Northington Notes--Intolerance

Musings and commentary by
Jerry W. Northington, DVM
October 15, 2010
##################################

Intolerance

My childhood was spent in the far western reaches of

Kentucky in an area called the Jackson Purchase after

the President who bought the area long ago. During the

time of the Civil War that part of Kentucky made an

effort to secede from both the Union and from Kentucky

in order to support the South in its cause. Union armies

put that idea to rest but for many minds the issue

remains alive and well to this day.


Reading a book recently, "Confederates in the Attic",

by Tony Horwitz, brought back many childhood memories.

Our media today tell tales of continued intolerance when

people are interviewed about their views of immigrants or

of people of color. Some politicians are making hay on

those issues of gross intolerance.


The more we find ways to see ourselves as different

from other human beings the more damage we do to

humanity as a whole. Over the course of history religious

and racial intolerance was the driving force of wars in

many regions. Some areas have lengthy histories of

continued violent episodes.


America is no stranger to racial or religious intolerance.

In past times people of color were enslaved and immigrants

of various religions were persecuted. That we fail to

change our course in these times is disappointing.

Children raised in households preaching intolerance continue

to spread the dysfunction through future generations.


If we as a nation or even as a species are to survive far

into the future we must change our ways. We each and

every one must look deep inside at our own feelings. We must

guard against any measures of intolerance. Do not mistreat

any person for reason of their economic situation,

their personal hygiene, their skin color, their language,

their sex or sexual preference, or any other distinguishing mark

that differentiates any person from yourself. If we all live by

the Golden Rule and treat others as we'd like to be treated

we may one day hope to find ourselves living in a much more

peaceful and prosperous world.


Peace.

***************************************

Quote of the Week:

It is thus tolerance that is the source of peace, and intolerance

that is the source of disorder and squabbling.

--Pierre Bayle

Christine O'Donnell is NOT Me!!!

But Chris Coons is. Chris is the sort of man we need for our Senator.

Peace.