The politics of fear
A few weeks ago I was watching a bit of C-Span. Yes, I admit to being a bit of a political geek.
On this day there was a Congressman talking about some well publicized crimes that have occurred where children have been sexually attacked and killed. I share his indignation at these crimes. Who wouldn't be against such terrible evil?
Then I started asking questions about the motives of the Congressman. What real purpose do you have on the floor of Congress droning on about these terrible crimes? Could it be to play on the fears of people so that they might support your policies? Are you trying to make yourself look tough on crime by talking about these terrible cases and stirring up fear?
He was using the term sex offenders to identify the people who had committed these terrible crimes. Yes, they fit the definition of a sex offender. But, sex offender covers a vast array of offenses most of which do not come near the violence of the crimes the Congressman was talking about. Soliticing a prostitute might not be a good thing but it is far different sexual offense than the Congressman's examples.
I get upset when leaders use fear as a political tool to manipulate the sympathies of people. Throwing around terms like sex offender might play well in your home district but as a leader I expect you to more responsible in how you label people.
On this day there was a Congressman talking about some well publicized crimes that have occurred where children have been sexually attacked and killed. I share his indignation at these crimes. Who wouldn't be against such terrible evil?
Then I started asking questions about the motives of the Congressman. What real purpose do you have on the floor of Congress droning on about these terrible crimes? Could it be to play on the fears of people so that they might support your policies? Are you trying to make yourself look tough on crime by talking about these terrible cases and stirring up fear?
He was using the term sex offenders to identify the people who had committed these terrible crimes. Yes, they fit the definition of a sex offender. But, sex offender covers a vast array of offenses most of which do not come near the violence of the crimes the Congressman was talking about. Soliticing a prostitute might not be a good thing but it is far different sexual offense than the Congressman's examples.
I get upset when leaders use fear as a political tool to manipulate the sympathies of people. Throwing around terms like sex offender might play well in your home district but as a leader I expect you to more responsible in how you label people.
posted by Kevmo at 12:56 AM
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