Dakota Beacon

To observe the passing scene is to witness one of our society’s profound anomalies. The term “intolerant left” is never mentioned in the press and it certainly is not an oxymoron. It expresses a reality seldom acknowledged. Claims of tolerance by Democrats and the left is curiously incongruent.

Leftists imagine they embrace diversity as long as others do not disagree with them. Democrats celebrate tolerance when regarding shallow differences such as skin color or ethnicity. However, they are thoroughly intolerant of different values, beliefs or ideas that make each of us distinct individuals.

Anyone who strays from leftist ideology wears a target on their back. To the diversity and tolerance lovers, freedom means freedom to agree. Individuals are not free to disagree or to embrace values contrary to leftist “diversity” or Democrat “tolerance.”

In pointing out the left’s intolerance of religion, Ronald Reagan once said, “The frustrating thing is that those who are attacking religion claim they are doing it in the name of tolerance, freedom and open-mindedness. Question: Isn’t the real truth that they are intolerant of religion because they refuse to tolerate its importance in our lives?”

Intolerance leads to fascism. Here is the definition of fascism worth pondering: Fascism is a political philosophy, movement or regime that exalts the nation and even race above the individual and supports a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial or semi-dictatorial leader, coordinates severe economic and social regimentation and forcibly suppresses opposition. We are approaching that dangerous point in our culture.

The practice of intolerance in the name of tolerance as exercised by the left is straight forward. Initiate a sense of equivalency thereby disarming conservatives. Then magnify minor mistakes made by conservatives as if they were major blunders. At the same time downplay major blunders of leftists and Democrats as if they were minor mistakes. Asserted over and over with the help of a left-leaning media creates intolerance for anything conservatives say or do while allowing carte blanche tolerance for anything leftist and Democrats say or do. Conservatives become the obvious target for trumped-up intolerance. Result? No one wants to be on the side of an intolerant cause or candidate.

Space prohibits an exhaustive list of examples. Here are a few. The Koch brothers (David and Charles) are routinely vilified by the left for their support of various candidates and organizations while George Soros is given a pass. The Kochs and Soros have spent incredible riches on political and charitable work. The difference is that Soros’s money is less traceable and he is far more prone to support organizations and causes contrary to America’s traditions and values.

Brendan Eich, new CEO of Mozilla (computer software) was targeted, placed under duress and released from Mozilla. He was forced to resign just 10 days into his new job because leftists determined that six years earlier he supported California’s Proposition 8 which defined marriage as a committment between a man and a woman.

A petition generated by leftists bearing more than 110,000 signatures was delivered to the Washington Post demanding a ban on any article questioning manmade global warming.

Militant gays strike fear in the hearts of law-abiding citizens in much the same way other leftist minorities brand “whites” who disagree with them as racists. Fear and intimidation haunts the average American silencing all opposition.

The Boy Scouts of America are being pushed into extinction unless they forsake the wholesome principles and values they have embraced for 114 years.

US Attorney General Eric Holder hid behind his skin color (see remarks he gave at Al Sharpton’s National Action Network conference) to mask his politically intractable loyalty to his boss Obama on issues like Benghazi, Fast and Furious, and the IRS targeting scandal. He accused Republican congressmen of being “racist” for challenging his non-compliance with multiple requests for documents.

Political correctness in its many manifestations doesn’t come close to describing the totalitarianism of the left. However, excellent examples of leftist indoctrination may be found in university speech codes and dogmatic classroom instruction.

Leftists and Democrats do not want to be criticized for their actions or initiatives. They hold that their position does not warrant discussion. Theirs is the only correct way and is above reproach.

True tolerance means coexisting with those whom you may disagree. When the practice of intolerance in the name of tolerance produces hatred and bigotry toward those who simply disagree with the liberal or leftist position, can a fascist society be far behind?

Dennis M. Patrick can be contacted at P. O. Box 337, Stanley, ND 58784 or (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).