My capacity for empathy has become selective

[Martin Eden]

48. Our future depends on defeating the Republican Party

I definitely agree with that. This election is existential.

I too have harbored deep hatred for Republicans in power who do real damage to human life, our environment, and our democracy. If there is a hell, they deserve to rot in it.

My own anguish over what is happening to our country makes it very easy to hate and to disregard the lives of the voters who elevated the likes of Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump to positions of power in our government and continue to support them.

But, like all people, they are the product of nature and nurture. If they were raised by rightwing fundies and this culture was reinforced their lives by their peers, their church, and media like Fox News, very few will break free of that mindset. They are adults with free will, but they have been conned into voting against their own interests and that of their children.

Most are beyond redemption politically, but many are also normal friendly folks outside the cults they've been indoctrinated into.

Vlad Putin wanted Trump to be president, at least in part, to leverage the divide and animosity which ready existed into full blown hatred and conflict. An America divided against itself is weaker foe, unable to lead the free world against encroaching tyranny.

It is easy to let anger at this POtuS and his enablers turn into a fierce hatred, but ultimately that will consume us.

Believe me, I have indulged my hatred and given it expression. I will never forgive GW Bush for manipulating the tragedy of 9/11 to launch a war based on lies and greed in Iraq. He and Cheney and others are war criminals who belong in prison.

When Bush left office I wrote this poem for what I would say to his face if I could:

I'd tell you to go fuck yourself
But that is much too kind
For if you could perform that feat
You'd take pleasure in your behind

I'd like to say eat shit and die
But you deserve much more
You should suffer all the grief and pain
Of your misbegotten war

Though I could never make you think
Or feel, or understand
I'll take solace when you hear your name
Cursed throughout the land

From inside a lonely prison cell
Dark and bare and cold
Where every day you pay for your crimes
Until you're sick, heartbroken, and old

And when you finally leave the earth
You fucked over oh so well
If there us a God and afterlife
You're going straight to Hell.