Western civilization falls when the Charlie Hebdo attack inspired explanation and not outrage at the absolute horror and viciousness of the attack. It crumbled when the ACLU along with book sellers apologize and object to the book, Irreversible Damage by Shirer. This is not one man's attack against an author, but a society erasing the violence of the attack starting with the blandness of NYT printing that there is no idea of the attackers motivation. Je suis Charlie, et Rushdie, et ....
I won't say "Western civilization" has fallen. I'd say that we have tolerated a deviation from our basic norms in the name of "social justice" and this is the outcome. And the basic norm is this: Tolerance is our greatest strength, and tolerance applies to everyone equally. Some people are not more equal than others, and some people's opinions are not more valid than others. If you don't like an opinion, argue with it or walk away, but don't expect it to be silenced.
A most horrible part is that the illiberal, hard left is walking the same path walked by Hilter, Mao, Lenin, Xi and the other deluded totalitarians responsible for 100+ million deaths in the 20th century. I hope we are not next.
I agree with you in part. The illiberal, hard left is exactly as you describe, but they would not have the power they have if their antics were not useful to, at the very least, the power players of the Democrat Party and given cover and excused by the mainstream of that party and their media lackeys as a means to the end of maintaining their hold on the reins.
Great piece. The horror of Salman's stabbing brought home how far our western civilization has fallen from the ideals that made it great.
Western civilization falls when the Charlie Hebdo attack inspired explanation and not outrage at the absolute horror and viciousness of the attack. It crumbled when the ACLU along with book sellers apologize and object to the book, Irreversible Damage by Shirer. This is not one man's attack against an author, but a society erasing the violence of the attack starting with the blandness of NYT printing that there is no idea of the attackers motivation. Je suis Charlie, et Rushdie, et ....
Done largely by our home grown saboteurs.
This will not cease until the left pays a price and feels genuine fear.
Sorry this sounds harsh but I believe there is no other way.
I won't say "Western civilization" has fallen. I'd say that we have tolerated a deviation from our basic norms in the name of "social justice" and this is the outcome. And the basic norm is this: Tolerance is our greatest strength, and tolerance applies to everyone equally. Some people are not more equal than others, and some people's opinions are not more valid than others. If you don't like an opinion, argue with it or walk away, but don't expect it to be silenced.
Such an important and well-stated point - thank you!
A most horrible part is that the illiberal, hard left is walking the same path walked by Hilter, Mao, Lenin, Xi and the other deluded totalitarians responsible for 100+ million deaths in the 20th century. I hope we are not next.
Please God not
I agree with you in part. The illiberal, hard left is exactly as you describe, but they would not have the power they have if their antics were not useful to, at the very least, the power players of the Democrat Party and given cover and excused by the mainstream of that party and their media lackeys as a means to the end of maintaining their hold on the reins.
Yeah, I agree. It’s complicated and I don’t understand it.