Hypocrisy Has Many Faces

Although at times seeming to be not that long ago—when I entered this world, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (01/30/1882 – 04/12/1945) was in his third term as U.S. President.  Of course, as viewed by some, “being around for a while” may amount to not much more than “being around for a while.” Nevertheless, having the thus-far opportunity to do so has afforded me a bountiful array of observations and enlightenments.  Some uplifting; some much otherwise. Including, but not limited to, the reality that hypocrisy has many faces.  For example:

(1.) In addition to that from our foreign enemies—an unsettling amount of U.S. media (via, print/audio/visual/social) is awash with anti-capitalism; anti-free speech (including defiance of the right to offend and be offended); anti-religious freedom; anti-right to own and bear arms; anti-U.S. common language English; anti-secured U.S. borders; anti-immigration control; anti-assimilation of U.S. common culture founded on Judeo-Christian values.  In other words, “anti” about everything that walks, flies, and breathes regarding the precious U.S. Constitution and Constitutional Republic gifted to us through great wisdom and sacrifice of countless before us—arguably, the best on Earth hope for humankind and strongly sought-after envy of much of the less fortunate world around us.  

(2.) However, a conspicuous number within our U.S. borders who align themselves with anti-America views such as summarized above, seem NOT AT ALL AVERSE to using, for example, Facebook, Twitter, laptops, smartphones, flat-screen TV’s, food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and hopefully even toilet paper, as well as countless other products of evil capitalism. Likewise, few if any of same folks appear to be hell-bent to pack up their belongings and seek permanent residence elsewhere.  For example, to the seemingly sought after anti-America bliss of already available socialist/communist/dictatorship lands, such as Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, etc.—using, of course, transportation systems (autos, busses, ships, aircraft, processed fuels, etc.) also resulting from, yes, you guessed it . . . "evil" capitalism, enabled of course by an "uncaring"/"unfeeling"/"un-inclusive" America.

And, no better time and place for the many faces of hypocrisy to be revealed than within the privacy of our nation’s voting booths in November 2020.   As the hope, liberty, and otherwise best interests of our youth and future generations of Americans risk taking a shameful back stage . . . not only to the many faces of hypocrisy, but also to the faces of apathy, complacency, denial, greed, and counter-productive fears of a nation-destructive number of the then still above ground so-called adults in the room. 

                                                          —William James Moore 


Footnote:  An edited version of the above was also published on page 4, in the Public Mind section, of the Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 20-Dec. 1, 2019 Edition of our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun.

Serving the Public Trust?

The following is a copy of not-yet-published Public Mind article submitted to our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, 11/14/2019:

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Serving the public trust?

To the Sun:

The November 14 edition of the Sun included a front-page Washington (AP) article titled, “As impeachment effort goes public, new evidence given.” A writing evidencing that its eye-catching title is duly matched by an overwhelming majority of politically-partisan content. One clearly tailored to support the article’s early-on stated claim that, testifying career diplomats delivered a striking though complicated account that Democrats say reveals a president abusing his office, and the power of American foreign policy, for personal political gain.

And clearly not the result of oversight, this obviously politically-biased Washington (AP) article intentionally fails to responsibly draw fair and balanced attention to the “other side” of the pathetic story being played out in Washington. “Another side” recognized by any open-minded individuals who chose to suffer through the so-called November 13 public impeachment hearings, which reportedly will continue for another week or so.

Yes, conspicuously absent from referenced Washington (AP) article, and from the Sun’s November 14 edition, was an equally-detailed “other side of the story.” For example, one reflected in other opinion articles, such as the New York Post’s, November 13 article, titled, “Goodwin: Adam Schiff’s dull impeachment hearings are a flop.” Articles holding the view, for example, that in their first day of public impeachment hearings, it was demonstrated just how weak the Democrat’s case for impeachment is. And, how, in mostly dull, uneventful testimony, the Democrats’ “star” witnesses openly complained about policy decisions they disliked, while disregarding the fact that our “elected” U.S. Presidents set foreign policy, not our “unelected” career diplomats. And, most revealing of all, rather than offering “actual” evidence, referenced November 13 “star” witnesses merely cited third- and fourth-hand rumors, as neither testifying “career diplomat” ever had direct contact with the accused President Trump.

Now, this Public Opinion feedback does not mean to in any way declare, infer, or imply that any privately-owned media, such as the Parsons Sun, does not have the business-right to publish, and to not publish, that which they choose. Nevertheless, this writing does unapologetically hold that the public trust would be much more responsibly served if fair and balanced publications (both sides of the story) were routinely employed. Especially when dealing with subjects as truly nation-critical as efforts to unseat a U.S. President . . . regardless of political party.

—William James Moore Parsons, KS 11/14/2019

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“Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” —often attributed to American journalist, A.J. Liebling (1904-1963).