Auto da fe was the ritual act of abject admission of insolent and unforgiveable wrong required (on pain of yet "lingering sufferance"), of the already condemned by the Spanish Inquisition. Today's auto da fe, required of those found guilty of political incorrectness and "insensitivity", always summarily and by definition upon accusation, while not followed by strangulation or immolation anymore, is yet demanded of the blatantly unelect and is backed by the "assurance" of social, political and professional death. Commentator Megan Kelly, in her regrettable act of contrition for posing a half serious legitimate question on the limits of public humor (on "blackface", the mention of which by any other than the elect is "verboten" ), in this oh so peevish era, is the latest example. She has worked very hard for her position in her craft and cannot be gainsaid in her wish not to see her efforts wasted. It is the latter day profoundly and characteristically leftist Inquisition which is to blame for her apparent fears.
A long tenured and formidable Professor of Political Science at SUNY New Paltz, N.Y., a taxpayer supported "university" college which displays a nonetheless heartfelt contempt for that portion of the involuntarily taxpaying public which disagrees with its thoroughgoing far leftist biases, was recently driven to an extensive public statement of regret for having expressed the opinion that rap music had little influence on rural populations. The President of the college clucked that this "raised the spectre of 'racism' " ( whatever that term means after decades of misuse and misapplication). The Professor's shame filled missive, from one, who from decades of lauded scholarly and popular accomplishment had gained a reputation for principled and well asserted intellectual exposition, bore the marks of auto da fe. "Oh I have been so very blind" was the possibly disingenuous sense of it. Someone who has been for decades a willing member of a professional and social community does not easily surrender his place on pure principle; that's only human. A pox on those who may well have coerced his "confession".
Many more recent examples are available; what put me in mind of this is the left's reaction to the transmission of apparently explosive devices to many prominent leftists. The left is shocked! - so very shocked! - that it has come to this! It is of course, fully evident to and much to be wished for by them that it be attributed to one of the "hate filled" faction which supports the detested President Trump. Conspicuously ignored by them are their equivocal and disingenuous reactions to the shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise, the attempted bombing of the annual Cedar Creek, Va. Civil War reenactment last year, the violent opposition to conservative speakers on many "university" campuses (the administrations of which are shamefully intimidated by far leftist thugs) and the threats of "incivility" advanced by oh so proven Presidential Hillary. Remember the redoubtable Alec Baldwin urging the stoning of Ken Starr, the prosecutor of William Clinton for Clinton's having denied a U. S. citizen her day in court and redress for his obscene advances on her. Just imagine the actual sounds and sights of a stoning; there are people alive now who have beheld such a horror. What can be said of those who nominated, defended and excused the most debauched and blatantly physically criminal person ever to disgrace our White House? They maintain that President Trump is crude, do they? Why, they embrace an intense and reprehensible antipathy they think their due.
Auto da fe was and is incredible because it is coerced. Its time for a credible admission by the left of its reckless indulgence in pure hate and vindictiveness for all who venture to question it and of the fell effect this injustice and outrage has had on our political life. But I'm not holding my breath.
And oh yes: Barack Obama is understandably upset at these acts of terrorism.He seemed not to be concerned though about his good buddy William Ayers having tried to bomb the U. S. Capitol, which does host human beings. Ehhh, well, maybe he was a little bit mistaken on that, yes? I'm sure he meant well.Jack
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Yes, Jack, if you're looking for a course correction or an apology on the Left, you look in vain... There's a good article to be written on the Left's reliance on coercion and intimidation in this day and age. It's quite a journey from the early 60s, when progressivism sought to inspire and uplift. Impatience, I daresay, will be the undoing of the Left. In Kelly's case, though, it seems her days at NBC were already numbered. I agree that the reaction to her blackface comments was overwrought. Hopefully she'll land on her feet at a more congenial network.
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