This seems like a series of fairly simple questions:
If one is advocating for an issue but must resort to deceit if not outright lying to persuade others, what does that say about the merits of the argument to begin with? And just what are we to make of such a person who finds those tactics acceptable?
If a principle or belief can only be supported by hypocrisy and/or harm to others, might a re-think of objectives be called for?
If the efforts to persuade mandate that if facts must be disclosed then only certain ones are allowed—after they are carefully massaged so as to conceal the genuine motives and outcomes—and that the recipients are instead to remain angered, agitated, or otherwise distracted from the underlying truths, by what rationale is this an appropriate demonstration of leadership or democracy, or even basic persuasion?
By any standards of decency, honesty, and equity, what possible justifications can be offered for behaviors and motivations so contrary to the principles of democracy which those same perpetrators profess to revere?
Too often these days, I find myself asking these or similar questions when I learn of actions so completely disconnected from those principles and standards, yet uttered with perfect sincerity as a demonstration of patriotism and constitutional support. Madness!
One such set of actions was clearly evident in the efforts of anti-gay bigots as described in a wonderful—but disturbing—account by Kirsten Powers of the misleading, disingenuous, and fabricated rationales, denials, and claims surrounding the appalling attempt in the neanderthal world of Arizona politics to amend that state’s statutes to allow businesses to discriminate against gays.
What kind of Deity are these idiots worshipping if their tactics and justifications are acceptable to it? Is there an end-point for mindless discrimination which, like most other variations, is nothing but a combination of fear and ignorance? God forbid this Deity should decide that idiot homophobes and racists are the new targets!
What does it say about this nation when so much effort and energy is wasted on bigotry and ignorance? Don’t we have at least a couple of other issues to contend with that might be just a bit more pressing? And if these are the Big Issues for their deity of choice, perhaps they might inquire if a better and grander version might be available?
Attempts to downplay the clear intent of the (thankfully failed) legislation—which would have permitted business owners to discriminate, thus affording them a legal defense should their conduct be challenged in court—would be Monty-Pythonesque absurd were it not for the absolute cluelessness the law’s backers demonstrated in attempting to defend the bill.
Ms. Powers’ descriptions and elicited quotes are a smorgasbord of indefensible nonsense from a collection of individuals obviously too socially-ignorant to realize the depths of their perverse ideological underpinnings.
In that article, Floyd Abrams, renowned for his expertise in First Amendment controversies, offered his assessment of that proposed bill:
‘The real issue is whether the statute was drafted to afford more protection for those who discriminate or those who are the victims of discrimination. There can be no doubt that the former is true.
‘There is no doubt that, if adopted, the Arizona legislation would have made it easier for those who engage in discrimination to seek to avoid penalties for doing so. That was the only purpose of the statute, not the resolution of some arcane statutory ambiguities—as the letter [from a group of law professors supporting the bill] states.’
How nice! What offensive or illegal behavior can we expect similar legislation for?
What may be the most twisted aspect of this sordid right-wing attempt to legislate more of their hatred and ignorance is that they base these efforts on the supposedly-principled notion that they are attempting to restore the ideals and values of traditional America from whatever demographic offends their sensibilities in the moment. What they are also too ignorant to realize is that their own efforts are the actions threatening the values our country was built upon.
I don’t hold out much hope that those narrow-minded bigots will see whatever Light they presumably follow any time soon. The hope is that more decent, compassionate, intelligent Americans will see their actions for what they are: small-minded bigotry and ignorance masquerading as Christian ethics and patriotism.
Sooner would be better. We have real problems to deal with.
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