As you have undoubtedly heard by now, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife and daughter were in an accident last Thursday (11 March 2010). Both were injured, and Mrs. Reid needed surgery. Hopefully, both will be feeling better soon.

That's how adults respond to these kinds of events -- with empathy and a sense of proportion and priority if not actual concern and grace. Unfortunately, some of what I've seen in the past few days from people about this is just appalling. For examples of what I'm talking about, check out the comments section in any of the major media outlet news sites. I won't dignify such comments by including references, and I'm certainly not going to point out various media outlet websites to look at. There's enough of the nonsense to go around.

If you do look around (and really, it'd be better if you just took my word for it), you'll see a visceral cruelty and hatred that is entirely inappropriate for the circumstance. You'll see some incredibly petty, puerile responses. You'll see some of the worst of what people have to offer. It's sickening, and it's entirely uncalled for. Yes, there have been many people on both sides of the aisle who have responded like adults, but there have been an alarming number of people who haven't. Whatever the man's politics, and whatever you think of the causes he supports, at the end of the day, he's a husband and father who loves his wife and daughter. He's worried about them just like any of us would be worried about our spouse or children in the same circumstance. While it's true that, by definition, half the population is below average, it's unfortunate that those in the bottom half have to take such great efforts to make themselves known when something like this happens.

I'll close with a quote from Dead Poets Society, a phenomenal movie with a great cast. It should certainly put all of this in perspective.

Keating: "Seize the day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." Why does the writer use these lines?

Charlie: Because he's in a hurry.

Keating: No. Ding! Thank you for playing anyway. Because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold and die.