From recent refrains that intellectual theft is acceptable to calls for the death of one's political opponent, it has never been clearer: there is nothing to distinguish American politics from that of any other nation. Indeed, it is no overstatement (in light of the goings-on at the 2016 Republican National Convention) to note that with each passing day America is more the "Land of the Hypocrites and Barbarians" and less a land of morals and values than ever before. All this, while the world sits back and laughs.
I am not, never have been, never will be and have no desire to be a person with any "political" influence. So my comments come from the standpoint of an observant citizen who has some rendering of common sense and basic decency. At the end of the day, I have no hidden agenda except the desire to live in a world where concepts like love, respect and peace abound, and where people do not actively seek to hurt others for any type of gain (including ego, power and money).
Given the above, I accept that it might cause me less grief to sit back, watch, and say nothing of my thoughts at this precarious moment in time. But I have learned that silence in the midst of wrong can be problematic in the long run; therefore, I am determined to use my voice before it is taken away from me. So, here goes...
Let me be clear: Plagiarism is deceitful. It is dishonest. It is unethical. And it is a type of cheating.
Because of plagiarism:
Dreams have been shattered.
Jobs have been lost.
Students have been expelled.
Reputations have been tarnished.
Opportunities have been squandered.
Trust has been crushed.
So, when former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich said: "Who cares [if Melania Trump] plagiarized]? She is stunningly attractive. She is stunningly articulate...", I need to tell him: "I care, Mr. Gingrich." After all, she is the potential First Lady of the United States.
Plagiarism is NOT okay. And it is not a wise or productive message to send to America's children, American citizens or citizens of the world that being attractive and articulate excuse deceit.
Being "stunningly attractive" does not preclude someone from being dishonest and unethical. And being "stunningly articulate" does not preclude someone from being a cheat or a thief. This kind of thinking and messaging usurps any sense of personal and national integrity.
And speaking of integrity, let me be clear: Calling for the death of political opponents because of ideological differences is pure evil. It is immoral. It is injurious. It is senseless. And in some cases, it is criminal.
It was bad enough that Michael Folk, a member of West Virginia's House of Delegates, tweeted that U.S. Presidential Candidate, former U.S. Senator, former Secretary of State and former First Lady Hillary Clinton should be "hung on the Mall in Washington, DC." But things only deteriorated a few days later when New Hampshire State Representative Al Baldasaro called for Mrs. Clinton to be "put in the firing line and shot for treason."
Mrs. Clinton is human.
She is a wife.
She is a mother.
She is a grandmother.
She has served this country as a national leader on more fronts than most Americans ever will.
She does not deserve to die or be threatened with death because of her political beliefs.
Maybe some Republican leaders (e.g., former Congressman Joe Walsh) became so comfortable with making implied threats against President Obama that they presumed it acceptable to state with more specificity their desired conclusion for Mrs. Clinton. However, this type of rhetoric must NOT be allowed in a so-called civil society. It is dangerous. It is alarming. It is terroristic. It is insane. Period.
And in case it has gone unnoticed by Folk and Baldasaro, we don't legally hang dogs in this country, let alone put them before a firing squad. Most of us humans consider that kind of behavior to be barbaric.
The kind of warped thinking that believes no one should "care" if we deceive, cheat, and steal is deplorable, especially in a so-called "leader." And the kind of warped messaging sent by those who randomly call for the death of others based on political differences is unacceptable in a nation that considers itself a world leader.
Let me close on this, in the United States of the 21st century, we cannot allow such base messaging and behavior to go unchallenged. Sure, we are not the "perfect" nation, but that does not mean we should not continue to strive to become the very best humanity has to offer. This means we should never presume that chants of "Lock her up" for someone found not guilty of criminal wrongdoing should be allowed to resonate with frenzied fanfare in the halls of a convention designed to propose our nation's next leader. This entire spectacle reeks of a mob mentality in an absurdly moral-less nation.
As an American citizen, I am embarrassed. The messaging and behavior emerging from America's current political arena is shameful. It is counter-productive. And it does not support a United States of America.
Dear God, what on earth are we teaching our children? And what kind of world are we crafting for their future?