To be het up over something is an old-fashioned phrase, similar to getting bent out of shape. Something angers us. A lot of us are het up these days. Politics, perhaps, or the NFL, or religious issues.

Being het up may lead us to organize for righting wrongs. Some activities, like human trafficking, should make us het up.

Serious forms of het up include the recent Scottish movement for separation from Great Britain. Extremely lethal forms include al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Reaction is a natural response to times and processes that affect us. Liberalism sparks a conservative reaction and conservatism a liberal reaction. Religious emphasis on grace may change to an emphasis on works and vice versa. Trends toward strict parenting and permissive parenting swap places through the decades.

In areas of the world thrust suddenly into modern times in the past century or so, reaction to change is understandable. Encouraging the survival of a culture that offers identity is acceptable. Murdering innocents is not.

A wise society allows challenges to the status quo. Those challenging it have the obligation to challenge it within civilized bounds. Allowing differences that don’t destroy community means finding a balance. The rules include respect for the one who may not agree with you.