No tyranny or hatred lasts forever. As deeply as we can be divided as human beings and despite a history written in blood and tears, still we see a road being built to a future of greater tolerance and understanding. Sadly, there are those who stand in the way – seeing others as less than human because of ethnicity, belief or lack thereof, or any of a number of distinctions. They fear the Other, who must be intimidated into submission, ridiculed and often used as an enemy of society. I will turn to the politicians and pundits, whose words too often motivate some to hateful words and acts. I will argue that we have seen some moral progress, as sometimes hateful words face condemnation. From Atlanta and the Jewish Telegraph Agency: Many Jewish groups, such as the Anti-DefamationLeague, J Street, the American Jewish Committee and the National Jewish Democratic Committee condemned Adler. Calls for political violence should have no place as part of a democratic debate. Sadly, violent rhetoric and acts are now becoming too common in our political life. The national media, is not above people using language that is unwise and that can inspire hateful acts. Take Fox News and Steve Doocy as an example when he touted a strong debate performance by Newt Gingrich that may have lead to a victory in the South Carolina Republcan primary. As reported in Raw Story This is particularly disturbing in light of the death threats that the President has received over the years and the resignation of Gabrielle Giffords from Congress. In Arkansas, a family pet of a Democratic candidate’s spokesman was killed in an act that shocks, disgusts and dismays me. From the blog Blue Arkansas (WARNING – The image on the linked page is disturbing.) An update shows that Russellville police are investigating the incident. Sadly, a few conservatives have BLAMED Burris for the death of his family's cat. Some people have no shame or cannot conceive that some of those whom they may agree with politically are capable of violent actions. Politicians are not above hateful rhetoric. Newt Gingrich has been accused by Congressman James Clyburn, a civil rights activist and friend of Dr. King, of using race baiting in his rhetoric. Similarly, we have heard Rick Perry, Newt Gingrinch, call the President of the United States a socialist. This is so common a meme on the right that I would be surprised if we did not hear Obama called a socialist. John Nichols of the Nation disagrees, and points out that Obama has distanced himself from socialist policies and rhetoric. E.J. Dionne Jr. of the Washington Post also points out that other presidents such as FDR intervened in the economy and were called socialists. Of course, I think many people throw out terms without understanding them or defining them in the first place. Thomas Jeffeerson, who argued that democracy REQUIRES an informed public, would have been aghast at such tactics -- which were used against him in the election of 1800. Despite hateful rhetoric and acts, we have seen a lot of social progress. We have seen the Civil Rights Movement, the women’s liberation movement, and the gay rights movement have emerged and made remarkable gains. Fifty years ago, America saw the rhetoric of segregation used to justify the bombings of churches and lynchings. The words of some of today’s politcians and pundits may seek to create hatred against others, but I believe that those who preach hate are on the losing side of history. There are polls showing greater support for gay rights even in red states.We see states such as Washington voting on marriage equality for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered communities. In our own popular culture, there is greater tolerance and acceptance of minority groups. I know someone at my local synagogue who is old enough to remember being discriminated at country clubs because he was Jewish – never mind how well he did in business. Now, we have a mixed race president and people of many faiths, heritage and even sexual orientation as prominent people on the national and international stage. I would argue that as some generations age and pass away, old hatreds may pass with them more and more. In a century, perhaps, such evils as racism, religious hatred, and discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation will be things of the past – or may be vanishing. The arch of history bends towards freedom, as there will always be those willing to stand up to hate and seek to liberate others – no matter what the cost to themselves. As time passes, we are seeing the haters becoming marginalized and may one day move to an era where all are judged, to paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by the content of their character and the quality of their ideas. For those who preach hate and act hatefully towards others, it may truly be the twilight of the dinosaurs. As a bonus, here is some coverage of the State of the Union – sadly, I had to do some things around the house during part of the speech. Politics is fun, but family comes first. From the Huffington Post, here is the text of the State of the Union, the Republican response from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. So, I hope that we will have some good discussions on the State of the Union and some of the larger issues that I raised. Somehow, considering the changing demographics of the US, I don’t see the GOP faring well if it can’t attract Hispanics and other minority voters.