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The lighter side: Why hate can sometimes be constructive
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 6:18 AM PST
What's all this negative talk about "hate" and "hate crimes?" There is a perception out there that somehow, hate is bad. Even Congress wants to outlaw these concepts. Don't they realize that hate is what made this country the great place it used to be?
If we didn't hate the British over 200 years ago, the Constitution never would have been written. Today, we would all be speaking with funny accents and banning radio talk show hosts.
If we didn't hate slavery 150 years ago, African-Americans would still be in bondage and singing songs about future salvation.
If we didn't hate Native Americans 130 years ago, the land you occupy today would belong to a casino.
If we didn't hate Japanese and Germans 68 years ago, we'd now be eating Kentucky Fried Tempura, and singing songs by Wagner instead of P. Diddy.
If we didn't hate Democrats, Nancy Pelosi would have copied the French health care system to a "T."
If we didn't hate Republicans, George Bush would have invaded Aruba — just as soon as he was finished with France.
If we didn't hate Christians, we'd still be saying "in Jesus' name" at City Council meetings.
If we didn't hate big waistlines, triple-bacon cheeseburgers, deep-fried chicken and curly fries would be the USDA recommended daily food groups.
If we didn't hate war, we would have nuked Russia, Iran, North Korea, and of course France, years ago. Instead, we're singing Kumbaya, wearing peace signs and sporting tie-dyed T-shirts.
If we didn't hate a diversity of ideas, the White House would be encouraging people to watch Fox News.
If we didn't hate pollution, we'd be vandalizing hybrids and giving "Cash for Smart Cars."
If we didn't hate inequality, we'd be a lending country — instead of a nation going broke from unsustainable social programs.
If we didn't hate cops, they'd be around when you needed one.
All the experts seem to agree on the subject. At a recent world conference called, "Making Your Fortune by Hating Climate Change," big-time, green promoter and financier Gordon Eco, said the following: "The point is ladies and gentlemen, for lack of a better word, hate is good. Hate is right. Hate works. Hate clarifies and cuts through the essence of the evolutionary spirit."
From a historical angle, all great nations have used hate to their advantage. Hate has been used to motivate its citizens, eliminate ideas that are distasteful to the government, and crush threatening or competitive countries.
If a country gives up its hate, it gives up its competitive edge — its reason for being. It becomes a suicidal path for self-destruction.
Now don't get me wrong. Personally, I hate "hate." But could denial of this powerful emotion explain why the United States is losing its place as the dominant power in the world?
I hate to think about it.
Steve Hansen is a Lodi writer and satirist.
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Brian wrote on Nov 29, 2009 9:07 AM:
in advancing humanitarian causes. "
Brian wrote on Nov 29, 2009 9:01 AM:
If we didn't hate slavery 150 years ago, African-Americans would still be in bondage and singing songs about future salvation.
-Indeed
And let's not forget how our hatred for those who would keep the slaves in a bondage and oppression state in Africa
that, some believe, lead us to bringing many of them here where they could experience a life as a slave with much better treatment.
Let me be clear that I am in no way a proponent of slavery. But the treatment of slaves here was much better than how the Muslims treated them in Africa. The fact that Muslims owned many more slaves
from Africa seems to be ignored by mainstream media. It just doesn't help them advance their charge that American Imperialism is the main reason for all the woes of the world. "
Brian wrote on Nov 29, 2009 8:48 AM:
" B.C. From Stockton wrote on Nov 25, 2009 11:21 AM:
This is one of your best works Steve.
Given the context, that is faint praise indeed. "
-Leonard,
You aren't suggesting there isn't a scintilla of truth in this letter are you? "
Brian wrote on Nov 29, 2009 2:19 AM:
Brian wrote on Nov 29, 2009 2:13 AM:
Our Holy Father.
Had he not hated the Devil he would not have cast him into hell.
It seems to me anyone who denies that hatred can sometimes be constructive
doesn't know much about God. "
Godfather wrote on Nov 27, 2009 10:02 AM:
Godfather wrote on Nov 27, 2009 7:31 AM:
gray cloud wrote on Nov 26, 2009 11:59 AM:
dyan wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:45 PM:
dyan wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:43 PM:
Leonard wrote on Nov 25, 2009 6:39 PM:
This is one of your best works Steve.
Given the context, that is faint praise indeed. "
B.C. From Stockton wrote on Nov 25, 2009 11:21 AM:
1984 wrote on Nov 25, 2009 7:48 AM:
dyan wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:26 PM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:36 PM:
Neo wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:34 PM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:19 PM:
Once again, in the paper version of this column, the proclamation is considerably smaller in size and not on the same line as the actual title. Yet even knowing this, I still find it difficult to release even the smallest of guffaws or smirks when reading it.
But as I believe I must denote here, my comments are meant as criticism of the work; not an attack against the man. "
Stanford Man wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:21 AM:
stella wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:04 AM:
Rhodie wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:57 AM:
Stanford Man wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:39 AM:
Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 24, 2009 8:02 AM:
The thing about trying to be funny, it shouldn't be near impossible to figure that out; and to a large degree I believe the News-Sentinel agrees - why else would they have found the need to inform us as such before we even began to read his words? After all, I hadn't noticed such a disclaimer before.
So I will dispense with my critique of Mr. Hansen's work based upon my first read. But check back later, I might have some other thoughts on the matter. Or perhaps not. "
Comments on this story are now closed.