Our reality TV programs which promote lying, backstabbing, and betrayal are acceptable in order to win. The political campaigns with their bullying and angry platforms using "any means necessary."

Recall the tragedy of Columbine, and other school shootings, where the kids involved were the ones who had suffered daily abuse and bullying.

Before retirement I witnessed these behaviors in school and at work. I continue to witness the destructive impact of this dynamic on a daily basis, and without leaving my home.

Over the past years, I've spent a lot of time online, and regularly visit chatrooms.

Over the years, I've witnessed people who not only ridicule, and insult others due to holding a different view, but who also engage in personal attacks.

Chatters will go along with the bullying in order to be accepted, or to avoid being the brunt of the teasing and taunts.

People will email, Instant Message and complain of the behaviors exhibited by the bullies, but they are not willing to take a public stand against it.

The chatroom develops into the 'clique' dynamic, the bullies cause division between chatters, and an issue of control results.

Chatters ignoring, shunning, being rude, or attacking another because of some transgression real or imagined. People who allow the bullying to continue are worse, since they enable the behaviors by not taking a stand.

I decided to take a stand against it. Bullies are cowards. Those who allow the behavior to continue in their presence,  serve the destructive dynamic.

Dr. Phil, people just do not grasp the significance bullying plays in our society, and its destructive influence.

And, the saddest of all is each individual participating or ignoring the problem has something unique, and of value to contribute to the group dynamic, yet, they prefer to engage in, or permit negative, and destructive behaviors.

As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might
- Marian Anderson