In a comment on a recent post of mine, I was called a “domestic enemy”.
I realize that emotions are running high in the presidential campaign, but we need to work hard to avoid this kind of thought and language on all sides of the political debate.
When you face enemies, you engage in war. War, ultimately, knows no bounds and always results in atrocities and deaths.
We cannot see our fellow Americans in this way.
Instead, despite all inclinations to do otherwise, we must see one another as opponents.
When you face opponents, you try to defeat them. Now, things can get heated when we face opponents. Sadly, there is always the possibility of violence. Politics is about things that deeply matter to people. It is about their identity. And defending that can lead to strained emotions. But your fellow Americans remain opponents. You try to defeat them. But you do not seek to kill them. You do not seek to destroy them.
Words have impact. While they can never hurt you physically, they can certainly incite behavior that does. We must choose our words carefully.
Bill Poorman 