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Opinion
Too
many exploit disaster while victims vulnerable
September
28, 2005
Demagogue:
“A person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains
power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions and
prejudices of the people ….. to treat or manipulate (a
political issue) in the manner of a demagogue; obscure or
distort with emotionalism, prejudice, etc.”
That’s how the
dictionary describes a demagogue. Most South Carolinians don’t
need a dictionary, though, to recognize demagoguery when they
hear it ….. and they’ve heard a lot in recent days.
Demagogues, without question, are not limited to one race,
gender, religion, political persuasion, age or ethnicity. They
come in all colors, shapes and sizes.
SINCE
HURRICANES KATRINA and Rita devastated so much of
America’s Deep South, we’ve been subjected to one demagogue
after another. They have unashamedly exploited terrible
disasters to spread their particular brand of divisiveness. In
some cases, they’ve stooped to downright unmitigated
fabrications to sow seeds of distrust. Their outrageous
ranting and raving have been ridiculous and, in some cases,
racist to the core.
They have fostered foolish and
rabblerousing ideas among people who have been traumatized by
the hurricanes. In their state of despair, those people can be
vulnerable to self-promoting shysters who have pushed
manufactured conspiracy theories designed to assassinate the
character of individuals and indeed whole groups of people.
THOSE WILLING TO UNDERMINE the peace
and order in general, on top of the widespread destruction
caused by Katrina and Rita, should be seen as what they are:
charlatans who seek gain at the expense of all else,
especially suffering people who have lost everything.
Such
exploitation is inexcusable at any time. In the wake of
tragedy, though, they are worse.
They are not only divisive
and do much to undermine the public order, they ought to be
seen by most people as criminal acts that disturb the peace.
They only add to the havoc of hurricanes that became a one-two
punch at normalcy and well-being.
Right-thinking people
will see these outrageous attempts to curry influence for what
they are. It’s disturbing, though, to think of how many people
get taken in by and believe those who take advantage of such
terrible situations. The damage done to civil society is
enormous.
Editorial expression in this feature represents
our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
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