Where has compassion gone?

Once again, we have another mass shooting in the US. While perusing online news articles concerning the tragedy, I read the comments at the bottom of the page and find hateful character attacks, name-calling, and ridiculous blaming of irrelevant factors. And I wonder, what has happened to adult behavior and rational discussions?

These days, people seem to use tragedies and major events as an excuse to justify negative behavior instead of 1) showing compassion for all those involved; and 2) trying to find common ground solutions. Every incident is now fodder for the atrocities of political party, evidence of evil from the current presidential administration, and worse. Even the most innocuous comments are followed with offensive streams of negativity, including but not limited to racial slurs, homophobic rants, and personal attacks on the commenter.

Our soceity is one that places value on freedoms and our freedom of speech is, perhaps, the most valued of these freedoms; therefore, each person has the right to speak their mind,regardless of whether their words are postive or negative. But as we log onto our Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts this morning, we should be mindful of our own comments and posts, keeping in mind the real intent of the messages we are trying to convey. Are my words in posts and comments positive or negative? Am I promoting progress, humanity and compassion; or instead, am I perpetuating the very problem(s) I am arguing against?

Our parents told us when we were young that respect is important in interactions -- I think we've forgotten this very simple,basic lesson. Be mindful. Be respectful. Stop, think, breathe.