I just don't get it.

When did we become a nation of haters?

The politics and posturing is turning our wonderful nation into something unrecognizable these days.

Something horrible happens, and the blame game begins before anyone has a chance to determine the outcome.

The actions of a madman are prescribed to be the beliefs of a community.

And while the nation would condemn the action of a killer, the "other side" is too busy condemning those who had nothing to do with the action.

Lately I have been wondering if there really was a oneness, a rally around our great nation in the dark days following 9-11.

They say there was. I remember being outraged along with everyone else.

I don't remember blame being a major theme in those first days, even months.

Terror was on my mind, and the knowledge if this was my world now it was a very bleak way to live.

And I remember thinking others in the world lived this way every day.

I remember never wanting to live that way.

But through it all, I was an American, and that was not going to change.

I looked around and saw fellow Americans, and I knew we were one.

Now, all I do is look around and wonder what side of the political spectrum are they on and what will I say in all innocence that will make someone mad or turn away.

I grit my teeth and think to myself that what I say will only add fuel to the fire and won't change anyone's mind.

But those quick to lay blame at anyone else's feet but the killer's Saturday was too much for my gritted stance to contain.

Those immediately grabbing on a madman's actions and using it to their political advantage is beyond real.

Where are those who would stand together.

I know in my community we are there, but obviously in other places they are not.

And I thank God to be living where I am today and I fear those other places where they do not live as we in Oklahoma do.

We have our disagreements, but we know who we are: Americans, Oklahomans.

For those ready to stand together, please continue to stay the course.

It is all we can do. It is the most important thing we can do.

Violet