To Moe Lane. And this is also my response when some moron accuses me of “hate.”
I don’t know about the rest of you, but Jeffrey here of the Los Angeles branch of California State University has given me one Hell of a testimonial, thanks to his desire to see my wife made a widow and my children orphans. I’ll remember this the next time that I wonder – as all bloggers and writers do, honestly – whether I’m making a difference. Clearly, I am – because they hate me. They really, really hate me. This is such a pick-me-up I almost don’t need the next pain pill.
The funny part? I don’t hate them. Because hate makes you stupid.
Which actually explains much of the Left pretty well. It’s a chapter in the book I’m working on. And yes, I too am happy to be hated by the right (that is to say, the left) people.
One of my coworkers has a sign in his office that reads “Hate is drinking poison hoping your enemies will die.” I don’t recall who said it.
Atlanta calls itself The City Too Busy to Hate, correctly implying that hate involves effort.
Me? I’m too lazy to hate.
Life is too long to go around angry all of the time, which is why I wonder about so many liberals. They’re consumed by hatred and jealosy. Don’t believe me. Try a few names and watch the hatred spew.
Sarah Palin
Rush Limbaugh
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
Hate, like all emotions, is a good thing if directed properly. Hate what is bad.
I am in a constant state of anger (which is closely tied to depression.) It’s the same intense anger I felt the moment the second plane hit the second tower. It’s with me constantly but it is directed at what is bad, not people. People, even the worst, can change. Not that many do.
Righteous anger is often misdirected, but it’s also a powerful motivator for good. Don’t judge it based on other forms of anger which are seldom any good.
Anger can be a justified emotion but it clouds judgment. It’s natural and appropriate to get angry at something like the 9/11 attacks. However, it takes clear and cool thinking to respond accordingly. Anger can cause you to lash out without having thought things through. Fighters and soldiers know that if you let anger get the best of you, you’ll lose.
Don’t get mad. Get even.
Get madder and evener!
Never forsake judgement and wisdom.
Of course, I’m counting on your good judgement Larry to watch my back should mine be clouded.
Emotions in tough circumstances can be tricky things. If a boxer loses his cool and starts lashing out in rage, he’s going to lose. Guaranteed. Likewise, if military leaders develop their battle plans based on anger, they’re going to lose.
There are other emotions that can help to some extent but taken in excess can cause really big problems. Way back in 1975 when I went through Jump School, the last training we had before making our first jump was on how to handle malfunctions. Behind the stage where the instructors gave us training on things like partial and total malfunctions, there was a sign that read “Fear is the foundation of safety.” A truly fearless man is a menace to himself and everyone around him.
And yet, too much fear is crippling. On my 7th jump, I made a stupid mistake and very nearly was seriously injured. It was a long time (about 3 months) before I made my next jump and I had a lot of time to think about it. As we boarded the plane, my fear began to build on itself. By the time we went through our prejump rituals (stand up, hook up, check static line, check equipment, sound off for equipment check, etc.), I was about ready to unhook and sit down. I looked to the head of the stick and saw our battalion commander first in line. He appeared so ready to jump that it looked like the jump master was almost having to restrain him to keep him from jumping early*. I knew at that moment that I was going to jump and I did. Once I was out the door, I had a ball.
Fear almost got the better of me. Fear, like anger, has its place but it can never be allowed to take control.
*My image of what a leader is was set at that moment. Fairly or unfairly, I used that measure for every commander I had for the rest of my time in the military (Army and Air Force, enlisted and commissioned). I can honestly say I never had a leader the entire time I was in the Air Force, but that’s another discussion.
Larry I enjoyed reading your comment. I will blog [perhaps long winded] thoughts on the subject soon. It’s a subject I find fascinating.
Anger is a (usually) legitimate response to events. Hate is something else altogether — it can extend anger past the resolution of whatever caused the anger in the first place.
Hate needs to be reasoned rather than the result of anger. Most people don’t
seem tobother.What’s the difference between Moe lane and Solyndra? Moe’s stimulus package worked.
May it continute to work for many years to come.