S-T
10-19-2006, 05:50 AM
Republicans catch the Politically Correct virus (http://www.conservatibbs.com/2006/10/republicans-catch-politically-correct.html)
At one point a few years ago, I was told I was "slavishly" devoted to the speed limit on the road where I was driving. Traffic around me was moving significantly faster than the speed limit, and the criticism was that I was a traffic hazard because I was moving slower than everyone else. Was the criticism of my speed a racist remark?
At a political rally, Congressman Steny Hoyer criticized Democratic Senate candidate Ben Cardin's Republican opponent for "a career of slavishly supporting the Republican Party." The Republican, Michael Steele, is black. Hoyer was criticized for racially insensitive remarks. Frankly, I think Steele has more reason to be ashamed than Hoyer.
I highly doubt that Hoyer had any racial motivations behind his use of the word "slavishly". The institution of slavery was banned over 140 years ago after the Union won the War Between the States. At some point, we as a society need to get past those wounds if we ever expect to move forward as a nation.
I have on many occasions criticized race-baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for exploiting racial tensions for personal political gain. The way I see it, Steele is no better than Jackson or Sharpton for cynically using Hoyer's remarks to make himself a victim.
The fact that some far-Left Democrats shamelessly use race-baiting as a tool to win votes does not mean that Republicans are justified in doing the same thing. Instead of wallowing in the sewer with Jackson and Sharpton, Steele should have taken the high road. It is sad that he chose not to do so.
At one point a few years ago, I was told I was "slavishly" devoted to the speed limit on the road where I was driving. Traffic around me was moving significantly faster than the speed limit, and the criticism was that I was a traffic hazard because I was moving slower than everyone else. Was the criticism of my speed a racist remark?
At a political rally, Congressman Steny Hoyer criticized Democratic Senate candidate Ben Cardin's Republican opponent for "a career of slavishly supporting the Republican Party." The Republican, Michael Steele, is black. Hoyer was criticized for racially insensitive remarks. Frankly, I think Steele has more reason to be ashamed than Hoyer.
I highly doubt that Hoyer had any racial motivations behind his use of the word "slavishly". The institution of slavery was banned over 140 years ago after the Union won the War Between the States. At some point, we as a society need to get past those wounds if we ever expect to move forward as a nation.
I have on many occasions criticized race-baiters like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson for exploiting racial tensions for personal political gain. The way I see it, Steele is no better than Jackson or Sharpton for cynically using Hoyer's remarks to make himself a victim.
The fact that some far-Left Democrats shamelessly use race-baiting as a tool to win votes does not mean that Republicans are justified in doing the same thing. Instead of wallowing in the sewer with Jackson and Sharpton, Steele should have taken the high road. It is sad that he chose not to do so.