So Much for Tolerance

Sometimes, a Facebook meme sums up current events quite well and one citing a William F. Buckley, Jr. quote recently appeared in my news feed. While I’m fully aware that there are exceptions to everything and I try to be cautious in making generalizations about any identity group, far too many on the left are currently validating Mr. Buckley’s reflection.

“Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”

From the angry and violent protesting by students at UC-Berkeley regarding a controversial speaker, to the public deriding of Americans by Hollywood celebrities who find those who voted for President Trump for any reason to be beyond despicable, many conservatives find themselves hesitant to share their opinion with anyone outside their known comfort zone.

Conservatives grew accustomed to the name-calling during President Obama’s two terms, as every opposition to liberal policy was met with accusations of racism and bigotry, so you would think we would be immune to the insults by now. But I’m concerned that the element of hysteria we’re currently observing goes far beyond simply losing an election cycle.

The rule of law has long held our nation together and served as a model for other nations, but the loose application of law from the past administration has only emboldened those who see a world without borders or national sovereignty as well as our enemies who wish to dismantle and destroy America. Support of national security or the enforcement of current immigration law does not make one an extremist or a racist, but the mainstream media is certainly working overtime in trying to convince Americans otherwise.

Women are being ridiculed and vilified for their conservative views or any support of President Trump, most visibly on social media. Our own SGP Facebook page was attacked by liberals for our posting of opposing views of the recent Women’s March on Washington, and the language used in describing conservative women was so far removed from the definition of “tolerant” to be downright vile and disgusting.

It was an attempt to shut down conversation and debate, and actually led us to the formation of a private page where our members could discuss current issues without character attacks. The stories these women have shared regarding their personal lives since the election are disturbing – long-term friendships destroyed, families who no longer communicate, a grandmother denied access to her grandchild simply because she voted for Trump – so much for the tolerant left.

Unfortunately, the “tolerance” extends far beyond social media assaults on personal opinion. The orchestrated boycott attack on Ivanka Trump’s clothing brand simply because she is the daughter of a man the left despises displays an amazing level of hypocrisy from liberal women. Perhaps they fail to understand, or don’t choose to understand, that the market determines the success or failure of a business, not political rhetoric. What a shame that it appears the empowerment of women in the business sector as well as politics only applies to those who share the political philosophy of the left.

With the increasing evidence of significant financial funding of George Soros into these opposition movements intent on disrupting the implementation of any conservative policy and intimidating those who voted for a departure from the liberal agenda of the past eight years, we’re likely to see more fueling of the anger than less.

In no way do I deny that there are extremists within the ranks of the political right, but in my involvement in the political process, I’ve found that the majority in the conservative movement tend to disassociate with those who hold extreme views and we do a fairly decent job of calling out and policing our own.

But as far as the left is concerned and evidenced by the reaction to fear of events that have yet to materialize, their brand of radical is being fully embraced by the elitist powers that wish to further transform America, and that does not bode well for our Republic.

Marcia Chambliss serves on the leadership team of Smart Girl Politics, www.smartgirlpolitics.com, an online community for conservative women. She can be reached at: montgomerysmartgirls@gmail.com. Her views do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Smart Girl Politics.