Wednesday, January 19, 2011

This Is Worse Than Cross Hairs!

Okay. Which is worse? Inciting violence by using everyday expressions, albeit in not always the nicest of tones, or comparing groups of people with the most vile that ever existed?

ABC News Jonathon Karl reports on an outburst by a House Democrat comparing Republicans to the Nazis and Joseph Goebbels in particular. For those of you who weren't taught history, he was their chief propagandist.

Representative Steven Cohen, D TN, is Jewish. He is passionate about health care. Obviously he does not want the bill tampered with, what's more repealed. However, to accuse the Republicans of being Nazi like and repeating "lies" in hope the public will en masse begin to believe them is going beyond the pale.

While it is not enough to incite violence, the name calling is assassination of another sort. Character assassination. It has no place in civil discourse. Certainly less than being the "target" of it!

We can't say Squaw, Spic, Raghead, Burrhead, Beaner, Kike, Wop or Nigger without someone getting up in arms. Okay, we get it. I understand. I really do. I remember sitting in a restaurant one evening listening to the most vile of Polish jokes being told at the next table. I finally asked Hub to have the maitre d ask them to tone it down. I found it extremely offensive. Polish blood does run through my veins. It was hurtful. So I do understand.

Those were but jokes of an offensive nature. To hurl such insults at people who don't agree with you is antagonistic and immature. Unfortunately immaturity seems to be running rampant these days.

Why is it we bloggers are sitting out here in cyber space discussing it in a most civil manner and no one is hearing? Is it because we are neither seen nor heard? Don't bet on it.

1 comment:

Margie's Musings said...

I agree, Mari. Although I think his point is valid...if one repeats a lie often enough, some people will buy into it and believe it, the context of his remarks is not one that anyone should use.