From Today’s Wall Street Journal

I take exception to the headline "Rally Funnels Anger Toward Washington,"
which appeared with the Aug. 30 U.S. News article about Glenn Beck's
rally. I was there and can testify that I neither saw angry expressions
nor heard angry words.

Anger [sic] is a loaded word,
and it demeans those who attended the rally. Synonyms for anger include
wrath, rage and sudden violent displeasure. By contrast, at the rally I
heard words like "love," "unity" and "God," and I saw people honored for
faith, hope and charity. Prayers seeking God's forgiveness and help
weren't given in anger. Neither were expressions of sorrow at how far
we've strayed as a nation from the principles set forth by our founders.

Americans who seek to
live by faith, hope and charity, like those at Mr. Beck's rally, resist
giving in to anger. They know the truth of what Yoda taught Anakin
Skywalker: "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger.
Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."

Richard D. Rust

Professor Emeritus of English

University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Note from KBJ: I'm not sure I agree with this. In fact, I'm pretty sure I disagree. Anger is not a free-floating emotion, and it is not necessarily irrational. It can be righteous, fitting, and well-grounded. Perhaps "indignation" is the better word in this context. Many Americans are indignant (i.e., justifiably angry) that Barack Obama and his minions are acting like dictators. This is a free country. The idea that we must insure ourselves against ill health, on pain of punishment, is outrageous. Indignation is a perfectly appropriate response to this outrage.

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From Today’s Wall Street Journal