Anger fuels the world’s demise

Elaine Halley, Las Vegas

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 | 2 a.m.

I have been around people who yelled and used verbal and physical abuse all my life. I hate it.

I was taught to be polite, to say please and thank you. I have never purposely been mean to anyone. I have always wanted to help.

If someone would ask me what I thought was killing this world, I wouldn’t hesitate. It is one small word, but with such a huge effect.

The word is anger.

Take a look at the world and you see hate.

It matters that you took my toy. I am mad at you. I hate you.

You don’t agree with my religion. I am mad and I hate you.

You lazy guy, you don’t want to work, so I’ll vote to decrease your food stamps. I am angry that I have to work and you don’t.

The kids hate me, so I’ll get even, with my dad’s gun. I’ll show them.

In the middle of the last century, there were protests; organizers tried the peaceful approach.

Families loved and cared for each other. We would learn from our grandparents, great-grandparents and the rest of our families. Although sometimes even they taught hate.

Music was a great part of this time, and as everyone knows, “music soothes the savage beast.”

It was a fun and wholesome time to grow up.

Now I am scared for the world. People kill at the drop of a hat.

The “Caveman” era is upon us.

In Chicago at a playground recently, 20 people were gunned down, fortunately no one has died yet. As a grandmother in the story cried, “This violence has got to stop!”

While the professionals continue to research in sociology, psychology and psychiatry, the big question is: How do we stop anger?