Lessons learned from the crazies

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/09/westboro-baptist-church-arizona_n_806319.html

I hesitate to post something like this, because it seems that in doing so, in some way I may be helping these ignoramuses spread their hateful message. However, in light of current events, I think it may be important to consider it (although very briefly).

It was difficult for me to get through that entire article without crying. Their hate is obvious and their vitriol palpable. To say that it is offensive is an understatement. This is something we can all (and by "all" I mean, hopefully everyone reading my blog has at least enough reason, logic, and empathy within them to at least give me this much -- although clearly "all" Americans cannot) agree on. So let us begin there.

On Facebook -- on television -- on the blogs -- there is a lot of talk about where the blame shall be placed. It is only natural, I suppose, for people, when faced with unspeakable tragedy, to look for a scapegoat. The only thing worse than unexpected loss is an inexplicable loss -- and so humans will always look for explanations -- to comfort, and perhaps to distance ourselves --

But, in this tragedy -- immediately politicized by the identity of its victims -- our human nature to explain and to blame continues to divide a nation -- in quite the same manner that arguably set the stage for this to occur in the first place (and on and on we go...).

We probably don't new Fox News or MSNBC to tell us that the shooter had mental health problems. But apparently some do need these outlets to blame one side or the other (Republicans or Democrats) for the outlet he found for his illness.

Sarah Palin didn't mean she wanted Gabrielle Giffords dead when she placed crosshairs over her district - but why do it - why defend it? (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sarah-palins-crosshairs-ad-focus-gabrielle-giffords-debate/story?id=12576437)

Jesse Kelly (Gabrielle Gifford's most recent political opponent) probably didn't wish her physical harm when he rallied supporters to "Help Remove Gabrielle for Office" and "Shoot a fully automatic M16 with Jesse Kelly " - but why do it - why defend it? (http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2387:giffords-opponent-held-june-event-to-qget-on-target-to-remove-giffords&catid=78:featurescoveringmedia)

Maybe, instead of going immediately on the defense, politicians with such tasteless campaign strategies as these should admit their mistake.

Conversely, those on the other side should be careful not to celebrate this tragedy as some kind of political gain -- and be careful to remain focused on moving forward as a country, rather than pointing a finger at another while remaining in the past.

And, as a whole -- perhaps we should all keep in mind that the First Amendment is a wonderful thing -- but it doesn't divest us of any responsibility as to how we use it.

And, so -- back to the Westboro Baptist Church -- let us (especially those with a public platform) not forget that there are many crazies among us -- that what is just harmless rhetoric to one (besides the wimpy wussy whiny liberals, that is) is an invitation to another -- that just because you don't mean something a certain way, doesn't mean you shouldn't consider whether someone else will see it that way -- and that maybe it would be more productive to argue using actual ideas, rather than useless insults and finger-pointing.

Let's not let the crazies win - lest we all become crazy ourselves.