…I live in AZ and my Mother taught me I shouldn’t lie.

The UK’s Guardian weighs in on AZ.

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I am quite happy to concede that both political sides have engaged in hyperbole and insanely over-the-top rhetoric, but a wonderful little girl on my son’s little league team died this weekend as a result of an unhinged young man getting riled up. I don’t much care if he was driven mad by a particular party or a particular bit of news. I don’t much think it matters whether it was all in his head or not. I do think it’s time to tone the talk down—regardless of his motivation—because the important thing, to me, is that SO MANY of us have had enough of the loud crazy. This horrific incident is OUR excuse to say, “Done! Enough!”

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I would love to see (or even help lead) a Mother-Brigade, because just like the “Everything I learned…Kindergarten” poster and book, really, we all should have learned this from our mothers:

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

I know apologists on both sides are saying “it’s not our fault. Everyone uses that loaded rhetorical language all the time–we target districts. We aim our resources, blah blah blah…”

Fine.

Whatever.

That’s a bit different from hate-speech (or even just “hateful speech”). We’ve all heard plenty of hate speech, haven’t we? Both sides. All in the media. ALL on TV and Radio.

I ask you, when was the last time you met a NORMAL person who spoke like them? Seriously? I have lots of friends on the right and the left—I have NEVER ONCE heard anyone argue like those crazy people. Even on very emotional topics. Never. Not once. In fact, the only time I’ve seen folks riled up is when they are quoting the crazy TV and Radio people.

So, mothers (and fathers—don’t want to leave you out!), can we all band together and start pushing a new agenda? I, humbly, propose a few items:

1. turn off the crazy on TV where e’re it lives;
2. gently encourage friends and family to turn off the crazy on TV;
3. encourage everyone to do their own research rather than relying on the crazy TV and Radio people (yes, more than Wikipedia, get to some trusted sources—there are trusted/trustworthy sources out there that are still just reporting facts, ooh! Like the Congressional Record! I just remembered that one…);
4. refuse to participate in heated discussions. Simply smile patiently and say, “when you’ve gotten it out of your system I’d LOVE to have a conversation with you, but I’m not willing to [accuse, point fingers, yell, say things I’d be embarrassed for my Mother to hear]…”;
5. Keep Marmee in our hearts (seriously, go listen to Little Women again);
6. to paraphrase hosts Willie Geist and Mike Barnicle for an ironic moment, “when did TV and Radio Entertainment become The News?”   Pundits (as Douglas Adams was fond of telling us via Majikthise and Vroomfondel) are like unto parasites riding on the backs of folks who actually do and think and create. Not worth listening too—focus on the do-ers, the creators.
7. enjoy our family and friends instead of watching crazy TV and listening to crazy radio. Have people you care about over for a potluck (no one has the time to do more than that in our hectic lives, but a potluck is good for the soul (and the stomach if you have acquired good cooks as friends) and, like stone soup, is a good way to stretch a tight budget).
8. Hug your children and friends (and friend’s children) because, as we learned too well this week, you just never know.

Is there a similar Mother Brigade already out there? Let me know! Leave links in the comments! I live in a deep, dark hole called Arizona. I don’t know what’s going on out there in the real world.