Beautifully stated, my friend. I was a child when President Kennedy was shot. I was a young mother when President Reagan was shot. I wept for both of them. The current state of American politics is frustrating (though still better than most or all other countries). I am not aware of any political party which truly represents what I believe. I wish that more people, of all faiths, who hold themselves to the high standards which are required of those who attend the (LDS) temple, would quietly and civilly and decently run for office. I dislike the liberal press and the conservative talk show hosts almost equally. The way to effect change in government is through the ballot box, through thoughtful letters written to our elected representatives, and through prayer. Can you imagine the good which would happen in our country if we all prayed for one another? Consistently? [Yes, you, being Alison, probably can!]

Well-said, both by you and Lynn.

Yes, well said! Down through the centuries there have been those who “have had all the answers”. Problem is, they were the wrong answers, from humanities point of view.

So true. You can’t blame any group for one individual’s delusion. It is sad that it went this far that he had to hurt others.

My heart hurts for all those involved, including the shooter. What pain he must have been in, to believe that this is a way to either get attention, or to ease that pain. I hurt for those killed and their families. I hurt for those wounded, and all those who witnessed this tragedy.

What would the world be like if we all acted as if every action we took mattered deeply to someone else? I wonder…

It is a balm to read your words, Alison.

The policy – the official policy, not just the culture – where I work is to stop each other if our passion to succeed leads to violent phrases such as “let’s kill the competition”. And we do it. It doesn’t make us any less competitive, but it reminds us that civility is important even behind closed doors. I wish that were the policy in our political parties; we can all make it our own personal policy.

I can’t believe what I read in the papers. With all the violence in the rhetoric, I could only think this was a matter of “when.” I hope the preachers of hate on certain so-called “media” stations and those on flimsy political platforms (you know who you are SarahP) will be thoroughly discredited now.

We can no longer keep saying “your end of the boat is sinking.”

A friend posts occasionally what she calls “Cap’n Mal’s Wisdom” on Facebook. Today’s post:
“Nothin’ worse than a monster who thinks he’s right with God. ”

There are several things I believe we must learn from this. Both sides must LISTEN to each other. We must prayerfully ask God to let us see each other truly. We MUST communicate openly, and STOP demonizing each other. Without that, we cannot survive. As long as we are in an “us vs. them” mentality, we cannot work together.

I so want a return to civil discourse; agreeing to disagree; compromise — it isn’t a dirty word; refusing to engage with someone who is clearly trying to pick a fight. I’d also like a return to an informed and involved citizenry. The more we know about the process, and the more we engage in the process, the less disenfranchised we are, and — perhaps — we can take back our diminished rights. We have to be responsible to do so.

I love this post and the comments that follow. Though this is not happening in my country, I still feel the sadness of the situation.

I add my prayers to all of yours!