The Christian 'turn the other cheek' is an invitation to get a broken jaw in some situations. My philosophy, previously stated here, is simple and is derived from The Art of Warfare by Sun Tzu. Always do more of the same unto others as they have done unto you. If we all behaved that way we would do nothing but nice things for one another, right?

I can't agree with this. Generally speaking, how I treat people is a reaction to how they treat me or how they are in general. If they're kind, I treat them likewise. If they're contemptible, I treat them as such (which doesn't necessarily mean I hurl insults at them). Essentially, I go by the Golden Rule. Treating all with kindness no matter what is akin to looking at the world through rose-colored glasses.

Um, but what if they really are fascists and/or Nazis? Those are not just subjective insults. They have objective meanings that tell you about that person's values and what they would do with political power. Some of those people even admit to being Nazis. This is a real danger to both democracy and to personal safety.

One thing I have noticed is our government demonstrates first-strike and might is right, while society tries to teach its citizens to use constructive conflict and emotional maturity when dealing with problems. This paradox feeds the difference between left and right. We can do as Arthur Brooks and others have tried, to appeal to the masses, but as long as our government refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of such humaneness, fairness, and maturity as American beliefs, I fear the confusion will continue to separate the two. How can we reconcile these differences?

I wish more people believed as such. Although I'm may seem snarky on occasion, I'm mostly just being a smart ass and honestly mean no harm. I am sarcastic, but would never wish to cause anyone pain and I do live by that rule, personally. I never seek vengeance and always forgive to the point that my loved ones ridicule me, claiming I am walked in the and/or taken advantage of but I do not see it as such. I would rather be kind and not receive it in return. Forgive and have no thought of whether I shall receive the same treatment. What my loved ones do not understand is that it isn't about fairness or mistreatment, for me. For me, it's about myself... Me being the person I am most proud to be, to let go of Anger or bitterness through forgiveness so that it may serve to free me from the bondages of a person or a situation.

I would like to believe I am not so damaged, so bitter, so stoic and removed from logic that I could no longer be above contempt.

I don't attack people unless they attack me, and even on the rare occasions that I do so I try to be tactful about it and attack a flaw in their argument. Although there are rare occasions when I have told someone to straight up go fuck themselves. I reserve that for obvious trolls or people who can't show any respect at all.