I agree that the actions of one ill-tempered troglodyte shouldn't put us off the main goal this election season. My point in writing this was to express what's been building up inside for some time. I actually am glad I got upset. Upset enough to write about it. Upset enough to put this out there for others to read and discuss.
I live in the very red state of Texas, where it is difficult to know who to talk to about these things. So many people are demoralized to the point of not wanting to do something about changing it, much less talking about it around here. I remember when this state was Blue, I worked on Ann Richard's campaign, met Barbara Jordan and helped local progressives on city council elections. There is an oppressive nature that colors the body politic at this time in history. One I've had a difficult time pinning down.
What that reporter did was an overt action that crystallized for me what is happening to this country. Educated people used to garner a certain respect. The men (and women) at the beginning of this nation understood the value of having educated leaders, people with vision and social compassion. They saw what happened when people attained money, position, power and lost respect for those below their station.
What strikes me is in the beginning, they attempted to negotiate with the King, but got nowhere. Because the King had no respect for his subjects. That's what galls me is this utter lack of respect. Something as fundamental as respecting someone, is still an issue 300 years later? Really?
That we are still so under-developed as a species, well it bothers me. We are all the same; we live, we breathe, we laugh, we cry, we all die. While we are here, for such a short time really, we need to make it our life's goal to not only make this place better for ourselves, but for everyone else we come in contact.
It is sad there are those around us that have forgotten the second half of this goal.
= new reply since forum marked as read