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September 30, 2009

In Your View — 10/01/09

Anonymous The Daily Independent Wed Sep 30, 2009, 05:28 PM EDT

Hate speech is not productive

America is currently fighting a civil war of words in which the opposing sides are engaged in battles to see who can say the most hateful things about fellow brothers and sisters. Angry, hateful words can unwittingly spawn deadly violence in an armed-to-the teeth America. When is the insanity going to stop? Taking guns to town hall meetings and to places where the president is speaking is symbolic of that insanity.

Over-the-top, free hate speech is not productive. Cartoonist Walt Kelly's Pogo had it right when Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Our real enemies don’t have to attack us. All they have to do is sit back and watch us self-destruct.

American currency has the words, “In God We Trust” inscribed on each coin and dollar. Is it really possible to trust in God and hate our neighbors? Will God really answer our nation’s pleas for God’s blessings when we allow hate to trump love? Have we, as a nation, reached our zenith and started the decline that has befallen all great empires of the past? Who, or what, will bring us back to our senses?

I think Pogo would say it is up to us to change our hearts and minds individually and collectively by doing what God requires of all of us: To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. It is achievable; it is our hope.

Paul L. Whiteley Sr., Louisville

Has UK learned from its mistakes?

Reading the front page of The Independent’s sports section on Monday, Sept. 28, that “UK must learn from mistakes,” it made me wonder if I had only dreamed the University of Kentucky had been reamed by the Florida Gators on the previous Saturday.

I know that I read the same thing in a newspaper just last week. Maybe after the Alabama game we will see if anyone has “learned from their mistakes.”

Paul Shockey, Ashland

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