Demeaning is mean
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By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist
Nancy Pelosi got me to thinking about this. I recently saw a short video clip where she was describing a strategy of destroying one’s opponents by “demeaning them.”
She talked about a lot of other actions to take to make sure one’s opponents were emasculated, but I’ll not focus on them, just the demeaning part. It was an instructive lesson in how to plan subterfuge.
My favorite president – the current one – is known for demeaning people, too. I wish he would not do that. I think it makes him look bad and makes him a lightning rod for all his enemies (and he certainly has lots of those).
His predecessor demeaned many people and causes, but he was more polished about it; hence, those who could not see through it loved him (or perhaps they thought it was perfectly fine to demean people with whom one disagrees).
Many in the press demean people today – just look at the headlines in some of the well-known newspapers or the stories on some of the news channels.
Sadly, I have to confess there have been times when I have demeaned people, too. That's not good, and I hope I have matured enough through my walk with Jesus Christ to check myself when I am about to do this. The act of demeaning says more about the one doing the demeaning than it does about the target.
Demeaning abounds. The New York State Senate (the New York State House had already passed this bill) demeaned all mothers and children last week when they passed a bill allowing abortion up to the child’s birth date, rescinded a clause requiring children who survive abortion to be rescued from death, and then had the nerve to stand and cheer for the law’s passage. They were really saying children and pregnancy are not to be valued.
Governor Andrew Cuomo demeaned children when he ordered the tower at the World Trade Center to be lit in pink to recognize what the New York State Senate had done.
I wonder what he thinks when he looks at his own children? That they were too good or too privileged to be aborted? Or given the opportunity to do it over, he would now that he is “enlightened” on the subject?
Suing Christians who won’t bake a cake for a couple who does not believe like them is demeaning not only to the cake bakers, but to all of Christianity. Is the reverse true?
Perhaps so, only if no one will bake a cake for the couple, which has not been the case as of yet so far as I know. I have not heard of a couple who did not get a cake when they wanted it (so it is not about a shortage of cake). It has only been when they have chosen to demean others that it has made the headlines and created a court date.
Folks who do lots of demeaning often have the nerve to come in front of a bank of microphones – in the process of demeaning a person or a group of people – and have the gall to say, “(Target ____) doesn’t share our values.”
It is a clever ploy. Using the word “values” with an implied modifier or adjective of “good” is disingenuous at best, downright evil at worst. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone who has commonly recognized good values use this phrase. In fact, it has been used so many times by people whom I associate with demeaning acts, that my radar goes up every time I hear it. They have thus demeaned the word “values.”
I have gotten so that I really wonder what the values are of anyone who uses the word demeaning or acts out demeaning intentions. This has become a line of demarcation with me regarding those who may seek my favor. To me, it is a badge of honor if such people say I don’t share their "values."
Resolve not to demean people through word or deed. I will do my very best to do the same. Shalom.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press. He may be reached at jthompson@taii.com.
HCP columnist
Nancy Pelosi got me to thinking about this. I recently saw a short video clip where she was describing a strategy of destroying one’s opponents by “demeaning them.”
She talked about a lot of other actions to take to make sure one’s opponents were emasculated, but I’ll not focus on them, just the demeaning part. It was an instructive lesson in how to plan subterfuge.
My favorite president – the current one – is known for demeaning people, too. I wish he would not do that. I think it makes him look bad and makes him a lightning rod for all his enemies (and he certainly has lots of those).
His predecessor demeaned many people and causes, but he was more polished about it; hence, those who could not see through it loved him (or perhaps they thought it was perfectly fine to demean people with whom one disagrees).
Many in the press demean people today – just look at the headlines in some of the well-known newspapers or the stories on some of the news channels.
Sadly, I have to confess there have been times when I have demeaned people, too. That's not good, and I hope I have matured enough through my walk with Jesus Christ to check myself when I am about to do this. The act of demeaning says more about the one doing the demeaning than it does about the target.
Demeaning abounds. The New York State Senate (the New York State House had already passed this bill) demeaned all mothers and children last week when they passed a bill allowing abortion up to the child’s birth date, rescinded a clause requiring children who survive abortion to be rescued from death, and then had the nerve to stand and cheer for the law’s passage. They were really saying children and pregnancy are not to be valued.
Governor Andrew Cuomo demeaned children when he ordered the tower at the World Trade Center to be lit in pink to recognize what the New York State Senate had done.
I wonder what he thinks when he looks at his own children? That they were too good or too privileged to be aborted? Or given the opportunity to do it over, he would now that he is “enlightened” on the subject?
Suing Christians who won’t bake a cake for a couple who does not believe like them is demeaning not only to the cake bakers, but to all of Christianity. Is the reverse true?
Perhaps so, only if no one will bake a cake for the couple, which has not been the case as of yet so far as I know. I have not heard of a couple who did not get a cake when they wanted it (so it is not about a shortage of cake). It has only been when they have chosen to demean others that it has made the headlines and created a court date.
Folks who do lots of demeaning often have the nerve to come in front of a bank of microphones – in the process of demeaning a person or a group of people – and have the gall to say, “(Target ____) doesn’t share our values.”
It is a clever ploy. Using the word “values” with an implied modifier or adjective of “good” is disingenuous at best, downright evil at worst. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone who has commonly recognized good values use this phrase. In fact, it has been used so many times by people whom I associate with demeaning acts, that my radar goes up every time I hear it. They have thus demeaned the word “values.”
I have gotten so that I really wonder what the values are of anyone who uses the word demeaning or acts out demeaning intentions. This has become a line of demarcation with me regarding those who may seek my favor. To me, it is a badge of honor if such people say I don’t share their "values."
Resolve not to demean people through word or deed. I will do my very best to do the same. Shalom.
Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press. He may be reached at jthompson@taii.com.