The recent killings of an abortion doctor in Kansas and a security guard at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. are chilling reminders that some of the worst terrorism being committed against America is home grown (remember Timothy McVeigh and Oklahoma City?). It seems I can’t get through a week without some friend, relative or business associate e-mailing me hate-filled jokes about Obama being assassinated or dying in an “accident.” It also doesn’t help when pundits like Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh pile on in the hatefest. It’s perfectly legitimate to criticize or make fun of those in power, but don’t you think it’s time we turned down the vitriol? Do us all a favor and think before you forward those hate filled e-mails.
J. Cole
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2009.
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I agree with J.Cole. The hateful, discriminating, jokes need to stop. They are not wanted or appreciated. Is hard to believe that people like Limbaugh and O’Rielly are considered intelligent people. Wouldn’t sell as well I’m sure, but wouldn’t it accomplish more to talk about the good Obama is doing and the good that will come out of it? If we don’t teach are children to love all and to tolerate differences how can they be productive. They too have to deal with the hate and need to learn how to handle diversity….is a wonderful thing to learn and live a good life. Hate takes too much energy and these jokes suck the life out, besides not being funny.
Yeah, hate is bad. Who’s going to argue that point? Perhaps though, you should start by thinking a bit about the type of people you hang out with. What kind of friends, relatives, and business associates do you have that think this kind of “humor” is funny? Contrary to what you seem to be suggesting, I’ve never heard either Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly state anything that could be considered hateful. They certainly have never suggested harming the President like your associates do. If I’m wrong, I’d like to hear some specific instances.
Hate and intolerance are apolitical; they exist in every corner of our society, and they usually come from ignorance and intolerance. I’m not sure what the cure is, but I’m pretty sure that pointing fingers at specific individuals or groups and suggesting it is their fault is not helpful.
“… never heard either Rush Limbaugh or Bill O’Reilly state anything that could be considered hateful.”
Wow, someone who watches even less television, listens to even less radio, than I. I congratulate you, Jose.
El Limbo and Hannity and Billo – in a normal society (in the best of all worlds!) these three hatemongering idiots would be where they really should be …. spouting their dangerous dreck while standing on an upturned apple box. Here, because they have enormous audiences of like-minded haters they make millions.
Pointing at them IS most helpful… it is the duty of a civilized society to point out unacceptable behavior.
It’s coming, I’m sure–the Muslim who killed the serviceman in front of the recruiting center–chickens coming home to roost for Tiller–Terrorists found planning to hijack–why no coverage? The counterpoint to Cole and Post.
Their is hate out there, and it is at the core of all criminal action: self-loathing or targeting others with this hatred. Pretending there aren’t people out there yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theater is farcical. Listening to them deny responsibility while justifying the act is sickening.
But the Coles and Posts were out there over the last eight years going after the Repubs in self-righteous indignity while decrying the acts their outcries engendered. What–you DON’T think POV’s that were anti-war and anti-Bush/Cheney to the point of irrationality had no effect?
Moral superiority ends dialogue. In the media, Hannity, Limbaugh, and O’Reilly do it on the right and Oberman, Maher, and Garafalo do it on the left.
It’s nice to pretend we can live above the fray, but that’s just a fantasy that we all descend into when we join them. We parrot–we mimic–we all sound the same.
Like a stake in the heart of a vampire – the truth hurts pissant hatemongering lib hypocrites. Check out a typical Berkeley Death to America rally and then get back to me.
Actually, I watch/listen to them all – Limbaugh, Maddow, Hannity, Olbermann, Savage, etc. What do you hear them say that you consider “hateful”? What have they said that reasonable people would consider to be encouraging the killing of doctors that perform abortions or patrons of the Holocaust Museum?
Listen to a translation from Ahmadinejad discussing Israel – now *that* is hate. Let’s not confuse the two.
It’s interesting to note that when the policies of the Bush Administration (the elder or the younger) were being challenged by anyone, or if you opposed the presence of US troops in the first Gulf War and now Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s considered un-patriotic or anti-American. But now that a person of color is in charge, he’s attacked for doing too much or not doing enough, being a communist, and is the subject subtle and of not-so-subtle racial slurs. Apparently if you attack someone with racial bias, but clumsily camoflauge it in political terms, it’s okay and you’re not REALLY a racist, right? just a proud American attacking you’re president because now it’s okay because you simply oppose his communist policies and calling him a primate of sort has nothing to do with race. I’m sure there are free-thinking people who attended the Tea Party on tax day in Bend. And I”m sure there are people with alternative political views going to the “we the people” rally on July 4th at the amphitheater. But, let’s just say there’s too much of a white-sheet and pointy hat vibe from people i’ve met who are into this new political scene for me to get into it. Free speech is one of the most important values we have in this country. Unfortunately you take the good with the bad with that freedom. And in this case, people have the freedom to say whatever they want and capitalize on fear, hate and hysteria.
Diamond Girl – what planet do you live on?
Stephen, great letter, very balanced. I don’t agree with all of it: moral superiority does not always ends dialogue for instance. Here’s my key to differentiating between L and R demagogues: I ask myself: which ones are pro-war, whose remonstrations will encourage the bombing of civilians in countries that never attacked us, which ones are anti-intellectual, anti-workers’ rights, anti-education, anti-programs for the poor, anti-drug addiction treatment, pro-death penalty, pro-“lock ’em up and throw away the key”, pro-corporate plutocracy??? Maher is spiteful (he’s funny too though) and bitter – but his rantings are very unlikely to support pre-emptive invasion of sovereign nations and killing half a million of their citizens (Lancet research, and pleeeeease, I don’t want to hear anything about how the Lancet hates America!).
Good to have you on these pages
Shortall, your comments are always fun to read. So the only time American military have ever used force on foreign soil was during Republican leadership?
Also, to answer your question, I’m almost certain Diamond Girl lives on Earth.
Thanks for your sketchily thought out reply Guest – once again I get responses to things I didn’t say – is this some new form of debate? Have you read Jaynes’s “The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind”?
I read through my response and I couldn’t find any mention of Republicans – I jest of course. It is nice to see that at last America’s Right (or “Oh so Wrong” as I like to think of them) may be developing a rudimentary sense of shame. Pity it’s too late for the millions killed in Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Iraq, Central America ….
Thanks again