Do those three words, “right-wing extremists.” have a special ring? Remember hearing them since November when Republicans won at the polls, and since January, when they began implementing the Contract With America? From Vice President A1 Gore on down to various liberal Democrats in Congress and into the media, we have heard that “right-wing extremists” are going to starve American children and eliminate social security; we’ve heard that tax cuts and devolving power to the states are nothing but racist code words by “right-wing extremists;” and now “.right-wing extremists” are responsible for what happened in Oklahoma City.
Folks, we’re danger here. And I would argue that this could ultimately be an e yen greater danger to the nation than the bombing: we’re in danger of losing the language- the words that convey thoughts, that lead to ideas, that produce progress. I’m almost embarrassed to have to say this, but: There is a difference between limited government and no government. There is a difference between less taxes and no taxes. There is a difference between dissent and hate.
Why do some liberals want to ignore facts and instead speculate about the bombers’ supposed motivation? It’s because they are consistent. They refuse to blame those who are actually responsible. As far as some liberals are concerned, people are incapable of doing evil on their own, Thus those who make excuses for rioters and looters in Los Angeles now seek to blame people who played no role whatsoever in this tragedy. We go out of our way in this country to absolve the guilty of any blame; furthermore, we try to make victims of them. Oh, they were abused; oh, they were motivated by “right-wing extremists.”
Since the beginning of our nation, citizens have been debating the size, scope, and role of federal government. Now, suddenly, in 1995, it is claimed that this two-century-old argument caused the Oklahoma tragedy. The suggestion is irresponsible and vacuous; such insinuations can only have a chilling effect on legitimate discussion. That’s what some on the left apparently intend, as they attempt to exploit this tragedy for pure political gain.
Do not be confused by all the talk about right-wing extremists. To liberals, anybody who’s not a liberal is a right-wing extremist. There is no mainstream conservatism as far as they’re concerned. And it’s not just those of us who host talk-radio programs and talk-TV programs who are seen as right-wing extremists. It’s all who listen or watch such programs.
Now let me be clear and let us be civil. People who advocate the violent overthrow of the U.S. government am not right-wing anything; they’re anarchists. Those who act on such impulses are not part of American political discourse; they’re criminals. To link law-abiding citizens who believe in limited government-the time-honored American ideal, bequeathed by our rounding Fathers-with these barbarians is immoral.
Whenever I am attacked as a purveyor of “hate” or as somebody who spreads a so-called “climate of anger,” the same charges extend to my audience. But let me tell you who my audience is. My audience is the rescue teams who tried to save lives in Oklahoma; my audience is the law-enforcement officials who are trying to bring the lunatics who blew up the building to justice; my audience is made up of people who’ve lost loved ones, who’ve had members of their families injured.
The people who make up my audience are mainstream Americans who are as repulsed by this act of insanity as anyone else. And in the first few days after the tragedy, we stood in solidarity with the president in his call to bring these terrorists to justice, and to mete it out as quickly and as firmly as possible. But we will not join the president in seeking to gain political advantage at the expense of those who died or were hurt in Oklahoma. We’re going to lay blame solidly on the criminals who committed this crime, and we will support whatever the American justice system determines they are due, and that’s as far as it will go.
Frankly I’ve been offended that we’ve spent the last week talking about people who weren’t even there, who had nothing to do with what happened. Our focus ,should not be on the politicians, not on the media, not on the pundits. We should be talking about the people of Oklahoma, forever scarred by this enormous tragedy. Our hearts and prayers are with them; they are the people who make this country work.
