That little boy decided to start calling me "P.P." and he didn't say it sweetly. It's true that these were also my initials, but I couldn't help hearing it the way the bully meant for me to hear it.

It wasn't nice. He was calling me "Number 1" or "Tinkle" or whatever people do in the bathroom! That mean 6-year-old little bully followed me around all day sing songing, "Pee! Pee! Pee! Pee! Pee! Pee!"

Oh, how I cried! Oh, why was he so mean?

That afternoon, I ran into my mother's arms when I got out of school. Still crying I whined, "Mommy, Butch called me Pee Pee all day at school today! I need to change my name! Why did you give me those initials? What can I do? He thinks that my name is the same as bathroom. He's so mean! It hurts!"

(By the way, Butch really was his name, so Butch if you are out there, I forgave you years ago, but, while we are at it, I'd still like to hold you to account for that time that you and Andy took my tricycle apart, bolt by bolt, and left it in pieces in the empty house at the end of the block. I think you still owe me an apology for the tricycle heist! Apologies by e-mail and 50 years later are welcome nonetheless. Now, back to that day in first grade...)

With my head buried in her lap, sobbing loudly and very dramatically, my Mom probably felt the weight of responsibility. She knew it was her job to give me comfort and wisdom and strength.

Hoping to utter something wise to her six-year-old daughter, she recited that age-old rhyme that all children everywhere probably eventually heard, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt me."

I had never heard that rhyme before and so I contemplated it. I asked my mother what it meant and she tried to explain. Still, it didn't make sense to me. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure that I understand even now. The concept is nice but seems more like wishful thinking.

See, words do hurt.

Oh, yes, I'm much older now and I have filters up that catch a lot of bad verbal stuff before it can hurt my feelings. I also no longer care as much about what other people think of me.

Age brings confidence and peacefulness.

I also have greater understanding of why people say mean things. With wisdom, we can usually identify the cause of the unloving behaviors that are sometimes directed towards us. At the root, offensive behaviors are usually the result of some sort of fear residing inside the trespassers. Knowing that, we can pray for the trespasser. Or, we can forgive. We can have empathy for them, knowing the life predicament that causes them to want to lash out. Or, at the very least, we can at least ignore hurtful things that are spoken, most of the time, because we surmise that they are not really the personal attacks they first seem.

As we grow older, it also takes a heck of a lot more to rattle our cages than it did when we were little. For example, it wouldn't phase me at all if one of you decided to call me "P.P." now! Most likely, that would sound affectionate to me now.

Still, there are hurtful words in our world.

When white people anywhere use the "n" word, it hurts African American children everywhere. When men use the "b" or "w" word even once, it hurts all young women and girls within earshot.

Unkindnesses do damage.

Purposeful deception or lies do even greater damage.

So, one of the greatest hurts inflicted upon people in our society happens whenever government officials hand out propaganda to our fellow citizens.

What's the meaning of the word propaganda?

Once upon a time, the word propaganda primarily described ideas, doctrines, or allegations that were systematically disseminated or promoted to further one's own cause or to damage an opposing cause.

Now, however, for about the last fifty years of the mass media age, the word propaganda most often describes deliberate deception or distortion, that is, either lies or incomplete truths.

George Bush recently remarked in a speech that he thinks he has got to catapult the propaganda. I guess that's how he sees his job.

What is meant by the word catapult?

To catapult is to use an offensive military-like machine for hurling missiles, such as large stones or spears, at people. Catapults were mainly used in ancient and medieval times.

Basically a catapult is like a huge slingshot that hurls heavy and sharp objects designed to kill or maim people or destroy property. A catapult is used to create acts of violence against others.

Catapulting is all about humiliating, overpowering, or establishing dominance over others. Attainment of power seems to be the purpose of catapulting.

"Third time I've said that. I'll probably say it three more times. See, in my line of work you gotta keep repeating things over and over and over again, for the truth to sink in.
To kind of catapult the propaganda." (President George Bush)

Bullying by a fellow 6-year-old in grade school is hurtful, but forgivable.

When the bully has a desk in the White House, it's altogether different. Bullying from the highest office in the land is all about power and control over others. And it's wrong.

Words hurt.

Lies hurt the most, Mr. President.

Falsehoods, deceptions, and purposeful propaganda are all harmful - especially when promulgated by people who have power.

Misuse of power is much harder to forgive.

Just thought you'd like to know.