Can We Be Civil and Kind?

I witnessed two people having a conversation about a large facility being converted to a hospital for drug addicted people. They were vehemently against this move. They felt, very strongly, that the building should be used for "better" purposes, i.e. a place for homeless veterans. Their opinion of those addicted to drugs was that they had brought their situation on themselves. No one forced them to use drugs, they were the "scum of the earth", and they deserved to rot on the streets. The opinion of these two was that drug addiction was not a disease, it was a choice, and the taxpayer should not have to foot the bill for their care.I was incredulous at their attitudes, but even more shocked that they thought, no, they were positive, that addictions were not diseases. I showed them articles of proof to the contrary, but their response was to call me names. Saddened by this whole conversation, I set down a story that portrayed my thoughts. I have no knowledge that they have read it, but I hope someone will read it and learn from it.......................................There once was a young man who thought he was invincible. He sat on the wall of a deep well and looked down into it. No problem, he said. I won't fall off, so I am safe. The next thing he knew he slipped and fell in. He struggled and tried over and over to climb out, but he just couldn't make it on his own. He cried out for help, but no one helped him because they said he shouldn't have sat on the wall in the first place. He was lonely, miserable and sick, but no one would help. He was left to die because the people were too hard-hearted and full of hate to help him. What a disgusting and disturbing story, that people are so unkind that they won't help those in need, but think they know all the answers, when in fact, they've never been down in the well!

Ma

Hate is one of the worst diseases of mankind. We certainly don't have to look very far to find it. We laugh at those we consider less intelligent or overweight. We make fun of people who make a mistake in speaking or perhaps fall. We think it's funny if someone is hit in the face with an object. We pretend we're better than others because we have made a few good choices, or we're prettier, healthier, not blond. Evil is alive and rampant, and we call ourselves civilized. We're pathetic! Alcoholism, drug addiction, over-eating, self-mutilation, mental illness, are all diseases and need help to overcome. Nothing is fair in this world, but we could at least be civil and kind.