Editorial: Honestly, When does the political truce start?

Take a careful look at what was happening in our culture from the late 80's on. Some would say you could trace the roots back to the 50's or earlier, but I think we could all agree something changed radically when Jerry Springer went on the air.

"Take care of yourselves, and each other" is a wonderful sign-off statement, but seems a bit silly following an hour of whose-the-daddy, I-know-you-cheated-with, God-hates-[name some group of people here] hate-mongering. The group of people in the age group most highly influenced by that show and its ilk are the people most likely to start the "hatin'" now.

The current President has reaped a harvest of hate, but I don't see any reason to think he sowed for it. I don't agree with much that he has done, but I hardly see how he deserves to be blamed for a cultural phenomenon that predates him.

It won't end with the wars, with the departure of the current Administration, or anything else on the geopolitical front. It ends when average people are willing to let go of their hostility about the generally tough nature of life, and decide to quit blaming. It comes when we take responsibility for the things we can affect around us, and stop expecting the world to cater to our individual wants and wishes.

People stop by our table in restaurants to tell us how well-behaved our kids are - we're just teaching them to respect other people. That seems to be lost on many. You want a truce? Teach respect, true respect, not that baseless self-love the schools have instilled in our kids. When people recognize the world is not revolving around themselves, they tend to be kinder.