used to quote Mark Twain when we corresponded. I remember when, in one of his letters from solitary confinement, his noting that "bitterness contaminates the vessel that contains it." And 40 years later, it would only take me a minute to get that letter out of a file, and find the paragraphs that follow. We gain nothing from hating, and risk contamination if we go there.

At the same time, it is essential that we recognize that there are people who pose threats to "others," and that some of them opt to engage in behaviors that forfeit the right to be part of the larger community for various periods of time. The best way to deal with them at this time is the rule of law. If, for example, a person sends bombs in the mail, or shoots people in their house of worship, having them arrested, tried, convicted, and incarcerated is the most appropriate response society has. At the same time, it is important to work to prevent more people from taking that route.

As citizens, it is good to be aware of things ranging from the growing forces of hatred that threatens our country (and world), to how the legal system works best.