Mean People Suck

I wrote a post about my melancholy at the passing of Ronald Reagan, not offering explanations (hence the flipping title) or trying to "sell" anyone on Mr. Reagan. I know many people who have bad opinions of the man. But for those who thought well of him (or of me) I wanted to give a little salute and vent my mild sorrow.

Alex Bennett (left-wing commentator) said on radio that being a "bleeding heart liberal" makes him a "better person." I was amazed. Being liberal or conservative does not make anyone better or worse.

I have no real respect for Rush Limbaugh because he did not just oppose and debate against ideas he disagreed with, he made personal attacks on individuals. That's asshole behavior. I agreed with many of Limbaugh's positions, but could not support his conduct. Robin Williams made a crack about Barbara Bush looking like George Washington, and I thought it was a cheap shot and a low blow to attack the Other Side by demeaning the wife of the president.

Then some of my more liberal-minded friends dogged Reagan after I posted about my feelings of loss.

Yeah. "Better people."

It sort of surprised me for people to respond to my feelings by sort of throwing a grenade at me like that, but I realize it probably wasn't personal, so I won't take it that way.

But when some liberal "hero" dies or falls on hard times, you won't read anything "mean" from me here. When a person, no matter how inept, suffers loss, it does not make my life better at all. If Mr. Clinton, for example, were to die suddenly, I wouldn't drag out a bunch of "evidence" to justify my disapproval of the man. Out of respect for the people who DO "love" or admire him, I would be inclined to mention his good qualities.

But that's how I was raised. I was taught that, even when I disagree, I don't hate. Am I "old" or what?