We never forgive, we never forget, we never compromise and we never learn a damn thing.

[SidneyCarton]

Last week a man had a F/A 18 Hornet fall on his house after the pilot, realizing he could not safely land the plane, bailed out. The man's wife and children were killed and his house left a smoldering ruin. Having every reason on earth to be filled with bitterness and hatred, he chose to forgive the man who had been (albeit indirectly) responsible for his ruin. His willingness to forgive has been greeted with shock, awe, and a fair amount of disbelief. How could someone, whose life has been effectively destroyed be willing to forgive?

All too often we hear people boldly declaring their unwillingness to ever forgive an offense, regardless of its magnitude. Endless rage, kindling the sacred flame of resentment and offense has been elevated to a virtue. Pig-headed stubbornness and adherence to principle, regardless of the situation has been mistaken for decisiveness. Knee-jerk reactions of outrage and vitriol to the most recent crisis are now considered the norm, with calm reasoned considerations of events derided as the mealy-mouthed whining of "apologists."

By such lights, the man mentioned above was clearly a fool. He should have declared on the spot, with the cameras rolling, his demand for undying vengeance against not only the pilot of the plane, but the United States Marine Corps and the nation itself. For indeed, by the thinking of our times, if all are not as angry, bitter or miserable as I am, something is terribly wrong with the world.

Or perhaps, the example of Dong Yun Yoon, should remind us that freedom comes not from cherishing resentment, but from giving it away. From being willing to sacrifice our lives in the search for justice, without selling our souls in the process. That in order to have the society we most ardently seek, we must not only seek to change the world around us, but change ourselves as well, so that, should we ever arrive at the "promised land" we will be prepared to enter therein.

[Clio the Leo]

1. thank you NT

[Maven]

2. We don't have the luxury to forgive, we're still under attack

FOOL

[SidneyCarton]

4. Forgiveness is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

To battle with rage in one's heart is to lose clarity of mind, and risk destruction.

One should not discipline one's children in wrath, why should our government be any different?

[Maven]

5. Oh GMAFB

Goodbye

[SidneyCarton]

8. Goodbye, Harvey.

Good luck.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[last1standing]

3. How long do you suggest we continue to do nothing?

One year, ten years, another couple of centuries?

There will never be a convenient time for us to stand up for ourselves in the minds of phobes like you because it doesn't affect you. People like you are every bit as bad as the vocal haters because you give them cover.

I'm done with your kind of 'support'.

[SidneyCarton]

7. For someone who's "done" with me, you certainly seem to respond to my posts a lot.

Either I've earned your "undying hatred" last1, (in which case I probably have considerable company) or you just like pissing and moaning at me. Either way I suppose it's best we ignore each other.

[last1standing]

19. You sure like to tell us fags what to do, don't you?

You go ahead and ignore me. I'm going to take my own route.

[mkultra]

9. but where will you go

will you try to assume control of the party or will you leave it.

Will your circumstances get better or worse. Are your words anything more than idle threat and hollow talk?

[last1standing]

20. We'll see how hollow our threats are if Obama doesn't come through.

Many of us won't bother voting for 'good enough' any longer. And we're fucking sick of assholes trying to marginalize us with "where will you go" comments.

[mkultra]

6. wow, a man of true personal strength!

character that surpasses so many.

[Bravehammer]

11. Have you forgiven b*sh and ch*ney?

[SidneyCarton]

12. Yeah, I have.

I still want to see justice done to them for their crimes, but I don't personally hate them, as it would do me no good and great harm.

[elocs]

13. Your subject title describes far too many here whose unwillingness to forgive is precious to them.

I wonder if they actually believe that being unwilling to forgive makes their lives fuller or richer or helps to achieve their goals?

[Uncle Joe]

14. This man reminds me of the Amish

comforting the family of the murderer of their daughters.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2546156

Thanks for the thread, SidneyCarton

Kicked and recommended.

[tomreedtoon]

15. Yes, we are Sweeney Todd. Especially on DU.

I am currently seeing people remove their support from Barack Obama because he dared to put a right-wing evangelist - someone not the worst of the species, and one that might be brought to change some of his views - in his inauguration. "How dare he forgive!" they say.

No, what Obama should have done is shoot the man on sight, stomp on his face, and display the evangelist's severed head on television. Only that would please the GBLT's who otherwise will be betrayed by him. Maybe. Maybe they want another body part severed and shown on camera.

We are Sweeney Todd. And we'll end up like him, our goals betrayed in the end, and our throats slit by children offended at our obsession and cruelty.

[DevonRex]

21. We do seem to be killing each other off here.

Your post was beautifully written. Thank you.

[SidneyCarton]

22. Well stated. May it not be so.

But I do agree, success will challenge us and threaten us in ways that Bush, Cheney and Rove never could.

[Grateful for Hope]

16. Good post.

While anger is often the driving force behind change, it is most often anger that has been mitigated by using it constructively -- by taking action in constructive ways.

It is also true that pure anger (without any constructive outlet) has a negative effect on health and well-being, and that forgiveness actually can counteract these effects.

What I think is that, rather than railing at the Warren choice by posting thread after thread, it would be far more effective to voice these objections as directly to Obama as possible.

He is, after all, newly hired by us, and, therefore, he answers to us.

[SidneyCarton]

17. A good point, and I think that voicing objections to Obama is a good idea.

He has shown himself to be deliberative in the past, and will at the very least consider these objections.

Anger on DU is "sound and fury signifying nothing" unless backed by constructive action.

[Grateful for Hope]

18. Yes

"Anger on DU is "sound and fury signifying nothing" unless backed by constructive action"

And, because it accomplishes nothing, the anger is perpetuated by the repetition.

As I see it, we now have a chance to shape our future, and, the only way to do this is through action.

[AZBlue]

23. Beautiful.

Thank you!

[SidneyCarton]

24. You're one of the few who think so.

Thanks.

[AZBlue]

26. I know, it's an unfortunately hostile environment here.

But your words will reach some and have a positive effect - and remember, there are many who read DU but don't post much.
:toast:

[exman]

25. Now see here folks

I see a man not driven to hate by what is surely an accident. Should he forgive a deliberate injury? Hell no. Like your post, thanks