The unspeakable tragedy in Arizona on Saturday was not just an assault on democracy. It was an assault on our humanity. Many seem to have lost the ability - if they ever had it - to discuss differences with reason rather than hostility . . . and to accept our differences by understanding rather than demanding.
I commend to you the editorial that Robert Parham posted today on ethicsdaily.com, entitled "Turn Down the Rhetoric, Turn Off the Political Talk-Radio and Cable TV." Those who have encouraged this culture of hatred and violence must take responsibility for the deeds that result from it. Amen, Robert.
I think this is right. We have a responsibility to speak out of love and respect for our fellow human beings, especially when we disagree. But I have to wonder where all this outrage and counsel has been for the past thirty years as my generation grew up on violent video games and lude sexual references inundating us on every show we watched. We raise a generation on this junk in the name of free speech, insist these have no impact on behavior, and then wonder about the culture of hate we have at hand.
ReplyDelete"They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind." indeed.