Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Playing politics with the Holocaust museum murder
For some reason I can’t get the murder at the Holocaust Museum out of my system. Killing in a place of learning is so out of bounds that it makes me reconsider my death penalty stance (even in this case I’m against it). However, now that the crime has become a political football, I would like to head to the hills with my books and Billie Holiday records and talk to no one.
People on either side of the aisle are now going through political contortions to describe James W. von Brunn as either a righty or lefty. Meh. Meh. Meh. One more time for emphasis. Meh.
One of the reasons American political culture is a tad bit crappy is our consistent attempt to score political points for our side, no matter the incident. Instead of simply describing him for what he is, a racist nut job, in a time of spin and the 24 hour news cycle, we pin von Brunn on our political opponents. Can’t get that talking head gig but simply saying he represents the crazy few. That’s not edgy enough!
This political hatchet game is useless but we play because it’s hard to believe that people on the other side of the debate are actually fair minded, and come to their political conclusions with the same passion and thought. Much better to act like your political opponent is beyond the pale and stew in some self righteous juice, preaching to a choir that simmers in the same broth.
We’ve forgotten there is such a thing as honest disagreement on the important issues of the day. Does it mean we should keep silent and not argue our points. No. No. It does mean a case of murder should not be turned into some stinking talking point so a pol you like wins the next election.
Yeah it’s too bad Hitler himself couldn’t have written this article.
James – your hate for white people is shameful. Own up to it and make amends.
There is a line on the main page, which seems to have disappeared from your actual piece: “Making political points out of tragedy is a game for losers.”
Weren’t violoent acts like the Birmingham Church bombing, the murder of Medgar Evers, and other incidents of white-racist terrorism (e.g. lynchings) used as powerful political symbols in the Civil Rights struggle?
Were people “losers” back then for “[m]aking political points out of tragedy”? Where stood your “honest disagreement” back then?
What you deride as a “political hatchet game” is in my book just holding up a mirror to show the American Right how ugly and hateful they have become (or never stopped being).
James, with all due respect, it was Rush Limbaugh, who started the politicizing of this tragic event.
He clearly stated that it was the people on the left that encouraged this maniac, and proceeded to list all the ways that the lefties were responsible.
The Holocaust Memorial Museum, compels us to remember the power hatred, 6.000.000 Jews Gypsies,Pole’s and Gay people were slaughtered.
One fact most people are never made aware of is, after liberating the Jews from the concentration camps, we, rearrested the Gay people and put them back in the camps.
I’m in total agreement with your position on this, the museum is a place hopefully, for our enlightenment, not for political gain.
I don’t always appreciate the perspective you take, Mr. Withers, however, I do like that you make points without denigrating other people most of the time.
Perhaps Eddie in LA can learn from your example in that way.
Ah, Withers, the lone voice of reason on 365gay! For whatever it’s worth, thank you for discussing issues that are not strictly, by definition, ‘gay’ issues. This kind of thing really does affect us all, and for one of the reasons you mentioned: political points. Also, there’s a racial element to this incident that simply cannot be ignored (as much as everyone else would apparently like to).
When Eric Holder gave his speech on race a few months ago, everyone I knew was offended. I wasn’t because I understood what he was saying: we segregate ourselves as much as we are ostracized from other groups, and we also refuse to acknowledge all the bad and uncomfortable feelings that come along with being who we are. By refusing to open up a dialogue with our peers or opponents, we are essentially feeding the negative feelings and ideas of everyone involved. When we don’t simply talk about things, we are more inclined to use guns and other weapons to do our talking for us. Or be spoken to by a gun or weapon.
This paragraph should be immortalized in some way: “This political hatchet game is useless but we play because it’s hard to believe that people on the other side of the debate are actually fair minded, and come to their political conclusions with the same passion and thought. Much better to act like your political opponent is beyond the pale and stew in some self righteous juice, preaching to a choir that simmers in the same broth.”
I think your point was made by the last comment here by Bruce. (By the way, Bruce, you need to open your mind a LOT!) It’s so easy for us all to posture about what we’d do if we were elected officials simply because we are not. It is easy for us to posture about how we would change the world if we were in positions of authority simply because we are not. No, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t stand up and argue our points. All it means is that we should argue our points honestly, with integrity, and with respect to the views of the opposition.
Hate begets hate, violence begets violence, terrorism begets terrorism.
Geography does not make a crime more note worthy.
This is a murder …. the motive is of no consequence…and murder is wrong.
To dwell on the location is pointless!!!
Eddie in LA Said:
He published an article right after the passage of prop 8 and excused the black vote in favor of it by claiming white gay people are racists.
When someone judges me by the color of my skin, I call him out for being the racist that he is.
==========
If you’re going to throw an accusation like that out there, back it up. Link the piece where he did that.
Otherwise sit down and shut up because the murder in that museum has NOTHING to do with the bullsh** you’re talking.
He published an article right after the passage of prop 8 and excused the black vote in favor of it by claiming white gay people are racists.
When someone judges me by the color of my skin, I call him out for being the racist that he is.
He was an old right wing nut. It was a tragedy. There are laws that try to protect the public. But you miss the point, Mr. Withers. Senseless violence is so much a part of urban Americana. It would be wrong to head to the hills just because of this one, no matter how much publicized. The media have their own agenda. It was very sad… but: where ever you live: Pick up a local newspaper lately? Tragedy abounds. Sometimes we can get numb to it. But, We need to stop the violence, who ever does it.
@Eddie,
How did you get that James Withers, hates white people and especially white gays? Sounds like you’re trying to bash black men and black gays.
Please go to college before you start writing your opinions, because they seem very insignificant, and racist.
Eddie in LA: what do your comments have to do with this article? Find your own hateful forum and take on James Withers there. You’re wasting space.
I wonder what Louis Farrakahn thinks about it?
James you’re one of the most racist people I’ve ever read. You have no room to speak on any issue dealing with race.
You hate white people, especially, white gay people.