The Danger Within

Whenever I hear another one of Ann Coulter’s disgusting personal attacks, or read some of the insults slung by certain blogs on an everyday basis, it takes me back to junior high where bullies reigned supreme. Now, since those days we’re back about the time that Noah was loading his ark with dinosaurs (hee- I’m kidding, about the dinosaurs that is), I’ve lived long enough to not be surprised by the fact that certain types of people never mature out of the hurling great witticisms like, “retard, fag, moonbat” stage. Instead they grow up, or at least get taller, continuing to use slurs and intimidation as their primary weapons in any debate.

It isn’t all that amazing that some “adults”, and I use that term loosely, rely on hate filled rhetoric to lash out at opponents, but what is surprising to me is just how big an audience there is for such pathetic discourse. Apparently if you want to sell a few million books or have an extremely popular blog, all you need do is spout out the most disgusting personal attacks you can and presto you’re a success. It doesn’t seem to matter that the authors of the malignant prose have nothing to offer in the way of actual reasoned argument, or new ideas. No, the fans of these people require nothing more than to be entertained, at their “enemies” expense, and encouraged in their own “righteous” hatred for anyone who has nerve enough to disagree with their opinions. It’s truly a symbiotic relationship, in that the purveyors of the hate are rewarded with money, fame and/or acclaim (and are therefore more than willing to continue to sell their souls), while their self-proclaimed fans, who reward them, are made to feel that their own base thoughts, feelings and prejudices are justifiable, even acceptable and so seek out more of the same drivel they find so reassuring. Thus, the cycle continues.

Now, obviously not everyone on the right or left sides of the political spectrum engage in this cycle, but enough people do to warrant concern, as this type of discourse benefits NO one and in fact succeeds only in further damaging our political system and our nation as a whole. Some would argue, that it’s “no big deal”, but I believe that anytime a great quantity of a democracy’s citizens engage in and propagate demeaning, hateful rhetoric as a replacement for a respectful dialogue and reasoned debate, it is only a matter of time before that nation implodes and fails. America was lucky to have come through one such period, when reason fell victim to pride and hatred and led to a Civil War. I'm not sure that She would be so blessed a second time.