Just stop already . . .

I sat in on a web discussion last night and the thing that came out of that the loudest for me is that we're in the midst of a cultural battle here.  It finally explained all the frustrations that have been welling inside me for the last few years.  So I've had enough.
 
If you'd like to persuade me from here on in, don't use fear.  I'm not buying it anymore.  The cultural battle is between a dying culture of fear and a new burgeoning culture of hope.  I choose hope.  From here on in I refuse to fear your boogie men, by whatever name you call them.  I will not join you in fearing and loathing anyone ever again.  I will not be controlled by your fears, buy into your fears or base my actions on your fears.  If you want to persuade me from now on, find a way to do it with hope and promise or I will refuse delivery.
 
You are, as usual, free to fear and loath whomever you like, but I will not be joining you.