Anger and Violence.....the NewAmerican Way?

[Bigwolf]

I believe that violence has escalated rapidly over the last 2 years.  I also believe that violent attitudes had been increasing for several years before that.  The isolation of people, in the COVID pandemic, has increased the anger and other mental health problems just as people in the mental health field knew that it would.  Masks are associated with that pandemic response of isolation and fear so it is no surprise that the mandatory wearing of such, triggers some people.  This kind of anger and violence hurts a lot of people that have no control over whatever triggered the violence.  Flight attendants have no control over the rules!  They just have a job to do. 

I wish there was a way stop all this madness!  Actually, there is.  It is very difficult and, for many, beyond their ability to keep striving to change for the better.  However, the very fate of this great nation may depend upon such a change.

We must choose to dial down the rhetoric of anger!  We must choose to dial up the rhetoric of care and love!  We must choose to champion individuality and freedom!.......for EVERYONE, not just for ourselves.  It is a package deal.  Everyone or no one.

I have heard that hate cannot be overcome with hate,........only love can do that.  Violence cannot be overcome with violence,.......only love can do that.  I believe that to be true because over the many years of my life, I have watched as nations have inflicted violence on their opponents only to have their opponents children rise up in violence against them and then it all repeats in an ever increasing level of violence.  Are we smarter than that?  Do we truly believe in freedom enough to share it with our countrymen and women?  Only time will tell.

If this needs to be on the P&M board, please move it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I couldn’t agree more Jerry  (I think it should be on this board, it has nothing to do with pissing and moaning)

[Valkorado]

 

Keep the faith.  God is still in control.  He will not abandon us.

[f6john]

I’m somewhat convinced that the craziness we experience has been brought on us by politicians and groups with an agenda. Their efforts affect the least stable in society as witnessed by the the uptick in shootings and crime overall. The road rage incident where the 6 year old was shot and died in the back of moms car on the way to school is very telling. Anybody who shoots into a passing car with no regard for its occupants is way off center and one can only imagine what set that off.

The total lack of common sense exhibited by our elected officials and our media outlets is stunning sometimes. My bs meter is almost completely worn out. All I can do is just shake my head and wonder when they will realize that mainstream America is not brain dead.

Keep the faith.  God is still in control.  He will not abandon us.

So true, His ways are not our ways, but I’m aligning myself with him!

[Robert]

I dont think there is as much hatred as the media would have us to believe. Black, white, anything I dont see the divide as much.

 I do see people scared and mad at the corruption in the elections and the Covid responses. Everyone is waiting for a shoe to drop and that puts many on edge. We are not racist and I see that justice that people should be able to have faith in and feel secure has abandoned the common man. That is one of the pillars of society that would make people feel better, if there was fairly applied justice.

Without that and seeing corruption getting away with unbelievable things and others prosecuted for the least of offenses, makes people mad.

The protests in Washington State and Oregon should have ended in arrests and prosecutions, they were not. The Capitol protest should have been let go, it was not until now.  

The second thing is respected leaders and at very least ones you can have confidence in. The current admin fails big time for most and people know he is not supposed to be there.

Throw in Covid in a volatile mix and its not pleasant for most. Heck most are behind on their homes, rent and inflation is setting in and even landlords are not sitting pretty at all.

How could people feel anything but unease at the current state of the country.

Its planned, purposed and I hear many that are longing to see a change come.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think some should reread Jerry’s post. It wasn’t about assigning blame of what is wrong. It was about saying it’s up to US to fix it. With love and kindness, not hate and blame.

(At least that’s how I took it)

[Bigwolf]

Rob,
You are absolutely correct!
I know it is not easy to stop assigning blame, but if I allow myself to assign blame, I will then be inclined to hate the person or persons involved.  I believe it is much better to hate the evil and not the person. When I hate the evil, I can then think about ways to combat the evil and still be civil to the person.

I have often been astounded by people telling me that they heard my voice and my words when something tough came their way.  They have often acted on those words!  I do not want those words to ever be words of hate or violence!  So I must be mindful of how I think and what I say.  I wonder if we might all be surprised at the number of people that are listening, and acting, based on our words.  They don’t always tell us.


To the others who responded to my post,
I agree with almost everything that has been said.  However, the violence is only going to get worse if  “we the people” do not reduce our hate speech.  Many people are vulnerable!  As times get harder and more people are falling below the ability to take care of themselves, more people become vulnerable to hate and violent thoughts/actions.  Politicians can’t stop this now.  Only “we the people” can reduce the damage!

[Robert]

Pro 10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

[Robert]

Retired General Calls For Myanmar Like Military Coup In US Escalating Fear of Second Civil War

https://youtu.be/5cV7sCJIfgU

I think this perfectly speaks to the problem here in the USA. The narrator of the video, I believe is explaining the anger many feel.

As for here, many have been silenced, called names, and some of those that labeled others are the very ones that want peace and love.

Calling for it, without the demonstration of it, is another form of control and empty misguided words. I do not say this about the OP.

No one is blind, no one is not feeling the vacancy of truth, justice, fairness that has left our government, media, and courts, today. There is no certainty in our societal structures today and not in the current admin.

Feeling helpless to change it results at lashing out at all and everyone.

The OP talks about love, something so removed from most and in society today that I cannot even lump society today in with love. I do want to leave the OP with this and ask how does this manifest or should manifest in people today, in our circumstances with what is said below?

Who is the Spirit of Truth and is He in society today?

1Co 13:1  I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels; but if I lack love, I have become merely blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.
1Co 13:2  I may have the gift of prophecy, I may fathom all mysteries, know all things, have all faith—enough to move mountains; but if I lack love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  I may give away everything that I own, I may even hand over my body to be burned; but if I lack love, I gain nothing.
1Co 13:4  Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,
1Co 13:5  not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
1Co 13:6  Love does not gloat over other people's sins but takes its delight in the truth.
1Co 13:7  Love always bears up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.
1Co 13:8  Love never ends; but prophecies will pass, tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.
1Co 13:9  For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;
1Co 13:10  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass.
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, argued like a child; now that I have become a man, I have finished with childish ways.
1Co 13:12  For now we see obscurely in a mirror, but then it will be face to face. Now I know partly; then I will know fully, just as God has fully known me.
1Co 13:13  But for now, three things last—trust, hope, love; and the greatest of these is love.

[Rams]

I wonder if, anyone considers if the "hate and Violence" (that seems to be growing) can be attributed to the internet and key board warriors who strike the match where explosive fumes are generated.

Divisions have always existed and will most likely never go away.   Those divisions exist here also.
Everyone thinks they have "right" on their side. 

Rams

[scooperhsd]

Rams - interesting thought. To be honest, it would not surprise me.  For myself, I'm trying to keep a well balanced view of things and try not to fly off the handle as much - it seems to make me much happier.

[CoreyP]

I said when the covid lock downs started this will lead to violence. In history it always does.

Another problem is the politicians and media separating everyone into groups. In the US the theme use to be bringing everyone together to form a well run society not pitting groups against each other. When the Irish came to the US in mass, no one said we have to learn their language or their culture. The attitude was, you are here now become an American. I know Spanish guys who think that as well, they won't speak Spanish to someone unless they have to. Their attitude is, you are in the US speak learn to speak English.  The Spanish are motivated in the US from the ones I know. Also they hate blacks.

As far as war, realize this. I have been calling myself the white devil for years. Why? Because that is what politicians and the media have called me for about as long as I have been alive.  I also say I'm the white devil so I must act like it. I'm being sarcastic but many feel the same as I but are not being sarcastic. You older guys won't know this but white, male, heterosexuals are vilified daily in the news, by politicians and just about everywhere else in the US. If you are old enough, you lived through the golden years WMH's.  You don't understand what is going on.

Go watch a movie, there are no strong male figures in fact they are trying to eliminate them. Movies are now about women who can do no wrong and blacks.

Go watch Star Trek STD. I mean discovery. Star Trek is now run by a black girl who is invisible, there is only one white guy on the bridge, he's a teary eyed Nancy boy who wants a black guy who doesn't want him. That's it, the one white guy. There are no others anywhere. Before I stopped watching this crap, the second in command a red headed fat chick had to pilot the ship, she cried and everyone thanked her for not crashing the ship. WTF. This is a military run operation where the second in command can't pilot a star ship? This guy does a better job then me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyMHkkB5gXg

In the end the young white heterosexual people are pissed off. Those are the huge majority of the people in the US. The US government has made it clear, that they don't care about the majority of people.

[Oss]

thought for a while before posting

As many of you know, I grew up and have always practiced law in that neighborhood in the Bronx which is the poorest Borough of NYC

There have been changes over the years

In my years I have seen many  Waves of immigrants from Cuba, Jamaica, the D.R., Korea, China, the Balkans and former Yugoslavia, Russia, Guyana, Western subsahara africa (Nigeria-Ghana-Cameroon)   Each brought something to the table  Each learned English

Who did not??   Those from Puerto Rico !   Spanish kids with no dad who grew up here   White and Black who grew up the same way and feel entitled

The war is between those who want to work and feel the need to provide and those white and black and spanish who want to suck that hind teat until there is no tomorrow

All are fed by self loathing white people, mostly women,  who have no knowledge of history and blame white men for all of their self inflicted troubles.

But do not fear for those that pursue the american dream do not share the kool aid of the star trek crew of the future !

We have the ability to fight back against woke, we must write letters to the editors, read more widely papers such as Epoch Times and monitor that which could hurt us without posting hate speech

Make a video and post on you tube  make a podcast   be heard  and keep riding

Oss out

[Rams]

We're going to have to get better at toleration before we're ever going to trust each other again.   While that's probably true of all sides, it's definitely true of the radicals.   A roll of the dice.

Rams

[Robert]

Pro 29:2  When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

Pro 29:16  When the wicked increase, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.

We see people today in strife or groaning, we also see in this what is perceived as unfair and unrighteous grating on peoples nerves and waiting.

So how would these people act under these conditions, so timely described in the Bible?

[The emperor has no clothes]

We're going to have to get better at toleration before we're ever going to trust each other again.   While that's probably true of all sides, it's definitely true of the radicals.   A roll of the dice.

Rams

While that’s probably true. I’m not sure if we need trust to be kind and nonviolent.

Acts of kindness quietly go unnoticed.  Anger and violence are loud and get a lot of attention.

Of this, I have no doubts. (I think your church is a perfect example of what Jerry was saying)

[Rams]

I’m not sure if we need trust to be kind and nonviolent.

Very few are kind to those they don't trust.   Unless there's another objective involved.   Violence is something used as an action or threat to get what we want or to avoid something we don't want.  Then again, there are those who simply are violent because that's all they know.

Edited:  While I do agree that the COVID Pandemic and the actions taken have put more stress into people's lives, I don't believe it's a good excuse for much of the violence we've witnessed the last year or so.   I don't believe it's a mental health issue but a mental disposition issue.  The political atmosphere has also added to the issues we've seen.   One side obviously giving away paychecks to gain favor, the other side not agreeing.   Those who want a free ride versus those who actually earn their living.   Those expecting free versus those working to pay for all that free stuff.  Those who have pulled their own weight versus those who want to ride.

I'm thinking it comes down to values.   Those that share the same values tend to flock together.
Those who have "different" values will never see eye to eye with those on the other side of issues.

There's a reason for the old saying of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

Rams

[3fan4life]

Yes, to show Love and Kindness to others is very important:

The Greatest Commandment
(Deuteronomy 6:1–19; Matthew 22:34–40)

28 Now one of the scribes had come up and heard their debate. Noticing how well Jesus had answered them, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

29 Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.”

32 “Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him, 33 and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

And no one dared to question Him any further.

We should always try to do so.

It is much easier said than done though.



Jesus is capable of much more than us mere humans.

That doesn't mean that we shouldn't strive to succeed but we will most likely fall short.

As humans we require some amount of reciprocation.

To get respect you must give respect.


The problem with people who are radicalized on both sides is that they refuse to show any respect to those with opposing views.

Therein lies the root of the problem.

The radicals quickly resort to name calling and even violence when others don't agree with their point of view.


So the question becomes, "Where do you draw the line"?

No reasonable person would advise a woman in an abusive relationship to stay with her husband,
"No matter what". Because she promised to love him.

Sometimes, the best that we can do is to separate ourselves from those who wish us harm and avoid them.

 
 

[Rams]

Yes, to show Love and Kindness to others is very important:

Snip

Sometimes, the best that we can do is to separate ourselves from those who wish us harm and avoid them.

And be prepared to defend one's self when necessary.
There's a difference between looking for trouble and running from it.

Edited:  BTW, the violence we've observed the last year or so occurred because we let it happen.   We allowed "Protestors" to riot.   The line was crossed and we didn't do a damn thing about it.

Rams

[Robert]

Sometimes, the best that we can do is to separate ourselves from those who wish us harm and avoid them.
  

And when you cant? And if they look to harm us are they really our neighbors? Are they Christians?

I say we see the enemy work through people even here, those that profess but do not follow the ways of the Lord and use it as a covering. That would seek to bind people in religious dogma that they themselves dont follow. What about that?

[Jess from VA]

I am often angry.

I'm almost never violent.

Sometimes I'm angry I'm not more violent.

Having spent a lot of years working in the criminal justice system, I'm more scared of that system than I am of random violence.  (not so much scared as very carefully prudent, and aware of cameras)

I'm nearly always armed, but so far no violence.

Walk softly and carry a big stick. 

[Rams]

Walk softly and carry a big stick. 

Precisely my point.   

Rams   

[Robert]

One man wakes up, he criticizes  the media and tells the truth of what is being pushed falsely by the media. I see anger, but I think its just in many cases. Some cannot handle the trouble going on today those are the ones you try to make allowance for. This guy speaks openly and honestly about BLM.

1921 Tulsa Massacre WAS A BIG LIE

https://youtu.be/H--xP8Xvnd8

[The emperor has no clothes]

One man wakes up the media and the truth of what is being pushed falsely by the media. You see I see anger but I think its just in many cases. Some cannot handle the trouble going on today. That I can forgive but this guy speaks openly and honestly about BLM.

1921 Tulsa Massacre WAS A BIG LIE

https://youtu.be/H--xP8Xvnd8

It happened, and to say otherwise is extremely disrespectful to those who died or lost loved ones. (But that doesn’t surprise me)

https://www.tulsahistory.org/exhibit/1921-tulsa-race-massacre/

[scooperhsd]

Tulsa in 1921 most certainly DID HAPPEN !!!

[MAD6Gun]

Tulsa in 1921 most certainly DID HAPPEN !!!

 Yes it did. 100 years ago..  We definitely should never forget what happened to black Americans and other minorities in this country in the past. There is no doubt that there is still racism in this country.  But we are a long way from the time where racist pricks lynched black people simply because they were black.  But to hear Biden's speach the other day he indicated the number one problem in this country is "white supremacy" and the KKK. Really? That is a moronic statement evendors for him. More so then Antifa and BLM burning our cities,assaulting and killing cops? How is this continued rhetoric talk going to heal the problems in this country if the left keeps stoking the fires of resentment.
 
  This coming from a man who was a "good friend" with a man named Senator Robert Byrd who was a recruiter for the KKK back in the day.

[Patrick]

 " This coming from a man who was a "good friend" with a man named Senator Robert Byrd who was a recruiter for the KKK back in the day. "






Shhh, we're not supposed to know about that. And, I'd be willing to bet that nitwit has forgotten about that.

[Patrick]

Have you watched the 2 newest that are splattered all over the news channels now ? The one guy with 40 prior arrests for assault that knocked out the Asian gal. Then the one azz that set the woman's hair on fire.
This crap has gotten way out of hand.

[h13man]

Pro 10:21  The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

AMEN!

I refrain from the media for the most part now days but what little public encounters (3x) the past year have been entitled caucasians otherwise we live pretty much in harmony as we live close to a major college campus but engineering students seem to have a grasp of what $$$$$$ they are investing in their future. We are all good here for the most part.

[Robert]

I was looking at my bible and found the scripture I was looking for on this subject. We have tried to take God out of this country, but we cannot take the consequences of many peoples action away. This is one of the consequences we see in our country today. The corruption makes people sick partly because its an unfair system and people feel they will not get a fair break.


Mat 24:12  And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

Without love we will not give people the benefit of the doubt and it becomes every man for himself.