None Dare Call it Racism
The tone and volume of what passes for political or social discourse these days (and, largely, at least since the early days of the Clinton presidency) suggests plain, old-fashioned intolerance, reactionary and self-centered priorities, and bigotry in all its forms, not merely racial. The scandal is not that it is out there, but the extent to which those with their own personal agendas abet and encourage its proliferation without blunt and aggressive challenge from American conservatives (that is to say, those with an abiding devotion to democratic principles). With Mr. Obama's election, however, the facade of false civility and respectful debate is finally stripped away, exposing these parasites for what they really are: 21st Century, home-grown Brown Shirts. One heard a great deal of bleating and chest pounding about "American values and traditions" during last weekend's million mad-man march. What strikes me as noteworthy -- but, into which I, perhaps, read too much -- is the subtle turn of the phrase. That is to say: "American" has replaced "democratic" as the lead-in to "values and traditions". It may be hyper-sensitive parsing, but I suggest that the angry mob and its cheerleader enablers have dropped all pretense of adherence to, or promotion of, democratic values and traditions. Their conduct and speech betray what is becoming increasingly apparent: these are decidedly not people who are interested in preserving, let alone promoting democracy in any form. As a result, for the first time since the late sixties it is possible to imagine that the Union may, indeed, be at risk.
