Read other letters about this article

• Saturday, February 17, 2007 11:02 AM

  Whining isn't the same as winning

  For Ms. Marcotte's supporters to cry "censorship" is to reveal their ignorance of what the term means; to strike any victimized pose at all in this exchange (as Ms. Marcotte has done in all kinds of familar, identity-politics ways) is tiresome. Yes, the Catholic church has a lot to answer for. But when Ms. Marcotte resorted to childish invective in discussing the church, she diverted her readers' attention from her ostensible subject to own own judgment.

  Had her mean-spirited words about Catholics been directed at, say, Muslims instead, I suspect the reaction on the left would have been different. But of course, it would never have occurred to Ms. Marcotte to say such things about that religion, despite its own fine list of violently oppressive extremism, because the Muslim faith isn't on the list of the PC left's sanctioned targets. Not to mention that its extremists have a way of retaliating with behavior far more lethal than anything the "right-wing smear machine" has produced. (Want to really "speak truth to power"? Blog something clever about Mohammed.)

  As a gay liberal, I'm saddened to see such juvenile whining from a figure who is, for a moment, one of the left's spotlighted spokespersons. And if you've lost me, Ms. Marcotte and Co., I can only imagine the effect your words are having on those in the political center.

  So here's an unsolicited tip for those demanding respect, empowerment, electoral victory, and all the the other societal goodies they claim to covet: Act and speak as though you're worthy of them. And if you choose not to do that, then at least be adult enough to accept the consequences without throwing a tantrum.

  —Barrett
  Permalink
  Flag
  Click "Submit Flag" if you feel this post is inappropriate. Explain why below if you wish.

  Cancel