No, I’m not writing this week about what everyone else is covering: the Scooter Libby trial. I’ve already addressed that here in “The Forum” and, besides, this story is far from over. This verdict is merely Step 1 of some indeterminate “x” iterations yet to be seen.
Instead, I want to talk about something else.
Here is another fine, yet very sad and infuriating, example of why people should keep their mouths shut no matter what. We even live in a supposedly mature democracy, but an insignificant thing like a political system for which millions have died to preserve it can’t trump good ol’ human nature.
My, we are a small-minded, weak-hearted lot, aren’t we?
Recently, a noted outdoorsman was savaged by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and others and left on the roadside to die.
His crime was to express an opinion. For many years, he had been, and remains, an ardent supporter of hunters’ and gun rights, but he made what was a fatally inopportune comment about deploying assault-type armament against the lesser among us: prairie dogs and such. Seems he thinks there isn’t much sport to that.
Now, mind you, he didn’t call for a ban on assault rifles or any other such similar offense that would understandably and automatically unleash the wrath of the NRA and its constituents against him.
NRA’s object of its target practice is Jim Zumbo, He had, and ‘had’ is the operative word, a popular show in the Outdoor Channel, a career with Outdoor Life magazine, and several happy corporate sponsors. These are no more.
Mr. Zumbo, after a prominent four-decade career, apologized, groveled, and even pledged to go hunting in the near future with an assault rifle aimed at his prey, but even those humiliating, repentant steps were insufficient.
The man has been professionally executed. His tombstone epitaph is being composed and etched in stone as we speak: “He Spoke Too Boldly and Paid the Price.”
This tale explains why there is an absence of extensive, vital, and lively debate on the various issues here at “The Forum.” It is even more illuminating when thinking of this phenomenon to recognize that our site strives for reasoned discourse. No vicious venomous venting is allowed.
We are a Sgt. Joe Friday, “Dragnet,” “Just the facts, ma’am” kind of place. That’s what we seek – the facts – at least those facts and factors shared by our readers which are as objectively observed and reported as their backgrounds and areas of expertise permit.
Return to the issue of intimidation of people’s opinions and the effect that has on societal debate and discernment over important public issues.
I twice called the NRA to get the sense behind its position in shooting down Mr. Zumbo’s livelihood. I also twice called Mr. Zumbo for a personal reflection on this. Neither responded.
Many people have heard recent reports about the death of a key Russian journalist who was critical of progress and governance within President Putin’s regime. Many others have likely read that an American, who is an expert on Russian intelligence, was shot last week in the driveway of his Prince George’s County (Maryland) home. Suspicion points to a Russian connection, as this man had recently suggested on a televised program that Putin’s government was behind the high-profile poisoning in London of former KGB agent, Alexander Litvinenko, who had been a long-time Kremlin critic.
In some parts of the world, people who speak the truth, question authority, or strive for a better future are unceremoniously eliminated. In America, we’re more civilized. We usually ostracize or marginalize such creatures. In particularly sticky situations, we kill, too, if necessary. We kill economically.
On the bright side, “The Forum” offers safe harbor by preserving the anonymity of your comments. You need only step forward as far as your keyboard.
That’s not too big a step, is it?
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Fred W. Apelquist, III, M.Ed.
Approximately 645 words.
© March, 2007
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