I continue to play catch up after my return from vacation. In going through the old papers, I came upon Wednesday's PG. There on the front page was a picture of Sen. Arlen Specter at a town hall meeting in Lebanon, Pa., being a confronted by a man bellowing in rage and stabbing the air with an accusing finger.
Although the caption did not specifically say so, I assume he was a "conservative" - because uncivil behavior born of unthinking rage has become the preferred attitude of "conservatives" lately. In towns across America, the Joe the Plumber type has become Joe the Jerk. I put "conservative" in quote marks because -- naviely perhaps -- I think real conservatives might be appalled at the jerks operating in their name.
I am not much for jerks, although goodness knows I have played the part myself over the years, something I am not proud of. But these jerks have absolutely no shame. They are on a mission from the Almighty or Rush Limbaugh, And to think, all this rage because of a proposal to give all Americans health care.
The defenders of these jerks recall the recent time when liberals resisting George W. Bush would say that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. But that is something I have never said and have problems with. I think you can love your country without making a perfect ass of yourself, which these angry men and their consorts do very well.
Moreover, I do not remember liberals setting out to corrupt public discussion on anything like the scale that has been seen in recent days. Whatever one's politics, this ought to be considered an affront to public decency. Free speech isn't about ranting and raving and shouting someone else down. Of all people, conservatives with their perennial concern about values ought to recognise that.
Sen. Specter came into the Post-Gazette this morning to speak to the editorial board. He looked sort of beaten down, lacking his usual vitality. This is an observation, not a criticism. I would appear like that too after the bitter and potentially dangerous tongue lashing he has received. I reckon anyone would.
I asked him why he doesn't draw the line on the most flagrant perpetrators of hate, the people who have clearly crossed the line and aren't at the meeting to discuss issues but to intimidate. He had just told us that he has stopped one guy from being thrown out. I told him that perhaps the guy should have been thrown out if he couldn't behave himself.
He said he didn't want to do that. His pay scale required him to get out and listen to the people - a very noble attitude, but something he will get no credit for. In fact, as he admitted, the biggest jerks at the meetings are invited onto talk shows later. "I've created a whole string of talk show celebrities," he joked ruefully.
But it really isn't very funny. Tolerance should never become licence for intolerable behavior - because that only encourages more of the same. People should be allowed to be angry, sure, but if they can't control themselves, they ought to be made to leave the meeting for the benefit of those who can.
As if all this news of the social fabric being ripped apart for mean political gain wasn't bad and frightening enough, I read that Rick Santorum is going out to Iowa, perhaps to sniff out his presidential hopes. Of course! The ultimate divisive man for divisive times!
What did W.B. Yeats write about another Second Coming?
"And what rough beast, its hour come round at last
Slouches toward Bethlehem to be born?"
The sensible people of this great nation better start putting country first or we are in for more trouble than angry men can dream of.
Sorry, I hope to be be in a better mood on Monday. It's just that I go away for a few days and America goes mad.
Posted
Aug 14 2009, 06:51 PM
by
Reg Henry