Must not speak ill of Leftist politicians????

Maybe I am missing something because I am not American but I cannot understand Taranto's current column at all. Taranto is much given to subtle humor so maybe I am simply missing the satire but to me he sounds completely serious in saying that GOP voters must not mention Obama's middle name or call him a "socialist", a "terrorist" or a "liar". To do so is "hate" and makes one a member of the "Angry Right" -- according to Taranto -- and damages McCain's chances of being elected.

I am quite dumbfounded. There is practically NO accusation that the Left of American politics do not routinely hurl at conservatives. Why must conservatives be held to an enormously higher standard of behavior? And that Obama's second name is "Hussein", that he is a socialist and a liar are simply the plain truth. Is even the truth banned if it is "negative"?

Not long ago Australia had a Leftist Prime Minister (Keating) who would often describe opponents as a "piece of slime" and the like so maybe Australan politics are simply more robust than American politics but when I think of the encyclopedia of abuse and accusation that has been hurled at the mild and moderate G.W. Bush by just about everyone to the Left of him, I find that hard to believe.

My take is that conservatives have been too polite for too long and that the Left are overdue for a taste of their own medicine. And I don't believe the Leftist claims that they are "shocked" or "scared" by the hostility to Obama. Such claims are just another attempt to suppress criticism.

Trying to muzzle criticism is of course routine for the Left but for someone like Taranto to assist in that is truly deplorable.

Rick Moran has some thoughts similar to mine.


Posted by John Ray.