Buckle your seatbelt; drive carefully, don't hate

Hate . . . .

"If you would destroy a man, first teach him to hate."

Don't know where the current epidemic of malice and unjustified spewing of virulence started . . . but it has me concerned.

Although they are only a strident minority, there are too many among us who have somehow turned into "haters," driven to spread exaggerated loathing through letters to the editors, talk shows, the Internet, and in daily conversation. Their words and actions indicate an unreasoning fear and anger. Where does it come from? What happened to being civil?

Steadier hands and calmer minds believe the problem for these anger driven people springs from feelings of frustration and helplessness, fueled by a lack of knowledge, lack of self-confidence and faith.

We who live in the United States are blessed with the safest homes, the highest standard of living and the greatest freedom of all people on earth. The enemies deserving our deepest concern, the serious threats to our way of life, are not neighbors down the road, across the street, in Helena, or Washington D.C.

Our enemies are not the President of the United States or the man running against him. The enemies are not "big business", "small business", the school board, wealthy individuals, or poor folks. Society's deadly foes are not loggers, environmentalists, bureaucrats or subdividers. Any citizen who spews hatred or makes wild and unfounded charges against fellow Americans becomes part of the problem - not part of the solution.

It often seems the more hateful their pronouncements the more ridiculous their claims, yet those opinions are presented as facts. The authors of such rubbish would go to jail for libel, slander, or perjury should they have to speak under oath.

It is one of the privileges of freedom to be critical of those in public office but it also carries an obligation of fairness. I did not always agree with Richard Nixon's policies, I did not vote for him, but he became the President of my country, and I did not write, "hate letters" to the newspaper about him. I did not approve of Harry Truman's conduct of the Korean War where my brother Alva died, but I saw no value in preaching the gospel of "Hate the President". My other brother Ritchey and I served a combined seven years in the military under Truman. He was America's President, our President through hell and high water.

At the local level I have referred to our county commissioners as "Larry, Moe, and Curly" but - I don't hate them. On the air I report activities of the "looney tunes, dingbats, wingnuts, and evildoers". I may not like 'em, but I don't hate them.

Anger out of control becomes hate, a crippling emotion. The word itself has violent and destructive connotations. Over the years I've tried to hate a time or two, but fell short. Thankfully, most of us are not intellectually crippled by believing evil conspirators are manipulating the nation or the world. Why waste energy hating the conspiracy fans? Feel sorry for them.

We can criticize, we can disagree, we can argue with our fellow Americans. We can question. We can ask for proof, and we can insist our views be considered; but who in their heart believes anyone can contribute to the democratic process of viciously spreading vile and sarcastic malevolence?

The ultimate enemies and the problems worthy of sincere fear and distrust are not fellow Americans.

This is another of those challenging times in history when we must work together against the real threats to our country. We should be helping each other, being tolerant even when we don't see eye to eye on a new shopping mall, straighter highway, or a new school. We must stand behind our servicemen and women at all times, in all places - in word and deed.

During uncertain times it is difficult to keep cool. We have been here before and we shall overcome; BUT if we just absolutely have to hate somebody - let's start with the ones who destroyed the World Trade Center.

Drive Carefully. Wear Your Seat Belts. Be Kind to One Another.

George Ostrom is a regular columnist for the Flathead Publishing Group.