I’ve taken some heat for a comment I made in Joe Gandelman’s article entitled “The Demonization Of Obama Escalates While GOP Congressional Leaders Drag Their Heels“. Here is the comment I made:
I figured this would happen after Republicans and Conservatives endured 8 years of hyper toxic language from the Left concerning former President Bush. Even if President Obama succeeds with a more bi-partisan way of governing, that doesn’t mean THE PUBLIC will. An eye for an eye indeed….
Let’s get something deadly straight here, I….AM….NOT….A….PARTISAN. I’ve never been one. Yet I’ve seen Liberals and Conservatives fire toxic verbal barrages at each other with flair and happiness. And Democrats and Liberals, if you think the terrible and disgusting language that some of you used to describe former President George W. Bush Jr’s personal traits, way of speaking, demeanor, and executive decisions were warranted, then shut up when some Republicans and Conservatives fling it right back at you. Because in partisan politics, it is an eye for an eye.
For the record, I can’t stand hyper toxic rhetoric in politics. It inflames people and frequently causes and equally hyper toxic response. We’re human and, in words, many of us are more lethal than piranhas in bloody water. As far as former President Bush goes, I feel he did the best he could under the circumstances but that doesn’t mean I just pooh-pooh his mistakes. He’s made a substantial amount. But I respect the man for his service in a job that’s beyond tough. So when I heard and saw some in the Left in blogs and on the radio basically equate Bush with everything bad under the Sun, I winced hard. Because I knew that when Democrats and Liberals got their guy or gal in the Big Chair, the Right was going to “give it” right back and hard. Why? As I said before, in partisan politics, it is an eye for an eye. Am I just picking on the Left? Please. I know what the Right said and did to former President Clinton. I’m not stupid. The back-and-forth is as American as apple pie.
I sincerely hope that President Obama, Congressional Democrats, and Congressional Republicans can put their heads together, quash partisanship some, and come up with some solid initiatives for the USA. Maybe they can work together in a more positive way. Maybe. And maybe their example will trickle down to those of us outside the Beltway. Maybe. And maybe those of us outside the Beltway who feel that we must apply the very worst (I emphasize very worst) to our elected leaders simply because they are “out there in the public eye and I don’t like them or don’t like their policy and I’m going to let them have it” will chill a little. Maybe.
But until all those maybes are resolved, it’s business as usual. An eye for an eye. Hyper toxic rhetoric. And America keeps rolling along with plenty of bumps in the road.
I’m not complex. Don’t have time for all that. And all that complex stuff bad for the stomach. Just color me simple and plain with a twist.