Can't We All Just Get Along?

Did you see Michelle Obama on Larry King Live a couple of nights ago? She is an amazing woman. Here is what she had to say:

"We can disagree without being disagreeable. And that's, you know, is where [Barack Obama is] trying to get to in this campaign, the notion that we can disagree on some fundamental issues in this country, but we have to do it without demonizing one another, without labeling one another, because we're in some tough times now. And what we can see from the fall of this economy is that when we fall, we all fall. And when we rise, we all rise. And whether we're Republicans or Democrats or Independents or black or white or straight or gay, that we're in this together. And that there are times that we will disagree, that we won't share the same policies. But we're going to rise and fall together. And that's the tone that I like."

And did you also see this video of some very hate filled commentary by supporters of John McCain and Sarah Palin? Later in the interview with Larry King, Michelle Obama made the important point that after this election is over, we the voters and the politicians we elect are going to have to find some common ground where the process of restoring this nation's economy and our standing in the world can begin. I agree. The next few years are going to be difficult ones. If this country spends another four to eight years running in place due to partisan politics, that rebuilding can't and won't happen.

The problem is each side is screaming so loudly to be heard, they no longer realize that the words coming out of their mouths do not represent the ideals of freedom and democracy that once made this country great. Remember? We're supposed to be the UNITED States of America. That video shows a nation totally divided. The hate I hear no longer make me angry, it scares me. I am not naive enough to think Republicans have cornered the market on hate. One need look no further than the comments in response to that and other similar videos cropping up all over Youtube to hear hate speech from "our" side. If this ideological divide is what 9/11 wrought upon this country, then I think those terrorists that McCain's supporters fear so much can declare victory.

I don't want to be a part of that victory so I have just resolved from this moment forth, not to fan the flames of hatred. While it's tempting to do so, and perhaps even drum up readership for my blog, I now think it's the wrong thing to do. What I would like to do instead is to invite anybody to stops by this blog to try to come up with, and post as a comment, one positive thing to say about John McCain, Sarah Palin, or anybody else associated with the GOP. Here, I'll go first. John McCain has now spoken out in support of Barack Obama at some of his rallies, calling him "decent" and asking his supporters to respect his opponent. He deserves our respect and admiration for that. There! See? That wasn't so hard. Now you.