate.
It’s when the name-calling and vitriol start that it becomes ugly. Does this sound familiar? A comment thread becomes a tit-for-tat battle for one-upmanship. The thread gets narrower and narrower down the screen. At first, assuming you’re not involved, you’re mildly interested and you find yourself rooting for the person you agree with. A few minutes later, you realize the “debate” is on the level of something your kids would be doing, and you stop reading.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m guilty of asinine behavior myself from time to time here, as most of us are.
But I call a truce going forward.
If anything good can come from today’s horrible events, perhaps it’s this: We can all be a little kinder to each other, because none of us knows when we’re going to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
And, really, do any of us want our last recorded act on Earth to be a pissing match on a political website?
Now go hug somebody and tell them that you love them.
Peace.