Forces of intolerance ripping apart country
It’s not race.
And it’s not religion, gender, income inequality, or socio-economic standing.
The single-greatest threat to American peace and prosperity, and the number one reason that the gulf in this nation is as wide as it’s ever been, is the “mainstreaming” of double standards. Call it what you will - hypocrisy, inconsistency, unfairness - the result is the same: America is being ripped apart by the forces of intolerance in their unrelenting push for dual standards: Those that fit their agenda (when convenient), and those for everyone else.
The only thing worse than this purge of civility is the silent majority who, despite abhorring such actions, refuses to stand up and be counted.
On every issue this column tackles, from immigration to education to foreign affairs, solutions are always offered. But given that the intolerance is growing at breakneck speed, and the left one-ups itself on a weekly basis, there appears to be no way out of this situation - until someone is pushed too far. At that point, it is possible, and perhaps even probable, that America may experience another Civil War, in whatever form that may take, all because we’ve forgotten how to respect other’s opinions and disagree civilly.
Here’s a look at just a few recent double standards that have people fuming, yet are “done deals” with no repercussions:
1) At a rally for presidential candidate Joe Biden - who has been in lukewarm, if not hot, water over allegations that he touched multiple women inappropriately - a female supporter yelled, “You can hug and kiss me anytime, Joe!” According to NBC News, the “crowd roared in approval.”
So in the span of a few seconds, a Democratic woman, and thousands around her, completely obliterated much of the #MeToo movement and, in doing so, invalidated the genuine harassment so many women have endured. How ironic, since many Democrats politicized the #MeToo charge, and attempted to steamroll any Republican whom they viewed as a “harasser,” lack of evidence notwithstanding. So it was acceptable for them to destroy Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s reputation over unsubstantiated claims from three decades ago, and condemn anyone who didn’t automatically believe a woman over a man, but when it’s their favored politician on the hot seat, they not just look the other way, but openly joke about it and discredit his accusers. And the media is no different, as the women on “The View” gave Mr. Biden a free pass on his documentable offenses, when they excoriated Republicans for a whole lot less.
Too bad so few care about the value of looking in the mirror. Not calling out your own when they go off the reservation is a disservice to everyone - especially yourself.
2) Pennsylvania Democratic state Rep. Brian Sims videoed himself harassing peaceful prolife protestors in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic, including bullying young girls and elderly women.
Sure, there was outrage, but mostly from Republicans, as Mr. Sims’ party and his abortion constituency refused, for the most part, to call him out.
Should he resign, as some demand? Absolutely not, since the decision to remove an elected official should always remain with the people. And should charges be filed, as some suggest? Not a chance - and those advocating such are being the very “snowflakes” they so love to criticize.
But it’s the hypocrisy that is so alarming. Former Republican state Rep. Nick Miccarelli was effectively forced from office by advocacy groups and his own colleagues for sexual harassment allegations. Not only were those accusations unsubstantiated at the time, but they ultimately turned out to be nothing, as no legal action was ever taken. This author blasted those who condemned Mr. Miccarelli without affording him due process - including his own GOP leadership - but his fate was sealed. Yet in the case of Rep. Sims, where we have documentable evidence of egregious behavior, his actions were effectively condoned by the left, and he was given “political cover,” simply because he suited their agenda.
3) Liberal black actor Jussie Smollett was “prosecuted” - and that word is used very lightly - by a liberal black State’s Attorney for numerous crimes that would have, by virtually all accounts, resulted in a slamdunk conviction. But instead of justice, Mr. Smollett had all charges dropped - despite the prosecutor’s office stating that it believed he was guilty.
Does anyone really believe the result would have been the same had a conservative actor lied about being assaulted by black Obama supporters? Not a chance, as the book would have been (correctly) thrown at him.
But this isn’t just a political double standard, as most “average” blacks, had they lied to the police and made them engage in a massive and expensive wild goose chase, would have faced the music. The take-away “lesson” is that if you’re rich and famous, you get special treatment. And if not, too bad.
4) The principal at Sabold Elementary School in Springfield has stopped saying “God bless America” after the Pledge of Allegiance because a single person complained, and garnered the backing of a liberal organization that demanded the change. Rather than fighting the preposterous charge, the school district solicitor caved - while citing a wholly incorrect legal opinion - resulting in yet another tradition being scrapped.
Yet the left’s intolerance is highly selective. They have no problem burning the flag and eradicating “God Bless America” - despite Congress starting each session with a prayer, and “In God We Trust” being prominently featured on our currency, among countless other non-denominational references to God - but they don’t hesitate banning Columbus Day, Confederate monuments, the General Lee car from “The Dukes of Hazzard,” college mascots, tag in school, and even Valentine’s Day.
And locally, it’s the same. First, it was the statue of legendary Mayor Frank Rizzo being dumped from City Hall. Now the iconic statue of Kate Smith has been unceremoniously removed from by the Philadelphia Flyers, with Ms. Smith’s legacy forever tarnished with the “racist” label - all because one disgruntled individual was “offended.” It’s bad enough that the Flyers’ ownership displayed such cowardice and lack of backbone, but worse is that the storied life of Ms. Smith - from her patriotism selling war bonds to the incredible strides she made in mending race relations - is now relegated to the dustbin of history.
Rather than practicing restraint and tolerance, the left continues its march toward not just revising history, eliminating that which it doesn’t approve of from our history books.
5) When blacks are targeted by law enforcement simply because of their color, including the use of “stop and frisk,” the result is heightened animosity between that community and police. And no matter whether a white police officer shoots a black suspect, or a black suspect kills a white officer - as just happened, with the alleged perp smiling for the cameras - the immediate reaction should not be one that invokes “racism,” especially when facts are few. But far too often, police are immediately condemned by agenda-driven activists as being racist before even the slightest information is known. Playing the race card is never a winning hand, but it is increasingly the go-to tactic favored by the left - to the detriment of everyone.
Wittingly or not, leftists are “winning” because by protesting anything and everything, it is inevitable that some of their agenda will stick. And they are sophisticated enough to know that their opponents - not just the right, but most of Middle America - will either only whisper disdain at the water cooler, or express outrage for a few days before moving on with their jobs and lives. The result is the same: Their aggrievements - from banning “God bless America” to toppling statues - are catered to by weak, appeasing leaders who prefer hoisting the white flag rather than fighting back.
But as usually is the case, the extremists will push it too far. In doing so, they will awaken a sleeping giant tired of double standards being shoved down its throat. And at that point, we may be in for a war that will be anything but civil.