Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Adults weaponized the Parkland kids, who will ‘lead’ only so long as they’re useful.

David Hogg Isn’t a Bully, His Adult Allies Are


"Let’s begin by stating the obvious. There is not a single American corporation, media entity, or adult activist who actually takes direction from David Hogg or any other Parkland victim. Every single thing they do in response to Hogg’s public comments is done willingly — gleefully, even — because Hogg is their tool. He’s their sword and their shield. He is their excuse for doing exactly what they want to do.
By now we know how this pitiful game works. Hogg, egged on by cheering adults, says vicious, cruel, and often false things about their political opponents, and they cheer all the louder. They love it. They quite obviously can’t get enough of it. In this way, Hogg is an expression of the liberal id, a person who “destroys” the opposition in ways that are far more savage and intended far more personally than anything you’ll see from late-night television.
. . . 
"So, here we are, once again. While advertisers of course have every legal right to boycott, the response to offensive speech in the marketplace of ideas isn’t better speech but rather an effort to use raw economic power to punish your political enemies. Transgress one of the ever-shifting lines of public discourse (even if you apologize), and you’re instantly fighting for your job.
"Hogg isn’t the bully here. His powerful adult allies are. They built this culture. This is the culture of the progressive corporate boardroom, the progressive academy, and all too many sectors of media and the arts. In this culture, Hogg is a weapon to wield so long as he’s useful. He’s the latest in a long line of victims/activists who spend their time as the “face” of an immense movement, pushed forward by the media until that moment when the news cycle moves on, other victims emerge, and other outrages inflame the masses." . . .
. . . "Apart from hardcore political junkies, no one’s paying any attention to the Ingraham boycott or which companies are participating. The only exposure most people have probably had to this story is seeing a headline somewhere that Ingraham made fun of Hogg over his college rejections, which is a bad story even if it notes her apology but not so bad that her show will remain forever toxic to corporate America. No surprise Fox is sticking with her." . . .

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