There is at least one flame war a day on here. Are we turning into FReeps?

[JohnnyCougar]

Seriously, it is one thing to be ideologically driven, but in the end, we are all flawed. Does everybody have to live up to some sort of ideological perfection not to be castigated on Democratic Underground? I certainly hope y'all have more mercy on yourselves and your families than you do for public figures.

The people who show no sensitivity towards the death of a public figure revered and respected by more people in this world than anyone else probably need to do a reality check. Here is why.

1. Nobody is perfect. You are not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, has biases, and follows some ideological rule that is offensive to others. If you show no sympathy for one death, you show no sympathy for all death. You have no sympathy for death itself. If one is imprefect, do we laud their demise, or do we forgive their faults for the strength they do bring to this world? Or do we just loudly proclaim that we don't give a rat's ass. Pope John Paul II publically forgave the man that tried to assasinate him. The Pope himself never did something so extreme. Can you forgive the Pope?

2. Learn to live with those that are ideologically different than you. Combat and confrontation only push those with opposing views away. Why do you think we can't win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people by bombing them to freedom? We are a family here at DU. When someone your brother or mother loves or respects dies, do you show disrespect or lack of empathy? Why would you do it here, if you don't do it to your family?

3. Show some courtesy and respect. It's as simple as having good manners. When people die, don't rub it in that they are dead and you don't care. Have at least a shred of dignity and self respect.

If a feminist wants to say that men are the cause of evil in this world, yet does a lot of work to better this place for others, I would still heavily mourn the passing of her life. If a DUer on here who says Catholics are evil and comparable to Hitler dies, do you really think it would be appropriate for me to address the issue of their death with flippancy and glee?

This Pope did much for a lot of people in this world. If I were you, I would try and forgive his imperfections for the sake of dignity, civility, and your own self-respect. Liberals are supposed to be warm, empathetic people. If you are not warm and empathetic, at least try and fake it.