Crossing the Line

Tonight, I was wondering a fundamental philosophical question... What happens when you allow your principles to override your common sense?

Normally, this would seem like a rather strange thing to wonder about. One would like to think that principles and common sense would mutually coexist without contradiction. However, one honest look at the world around you, will prove that this isn't the case.

When stripped of all logical thought, and driven by pure emotion, even the most noble and worthy of causes become perverted and corrupt. It's easy (and often wonderful) to want to stand up for basic human rights... Even when you may not fully agree with the person/people you're defending. The problem is, where do you draw the line? (And a line must always be drawn.)

At what point, do you stop being a champion for liberty, and become the very thing you're opposing? There are several people and groups whom have crossed this line (,most without seemingly knowing it), and are now every bit as bad as the things they once fought against. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of them tend to be Liberal or Progressive in nature.

On its surface, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Liberalism. It's an ideology of high ideals, and strong moral principles. (Honestly, who can debate that rights and freedoms should be shared by all equally?) It uses emotion to humanize our laws and society, while forcing us to face issues we would often rather shy away from.

Liberalism gives a voice to those who would normally be ignored, and defends those who are typically forgotten or oppressed. But, what happens when the so-called downtrodden hold extremist views? Or, are only playing the victim for notoriety and disruption's sake? What happens when defending the rights of the individual (or a minority) damages and restricts the rights of the whole (or a greater majority)?

This is the tragic failure of the modern Progressive movement (and quite possibly, modern American society in general). Almost no one takes the time to look beyond their outrage, to uncover the truth, or the bigger picture.

Over fifty years ago, civil rights leaders marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr peacefully, to end segregation, and give everyone equal rights. Today, many of those surviving activists are promoting segregation and violence, by marching every time a young black drug dealer/thug is shot fighting with the police. You don't see or hear from them when a white thug/ criminal is shot. Where is their outrage when over 4,000 black people a year are murdered by other blacks in Chicago alone? Why are the "rights" of a criminal/suspect refusing to comply with the law, more important than those of the entire community around him? Why is it acceptable to protest and riot with slogans like "Black Lives Matter", yet it's deemed racist to say "All Lives Matter" (and beyond unspeakable to declare "White Lives Matter")?

Another prime example of crossing the line... Recently, I read a story about a man who drives through a small town every day to get to his job. He's an atheist and became offended when the town put up a cross and nativity scene on the courthouse lawn. He got the ACLU to sue the town into removing the Christmas display, even though he didn't even live there.

Now, I'm sorry he got offended, and I hate that he felt as though religion was being forced upon him. But, what about the actual 40,000 or so citizens of the town? I mean, they live there for crying out loud, shouldn't they have a voice in this? What bout their freedoms of speech, expression and religion? Why are the feelings of one man (who isn't even a resident) more important than those of tens of thousands?

Go ahead, tell me he isn't the only one who feels that way on the issue. I'll agree with you, then show you that for every one who thinks the way he (and the ACLU) does, there are millions more who disagree.

It's time to wake up, and start thinking with our heads, rather than our bleeding hearts. Common sense isn't dead... it's just on life support. Don't help them to pull the plug.

Update

It's been awhile since my last post, and a lot has happened both nationally, and personally. I will attempt to post more whenever I can, however count on infrequent entries, as I may not always have the time.