November 23, 2004
Commentary:
It's very late for me...
By Jack Grant...but I feel an insistent urge to make a comment on something that has struck me in the wee hours of the morning.
Radical right-wingers seem to have a remarkably casual attitude towards the deaths of those whom they perceive to be their enemies.
The message I get is this:
Beware of becoming someone that the radical right-wing perceives as an enemy, for then you are less than human to them.
Many have pointed out the hypocrisy of the radical left-wing in both suppression of ideas that are not in alignment with their world-view, and the actions of what can arguably be called left-wingers in perpetrating violence in the form of gunshots into Republican campaign offices and other heinous and unacceptable acts directed against the right-wing. These actions are without any doubt or argument completely and utterly wrong; however, they do not make it any more acceptable for the right wing to tar all of those to the left of their position as someone whose death is not only unmourned but also to be encouraged.
This not only does not help either the return of some level of civility and acknowledgment of the common goals of our citizenry of working towards the common good of our nation, but it also is extremely destructive towards international relations with allies that we will almost certainly one day need to help us in preserving our civilization.
It has been said many times no man is an island. It should be remembered that no nation is an island, either, not even the United States, even with our incredible gifts of natural and human resources, for nothing is infinite, and in the end hubris always ends in a fall, with endless examples for those willing to take the time to look.
Posted by Jack Grant at 02:10 on 23 November 2004"Radical right-wingers seem to have a remarkably casual attitude towards the deaths of those whom they perceive to be their enemies."
I would agree with you, but I think it depends on who and what kind of enemy you're talking about.
I think that any kind of extremism is not good, however these are extreme times we live in, so we can expect extremes in all directions. Doesn't mean we have to accept extremism as the norm, but we have to stay put to deal with any possible blows in order to survive. You just don't deal with your enemy with affection when that enemy has publicly announced and shown to the world that he'll chop you up with his sword if given the chance, because ultimately he wants to rule your world.
I would never consider myself extreme in any way, but I do have to admit that lately I've been catching myself having extreme thoughts out of anger, as a reaction to Islamofascism.
I wasn't as clear as I should have been, because in this case I was referring more to what I have seen some on the extreme right-wing say about their fellow citizens who are NOT trying to kill anyone. That trend troubles me a great deal. I can understand the visceral reaction of wanting to strike back at terrorists who are committing such heinous acts, but saying "all liberals deserve to be shot" is crossing a line that is very destructive to cross.
Posted by: Jack at November 24, 2004 08:50 AMI'm sorry, I was slow. I it was late for me too when I replied. (:
I do agree with you. I thought that trend would cease to exit after the elections, but alas.
