I Hate...Hate.

Now most of you know that I would sooner run bare foot over broken glass than discuss politics. And I am the first to admit that my knowledge of politics is very, very limited. I know nothing about the candidates and I know nothing about the issues. I am though trying to educate myself and turn around my ignorance. But the more I seem to learn the less I like. And what I don't like is the hatefulness on both sides. I don't like how each side is determined to demonize the other. I think its unproductive and completely unChristlike.

Like Elder Quentin L. Cook said in his talk entitled We Follow Jesus Christ "I invite each one of us individually to recognize that how we disagree is a real measure of who we are and whether we truly follow the Savior. It is appropriate to disagree, but it is not appropriate to be disagreeable."

I think we all need to take a deep breathe, reevaluate our actions, and consider carefully the things we are going to say or email before we say them or push send.

Jon Stewart from Comedy Central is hosting a rally called Rally to Restore Sanity. And although I disagree with Jon Stewart on many things this I support completely. I love the signs suggested for the rally like -- "I disagree with you, but I'm pretty sure you're not Hitler" or -- "I'm not afraid of Muslims, Tea Partiers, Socialists, Immigrants, Gun Owners or Gays ... but I am scared of spiders." but my favorite is -- "Take it Down a Notch For America".

So I challenge all my friends out there to find a happy place. To be politically active but to do it in a respectful manner. Like the columnist John Renesch said in his commentary entitled Ideological Bigotry: Are you part of the problem? "Join me in ending the cycles of incivilities, negativity, disrespect, and insulting sarcasms. Take a stand against engaging in conversations or e-mail exchanges that perpetuate these cycles and take us all down to lower levels of human relationships.

Stop listening to it; stop repeating it; stop encouraging this pattern of divisiveness. Instead of spouting our opinions and preaching to those in our silo, let's reach out to those who have different viewpoints. Nothing will change unless we do."