We all want a better America
Lucas Flatt
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Opinion
Folks, it is getting a little scary out there. Several months into Barack Obama's tenure as POTUS, some contingents of the Republican Party have gone completely hysterical. I support the whole Tea Party thing, as we are all entitled to protest peacefully. Still, the same people who are calling Democrats "socialists" are now gnashing teeth and wailing over paying taxes...seems a bit ironic to me. And the current tax policy still places the (by far) largest burden on the wealth (boo-hoo?). But I agree that some of the spending going on in Washington seems a bit wasteful, so protest it up, I suppose.
Earlier tonight, I heard talk show host Michael Savage berate a black caller with racial insults-he asked the man if he was a "gang-banger" and accused him of having no formal education-because the man called the Tea-Baggers "idiots." Since when is racism acceptable when trying to make a rhetorical point?
On the other hand, the Department of Homeland Security issued a report this week which, through unfortunate carelessness in its wording, accuses conservatives of being "extremists" and implies they may turn to domestic terrorism. I can't help but feel I might become a bit hysterical if my government formally accused me of extremism for following one of the two major political parties. Then again, I'm also reminded of George W. Bush's accusation that "you are either with us or against us in the war on terror."
In light of these circumstances, I have decided that I need to issue an apology. Last week, I called conservative "xenophobes," which, ironically, showed considerable xenophobia on my part. I know plenty of good-hearted and compassionate conservatives, and I apologize for stereo-typing. Anger caused me to make that mistake, and, thanks to the hysteria I'm witnessing on the news and hearing on the airwaves, I now see how dangerous mixing anger and political opinions can be.
I felt the hysteria in a tangible way. For attempting to support rights for illegal immigrant students in my column two weeks ago, I was the subject of an hour-long tirade on Phil Valentine's radio show. I can't say I lost much sleep, though I didn't hear the broadcast, and Mr. Valentine has yet to respond to my request for a transcript. I presume he is too busy counting his money and figuring out new ways to piss people off. Judging from the accounts provided to me by friends, however, I am somewhat surprised no angry mobs have showed up at my doorstep with tar and feathers.
Earlier tonight, I heard talk show host Michael Savage berate a black caller with racial insults-he asked the man if he was a "gang-banger" and accused him of having no formal education-because the man called the Tea-Baggers "idiots." Since when is racism acceptable when trying to make a rhetorical point?
On the other hand, the Department of Homeland Security issued a report this week which, through unfortunate carelessness in its wording, accuses conservatives of being "extremists" and implies they may turn to domestic terrorism. I can't help but feel I might become a bit hysterical if my government formally accused me of extremism for following one of the two major political parties. Then again, I'm also reminded of George W. Bush's accusation that "you are either with us or against us in the war on terror."
In light of these circumstances, I have decided that I need to issue an apology. Last week, I called conservative "xenophobes," which, ironically, showed considerable xenophobia on my part. I know plenty of good-hearted and compassionate conservatives, and I apologize for stereo-typing. Anger caused me to make that mistake, and, thanks to the hysteria I'm witnessing on the news and hearing on the airwaves, I now see how dangerous mixing anger and political opinions can be.
I felt the hysteria in a tangible way. For attempting to support rights for illegal immigrant students in my column two weeks ago, I was the subject of an hour-long tirade on Phil Valentine's radio show. I can't say I lost much sleep, though I didn't hear the broadcast, and Mr. Valentine has yet to respond to my request for a transcript. I presume he is too busy counting his money and figuring out new ways to piss people off. Judging from the accounts provided to me by friends, however, I am somewhat surprised no angry mobs have showed up at my doorstep with tar and feathers.
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