Be Nice

I watched President Obama’s speech at the memorial service for those killed by a deranged gunman in Tucson. I agree with all that he said, which boils down to “be nice.” However, the problem is everybody hears the message, agrees with it, but then never applies it to himself or herself. The message is always for the other guy, never for me. “If only those leftists would stop …” Or “If only those on the right would start to …”

I believe the harsh rhetoric and other nastiness we see in the political arena is symptomatic of American society becoming ruder and cruder. It is also symptomatic of the tendency we have of demonizing of those who disagree with us. Sadly we even see such attitudes in the Church. Many mainline Protestant denominations are split along left/right lines, with each side demonizing the other. That’s why they are losing membership.

Let us all take to heart what Obama said in that speech, let us all apply it to our own lives, and let us hold our politicians accountable for cleaning up their act. Then just maybe Congress will get something done, and we will all be better off.