In dealing with right-wing hatred, Elizabeth Edwards is an inspiration

[Modem Butterfly]

We all struggle with the poisonous atmosphere that is American politics these days. All of us feel the effects of divisive politics and especially hate radio, from troubled relationships with family and friends to fearing for our safety. Hate radio has led the charge in the demonization of liberals.

Dealing with the witch trial-like atmosphere that has been created by the political charlatans on the right is stressful and often miserable. So it comes as no surprise that when bad news comes to one of the horde, part of us finds a certain justice in it. The most recent incidence of this is the announcement of Laura Ingram's breast cancer diagnosis. While breast cancer is a terrible disease that I wouldn't wish on anyone, I have to confess that the part of me of which I am least proud and struggle with constantly thought, "Good". That part of me felt that there was a certain karmic justice for someone who has been a literal cancer on American politics to have, herself, developed cancer.

Of course, no one knows better the consequences of slander and hate-mongering than those folks who have had it directed at them personally, such as our own Elizabeth Edwards. And yet, this lady who has had to endure the worst lies and spin about her husband and her family has risen above it all. I won't summarize the terrible things Laura Ingram in particular has said about Senator and Mrs. Edwards in particular, or about anyone else. I, frankly, hate Ingram for the things that she said. Yet Elizabeth Edwards, who has much more direct experience with this kind of hatred than I will ever have, had this to say:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3545777#3549706

And good and decent people want everyone to do well -- those who agree with them and those who do not. We fight for the right of voices with which we disagree to speak out, for the right of people to say things we don't believe to be true, even for the right to be malicious and mean-spirited. If we fight for the right for LI to say what she says, how in the world can we use our disagreement with those words as an excuse not to be compassionate in her fight with cancer. Being willing to have her voice muted by illness is the same thing as not wanting her voice to be heard. It is not Democratic or democratic.

I find myself deeply moved by these words. Elizabeth Edwards truly embodies some of the best of Democratic ideals: fairness, free speech, and compassion. Today, I am inspired by her.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. I completely agree...

I become saddened by the vitriol and mean-spiritedness that is sometimes displayed on DU in instances like the Laura Ingraham thread. Of course, I also can understand the anger behind it. Decorum is lost when one is pushed too far, like we Democrats have been for 5 years.

[wideopen]

5. I was really ashamed of DU

after reading that thread. Someone of her position posts here and we act like a bunch of insensitive buffoons. Some issues rise above politics, a persons health is one of them. NO ONE deserves to have cancer. I don't think we represented ourselves well at all in that thread.

[Misunderestimator]

7. Why be ashamed? Of course no one deserves cancer or any other illness

We can't excuse the behavior of someone like LI just because she is sick, but we can limit our anger toward what she has done and hope for her to gain wisdom in her crisis instead of reveling in her fate. Instead of being ashamed, why not be inspired by the transformation of some of the anger that occurred in that thread as a result of Mrs. Edwards' words. I'm not ashamed at all. It's a good thing to have the opportunity to examine oneself.

[wideopen]

9. I agree we can't

excuse her behavior but, I think you'll agree there was a lot of hate flying around there. I hope Mrs. Edwards visits here often enough to realize we really are a compassionate group.

[Misunderestimator]

12. She knows we are. She's been here since the election.

[seaglass]

2. It is difficult to resist the impulse of returning hatred with

hatred.

I too found Mrs. Edwards response to be inspiring.

It was a reminder of something I already knew.

[comsymp]

4. "It was a reminder of something I already knew."

And we all need that, occasionally.

EE's message is, as usual, both classy and correct. I'm proud that we share common views and goals, and even more proud to have her represent both my party and my state.

[WI_DEM]

3. I hope she will be First Lady one day

or whatever she wants to be. She is an inspiration and one of the best assets we had on the Democratic ticket in 2004.

[Catchawave]

6. The Edwards family have always been an inspiration

and the reason I came back to the Dems!

[Blue_Roses]

8. me too and with that

said, I am humbled. She is a remarkable woman and makes me proud to be a Democrat.

[Modem Butterfly]

13. It makes me proud of DU

How amazing that someone like Elizabeth Edwards graces us with her thoughts. How many on the other side would own up to visiting FR? Not many. DU is truly a great place.

[Caretha]

10. Remember what your mother told you?

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".

Elizabeth Edwards is a very wise and classy lady.

Laura Ingram has many lessons to learn, as do we all. May the Universe be kind as she walks her path and gains the knowledge she needs to develop her soul.

[yvr girl]

11. Elizabeth Edwards has always been a class act

and her words have particular resonance, because she knows the truth of cancer and what it's like to face a scurrilous attack.

We lose if they turn us into hateful people.