Demonizing people sucks

[cali]

not because it's a bad thing to do morally- which it is, but because it's a bad thing intellectually. It flattens the landscape into something 2 dimensional, and leaches all the color out. You end up with cardboard cutout figures in black and white.

[meegbear]

1. But it's a great timesaver for character assassinations

[bryant69]

4. Exactly - and who has time today to waste understanding people.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[NorthernSpy]

2. humanizing demons sucks more...

:nuke:

[karlrschneider]

3. You just BARELY beat me to that one!

:P

[cali]

5. except there are no such things n/t

[Mike03]

6. You are right; this is something I'm conflicted about

I've never actually met face to face with anyone who didn't have some good qualities or some knowledge that I don't have. Even when I find my thoughts darkening for those politicians I deeply oppose, I think of that scene in Martin Scorsese's movie KUNDUN, where the Dalai Lama concludes that a Chinese General can't be hated because deep down he "is just a man."

But just thinking aloud, Demonization has one function (although it is a dangerous one); it motivates activity, or mobilizes energy in the direction of change. It depends how that anger is channeled, I suppose.

[Parche]

7. How black is that kettle?

:shrug: :hi:

[cali]

14. i don't demonize people.

you may wish to believe i do, because you don't like me, but you won't find a post of mine to back it up. sorry.

[Parche]

15. HOW DO YOU KNOW

THAT I DONT LIKE YOU?

I NEVER SAID THAT.....:hi:

[stirlingsliver]

8. Except If They Are Demonic

Some people are truly demonic.

Pure evil.

Thugs.

Cold-blooded. Murderers.

People like:

Bush

Cheney

Rice

et. al.

[Bluerthanblue]

9. na, they really aren't ... as much as it feels better to believe that they

are-

Because if they were something other than 100% human, -just like you and me- then we wouldn't have to check ourselves when we begin demonizing others- pretending that they don't bleed, suffer and die just like the flesh and blood they are.

I despise the things they have done. But they are human-

peace~

[Mike03]

10. Re: Condoleeza Rice

Every time I watch her testify, I am overwhelmed with sadness that such a brilliant and articulate person could have been seduced by the dark side. Imagine what she could have done if she had been mentored by a sophisticated Democrat.

I truly believe in redemption, and I think one day she will wake up and truly regret these past seven years. Maybe I'm delusional...

[cali]

12. no. they're not. they're humans. not supernatural

not monsters. not even pure evil. they are people doing very bad things on a very large scale, but they're just people. they are all too human. and we all have the capacity for good and bad within us.

[Bluerthanblue]

11. I agree Cali- it is how our soldiers are taught to

kill-

If we really looked at each other as the individuals we are, we'd have a much different world.

But that takes effort- and courage.

thanks for the great reminder-

peace~

[Mike03]

13. Incomprehensible as it may sound

People like Bush and Cheney are loved by some individuals. I know, it's nearly inconceivable... But look how Bush won Feinstein over.

Somewhere in Buddhist scripture it says that over time:

The ending of all coming together is parting
Friends become enemies
Enemies become friends

Also, what is the use of hate? It is like drinking poison to kill someone else. It's easier said than done to defeat hate, I know. But Cheney doesn't care if I hate him. I'm much more damaged by that hatred than he is. And many times I have allowed that sort of anger to ruin my short time here on this planet.

[Stop Cornyn]

16. People who demonize other people are pure evil!