Judge Alito and Mental/Emotional Health

As I watched the TV news over the past few weeks I have been struck again and again by the irrational, emotional reactions to this mild mannered man. First, allow me to define REACTION as opposed to RESPONSES:

Reactivity is an extreme, automatic, emotional action based on personal values with little or nor factual demand for the actions.

Responses are a blend of emotional and thoughtful activities based on facts as well as values, convictions and personal decisions.

Groups from both ends of the political and social spectrum are highly REACTIVE about this nomination as well as that of Justice Roberts. I get e-mails almost daily from Right Wingers warning me that the end of democracy, family values and Christianity is near if the "Liberals" defeat Alito. I also get mail from the Left Wing that is so hysterical that what they portend is risible.

Pat Robertson has made himself a laughing stock to the world with his extremely volatile and irrationally Reactive statements about world leaders. He must have detached his brain from his heart before suggesting that the President of a nation should be killed.

The Left is equally overwrought. For crying out loud how they can choose as their leaders such howling hysterics I do not know. Back when I was comfortably settled in the Left Wing we fought with intellect as well as heart against injustice and for human rights. Now I can understand people who produce irrationally scary movies like Friday the 13th to make money but these folks actually believe that President Bush is Beelzebub and that he planned 911 just before he planned how to blow up the levees in New Orleans and leave all those poor Blacks stranded at the Super Dome.

A Responsive Liberal is mature enough to get facts and is reasonable enough to back up their ideas, values and feelings with information and balance. They can say, I disagree with President Bush and here is why without cursing him or accusing him of atrocities. Use your head.

A Responsive Conservative can disagree with Hillary Clinton without accusing her of being a witch or fighting her common sense comments such as, It Takes A Village to Rear A Child. Any pastor, educator or therapist knows that is true. Use your head.

When Presidential Candidate Howard Dean let loose with a high pitched scream of hope he was roundly vilified by the press both left and right. I think it was unfair to do so. When I studied the film carefully it was obvious that he was having fun. He was not angry or aggressive. However, because that scream came from a man known for his irritatingly and irresponsible comments he was seen as unstable. In other words, people considered the source.

Pat Robertson has done many great things for Christianity over the years but he is about to lose all credibility for all of us and completely destroy his legacy. From now on people can only see the screams not the substance.

Several Senators and religious leaders have made themselves look like irrational buffoons during the Alito hearings. They have been so Reactive while Alito was always completely Responsive. Who do you want making and interpreting the laws and leading American Christianity? Why are so many of the famous political and Christian leaders Reactive and get all the press?

Do we not deserve leaders who have the peace of Jesus?