I've always despised bullies. Ever since I was a young boy I could see them clearly: on the playground and in the hallways and on the street corners—the way they terrorized people while being themselves internally terrified. Even as they brutalized the other kids with words and fists, I heard the shaking of their voices and noticed their quivering hands, and I knew how petrified they were.
After reading Jack Kluth's column, North Stars and Cowboy Bars, yesterday, which also addressed the bully phenomenon and its explosion in MAGA politics, your column today is an excellent complement to Jack's - a one-two punch. I hope that this theme is picked up by other authors as well, since it resonates with the experience of so many people. School bully yesterday - christian nationalist/MAGA bully/bigot today. The line is direct, but not exclusive. It seems that being a school bully is an indicator, but neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for identifying or creating present day bully/bigots. It seems that some exclusive, "my way or the highway (to hell)" religions have grown adult bully/bigots from even the previously bullied as they attempt to force aggressively their very narrow and hateful beliefs on the country at large. Has empathy completely disappeared in some quarters? (A rhetorical question, sadly.)
Thank you, Teresa! It's sad to see how many adults take such great joy in hurting other people. Too many people have never done the internal work to find compassion for the people in their path. It's all such a waste to see how broken so many are that they find joy from injuring others.
Yes, 💯! I'm so tired of folks standing silently by, and then when tragedy inevitably happens, act so surprised and shocked and feign grief. It's shameful! 😤
Outstanding! I have written similar rants citing the very same schoolyard bully analogy, only not as well and without an audience. Guess thats why I support this publication!
After reading Jack Kluth's column, North Stars and Cowboy Bars, yesterday, which also addressed the bully phenomenon and its explosion in MAGA politics, your column today is an excellent complement to Jack's - a one-two punch. I hope that this theme is picked up by other authors as well, since it resonates with the experience of so many people. School bully yesterday - christian nationalist/MAGA bully/bigot today. The line is direct, but not exclusive. It seems that being a school bully is an indicator, but neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for identifying or creating present day bully/bigots. It seems that some exclusive, "my way or the highway (to hell)" religions have grown adult bully/bigots from even the previously bullied as they attempt to force aggressively their very narrow and hateful beliefs on the country at large. Has empathy completely disappeared in some quarters? (A rhetorical question, sadly.)
Great correlation! I believe you have nailed it again!
Thank you, Teresa! It's sad to see how many adults take such great joy in hurting other people. Too many people have never done the internal work to find compassion for the people in their path. It's all such a waste to see how broken so many are that they find joy from injuring others.
Agreed......all were bullies growing up. I've thought that forong time now.
We must do and say whatever we can to not become a Bully Nation with lowercased don and his minion of magas!
Yes, 💯! I'm so tired of folks standing silently by, and then when tragedy inevitably happens, act so surprised and shocked and feign grief. It's shameful! 😤
Outstanding! I have written similar rants citing the very same schoolyard bully analogy, only not as well and without an audience. Guess thats why I support this publication!