James Zogby (TruthOut): Tancredo: "Stupid, Brazen, and Uncivilized"

[Jack Rabbit]

From TruthOut.com
Dated Tuesday August 2

Tancredo: "Stupid, Brazen, and Uncivilized"
By James Zogby

By even suggesting that Mecca could be bombed in retaliation for a terrorist attack, Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) has made the world a more dangerous place. He is not alone, of course. Ironically, the Congressman has plenty of company among those who, either because of the evil they do or the stupid things they say, have endangered us all.

Now, before I am attacked for establishing a moral equivalence between terrorist bombers and unthinking macho politicos, let me be clear: I know the difference. The sick malevolence that led to 9/11 (US), 7/7 (UK), and 7/23 (Egypt) is dramatically and immediately more evil than the lies that led the US and UK into Iraq or the hate-filled incitement practiced by religious extremists of all stripes. Right thinking innocents can reject and counter the latter, while we are all potential victims of the former.

At the same time, however, it would be wrong to ignore the ways the "evil doers" and the "stupid sayers" feed off each other. They both prey on fear and anger and contribute to exacerbating the fear and anger that exists on both sides of the ever widening divide. Both the "doers" and "sayers" operate with absolute certainty and a sense of moral superiority. And both commit their deeds and utter their threats not only convinced of their righteousness, but impervious to the damage they do.

Look at Tancredo's comments.

Read more.

[hiley]

1. Jack Rabbit

thanks I love James Zogby

[HamdenRice]

2. Is this the same Zogby as the polling company?

It's just interesting if so, because a member of the political class would be getting very truthful.

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Yes, it is

He's also a spokesman for Arab Americans.

[liberalpragmatist]

4. No - his brother

His John Zogby is the pollster. JAMES Zogby is the president of the Arab-American League (or whatever the organization is called).