I think many live in your America. The critical question is what does that America do in response to Charlottesville? Stay quiet? Stand up? Or it doesn't matter as long as it doesn't touch you?I was asked this question in a comment to a previous post.
Those are real questions. Not judging - honestly asking.
That is the rub. What do we do about unpleasant thoughts in a free society. You see, I do not believe in the concept of "Hate Speech". As I have written repeatedly, the First Amendment exists to protect the speech we find most objectionable. There is no Right to Never Be Offended embedded in the Constitution.
There are some in this country who believe Donald Trump is the greatest threat to freedom in the history of the nation. Curiously, many of those who hold that tenet are demanding the Government "do something" to regulate "Hate Speech". Do you people realize that it would be the Executive Branch -- in other words, The Donald -- who gets to enforce those regulations? The guy you claim is a closet bigot, a Nazi, a Fascist gets to decide who to jail for failing to think the right group-think. Be careful of what you wish for.
There is nothing you and I can argue that will change the mind of bigoted assholes. There are just some people who think skin color or religion is a reason to marginalize a person. I have never spend a nanosecond as a minority in this country. I have no doubt you see racism every day. That does not mean all white folks are racist bigots any more than all blacks are gangster rappers.
A vote against Clinton as a person, or the Democrat Party platform does not mean I want to don my wife's best bed sheet and demand a return to the good old days of the antebellum South. You know -- when the Democrats controlled the government and Supreme Court. See how easy it is to cast aspersions upon an entire group of people?
We are told that the actions of a tiny percentage of fanatics does not mean every follower of Islam is looking to blow us up. We were cautioned that one Bernie Bro shooting a bunch of Republicans does not mean all of Bernie Sanders socialist followers are set on murdering right-wingers. But somehow, according to Black Lives Matter leaders, the press and Mr. Any Mouse commentor, I have to answer for the actions of a tiny minority of racist, bigoted, misbegotten, white trash hate-filled asshole losers?
No thanks. I refuse to accept that responsibility. The concept of the "White Man's Burden" was an evil philosophy 150 years ago. Nothing has changed, no matter how you flip that coin.
The question is what is next? All that really has happened is drive more and more people to the extremes of the right and left. Sooner or later there will be another civil war, in fact is has already started. At this point it is not a shooting war, but sooner or later it will blow out of control. Remember the riots back in the60’s that was child play compared to what could happen.
ReplyDeleteJames Old Guy
I do believe my children (13 and 15) will see a civil war in theie lifetime. James you are right the 60's was child's play.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't about generalizing based on the behavior of one or few. Bernie didn't condone (explicitly or implicitly) any violence. And I know of no Muslims who don't act peacefully and participate in society like a civil member. The problem is this President does not quickly and clearly state he is against any of the hate and violence. And it appears, when it suits him, he agrees implicitly with these things or at lease accepts being supported/endorsed by questionable groups. And yet so many of his supporters will defend it and yell fake news. If you stand by and watch a kid bully someone without doing anything about it, you yourself are a bully. That is the problem. Call bad behavior what it is.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how much more clear I can be. Bigots are scum I don't agree with them
ReplyDeleteThe Predident waited too long to say anything
I also suspect some people would criticize no matter what he said.
Btw those on the right were also quick to find fault with all Obama said as Predident
Did anyone demand Bernie disavow the anarchists and hard core communists who supported him?
ReplyDeleteWas Hilary responsible for Anthony Weiner who supported her?
Grow up
Grow up? Exactly the kind of exchange that leads to divisiveness. Clearly I struck a nerve.
ReplyDeleteI'm not implying you agree with bigots. But within your post you said, "But somehow, according to Black Lives Matter leaders, the press and Mr. Any Mouse commentor, I have to answer for the actions of a tiny minority of racist, bigoted, misbegotten, white trash hate-filled asshole losers?"
My comment was meant to explain the generalized attitudes towards Trump supporters. What I'm saying is if Trump and his supporters sit in silence about these things, or defend or deflect them, people will assume they agree with it. Right or wrong, silence implies consent. The Wiener thing is a reach, and by all means, do the the deflection thing with Bernie/Obama because that is a legitimate argument. Deflecting a mother's punishment for your bad behavior: "But Joe did it first!"
I'm not picking a fight. You and I clearly love this country and we need to come together for the common good. I actually enjoy reading your blog specifically to get your perspective on politics as I feel different perspectives are important. I am on the East Coast so I don't get the right wing conservative Christian thing. I'm more a live and let live kinda gal. Ya know, COEXIST. Not sure if they have those bumper stickers where you are but they are everywhere here.
You are an excellent writer and clearly a very intelligent man. I have plenty of super conservative friends (I'm a fiscal conservative, social moderate) and I respect their thoughts and they respect mine. That is really all that is needed. Respect.
That being said, I am truly and deeply sorry about your angel grandson. I actually cried when I read what you wrote. You share so much, so raw, it touches my soul.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Trump supporter. I voted for him 'cause te other choice was unacceptable.
I thought about this last night. Obama could never quite state that Islamic terrorism exists. Even when the murderers said they were doing it on tne name of Islam. That does not mean he supported the terrorist philosophy. By he same token just because David Duke supports Trump that does not mean Trump agrees with the KKK. For sure all conservatives or Republicans shouldn't be painted with that brush. but we are and have been since before the election. Read any one of the east coast papers and deny it.
The left has spent the past few years calling anyone who disagrees with them Nazis and Fascists. Now there is a problem when he real Nazis and Fascists come out of the woodwork.
I'm frustrated and angry. Extremist on both sides are pushing for a confrontation. In many ways the situation looks and feels much like the 1850's.
Maybe ths explains my position better. I wish I could write better and express myself more clearly
Oh, and the grow up comment is exactly why I should wait and reflect before responding to comments.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry. I am also frustrated and angry. But I am mostly sad and afraid for my two daughters in this new backassward "1850s" world. This past spring at college a Christian right-wing group came to campus to demonstrate and as my 19 year old walked by on her way back from class a white male demonstrator told her to put on more clothes. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. She told him to F* off and he called her a slut. My brilliant, beautiful daughter should not have to put up with that no.matter.what. They had Trump signs, anti-gay signs, anti-Semitic, anti-women signs, etc. They may be a minority and you may say that is free speech but they are vocal and incendiary and they are not on the right side of morality or society and they are not "good people". And if I were there I would have dropped the guy. I suspect you would have also.
ReplyDeleteI hope your surgery went well.