Hate and Disdain

In response to my recent “Wayward Christian Soldiers”, Jeff writes, “Unfortunately the far political left of our nation is still in "Hate George W. Bush" no matter what mode. This pushes the far right to become even more extreme in countering the far left's disdain of any action taken by the current administration.” (See full content of his comments posted on blog at http://criticalactions-what-isyour-opinion.blogspot.com/2006/01/wayward-christian-soldiers.html)

Keywords in his response are “hate” and “disdain” which capsulate one of the most infectious problems within many modern day societies. I see a parallel between his expression of American’s ever growing political disease and the current Palestinian’s state of affairs. The Palestinian elections this week, a vote of 77%, elected an overwhelming majority of the Hamas party (Islamist movement of militant, terrorist, fundamentalist seeking to over through Israel) in lieu of the more moderate Fatah party, which has been in power. The Fatah party (secular) was founded in 1958 by Yasser Arafat to create an independent state of Palestine and also has some history of terrorism, namely, al-Fatah, in 1970’s.

It seemed to be a contemptuous celebration by the adherents of Hamas party filling the streets with all ages, but seemingly by TV lens a large number of young and even pubescent males, not even of voting age. What can incite in young people this kind of ‘in your face’, disdainful exuberance? It’s unrelenting hatred breeding generation to generation in people who have little hope for a better life. But what causes this inbreeding in its transfer to the next generations?

The clerics of the Mosque, men of the holy order claiming to speak for God, a religious fragment of Islam gone awry, are responsible for an ill-preordained society. This is the politics of religion bringing ill-fate, insolvable, resolve for a peaceful settlement between Palestinians and Israelis. Also, the question has be asked, in U. S. and Israel support for the Fatah party, what bearing did that influence have in the minds of the moderate Palestinians who already resent the U. S. and Israel? In an interview with a Palestinian lady appearing to be very intelligent, she expressed consideration for the current ruling regime but would not admit to voting for them, the Fatah. Otherwise, some moderates were just feed up with the status qo, corruption of current regime. So what does this have to do with things here at home?

Jeff’s, accurate description of chasm between extreme right and left (hatred beginning mostly during Clinton administration and continuing through Bush administration), a disdain for each other, inciting many of our legislators to deplorable political tactics, is the main reason our congress can’t deal with the important issues. Admittedly, there is a gulf between ideas and issues on each side. Although, resolutions could be imminent, if parties strived for mutual respect and conciliation. Much of this chasm can be traced to Conservative/Liberal Talk aired programs - http://criticalactions-what-isyour-opinion.blogspot.com/2006/01/response-to-conservativeliberal-talk.html - and excessive religious-political power amassment - http://criticalactions-what-isyour-opinion.blogspot.com/2006/01/wayward-christian-soldiers.html. If these insidious exercises are not constrained our country may be in for a rude awaking. Free speech is one thing, but hatred and disdainful attitudes entrap and make governments ineffective to legislate. Can democracies survive this test?

The Bush administration has made some progress in promoting democracies, but also with many shortcomings. I believe you will find this article interesting, “The Realities of Exporting Democracy” - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/24/AR2006012401901.html?referrer=email&referrer=email. It is a review of the Bush administration’s influence for success and failure on exporting democracy. Once again in this article, we are reminded of some repressive regimes that otherwise might be legitimate democracies.

Let me hear from you!