General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I personally do not know a single "left" thinking person [View all]Martin Eden
(12,802 posts)If someone or some group/organization intentionally with coordinated planning causes the deaths of thousands of innocent lives and great harm to our country, is hate not the natural and appropriate human emotion in this circumstance?
The administration of Bush/Cheney ignored dire warning of an impending terrorist attack on American soil, then exploited 9/11 to launch an unprovoked war against a nation that had nothing to do with it. The American people stood behind the president in the wake of a national tragedy, then he and his administration manipulated the public's fear, anger, and patriotism in a war of choice based on a pack of LIES. I think it is entirely accurate and fair to characterize this as the most egregious betrayal of public trust by a president in our nation's history.
More than 5000 American soldiers died, and perhaps a million Iraqis (sectarian violence & bombings continue today). Our treasury was drained while their cronies got rich(er). Bush entered office with a healthy economy and a budget surplus, and left it in shambles. His administration approved torture and other war crimes that brought shame upon our nation while he divisively proclaimed you're either with us or you're with the terrorists.
I hate them for what they did to the country I love, for all the innocent people they killed, and for all the people still suffering (physically, emotionally, economically) as a result of their premeditated crimes.
I hate that they have escaped justice and in fact enjoy wealth, privilege, and the honors that come with the prestige of their office.
I hate that We The People are becoming more and more accepting of this, and that I'm told to let it go already!
I will not let it go until justice is served.
Why? Because when crimes in high places go unpunished they receive tacit approval, and the probability of future crimes by our government in our name is greatly increased. If you don't care about what happens to these criminals, you should at least care about their victims and the next generation that will be victimized by the failure of the American people to insist that we live up to the principles our country ostensibly stands for.
Hatred need not be a blind, consuming, rage. Put in its proper place with clarity of thought and purpose, hate can provide sustained motivation. I am not the Tea Party. Facts, reason, and logic prevail. I would not Hate if I did not also Love the people and the principles which I believe are perpetually endangered while we let the horrible crimes of Bush/Cheney go unpunished and we become more and more accepting of it. Nothing to see here folks, move along!
No, sorry. Passion is required here. Suppression of rational human emotion for crimes against humanity is counterproductive. Real change is absolutely necessary.
I wish I could believe John Lennon. All You Need Is Love. We need that more than anything, to be sure. Our love must be stronger than our hate, and both governed by our rational mind. And I do say both.