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Bill Alstrom (MA/Maine/MA)'s avatar

There is nothing wrong with hate or hating. I hate watching leaders berate and ridicule others. I hate people who prevent people from voting. I hate people who think they have a right to force their religious bigotry and primitive nonsense on me - or anyone. My list of people and policies that warrant my hate is very long. Sad to say.

I think my "crossroad" occurs when I decide what to do with those emotions like hate and anger. I try to bury my dark thoughts (I bet we share a few). I try to focus on positive people and compassionate programs.

I'll be thinking of you as I flip the bird at the TV and scream at the people who are the real haters. The ones who think they can apply their twisted, fascistic, anti-democracy, anti-women, anti-immigrant, anti freedom of faith, anti environment ...anti Earth! attitudes to the rest of us.

Letting hate occupy our brains for a few minutes to express our righteous outrage is healthy. To allow it to ruin our day is not. I don't give them that much power.

Instead, there are all the great pleasures of life - so much to be grateful for.

I've read about yours. Kudos.

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Mike Wicklein's avatar

When I get loud at the TV tonight I'll know you're there leading the charge. Thanks for your thoughts...and we do have a lot to be grateful for. Enjoy your weekend

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Gail Adams VA/FL's avatar

Is it okay to loathe not hate? To see friends hurt, not realizing the source of their pain is what they support, causes me visceral pain. I absolutely loathe those who cause this.

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Mike Wicklein's avatar

Hi Gail. I think we're dancing around a fine line between loathe and hate. Hate does seem to go toward violence according to Webster, while loathe does not. So maybe I am a focused loather. I was not upset that he was wounded...but I don't wish death on the man. I thought that episode might find some empathy in him...just like his Covid episode...but it appears he totally lacks empathy for anyone but himself. To many Christians I have talked with he appears to be an "end justify's the means" kind of guy...who they will forgive for the bad stuff, because he helps them get what they want most.

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