Some of our most important shared values; assumptions guiding our every interaction with each other in society, have taken a real hit in recent weeks:
- Facts matter: an accusation leveled against anyone in any setting requires substantiation
- A person’s life, career and accomplishments count. They represent the body of evidence for his character.
- An individual’s protection against unjust accusation is truth.
While these have all been challenged subversively by Leftists over decades, the attack on these bedrocks became OVERT and EXPLICIT as America’s cultural war was perfectly encapsulated in the stunning battle over the SCOTUS confirmation.
Leftists now openly argue to replace American bedrock values with these:
- Feelings matter more than facts. Those who control “the narrative” can manipulate feelings. Facts are more difficult.
- An accomplished person is not an example to emulate but a target for ridicule, slander and topple. We don’t like “tall poppies.” Everyone should be the same.
- An individual’s protection against persecution is the favor of the political class. Curry our favor and we will protect you. Incur our wrath and we will crush you.
These are the values that drive our Leftist political opponents. We allow them to drive our society at the peril of all that is good and decent and American.
Our representatives should not have lent the legitimacy of a Congressional hearing to an accusation that was not only unsubstantiated, but so lacking in factual anchor that there is no reasonable expectation it ever could be substantiated.
To have staged a “he-said; she-said” between a literally baseless accusation and man on whom decades of FBI-verified records lay before you is an act not only of political malpractice but of willful rejection of reason.
We all get it –
It was done in fear-driven deference to the political forces of the extreme left. What you may not be aware of is the dawning realization among ordinary Americans of Leftism’s corrosive impact and plainly evil intent. A growing number of Americans of all political stripes get that too. Acquiescing to the mob-mentality was an error.
And having made that grave error, reversing it will need to be accompanied by purposeful renouncement of the flawed thinking (political fear) that provoked it and mindful affirmations of the American values that enlightened a course-correction.
Linsey Graham’s impassioned speech in committee Thursday set the example. He channeled the visceral revulsion of the vast majority when faced with the open and purposeful rejection of decency and fairness by people claiming to represent us.
From where you are, you may not be seeing the strength and depth of this revulsion among ordinary Americans as the Left reveals the frightening reality of its brand of politics. I urge you to ask your constituents.
This truly is a time for choosing, Senator. Your decision this next week will be your legacy and it is, as a matter of practical necessity, a binary decision.
Which side will you choose?
Lindsey Graham truly said it for all of us.
Never really thought badly of Lindsey Graham, was a bit too quiet. A bit too gentlemanly.
But provoked, he cut loose and let go with both barrels.
He got my attention
Frank