Why are people so mean?

So, I was reading some blogs recently, alot of them, about the missional church.  I have been surprised by how mean people are, especially those who claim to be gracious, open-minded, post-moderns. It came to a head with the debacle between Obama and Dobson.  The anger and dare I say hatred expressed by many toward both men (in missional circles predominantly at Dobson, in attractional circles predominantly Obama) was amazing.

The vehemenance can also be seen in conversations that have to do with the mega-church movement. I just don't get it.

I understand being frustrated with other believers who disagree with you.  It gets hard to keep on communicating the same thing over and over and people "just not get it".  I think it's sad though when there is not an open heart and open mind that goes both ways.  It seems like folks on both sides of the coin forget that they are indeed on the same coin and part of each other.

Oh, would it not be awesome for kindness, gentleness, and respect to be a real thing in the conversastion between fellow Jesus followers and even people outside the community?  The more I interact across the board with people from different traditions in the faith I am seeing more and more the wisdom of my father-in-law who makes some clear distinctions between what should be discussed publicly and what should be done "in the family".

I hope that if I ever come across this way that I will get slapped upside the head and fast!!