One of my CONSERVATIVE-leaning Facebook friends posted on the day of Hillary’s acceptance speech something along the lines that regardless of where you are on the political spectrum, it bears noting that it’s historic that a woman has finally been nominated by one of our two parties for an office that has existed for 240 years but has never been filled by a woman. (Worth noting that women have only had the vote for less than half that time).
In response, someone I presume is her friend, or at least her acquaintance, set off on the most vulgar rant I’ve ever seen on social media. It was personal, included several F bombs, the “c” word and told the poster to “suck my f*(*!1*g b*1#s.” He ended the rant with “have a nice life.”
The man is a writer, although if I’m offering that as proof of his sanity, maybe that’s a bad idea. 😉 (A little writer humor there). But I am offering it as proof that he definitely could have thought of something wittier and less common, to say nothing of just plain decent.
It makes me wonder what kind of sad and empty life makes someone have so much vitriol that he’d say such things. If you disagree, how about shaking your head quietly and moving on? Maybe going out to dinner with a friend and laughing about the wrongheadedness you perceived in the post, and the talking about things you consider more fun and forgetting all about it? I know elections bring out the crazy in everyone. Heck, I’m worked up too. But when you catch yourself spewing hatred and dirty words, maybe it’s time to step away from the computer and get a life? Or reevaluate the one you’ve got? I just haven’t been that shocked in a long time.
Anyway, I know I’m preaching to the choir here and that most people are kind and considerate. I guess I’m trying to find my way through these crazy times, hoping to spread more joy than anger, wondering how our country got so divided, trying to see what we can do about it. Ideas welcome.
For those of you with a strong stomach, below is a redacted version of the post. If you don’t want to see profanity, don’t scroll down. Names have been obscured to protect the guilty.
Oh, and in case you think I’m some kind of genius for the cleverness of my title, that’s an homage to the Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey, played by the inimitable Maggie Smith. I finally saw the last season. So it’s all her.
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