As opposed to the Ali Akbar kind. But I digress.

In my last post, I made the case for laying down differences and coming to each other’s aid when one of us is in need. The post was written in part as a response to the situation Lee Stranahan faced on Twitter the other day in the form of a vile attack, including a very thinly disguised rape threat against his wife.

Writing what I did put me somewhat at odds with Brooks Bayne and company, who have been in conflict with Stranahan over his past and also current alleged misdeeds. As I mentioned in the post, I have no opinion on the various charges against Stranahan other than being decidedly ill at ease with his previous occupation as an erotic photographer, which to me is straightforward pornography. However, I am willing to let that go and support him against the inexcusable viciousness of the aforementioned attack. Also, in the post I detailed my belief that Jesus first saves the sinner, then deals with the sin, and we should do likewise. First things first.

Yesterday afternoon, one of my brothers called me at work to tell me that our oldest brother, who was in the hospital recovering from a fall but was showing strong signs of recovery to the point where he had begun physical therapy, had taken a serious turn for the worse. A short time later, he called me to let me know our brother had died.

One of the blessings of social media, one derided by people not familiar with the social media society yet in reality nothing to be looked down on, is how we share with one another our joys and sorrows, making each other’s blessings and burdens our own as we share and care with each other through channels such as Twitter and Facebook. At that moment, I needed all the support I could get, thus mentioned on Twitter and Facebook my brother’s passing away. The response was swift and strong. My deepest gratitude to everyone who stopped what they were doing to offer sympathy, think about and pray for myself and my family.

And now, the what I believe to be justifiable butthurt.

One of the very first people who reached out to me was Brooks Bayne. He was quickly followed by several of his associates.

Lee Stranahan, who follows me on Twitter and Facebook? Haven’t heard a word.

Team Twitchy, a/k/a Michelle Malkin and crew, who follow me on Twitter? Not a sound.

Anyone from Breitbart, several of whom follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook? Nope.

If Brooks Bayne is a malevolent force of diabolical evil, one who swiftly judges and never forgives even the slightest perceived slight as those he has crossed swords with in the conservative movement often label him, then why did he step up while others, commonly heralded as the “good guys,” refuse to set aside politics for one minute and express condolences? Many people, all of them very busy individuals, took the time to say I’m sorry and I am thinking about, or praying for, you and your family. Where was Team Twitchy? Where was Breitbart? Where were their members when I dearly needed every supportive voice I could find? I know I’m not in the Konservative Kool Kidz Klub, but these people know I exist. They live online. It’s difficult to believe not a one knew what was happening. Yet, to a one, nothing but silence. Gee, thanks.

I don’t want to make this all about me. We all suffer our losses in life. In this light, shouldn’t we individually and collectively take a moment to examine ourselves and our actions, making sure we treat each other the same way we ourselves wish to be treated? I have no excuse if I see someone online in need and refuse to offer so little as a supportive tweet or message on Facebook. Do they?

For the sake of the next person who suffers a grevious loss, I beg those who skipped out yesterday to look beyond you own little cliques. Reach out beyond your circles; reach out even across the aisle. I also urge you to not judge a man’s character, good or bad, based on but one element of that person’s makeup. Failure to do so makes us like the blind man who attempted to describe the whole of an elephant based on only one part of it’s anatomy.

For the next person’s sake, render love.

UPDATE: Hope Paul Lemmen’s surgery today so he can start dialysis went okay.

UPDATE X2: And still not a single word of condolences from Lee Stranahan, anyone else associated with Breitbart or anyone associated with Twitchy over my brother passing away two days ago. Thanks, people.

UPDATE X3: Heard from Stranahan, although it didn’t end well, and from Michelle Malkin and Jenn Taylor at Twitchy. A heartfelt thank you, as opposed to the sarcastic earlier “thanks.”