I am 76 years old and I cannot understand people's definition of the word hate or hatred. Like many people, it seems that Mark Rudsill believes if you disagree with them or the president you hate them.

Some of the examples are as follows:

1) You support voter ID so only eligible voters can cast ballots you hate people.

2) If you believe and support dealing with illegal immigrants who have disregarded our laws to enter this country you hate them.

3) If you believe every physically able person should work and support themselves you hate them.

4) If you believe the government should live within its means you hate congress.

5) If the police arrest you and put you in jail they hate you.

The list goes on and on.

To me the liberal politicians and the media use this word more than anyone else in society. I dislike some people to the point I will not associate with them but I have never hated anyone. I just ignore them and move on.

N.D. Kennedy Sr.
Ooltewah

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Anyone willing to exploit the Colorado mass killing tragedy as a cover to attack the president, apparently have no moral compass or scruples. They've stooped to all new lows, and yes the term "hate" used to describe them is an appropriate and befitting one.

The question should be, how much lower are they willing to sink: drowning, devouring themselves and imploding in that acid filled container where they exist? Those who make excuses for such base ugliness at such a tragic time couldn't be much better.

They all compound the tragedy a thousand times over.

Brenda Washington

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Mr. Kennedy, you are absolutely correct in every one of your observations.

The proof of your observations appears in the response.  As always.

Mya Lane

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Mr. Kennedy, I agree with every one of your points.  Let's take them one by one:

1.  Since there is virtually no voter fraud occuring, this is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.  If you'll notice, always sponsored by the GOP.  Coincidence, I'm sure.

2.  I don't have a problem with sending every illegal immigrant back to whatever country they came from. If you can figure out a way to do that without bankrupting this country and still making it where rich folks can get their yardwork done by white folks for pennies a day, let me know.

3.  No problem. In fact, let's hire more people to enforce the laws for welfare and disability so that only folks truly needing it can get it.  Get rid of anybody gaming the system.  Help those that need it.

4.  No problem.  Hey, let's start with defense spending.  Remeber that Iraq war the W. started?  Wow, what has that quagmire cost? 

5.  Haven't heard this one, but I'm sure Rodney King would disagree. Me, I've never had a problem with the police.  I realize they can become jaded and burnt out, seeing what they see every day.  I tend to cut them some slack, but that's just me.

While you're at it, don't forget to stop spreading hate and fear about gays and lesbians.  You know, putting gay marriage on ballots so the GOP base will come out and vote. Also, stop using fear and anger to motivate your base, resulting in virtually no chance of compromise on any issues.  You've heard of the word compromise, right?  It's what the President keeps trying to do when the GOP tells him to take a hike.

Oh yeah, hate has been used entirely too much, from the "swift boating" of John Kerry to the horrible campaign against Max Cleland. 

Herb Montgomery

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Sorry, Mr. Kennedy, I have to agree with Ms. Washington and totally agree with Mr. Rudisill in a previous opinion.

We need to support our President and show no hatred during a time of crises.  Liberal or conservative is not the issue.  Politics and personal feelings shall be demonstrated at a later time.

I applaud Ms. Washington and Mr. Rudisill for standing up for what is right.

Larry Jenno

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With apologies to Ms. Washington and Mr.'s Montgomery and Jenno, I feel just like Mr. Kennedy.

I don’t hate the President but I certainly do not like him either and that being said, it’s not due to his skin color.

It’s all about the color of his ideology, which tends towards a rather reddish hue.

I have to have a picture ID to get into work, to drive a car and to carry a handgun, so why shouldn’t myself and every other registered voter have to prove who they are at the polls?

How is being required to have a picture ID to vote the same as Jim Crow and poll taxes?

Did I miss something, I thought the state would give them to citizens for free.

The reason they are called illegal aliens is because they have broken the laws of the United States, pure and simple.

If the law doesn’t apply to them in that regard, why shouldn’t I be allowed to break laws that inconvenience me?

I go to work every day to support my family but why am I tasked to support other who could work, but choose not to?

Why do they get a pass and a check once a month?

I have to pay my bills and live within my means every month because, unlike Congress, I can’t legally steal from others who work to support still others who won’t.

Since I am a normally law abiding person, I haven’t had a problem with local law enforcement except the occasional speeding ticket, which is my fault anyway.

It may just be, if all the local hoodlums would straighten up, go to work or school and stop shooting each other over nothing, perhaps the police would have much less reason to “harass” them.

No, I don’t hate these people, but don’t use my country, culture, Christianity, right to bear arms and my Scotch Irish distrust of the Federal Government as an excuse to blame me and others like me for these people’s problems.

No one is responsible for me and I shouldn’t be held responsible for anyone else.

Hate is a powerful word but liberty and freedom will trump it every time.

John T. Sanders