Left hurts its cause with insensitive rhetoric about John McCain
By Yvonne C. Claes
What I have always found inspiring about the Progressive movement, which has surged since the presidential run of Bernie Sanders, is the compassion demonstrated by its rank and file.
But lately, a callousness has crept into the movement that I find disturbing and fear will undermine efforts for social change.
We can win hearts and minds by speaking truth to power, boldly and loudly. Politics, after all, is not for the meek. Those of us who realize the American people are being played by those in power have an obligation to inform indoctrinated voters of this reality.
But we sabotage ourselves and forfeit credibility when we include an invective, such as wishing for the death of another human being. Such was the case in a July 17 blog post titled “Please Just Fucking Die Already” by columnist Caitlin Johnstone.
She began by writing, “Checkmate, theists. If you’re waiting for the part where I say I’m just kidding and would never wish death on anybody, please allow me to make myself clear: I sincerely, genuinely hope that Arizona Senator John McCain’s heart stops beating, and that he is subsequently declared dead by qualified medical professionals very soon. I don’t wish him a painful death, I don’t wish him a slow death, I don’t wish him an unnatural or violent death; I only wish that he becomes incapable of facilitating the merciless slaughter of any more human beings.”
Johnstone later in her column noted that she’d be OK with McCain simply retiring. Her initial public wish is one step closer to reality. McCain, 80, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Before I continue, let me include a disclaimer: I am a fan of Johnstone’s writing and passion. She has done a lot of good, particularly in exposing our leaders’ penchant for starting wars, siding with terrorists and killing civilians of other countries. She is a much needed voice in a society dominated by corporate media propaganda that has indoctrinated many and informed few.
But publicly wishing someone dead is inexcusable. Besides, that kind of inflammatory rhetoric distracts from the message. A writer’s arguments— no matter how valid — will be lost when couched in such language.
Case in point: the (admittedly vapid) hosts of The View, who criticized Nevada Republican National Committee member Diana Orrock for re-tweeting Johnstone’s article with the comment “amen.” Orrock quickly apologized for the re-tweet.
The hosts, predictably, did not mention one word about McCain’s hawkish history, which was the point of Johnstone’s article.
Now I fully expect her followers to decry me as some watered-down do-gooder or supporter of the neocon agenda. And those statements would prove my thesis: Our political discourse has become so unhinged that urging civility equals proof you’re some kind of shill.
I’ve already been accused of being jealous of Johnstone’s large following. First off, I am a fan of her writing. Second, I don’t post nearly as much as she does, partly due to depression that has made even getting dressed a chore. This accusation affirms my contention that we, Progressives, are losing our way and can’t take constructive criticism without personally attacking the messenger.
What a despicable lot some of us have become.
Additionally, this kind of absolute thinking plays right into the oligarchs’ strategic plan of divide and conquer. We’ll never accomplish anything positive for the people if we aren’t somewhat united.
And we will never be able to effectively counter mainstream media lies when people are so put off by callous rhetoric. We can and should do better.
But that’s not to say that political commentary should only include affirming language. You won’t find references to rainbows, puppy dogs, and unicorns in my columns. Fuck that.
I am passionate about Progressive initiatives — single-payer healthcare, free college tuition at public colleges, Social Security expansion, $15/hour minimum wage, etc. As a result, I use salty language in my writing, and if that offends someone, that’s OK. Click the next article. However, swearing and wishing for someone to depart this earthly realm are two completely different things.
Now, I admit. I’m torn when it comes to McCain. I loathe his propensity to vote for military interventions, but I also respect that he served as a Navy fighter pilot and was a prisoner of war who underwent torture by the North Vietnamese for more than five years, three and a half of which he spent in solitary confinement. (Some will argue he was a traitor during the Vietnam War. They would be missing the point of this column).
Of course, I’m reassured by some who can draw distinctions between wishing someone dead and not crying at that person’s death. Likewise, I can and do appreciate the irony and unfairness of McCain having the best medical care money can buy, yet he refuses to support single-payer healthcare which would provide Americans comparable coverage and save the lives of countless cancer patients — and others with life-threatening illnesses — per year.
It’s reprehensible that some lives in this country are considered more important than others, and that needs to change. The statistics don’t lie: This year, nearly 17,000 people will die due to a primary malignant and central nervous system brain tumor. And I suspect many of those deaths will occur because people couldn’t afford a regular medical checkup or the treatment necessary to aggressively fight the disease.
But acknowledging the discrepancy and working to change it are very different from hoping someone dies. This subtly has been lost on some. I’ve already been called a troll on social media and told I’m naive and need to fuck off.
But I anticipate worse. Something along the lines of, “Hitler was a human being, you anti-Semite.” These leaps in logic are maddening and more common lately. McCain is no Hitler. Let’s keep things in perspective.
To expect such comments is not far-fetched, judging by social media posts reacting to the news the Arizona lawmaker has cancer.
“I hope he dies a slow and painful death,” one Facebook poster commented. Another wished McCain a “dirt nap.”
I disagree with these sentiments and fervently hope we can recover our humanity during these pathetic political times.
I also hope that McCain recovers and has an epiphany: All Americans deserve quality healthcare regardless of employment and economic status. He would be a powerful voice for single payer if he realized that the inequity inherent in a for-profit healthcare system is literally killing people.
If only.
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©Yvonne C. Claes, 2017. I own this content that I created. You can share it, but please make sure my name is left on it. However, if you would like to license this article, please contact me or deal with my copyright attorney. Your choice.
