PUBLIC VIEWPOINT

Who Are You Calling A Thug?

In the name of freedom of speech, is it OK to call people with whom you disagree “thugs?” This language is cropping up again with distressing frequency in writings from the political fringes. I admired former President Bush (No. 1) when he publicly resigned from the NRA in the mid-90’s over this issue.

Leadership in the NRA had taken to referring to Federal Law Enforcement as “government thugs.”

Now, we have someone currently being censured by his party for similar oftensive language. He is quoted as expressingsentiments about “shooting some Benton County lawmakers who have betrayed us by voting the wrong way.” The party asked for the resignation of him and his wife.

Good!

When called on the carpet about it, he is quoted as saying he “still believed if the thugs run the government, none of us can benefi t.” How’s that again? My state representative, after struggling with the issue, voted against my wishes. I thought he was a good guy, but now I see he’s a “thug.”

This is an ugly word.

Look it up. A “thug” is aruffan, a tough, a hooligan, a hired goon operating outside the law. You may be frustrated with the growth of government, or the actions of government agents, but they are not thugs from the Mafi a. You helped elect your state legislators, and now you want to call them thugs because you didn’t get your way?

Making reasonable law is a diff cult business. Ask any new lawmaker who went to Little Rock to get his agenda accomplished.

He soon learned that reality is more complicated than abstract principle, and others have something tosay also. He comes back to his district sadder but wiser. A little respect, please!

As we walk along life’s political landscape, we chose the groups we want to walk along with. I may agree fervently with some your principles, but don’t expect me to walk beside you if you use such language. Normally I love to deplore the concept of “political correctness,” but in this case I’ll make an exception. Words have meaning, and words have consequences.

MILTON JONES

West Fork

Opinion, Pages 5 on 04/27/2013

Upcoming Events