Category: No Hate No Violence

It can be easy to think that certain core beliefs are irreconcilable. You see it with religion and with politics: people are so strongly invested in their beliefs that it seems they’ll never work together.

But there is hope, and that’s by finding our common ground in avoiding hate and violence. You see, most people do not believe in hate or violence. It doesn’t matter whether you follow Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, or atheism. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the far right, the far left, or someplace in the middle. The majority of people simply don’t want to live around hate or violence.

It wasn’t always this way, and that change didn’t happen overnight. Take Christianity. It took centuries to move away from the ideas of the Crusades and the Inquisition, a move that’s still in progress. But armed with that big idea of no hate or violence, progress has been made and continues to be made to this day.

What happens if we take that idea and apply it to politics? Most people do not actively want violence or hate in their community and their country, yet we find it in our political and religious discussions.

We have to find a way to take the hate and violence out of our politics and out of our religious disputes. The only way to do that is to work with compromise and tolerance, or the old “give and take.” It might sound old-fashioned, but it’s stuck around because it works. If we’re trying to resolve an issue, then we need to work together. You help me on a bill, I help you on a bill, and in turn we help the people. It’s not entirely what you want and not entirely what I want, but it’s progress. And it’s done without hate or violence.

That’s how democracy is supposed to work. It’s how democracy used to work and how it can work again for everyone. No matter what your religious or spiritual belief, you want society to get better. Like most people, you want something that will help improve everything for everyone.

We need to share our similarities and celebrate our differences.  The only way to get there is to embrace compromise and respect, and to reject hate and violence. If we all agree to work toward this ideology, then things would get better. For all of us.

The level of hate and violence in this country seems to be increasing at an alarming rate. Political divisiveness between parties is a major factor, but there’s more to it than that. We’re seeing people so caught up in their beliefs that they’re willing to sacrifice their own families for political loyalty. This is accelerating, and much of it stems from outside influences and corruption—money flowing out of our country only to be funneled back in through corrupt channels.
We need to unite this country by lowering the rhetoric of hate and violence. I’ve witnessed this firsthand, whether it’s antisemitism, attacks on the president, or unpeaceful protests. The pattern is clear: hate is learned, not innate. If people took time to examine why they hate something, they’d likely soften their stance. But once hate escalates to violence, the damage becomes irreversible—both in reality and in the human mind. If you think hate and violence constantly, you internalize it. We need to consciously lower that rhetoric in our minds first, then in our words and actions.

Patrick Lockhart,

CEO and Founder

We don’t yet know how many people this (thank God) unsuccessful assassinator wanted to kill. We do know his radicalization was real Hate at its precipice.

We must come together to lower the rhetoric that promotes Hate and Violence. The fact is that he either radicalized himself listening to the local, like-minded people and the public rhetoric, or with immoral support online from anywhere in the world. This is an unfortunate fact: that there are people around the world and in this country that hate us and think they are justified because some of our leaders reinforce their radical thoughts (in other countries as well, especially if they have mental issues!).

No one is perfect, and in this country, everyone has a right to be heard, but not with a weapon of any kind. The people that think they are justified in other countries to support Hate and Violence are emboldened by our own leaders. Think about that.

No matter what you believe, you can always find people that will support and/or make your beliefs stronger. Our leaders can help the most to influence those that are looking for something to help them with thoughts, good or bad. We are not born with Hate or Violence; it is learned, and it is a choice. So let’s help people more that disagree to talk, vote, and safely protest. God bless the President and all our leaders; they are in a position to help our citizens the most.

THINK more and often why you hate anything. Almost always, there is not enough real or supportable facts to support this type of thought, especially to take it to a violence level.

Patrick G. Lockhart, Editor

­Everything in the United States has become polarized – politics, religion, gender, race, identity. We’re segregated geographically, economically and ideologically among too many lines to count.

This is nothing new, and the tension, anger, and resentment that it causes (and that to various degrees has always been there), simmer and sometimes resurface, despite the best efforts by some to keep it under control. Often those least affected by it pretend the problem isn’t as bad as others make it out to be, and when it can’t be denied, those “others” always receive the blame. Too often though, those differences between us are not discussed or addressed rationally, but with a view of dehumanizing those who are different to a point of caricature. All sides do it to some extent or another, some more vocally or cruelly, but nobody wants to accept responsibility for their part in the cycle.

Politically, the sides seem to be formed into unbreakable battle lines. Democrats can’t work with Republicans, conservatives can’t be around liberals, those who don’t fall within those sides aren’t even worthy of a say. Various other groups pick sides, sometimes out of convenience and alliance more so than true belief. The sides vilify each other and reduce them to crude stereotypes – it is easier to criticize if those on the other side aren’t even seen as real people. It’s the poor versus the rich; racial and religious minorities against vocal subsets of the mainstream and majorities; gun owners opposed to any restrictions and those who seek reasonable limits; the LGBT community seeking rights and equality and those who demand traditional gender roles; those seeking more government involvement and support versus those seeking a small government that stays out of their lives (but can intervene in the lives of others as much as it wants). Every issue, ranging from those that define us to those that are merely a passing interest, are used as barriers to divide us, and the personal quickly becomes political. Largely, people want to surround themselves with those that make them comfortable, those who are the same, and not those that challenge their ideas. With these divisions, is it unsurprising that outside forces have been able to so easily penetrate and control our system? They have exploited existing prejudices and resentments to manipulate our beliefs further, stoking fear and hatred to more vocal and visible levels.

And through it all, nobody wants to accept fault for their own actions. It is always “other people” or “the other side” that is to blame. “They” are what is wrong with the country. And, it turns out, you’re right – “they” are what is wrong with the country… just like YOU are what is wrong! Because “they” think the same about “you” as you think about “them.” As long as that mentality continues on all sides, what chance do we have to figure out what is right about the country? Have you ever tried to get to know “them”? Sure, we all sort of have. There’s always “that one relative…” or “that one co-worker…” and “that friend from high school who according to social media has really changed…” and maybe even “that guy I sat next to on an airplane that one time.” But aside from passing pleasantries, or avoiding the complicated discussions for the sake of getting through a necessary dinner peacefully, do people really try to know each other?

You may notice there are plenty of similarities – these can include basic level things like interest in the same movies or sports teams, to bigger issues like the fact that we all want what’s best for our kids and our country, even if we just have different ideas of how to achieve that. Perhaps the biggest necessity if we want to turn “that person I met” into “that person who is truly important despite our differences,” is understanding and respect, not to mention communication. Understanding that asking for tolerance from others means respecting their dissenting opinion and giving them tolerance and understanding in return. Within most faiths (excepting extremist or fanatical groups, of which, sadly, all faiths have their own to deal with), most political ideologies, every ethnicity and each gender, each perspective and person has something that makes it worthy of being heard. This country is built on political rivalries and disagreements resulting in compromise, going back to the Founding Fathers – if they had agreed on everything then, we would have a much different, and possibly much weaker country than what we have. This system of debate and compromise shouldn’t need to be different now. Our similarities bring us together, but if we don’t let them tear us apart, embracing our differences could make us strong.

If we don’t have depression ourselves, we all know somebody who does and know there are answers to battling depression and that there is a way out. I strongly suggest you give this video a try. It is on depression and how simple some people have been able to change the angle on how they deal with their depression.

Watch Here:

Johann Hari | TEDGlobalLondon

Some people require medication and some people think they require medication. I love the idea and power in meeting in a group with people who are battling similar issues as you. He shows how you can get together as a group, kind of like AA, which has been instrumental for my recovery as an alcoholic and it’s got no professionals in it helping whatsoever just a bunch of alcoholics that talk to one another. It’s by far the most successful way to deal with alcoholism for some people. Not everybody makes it, but when people battling a similar problem, whether it be alcoholism or depression come together and form a tribe and talk with each other it creates a better path for success. Having a variety of people that are at different mile markers with their depression makes for a strong and supportive tribe. You can’t just have people who are in the trenches of their depression, you also need those who’ve found a way out to help guide the others.

Most of us are depressed because of some kind of anxiety or situation that we are in, could be our job, could be from watching too much news or feeling like you are alone. This can create anxiety that leads to depression and believe it or not there’s people in this country that hate each other for having different beliefs. People should be able to believe in other things than you and without ending your friendship. This movement is about changing our thinking and having a more positive attitude (please see attitude article, it’s a big part of our No Hate No Violence movement).

I haven’t had feelings of depression for a long time since I created a positive attitude, even in bad situations I look for solutions. I don’t sit and dwell, and if I don’t like the politics of the person I’m talking to, we just debate. I love debating but not arguing, because I’m not trying to change their opinion. I just make sure I am listening and hear their thoughts and ideas. I make sure never to overreact to whatever it’s about, so I stay pretty calm all day. Now in my younger days, I would get frustrated, I’d have anxiety, I’d have upset stomachs, which would lead to depression which would lead to drinking and if I wasn’t self-medicating I would have some psychiatrist or psychologist giving me medications to numb me.

Now I don’t want any of you thinking it won’t get better as you get older because it does. If, you take to right steps in helping yourself. Listen to his two videos and I highly recommend if you have a relative or a friend or somebody you know struggling have them read this article. It’s a good thing to talk with others that have your same problem, especially if they have found solutions, and let them show.

Really listen to these speeches because they are very thought provoking.

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Today marks the 17th year for remembrance of the September 11^th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  Four planes were hijacked by Al Qaeda terrorist killing all of the passengers onboard and thousands on the ground.  It was a moment in history that we never imagined would ever happen since the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II.  It is a moment in time we will never forget.

From that horrific day emerged a country united in patriotism.  All of the first responders who so valiantly worked to save as many lives as possible were immortalized as heroes to everyone.  We idolized them.  They were our heroes.

I hope that today, as we currently live in a country where our politicians and media strive to divide us, that we remember September 11, 2001.  How we united as a country. How we refused to be a victim.  How we honored our first responders. How we became stronger as a nation.

It frightens me to think of how much our country’s mentality has changed to such extreme intolerance of others.  Especially the use of social media and intolerance of the media to promote violence against the police and to encourage victimology.  We have extremists promoting a socialist government.  What happened to our pride and our unity as a nation?  America the great? America the land of the free?  No one in this country is a victim unless they choose to be.

But there is still so much greatness happening in our country.  Many are standing up and questioning all of the rhetoric that has been thrown at us.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for the #Walkaway Campaign for promoting individual thinking and refusing victimology.  It is such a powerful message.  It reminds me very much of how we felt 17 years ago today.  Empowered and determined.

We want to recognize and say thank you once again to all of the brave men and women who have survived to tell their story and to all of those who gave their lives to save others then and now. You will forever be honored and respected.  And never forgotten.

Minimum wage was never designed or intended to be a way to support a family. It was a wage that would get an employer to hire some unskilled labor and teach them about working; how to work, how to be organized, how to do whatever it is that they do to get a promotion, or a better job.

I think that we should look at doing something like guaranteeing raises for five years. Increase the minimum wage up to whatever the states think it should be, but each employee should get at least a $1raise per year for every year they work at the same company with the same employer up to $5 or five years. So, if you started at $10 in five years you’ll be making $15.

I wouldn’t do this with the states that have a really high minimum wage.  Those higher minimum wages are hurting the smaller businesses causing them to have to cut back on employees or close.  Look up states that have done this. It has hurt their employment.

Everyone always talks about minimum wage and not the average wage.  At Walmart you would be at $22 after five years that’s what no one ever wants to talk about.  They only want to talk about the starting wage.

Let’s make this what it was meant to be. A positive way for an unskilled person to get a job. Then, grow their salary by learning and working hard.

The anti-NRA people always amaze me.  Recently the NRA was called a terrorist organization in a story involving one supervisor and the San Francisco city council.

One of the worst run cities in the country. Refusing to ask for federal help, I don’t mean money, as that doesn’t help.

Hate is not the answer, talk to the NRA. I bet not one member of the city council ever directly talked to the NRA about their concerns or have listened to their ideas and policies that could help them.

So, as a long-time member of the NRA, and Democrat, (35% of their members, your constituents are democratic members) you are calling me a terrorist.

That is the most ridiculous thing in the world to even think about.  If anybody would really do their homework, the NRA is one of the most caring as it relates to second and first amendment protectors in the country. They have been trying to get people to look at the needs of the mentally ill, for years. There are lots of things they are for.  They’re just waiting to work with Congress to get some things accomplished.

I do think there’s more things they should do.  Maybe I don’t agree with everything they do, but I agree for the most part with what they do regarding gun safety, gun safety classes, protecting rights, and seeing that guns are in hands of the right people.  We have such great laws out there now that, if they were ever enforced, we wouldn’t have near the gun deaths

But to call them a terrorist group is unbelievably naive.  A lot of Democrats are NRA members.  I am one.  It’s not a Democrat or Republican issue.  It’s not a gun issue.  It is an issue of law-abiding people versus non-law-abiding people.

Why doesn’t anybody ever talk about the shooter?  Where were the security guards in El Paso?

We talk about the guns instead of the shooters.  The shooters are all mentally challenged at some level or another.  No one in their right mind would do any of these things.  Don’t forget, 90% of all gun shootings are pistols, not AR15’s.

I think that our efforts should be on education.  If I have any criticism of any of the pro-gun people, including the NRA, it’s not educating the general population enough to not let the radicals dictate the agenda.  Blame the media for this, they won’t get the message out.  The Democrats have been defining the Republican party for 30 years because the Republicans and the NRA can’t get their message out on the liberal media.

I understand they have a huge challenge.  The NRA does, the Conservative parties do. They can’t get any coverage because what they will cover is one person calling us a terrorist and a council that went along with her. This is just amazing to me how naive people are about what the NRA really is and what the NRA really stands for.

As for the totally failed San Francisco city council they need to communicate and find solutions by listening to all people possible before making uninformed decisions.

Hate rhetoric never works toward a solution, it only exacerbates it with negative results and no solutions. No hate No Violence hopes for honest respectful rhetoric. If you talk to your adversaries it can only improve the results, maybe not perfectly but better than hating just to hate.

Stop knee jerk reacting and start talking.

What are your thoughts?