I think it's good to have a generally optimistic outlook but I don't think hate is a bad thing, per se. Nothing is immune to criticism, ponies included, and it's only fair to criticize flaws when one sees fit. Even if "dislike" is more appropriate a term in some of these cases, ultimately I don't think expressing your dislike or hate is a bad thing so long as it doesn't dominate you and hinders your enjoyment of ponies or anything else.
I can have a lot of frustration getting a piece to my liking sometimes. That being said, I usually think I do an at least decent job on my pieces, at least nowadays. My old stuff was awful, but I guess that's the case for many people haha.
Spiders are interesting to read about, but I personally loathe being near one. At the very least, they're incapable of flight, which puts them higher on my animal-preference totem pole than flies, which have zero redeeming qualities.
The Muppet Show:
Twilight is Kermit because they're the main characters as well as some of the saner ones
Pinkie Pie is Fozzie since they're both the jokesters
Rainbow Dash is Gonzo seeing as they're both daredevils (although Dash much more successful)
Rarity is Miss Piggy because they're both into fashion
Fluttershy is Beaker, I can't think of any really good fits for her but Beaker might as well do since he's rather timid
Applejack is... not really sure. I guess Rowlf since he's pretty down to earth
Spike is Scooter because Spike's the assistant to Twilight while Scooter is Kermit's gofer
Cranky Doodle Donkey represents Statler and Waldorf since he's the only crank on MLP I can think of (even if he's only one early on)
Can't think of any other ponies for major Muppets.
I never watched any of the earlier gens. From the looks of it, the first one looks bearable, but the "RAINBOW DASH ALWAYS DRESSES IN STYLE" cartoon looks downright cringeworthy. >< However, if it wasn't for the earlier gens, there wouldn't be FiM, so there's that to be thankful for.
I have various favorites, including Probopass, (yes, I'm the only fan of him in existence) Jigglypuff, Ninetales, Swinub, Kyogre, Vanillite, Krookodile, and a few others I can't think of at the moment.
I find it a pretty silly term. In essence it's harmless lingo and I don't really care if you use it on occasion and only within pony-related communities, but I personally don't like using it at all.