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By Mike Cuenca | June 24, 2003
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Several readers have called for the J-W to stop running
ultra-conservative Cal Thomas. I agree that Thomas is comparable to the
more heinous fascists of world history, but I have a different take on
his column.
Thomas is but the farthest extreme to the right in a society and its
media that has swung far to the right in general. This trend can be
traced back to the McCarthy hearings in the '50s, which helped demonize
any populist/socialist-leaning political factions, to the Reagan/Bush
administrations of the '80s, which canonized selfish conservative/pure
capitalist ideals and attitudes. As a result, conservatism is
considered "normal" in this society, while all other, more "leftist"
politics are considered, well, "leftist." And in this society,
"leftist" translates as "communist," which translates as "evil."
Between the far left and Thomas is a broad range of speakers who
embrace the individual protections and liberties espoused in our
Constitution, but who also promote a more responsible and less selfish
approach to capitalism. The real problem is that the staunchly
populist/progressive voices from the middle to the left are not allowed
space in the J-W or other mainstream media outlets. Those in the
mainstream who may be presented as "liberal" are truly only a little
left of Thomas. What's needed is not necessarily a
retaliatory backlash against conservative speakers such as Thomas (who
indeed have a right to speak their minds), but an acceptance of
progressive and liberal speakers who could provide the counterpoint to
nut cases such as Thomas.
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Originally published by the Lawrence Journal-World.
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