Dr. Frank's What's-it

I've Never Been So Insulted in My Life!

Dean Esmay was feeling a bit testy on his birthday (many happy returns, sir, by the way.) Testy, perhaps, but still sharp:

The other day, I quoted a phrase I'd seen floating around a bunch of places online. It turned out to have been originated by John Derbyshire. I should have done my homework and checked that for an original source. I was lazy, but that was wrong of me.

Still, several self-described liberals found themselves shocked and disappointed in me for posting it. Now why is that do you suppose? The phrase was this:

Wherever there is a jackboot stepping on a human face, there will be a well-heeled Western liberal there to assure us that the face enjoys free health care and a high degree of literacy.

I started trying to explain, to reconcile, to apologize a little, even.

Then I realized this morning: The phrase could be "liberal" or "leftist," and I can understand someone's confusion over that. That's no big deal. But the fundamental truth of the statement? Let's not kid ourselves, shall we? The phrasing is not partisan, is not "one note" or "bashing," and while it may be "disappointing," what's disappointing is not that I said it. What's offensive is that it's the truth.

Indeed, let me be very clear about this: That statement is self-evident, and it is, furthermore, undeniably true exactly as written. Why the hell would I apologize, or even try to defend it? If you find it offensive, you damn well should, because it is indeed offensive. It's offensive that it's the truth.

I find it pretty hard to imagine what it might feel like to be the sort of "identity liberal" who would take the fact that Esmay quoted Derbyshire's bon mot personally and feel it necessary to draw myself up in outrage to defend the honor of the tribe.

"How dare you, sir! I'll have you know that the Judean People's Front are every bit as idiotic as we are. More so even!"

At minimum, they should be pretty used to it by now-- and Derb's quote is a pretty mild version of People's Front of Judea-bashing, all things considered. Anyway, that's what you get for belonging to a tribe in the first place. I against I. I think Derbyshire was talking about Castro's celebri-wingnut cheerleaders, and so was Dean. And I don't care what badge you caress breathlessly each night before bedtime or how proud it makes you or how evil the other team might be: they both happen to be right about this one.

Posted by Dr. Frank at July 20, 2003 07:16 PM | TrackBack