Do nice guys finish last?
Are liberals too decent for their own good? Will “niceness” condemn the US to four years - or worse, many years - of fascism?
To explain my question, this diary reports on a remark made by a liberal American in Australia. The immediate consequences of that remark. And my thoughts on the subject. I also welcome any readers’ opinions in the comments.
The remark
The BBC reported this item from Australia:
Jack Black has said he’s cancelled the rest of the Tenacious D world tour after his bandmate Kyle Gass sparked an outcry with a comment about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
The comedy rock group were on stage in Sydney, Australia, on Sunday when Gass was asked to make a wish after being presented with a cake for his 64th birthday.
He appeared to reply: "Don’t miss Trump next time."
The Daily Beast added some detail:
During a performance in Sydney on Sunday—the day Gass turned 64— Black invited his bandmate to “make a wish” as he blew out candles on a birthday cake. “Don’t miss Trump next time,” Gass said, speaking hours after the former president was wounded by a would-be assassin at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The apology
Gass apologized in an Instagram post on Tuesday:
“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone.
What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those that I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”
The reaction
This apology was not enough for Black. In another Instagram post on Tuesday, he wrote:
“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.
After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”
My thoughts
This is nuts. Talk about an overreaction. I can understand the apology. A public personality should not wish someone dead, even if they meant it in jest.
I am sure that Gass was not alone in his sentiments. I guarantee you that many of us had the same thought cross our minds.
I am also sure that most people who did have that thought immediately found their conscience pricking them. We may savor something in fantasy. But that does not mean we want it to occur in reality.
I have been married for a while. It would not surprise me if my wife had entertained some thoughts that might not have been to my advantage. But as far as I know, she has never actually tried to kill me.
However, Gass did make his comment in public to thousands of people, most of whom were strangers, and so his apology was appropriate.
The overreaction
It was also appropriate that Jack Black should make his disapproval of Gass’s off-the-cuff remark public.
But to cancel the tour and possibly dissolve the band because someone said something unfortunate is insane.
Just shafting the people who bought tickets for future dates is excessive. But the problem goes far deeper than that.
Black is a public and vocal Democratic supporter. To take such drastic action while making no mention of the manifestly worse rhetorical excess of MAGA politicians, their media shills, and their Godhead Trump, gives that dismal horde cover for their threats against the safety, liberty, and life of countless Democrats.
Black should have put Gass’s remark in context. He could have celebrated his partner’s apology - and then demanded that every Republican from Trump down do likewise for every single one of their incitements to violence.
How does it benefit Black’s liberal goals to make a mountain out of a molehill and give his political opposites continued free range to say whatever the hell they want, with no pushback?
Two wrongs may not make a right. But only highlighting your ‘wrong’ - while saying nothing about the other side’s ‘wrong’ - leaves only your side publicly in the wrong.
I wanted to applaud Michelle Obama‘s high-mindedness and moral clarity when she said: “When they go low, we go high.” But there are no moral victories in politics. And if your high-mindedness opens the door for the other side’s low goals, your desire to do the right thing allows your opponents to do the wrong thing.
Conclusion
Carl Von Clausewitz famously wrote that: “War is a continuation of politics by other means.” Make no mistake, the stakes in every election are high. However, the 2024 election is occurring in a nation that has not been so close to the brink since 1860. And Democrats cannot afford to lose in November by observing the niceties appropriate in a debate club.
Trump has never apologized for anything. MAGA does not expect him to. Quite the opposite. They celebrate his vile threats and promotion of violence.
Democrats should not sink that low. But can they please learn to fight back?
I would love it if Jack Black’s reaction had been: “Kyle shouldn’t have said it. But I’ll apologize when they apologize. Don’t hold your breath.”
As I said above, I would appreciate your thoughts in the comments.
#vote #fight