And Now for Something Completely Different

On Hate

Posted Thursday, December 23, 2010, at 9:38 AM

On this site I have often been accused of being a very hateful person who has a very thin skinned (indeed I will probably be taken to task for that very statement) but I always take it in stride. The reason is very simple. I am not a hateful person. I have no hate in my soul. It does not reside within me. I was raised in a very loving family and was taught by both my parents never to hate those who I disagree with.

Hate is, sadly, one of the easiest thing for people to do. Hating requires no skill and no ability. It allows a person to make snap judgments about others and whole groups of people.

I have also been told, specifically, that I hate Republicans and Conservatives. This could not be farther from the truth. I have always lived in conservative areas, so I have many conservative friends. I do not hate them because of what they believe, I do not even hate them.

Hate is a word that is thrown around just a little too easily. A person, if they are so inclined, can claim that someone else hates a person or a thing simply because that person disagrees with them. While it is possible to hate someone or something simply because of disagreement using it is a blank statement does not really work.

Those that are filled with hate, I personally believe, lead very sad, enclosed lives, and constantly see evil around them (even when it does not truly exist). They, for whatever reason, are almost completely incapable of seeing the good in people. They see most, if not all, people as always having alternative motives, especially when it comes to them. These are the people, and this is just one example, that will say that their religious beliefs are under attack while at the same time attacking every religion possible. They consider those of the opposite political beliefs as having a "mental disease". They can not, and will not (ever) differentiate between different political ideologies. This is actually something that has become common in the United States and it helps to explain the deep divisions on the political spectrum. Everyone is painted as either liberal, moderate, or conservative. The fact is, however, that there are so many different divisions within each group that left leaning liberals can not tolerate conservative liberals, right leaning conservatives can not tolerate liberal conservatives.

To that point, when someone tells you that there is no such thing as a conservative liberal or a liberal conservative you may just have someone full of hate to deal with. These people do exist and they are closer to the middle and more representative of America than those on the extremes of either ideology.

I believe in the good of people. I give my friends on the other side of political aisle a lot of grief. I do not do it because I hate them, I do it because I expect more of them. I expect that if they are going to vote against legislation that they give a much better reason that "Voting no, just to vote no."

Of course nothing will change the minds of those on here that fully believe that I am full of hate and that I sorely need to find inner peace if not for me than at the very least for my family. To those all I can say is you do not know me very well. I have no hate in my soul and I found inner peace a long time ago. Thanks for caring enough to suggest that you are "honestly" worried about me, but I will be fine.

Happy Holidays friends.

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"The lady doth protest too much, methinks"

I'm glad you think you don't hate Mike, maybe since you've taken the time to blog about it, you'll think again before you go about saying other people are full of hate. Somehow, I doubt it.

Merry Christmas Mike

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 10:01 AM
"I'm glad you think you don't hate Mike"

Stay classy SW. Happy Holidays

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 10:17 AM
"Of course nothing will change the minds of those on here that fully believe that I am full of hate..."

Me from my blog

"I'm glad you think you don't hate Mike"

SWNebr

Point proven, thank you

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 10:25 AM
Mike

Well, since you picked one line to complain about, have you given any thought to the point of my post? I'm not really sure what point you're trying to prove. I didn't say anything about what I think of you, I merely applauded your stated perception of yourself. But perhaps this is another example of you "knowing" what I think. ;)

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 11:09 AM
Mike,

I posted this in response to another post but I will copy it here so you can't miss it.

If people are telling you that they see hate in your words, perhaps instead of blaming them for thinking you "hate", you should look at your words and how they are being perceived.

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 11:12 AM
"Well, since you picked one line to complain about"

This is what I love most about you SW, I didn't complain about anything. I simply pointed out that those that believe I am full of hate will never be convinced otherwise and you proved that point. It's not a complaint it's a statement. But back to what I love most about you. You have the ability to turn anything and just about everything I say into a complaint or whining or hate. According to you nothing I say has any real value because, in your words, I am doing nothing but "complaining".

I love it.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 12:56 PM
Calling people what they are does not invoke hate ocho. If I call someone a hypocrite because they practice what they preach against it doesn't mean I hate them, it just means I believe them to be a hypocrite.

If I call someone a bigot because they hate someone based on what they look like or their lifestyle it doesn't mean I hate them, it just means I believe them to be a bigot.

I mean I could claim that you hate me because you constantly are using exclamation points when responding to me denoting that you are yelling at me, doesn't mean I am right though.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 1:00 PM
Mike,

why do you feel you have to 'prove your point' so often? You preface your blog setting up you 'proving your point'. Does it make you feel better about your positions?

-- Posted by Sir Didymus on Thu, Dec 23, 2010, at 11:38 PM
So, Mike, when we call you an intolerant bigot, are we being hateful?

If we point out repeatedly that we have excellent reasons for our political (and other) positions, and that you absolutely refuse to look into those reasons so you can continue to say things like, "They vote no just to vote no," are we being hateful?

Just wondering because I don't see any hate being aimed at you, despite the fact that you often indulge yourself in a little hypocrisy, you know?

Hope you and your family have a wonderful HolyDay!

-- Posted by MrsSmith on Fri, Dec 24, 2010, at 7:35 AM
Oh please explain, MrsSmith, how I am an intolerant bigot? To answer your question, though, if you are calling me an intolerant bigot and I'm not, then yes you are being hateful. Since I have never absolutely refused to look into your excellent reason for your political positions I really don't understand your point and unless you are currently serving in Congress or served in the 111th Congress nothing you have done or have said has ever driven me to claim the Congressmen voted not just to vote no.

Ahh, the "h" word. Often thrown at me but never clarified by you what I am being hypocritical about.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Dec 27, 2010, at 1:30 AM
Let's try this again ocho since apparently you are so confused that you have brought a discussion from another thread to this one; the second statement does not prove hypocrisy, especially when the statement was made three hours after the first one. In the second one I did not say that I wanted us to stay in Afghanistan just that the job was not finished. So if those two statements somehow fit into your idea of what hypocrisy actually is then I am beginning to see what the problem is.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Dec 28, 2010, at 2:47 AM
Ever notice how Mr. Hendricks dominates his own blog, meanwhile suspiciously "punching up" the number of hits on the fruit of his labors?

Of course no more content is revealed - we are ALL fully aware of the true color of the horse Michael rides.

And of course, as usual; it's EVERYBODY ELSE that is the bigot, hypocrite, idiot, ad infinitum; but certainly not Michael.

Yawn.

-- Posted by Mickel on Tue, Dec 28, 2010, at 1:45 PM
"Ever notice how Mr. Hendricks dominates his own blog, meanwhile suspiciously "punching up" the number of hits on the fruit of his labors?"

Ever notice how other posters love telling me to be quiet without actually saying it? The last time I checked this is my blog if I want to post I can post all that I want to. Suspiciously punching up numbers? What does that even mean?

"And of course, as usual; it's EVERYBODY ELSE that is the bigot, hypocrite, idiot, ad infinitum; but certainly not Michael."

In other words, this is Mickel's little way of saying that I am the only on that is a bigot, hypocrite, idiot, ad infinitum

Mickel, always good for a laugh, of course, as usual.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Dec 28, 2010, at 2:15 PM
Mickel,notice how irritated Mr.Hendricks got here? Nail hit right on head! Good show...

-- Posted by orville on Sun, Jan 2, 2011, at 11:47 AM
Orville you apparently don't know the definition of irritated if you thought anything I said was said out of irritation.

You guys continue to amuse me, thinking that anything you say affects me in any kind of negative way. Keep up the good work.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Sun, Jan 2, 2011, at 1:15 PM
Not so sure here Mr.Hendricks,my experience in life is if you were not irritated by it you would have just let it go..nuff said...LOL..

-- Posted by orville on Sun, Jan 2, 2011, at 1:44 PM
Oh okay that makes more sense. You define irritated as any kind of response to something that someone else says. There sure are a lot of irritated people in the world ... including, apparently (using your own experience) you.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Sun, Jan 2, 2011, at 8:13 PM
Yep,over educated people such as yourself irritate me.Cause you think you know it all.When in all reality,the only thing you do know is what some book told you that this is what you should know.......to bad,so sad....

-- Posted by orville on Sun, Jan 2, 2011, at 8:47 PM
So actually the only person in this exchange that is irritated is you and yet you try to push the irritation off on me. Very interesting.

What do you have against books? I love books personally. Great information. I absolutely love books. Apparently your little dig is supposed to upset me or something, but the only thing that it does is make me wonder what your hatred for books is.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Mon, Jan 3, 2011, at 12:59 AM
after an absence of a few months, i decided to try michaels rant again. SSDD a question posed to mrs smith, ocho, orville and the rest of the conservative thinking responders: WHY??? do you even bother?

-- Posted by doodle bug on Mon, Jan 3, 2011, at 11:31 AM
Well Bug,I myself always take the time to help those in need,no matter what it is..

-- Posted by orville on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 5:53 AM
Mike,

In response to Ocho's posting of your "hypocrisy" did you change your opinion in those three hours?

It is funny how you responded to Mrs Smith too. So if you think her an intolerant bigot it is just a description of the world, but if she thinks you are an intolerant bigot it is hate? Classic! SSDD

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 12:44 PM
No I didn't change my mind in those three hours. Since I have never called MrsSmith an intolerant bigot you actually have no point. SSDD? From you, absolutely. Your ability to assign the thought patterns of other users and to assign comments to users they have never made just so you can make a point is top notch.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 1:24 PM
"If I call someone a bigot because they hate someone based on what they look like or their lifestyle it doesn't mean I hate them, it just means I believe them to be a bigot."

Is this not "hate" by your definition if Mrs. Smith thinks these things about you? This is what is so funny about your hypocrisy it is so deeply ingrained I believe you literally cannot see it. Sorry Mike, you made the point I just am pointing it out to you. How do you KNOW if they are a bigot if it is just your belief? Is that not EXACTLY the same as what Mrs. Smith asked you, which you said would be "hate"? Or is it just that YOU are the arbiter of TRUTH?

Are you really so literal that you cannot think in the abstract at all, or are you just running and hiding from your failings? I didn't say you called her a bigot, I said "if" so go ahead and play that out in your mind then get back to me. This seems to me to be an example of you not answering the point like you discuss in your other blog...interesting no?

Also,

When you responded to ocho, you showed your hypocrisy again, yet refuse to see it when blatantly pointed out to you by him. To wit:

If you have long advocated something, then you have expressed it in the past. This is why I asked if you changed your mind. If you expressed it in the past, then later deny doing so you are either a liar or a hypocrit. I suppose you can choose. You can't say you want our troops in Afghanistan to catch Osama while at the same time saying you never said they should be in Afghanistan, it doesn't work, kind of like state employees :) How do you propose the troops catch Osama in Afghanistan if they are not there?

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 2:04 PM
I know, SW, I know, everything I say is wrong, everything you say is right by golly. You have pointed out all of my "failings" which you love to do. You are of a superior ...

Anyways.

I realize you are stuck on that "if" word that you inserted, but again despite "if" you were applying a belief to me I do not hold and have never expressed. I do realize that no matter what I say you will continue to believe that you are always right and continue to pronounce things to which I believe though I have never stated, even when proven wrong. Which brings me to my final retort; have you read my latest blog?

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 4:04 PM
Mike,

Think for a minute, If I apply a belief to you that you do not hold I am wrong, correct? How is it then fair for YOU to be the one to decide what I believe? Why do you think it is fine for you to decide who is the bigot based on your BELIEFS? That is all my point has ever been here. You go on and on about how bad conservatives are but if they say how bad you are, you decry them for their "hate"

I have read your last blog it describes almost everyone here, including me and you almost perfectly. Do you think your points describe you at all?

-- Posted by SWNebr Transplant on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 4:38 PM
"You go on and on about how bad conservatives are but if they say how bad you are, you decry them for their "hate"" Yes except for the fact I have never said that. You enjoy making it appear that I have condemned all conservatives and said that all conservatives are guilty of hate. You know very well that I never have, but does that stop you from claiming that I "go on and on about" it? Nope.

"If I apply a belief to you that you do not hold I am wrong, correct?" Yes you are but you would never admit to that. You, as you have shown in the past, will only change what you originally stated and focus on the "ifs" in order to "show" that what you said was not what you meant.

I have never decided, as you have for me, what you believe. I know I have in the past used the work "know" and I apologize for that. I don't know what you believe. I have an opinion of what you believe and you continuously, in my opinion, prove my beliefs to be correct.

I don't believe it is fine for me to decide to is a bigot. I do believe it is okay for what I have learned in past as to who is a bigot and for me to call them out on it when they display those characteristics.

No, my blog does not describe. I don't call names, I don't attack people when they question my beliefs. I don't change my points up when someone has proven them wrong. Am I perfect? Hardly and I never thought that I was.

I choose to debate with facts and when I am proven wrong, I have and always will, admit as such.

"That is all my point has ever been here." Hardly. I have read your posts on my blog and that of Sam's all you seem to ever really want to do is prove that your intellect is far more than anyone else's. You continually post (to use a Sarah Palin term) "gotcha" posts designed to get someone to apologize or retract something that they never actually said.

Now I believe right now you are thinking that you have gotten me all riled up and annoyed. You haven't I have thoroughly enjoyed this exchange.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Tue, Jan 4, 2011, at 5:08 PM
Well I wouldn't expect you to know anything about respect. Somehow one President bowing to leaders of another country is just horrible, but another President holding hands with the leader of a Middle Eastern country (where most of the attackers on 9/11 just happened to be from), well that's just fine.

-- Posted by MichaelHendricks on Wed, Jan 5, 2011, at 1:48 AM

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