Is this how fanaticiscm takes root?

This week something happened that was weird. Really weird. Super-petty really.

We are a month removed from the Presidential election. For me, the immediate aftermath was one of relief.

"Thank God it's over", I said.

I was a McCain supported. And frankly, an Obama dissenter. I just thought he was a terrible choice. But, once it was over I resigned myself to the fact that my candidate lost and I was ready to move on. Obama's my President and I'll go into this next phase of our federal governance with an open mind.

Yesterday, I was on my way home from work when I got to the Braintree garage and noticed a note on the windshield of my car. It was a handwritten note and said:

"John McCain is a rat and Sarah Palin is a stupid, pathetic, whore. YOU LOSE!"

Immediately, I broke into laughter. Wow. That was unexpected.

Obviously, someone else getting home from either work or school before me noticed my McCain campaign bumper sticker and felt the need to stop, get a piece of paper, break out a pen, write the note and put it on my windshield.

There are several thoughts that come to mind:

1. How can someone who supported the winner of the Presidential election be so angry? This person's candidate WON the election. Imagine if Obama lost!

2. The intolerance towards the views of others by this person is absolute. How different is this person than the totalitarians of the past? As far as I can tell, the only difference is the level of power.

3. I'm struck with how dangerous it is to be so emotionally involved that rational thought and behavior evaporates.

The note is made harmless because the author is only one person and not one million. However, the fervency of this person's belief system is fanatical.

Put yourself into the shoes of the author and tell me what your emotional state would likely be to motivate you to act in this way.

Am I over-reacting? Is this person just having fun? Or, is this person mentally off the reservation?