Gary Hart: Words Have Consequences

[marmar]

from HuffPost:



Gradually, over time, political rhetoric used by politicians and the media has become more inflamatory. The degree to which violent words and phrases are considered commonplace is striking. Candidates are "targeted". An opponent is "in the crosshairs". Liberals have to be
"eliminated". Opponents are "enemies". This kind of language eminates largely from those who claim to defend American democracy against those who would destroy it, who are evil, and who want to "take away our freedoms".

Today we have seen the results of this rhetoric. Those with a megaphone, whether provided by public office or a media outlet, have responsibilities. They cannot avoid the consequences of their blatant efforts to inflame, anger, and outrage. We all know that there are unstable and potentially dangerous people among us. To repeatedly appeal to their basest instincts is to invite and welcome their predictable violence.

So long as we all tolerate this kind of irresponsible and dangerous rhetoric or, in the case of some commentators, treat it with delight, reward it, and consider it cute, so long will we place all those in public life, whom the provocateurs dislike, in the crosshairs of danger.

That this is carried out, and often rewarded, in the name of the Constitution, democratic rights and liberties, and patriotism is a mockery of all this nation claims to believe and almost all of us continue to struggle to preserve. America is better than this.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gary-hart/words-have-consequences_b_806250.html

[bluerum]

1. One two letter word can get you impeached if you are a democrat.

[jberryhill]

3. BJ?

[bluerum]

5. is

[jberryhill]

7. Great!

[Lint Head]

2. Politics kills.

[Qutzupalotl]

4. Sticks and stones, my ass.

K&R

[FourScore]

6. k/r

[PurityOfEssence]

8. If it hadn't been for the Democratic Party machine, he might have been elected President in 1984

The cynical coronation of Walter Mondale via the superdelegates was sheer stupidity. Reagan wasn't a shoe-in, and this man had a chance. Mondale was the worst kind of candidate to run against a smoothie like Reagan.

He threw his career away with an arrogant dare and his personal recklessness four years later, and this country has wasted his talents. Sadly, he's been more reclusive than he should have, too.

Great post, and may he keep standing up to the bully boys.