Jun 2, 2006

Whatever happened to shame?

Is there nothing a politician won't say? First we have George Galloway discussing, approvingly, the assassination of Tony Blair. Now NYS Comptroller Alan Hevesi is apologizing for his "beyond dumb" remark in which he imagined that Senator Chuck Schumer would "put a bullet between the president's eyes if he could get away with it." Again, this was a desired outcome. It's Mr. Hevesi's opinion that putting a bullet between the elected president's eyes is a good thing.

At one time, I'd like to think, such a remark would be considered so beyond the pale that Hevesi--an elected official--would be shamed into resigning. But we've moved beyond shame these days. Now actions have no consequences. It doesn't matter what a politician says or does.

These days, elected officials hit cops and then turn around and accuse the cops of inappropriate touching. If a public outcry ensues after misbehavior by an official, she plays the race card, or confesses to an addiction. And if someone says something he shouldn't: Issue a blanket apology or use the old standby of being quoted out of context.

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