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TechnographColumn:The politics of beligerence
By John Bambenek
Posted: 3/15/06 Section: Opinions
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Herman condemns hate speech against Muslims. He outright declares war on hate speech against Jews. But in his repeated silence on this issue, he tacitly condones hate speech against Christians. The Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort, supposedly a group against hate but known more for its anti-Semitic ramblings, doesn't have a problem with a "critical view" on Christians. AWARE, like many others, isn't against hate speech or war, they just want to make sure the right people are on the business end of them.
If someone started sending messages to gay groups saying "I'll burn down your f-ing houses," it would be front-page news for a month. When a gay activist sends a message to the Illinois Family Institute saying he'll "burn everyone one of your f-ing churches down," hardly a peep is heard in the press. It is unclear if DuPage County will actually charge this activist with a hate crime. The term "hate crime," as we know, is used to distinguish between violent crimes that are motivated by benevolence. Statistically speaking, violent crimes against white people, men, or religious Christians are rarely motivated by hate, if the criminal charges are any indication.
What Monaghan is trying to do is actually respect the differences of others in this society. Instead of trying to "legislate morality" he is creating his own town so like-minded people can live as they choose to live. It is not a top-down control structure being formed, but an organic bottom-up organization of people who wish to assert their values. It isn't Monaghan creating towns like this, it's Eric Naing and his like-minded demagogues who refuse to acknowledge that the right of free expression, free religion, and free speech does, in fact, allow for a conservative religious argument and lifestyle.
The belligerent minority should remember one fact, they are in the minority. There will come a point that the tolerance of their brainless antics will come to an end.
John Bambenek is a graduate student and academic professional at the University. Taking two hours to eat a stick of butter does not a man make. His column appears on Wednesdays. He can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com.
If someone started sending messages to gay groups saying "I'll burn down your f-ing houses," it would be front-page news for a month. When a gay activist sends a message to the Illinois Family Institute saying he'll "burn everyone one of your f-ing churches down," hardly a peep is heard in the press. It is unclear if DuPage County will actually charge this activist with a hate crime. The term "hate crime," as we know, is used to distinguish between violent crimes that are motivated by benevolence. Statistically speaking, violent crimes against white people, men, or religious Christians are rarely motivated by hate, if the criminal charges are any indication.
What Monaghan is trying to do is actually respect the differences of others in this society. Instead of trying to "legislate morality" he is creating his own town so like-minded people can live as they choose to live. It is not a top-down control structure being formed, but an organic bottom-up organization of people who wish to assert their values. It isn't Monaghan creating towns like this, it's Eric Naing and his like-minded demagogues who refuse to acknowledge that the right of free expression, free religion, and free speech does, in fact, allow for a conservative religious argument and lifestyle.
The belligerent minority should remember one fact, they are in the minority. There will come a point that the tolerance of their brainless antics will come to an end.
John Bambenek is a graduate student and academic professional at the University. Taking two hours to eat a stick of butter does not a man make. His column appears on Wednesdays. He can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com.
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