Ignoring the hate

The internet is a powerful tool. It allows people with like minds and like interests to easily connect with each other, and share information.

It allows us to learn from each other's experiences and pass along knowledge.

The downside of the internet is that it is a safe haven for hate groups. People, no matter how fringe their opinion is can find other people on the internet that share their same belief and hatred. And, they are able to express that hate anonymously on the internet.

Here's the thing:  They don't matter.

Oh sure, we should always keep our ears open to constructive criticism and feedback. We should always be willing to learn from the lessons learned by others. We should not close off new information.

But that's not what some people are about. Some people are just about the hate -- whether it be of 'pit bulls', no kill, or individuals. What they do is hate. It doesn't matter if they post anonymous blogs under various names. It doesn't matter if they shout outrageous unsubstantiated criticisms.

Ignore them.

Almost everyone else is. And they're not worth your time. They are the not going to be swayed one way or another by your argument because all they want to do is hate and preserve the status quo. Don't waste your time on them.  They all too often resemble this guy  (in something that is supposed to be a joke, but is all too common it seems) when it comes to discussions on 'pit bulls', mandatory spay/neuter and ending the killing.

The majority of people out there want to save the lives of animals and are compassionate about animals. They will listen. Focus your energies on those who matter...and the vocal fringe doesn't.

Chart comes from one of my favorite blogs -- I love Charts

 

Comments

[YesBiscuit!]

I sometimes wonder why people continually read and comment on blogs they obviously disagree with entirely. It's one thing to have an occasional difference of opinion but it seems a waste of time to me to read and comment regularly on blogs where you disagree with the entire premise.

[DogsDeserveFreedom]

Good post.

People are quick to jump on the hate band-wagon when they are nursing an animal back to health or when they are the one who has to hold the animal for the "purple juice" (Ethanol). I was the one to hold the animal. Every day. Young ones. Old ones. Didn't matter. It was just another one that someone didn't want anymore. Our freezers were supposed to be emptied once a week but most weeks I had to make a call for an extra pickup or two. Now, I am the one to nurse them back to health after their owners muck them up.

It's heartbreaking. It's also a good way to develop a LOT of hatred.

Speaking from the perspective of someone who has been on the Hate Wagon and got off ... it's hard not to hate the people.

I have to fight it. Rationalize with myself. One day at a time. One surrender/dumping at a time. One call at a time where they tell me they will put the litter in a bag and drown them if I don't come NOW. (That's why I have my current litter)

When I have to tell the caller that I can't take them - knowing full well that I'm sentencing the animals to death.

When I hear that the cats were poisoned with Arsenic (yesterday I had the final count of how many are dead - adults and kittens).

When I hear that the puppies were drowned or beaten to death because I didn't take them. (a few weeks ago)

When I am the one picking up the dead bodies.

I'm glad you posted this because it is good to remember that we won't help anyone (including ourselves) by being hateful. It's easy to slip into the hatred but it clouds our judgement.

I do what I can. I can only save a few, but for those few, I have made a difference.

Take a few minutes to run a google search on "The Starfish Story" by Loren Eiseley. It's a good one.

[DogsDeserveFreedom]

PS -- I know that's not where you were going with your post, but it's important to remember that hatred is on every side of the coin

[Jennie]

I needed this tonight. We had a post from a very disturbed woman on our blog regarding a pit bull post I had done. When I clicked her profile, I found she had six other pit bull hate sites set up. One of them has fatal attacks I have never even heard that have supposed happened this year. As I scrolled down the page and noticed the fatal attacks were only pit bulls and were happening several times a week, I really got upset. I had to click off her page and come to yours for some sanity. This hit the nail on the head tonight! Thank you.

[Kozydogs]

It is unfortunate but wherever we go whatever we do there are always going to be these type of people. Who wants to go through life this way? NOT ME!