Friday, September 02, 2005

On the side of compassion

I am disgusted, saddened, but not the least bit surprised at the vast gulf between the reactions to Katrina by bloggers on the left and the right.

Go to the various outposts of mainstream (and some extra-extreme) liberal thought: Cranky Liberal, Daily Kos, Democratic Underground, for example.

There is so much hate and anger there.

Read the various popular bloggers who hold a range of political beliefs decidedly not liberal: Instapundit, Michelle Malkin, Hugh Hewitt, Powerline, Captain's Quarters.

There is an overwhelming overflow of compassion and apolitical support for the victims of this disaster. Much of the left can only muster a few condolences and then blame President Bush for everything. Not that there aren't parts of the left heroically raising funds. There are. But nowhere near the same degree as everyone else.

While Hugh Hewitt works on "an experiment that hopes to use the internet's capacity plus the talent and good will of bloggers to match specialized needs with specialized volunteers. I have been thinking this through all week...", others are adding a racial twist to the Bush-bashing...

Not that there aren't liberal blogs out there raising a good amount of cash. There are. But trace the vitriol, follow the poisonous breadcrumbs, listen for the hate, and where does most of it come from? (For a running list of hurricane-exploiting ridiculous quotes, go here.)

I am amazed and proud of those honorable American bloggers willing to use their clout and influence to aid suffering. What our brothers and sisters under water need right now is not abusive rhetoric, but compassion, service, and generosity. Thank you to those willing to do so.

1 Comments:

Blogger Seth said...

Here's my proposition, Cranky: Get rid of your ridiculous notions that a) Bush's "vacations" mean he doesn't work, and b) the President of the United States is an idiot simpleton.

Is the government perfect? No. Will it ever be? No. If I had any indication whatsoever that you were doing anything but demonizing Bush and his administration with whatever ammo you can use, I'd be in more a mind to listen to you. But that's not the case. Sorry.

9/06/2005 4:15 PM  

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