A Classic Double

Web surfing is extremely enlightening. The variety of opinions voiced in America is astounding. The width and breathe of ignorance being spouted is also overwhelming.

A columnist for the Chicago Tribune, John Kass, ranted about Tom DeLay and Bill Clinton. Not exactly a pair most people would lump into the same category. Mr. Kass delimitates between the behavior of the two men. He argues President Clinton’s elicit sex acts are impeachable offenses, while Mr. DeLay’s election tampering is pardonable. Our nation has sunk to a new moral low when trying to fix elections is not the most reprehensible crime in a democracy. If we were a totalitarian regime where only a single candidate is on the ballot maybe he would be correct.

Liberal racism and Condi Rice was an equally intriguing subject. Having never believed Ms. Rice was a capable foreign policy expert I wondered if this article spoke to me. Nope. Didn’t apply, and maybe more fortunately it contained little evidence and even less analytical thought. The blog’s author, a part-time contributor to the paragon of news virtue – Fox News Channel. She accused the “left” of hating it when a person of color rises in the world and has an intellect and independent thought. I will concur that Dr. Rice is an extremely intelligent woman, but not the right person to steer our national security and foreign policy. Most intriguing was the amount of hatred written on the site. Not thoughtful criticism, simply lowbrow name-calling. Additionally the site contains a link for even more through discussion of the topic by media darling Rush Limbaugh. Hate spews from the site prohibiting me from linking to the site.

Also there has been a spate of commentary on the Desperate Housewives opening to Monday Night Football. The opening was not only salacious, but also not in keeping with the nature of football. Thank God skimpy outfits worn by team cheerleaders are exempt from consideration. The NFL’s condemnation reeks of hypocrisy. You will here no complaints regarding the cheerleaders and how they help sell the NFL’s product, but instead righteous indignation when someone else does the same thing. Personally I enjoy both programs, and agree with Globe columnist Ellen Goodman. Her op-ed supporting the show was on target.

And speaking of hatred and anger have you seen any sports highlights? How about those Pacers? Frankly I think the game should have been pay-per-view. Admittedly the fights were mismatches but so to have been the recent bouts brought to America by Don King and others. Fans and players mixing it up, what provoked the incident? A hard foul, fan taunting and throw objects. Post incident interviews drew interesting comments from some players, stating they felt fans were disrespecting them. An interesting thought. Whenever someone talks “smack” about their opponent it is hard to look behind the words to find the motivation. When was the last time someone taunted the Expos? Growing up I never said a bad word about the repeatedly hapless Cubs. Losers don’t provoke anger. Winners motivate fans on both sides. It may be hard for athletes to accept, and even harder to understand during the heat of the moment, but generally there is an underlying respect and jealously behind even the most hateful words.

Moral ascendancy should have an impact upon the nation beyond the ballot box. Morals should extend into personal behavior. Morals should broaden to include public behavior. The religious leaders who preached from their pulpits about the repugnancy of gay marriage and abortion need to broaden their horizons. A return to roots of religion. Love and acceptance, tolerance and understanding must be preached. Hatred should be condemned not preached. Acceptance of intolerance and hate is a classic double standard that must be ended.

We must teach. Enlightenment will always champion over ignorance. Thoughtfully spoken and written words will eventually topple even the mightiest physical opponent. The whole nation needs to take a long hard look at itself and find the true center. A nation founded by those fleeing intolerance should not become one of intolerance