OPINION:
Sadly, this nation has descended further into an era of dysfunctionality, as evidenced by the non-judicious application of a double standard and a runaway news media intent on churning divisiveness. Two recent events highlight these aberrations from the norms of a democracy.
Recently, Rep. Steve King of Iowa was questioned why and how certain language became offensive. His intention was taken completely out of context, yet he was called a racist, lambasted in the news media and asked to resign. Shortly after, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York referred to the president as the “hater in the White House” and a “grand wizard.” He received no rebuke, limited media coverage and he was not asked to resign.
The ability of the media to inflame public opinion with misleading news reports was evidenced by the erroneous reporting of an event at which a group of Catholic high schoolers from Kentucky, wearing “Make America Great Again” hats, came to Washington to participate in a rally. There were counter-demonstrators and many videos were shot, but only one segment was shown over and over on news channels, as if to disparage one youngster who was smiling while obviously enjoying the drum playing of a Native American man. News reports made it seem as though the youngster was disparaging the “musician” and exhibiting racism. This seems to fit their paradigm that Trump supporters must always be demonized and the spectre of racism raised. The result: Catholic churches were attacked, the high school was closed for a day and the families of the students were harassed. Is this really America?
WARREN MANISON
Potomac, Md.
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