When Bad Things Happen to Bad People, or, "I Feel Guilty About Gloating:"

[belle]

i.e., Rush Limbaugh, Wolfowitz, etc.

Me, I've always liked this Somerset Maugham quote:

"I do not believe myself to be a vindictive man; but when the immortal gods take a hand in the matter it is pardonable to view the results with complacency."

[Padraig18]

1. My granddaddy once said:

"I've never wished for any man's death, but there have been a few wakes that left me light-hearted enough!" :P

[Clete]

2. "Gloating is good" when the greedy get their just deserts.

[Skittles]

3. I don't gloat about their "misfortune"

but I surely don't feel bad about it, either.

[Selwynn]

4. Oh my god, is this still not dead?

People who express their emotions through the vehicle of harsh words and "gloating" over the misfortunes of an enemy are not evil people - its understandable.

Do I think there is a better way, and away that does more service to our larger message, yes I do. I don't believe that stooping to the same kind of bitter hate and condescension is helpful to the cause of liberalism. But I also don't think its killing the cause, and I think there are more important things we could be worrying about.

After talking about this across like about ten different threads, can't we just let it die, and agree that Bush is a horrible president that needs to be removed from power as soon as humanly possible?

[arwalden]

5. We Think Alike On This One... It Is Very Understandable

But I also think it's healthy to let folks explore their self-doubts and 'guilt' about feeling glee at the misfortune of their enemies. This introspective self examination is far more healthy and productive than anything one would expect from the conservative opposition.

This topic may have been discussed to your personal satisfaction in other threads, but I see no harm in allowing others (who are just now starting to examine their feelings) to have the same ability to share those feelings and doubts with others.

Certainly--as you point out--there are other more important things (for you) to worry about. Since you've discussed this on like about ten different threads, it's clear that you're bored with the subject.

Someone's self-doubt at their reactions may not be killing our cause, but why should that fact--and your boredom with the subject--be used as justification for trivializing their concerns and suggesting they they just let it die? I don't think that's fair.

Did I misunderstand your message? If so, I apologize.

-- Allen