Sunday, February 07, 2010, 1:46 PM
Stop the Presses
By Kevin Moreau

Where is the love?

You’ve probably heard that next Sunday, Feb. 14, is Valentine’s Day. Oddly enough, for a day that’s supposed to be all about love, V-Day sure has plenty of haters.

It’s cool, in certain circles, to look upon this “holiday” with disdain, to dismiss it as a bailout for the greeting card industry. And that’s understandable—if you’re unhappily single, say, or recovering from a bad breakup. I get it. I’ve been there myself. (Quick plug: If you’re in that number, you might want to make your plans now for Q100’s Bert Show Bitter Ball, which takes place Saturday, Feb. 13 at Primal Atlanta. www.q100atlanta.com.)

But it’s so easy to be jaded. Anyone can assume an air of hipster superiority over something that makes them uncomfortable.

To be sure, love can be misguided. I don’t doubt that the folks at PETA really love animals, but when they suggest replacing Punxsutawney Phil with a robotic groundhog, or ask the Zac Brown Band to espouse the pleasures of tofu in their song “Chicken Fried,” I do think that maybe they’re a little too lovestruck. 

Love can also have unforeseen consequences, like a teen pregnancy, or even criminal charges, as in the case of the Baptist missionaries accused of kidnapping by the Haitian government last week. And there’s no debating that it can be dangerous in the wrong hands, as proven by countless zealots who’ve spread war and death in the name of a deity or a cause they loved more than human life.

Still, I’d rather live with love than without it.

So instead of sneering at those fools forking over their hard-earned money for roses and Hallmark cards, turn Valentine’s Day to your advantage. Make love manifest in your own life. Celebrate your love for your fellow man or four-legged friend by volunteering at a homeless or animal shelter. Share a movie or book you love with a downtrodden friend. Be kind to someone you don’t know.

Sounds sappy, I know. I’m about the farthest you can get from a hippie. I’m no fan of Oprah Winfrey-style sermonizing. Heck, I even take issue with the lyrics to “All You Need is Love.” I’m breaking out in hives just reading over the previous paragraph.

But as averse as I am to gooey sentimentality, I abhor cynicism and condescension even more. They take no effort, and yield no rewards.

Love takes hard work. It’s not always easy. But it sure beats the alternative.