Legal Commentary

: Althouse

An old person expressing anger about race is entirely different from a young person raging about the government.

Glenn Reynolds thinks the MSM is over-reporting the supposed rage of McCain crowds:

So we've had nearly 8 years of lefty assassination fantasies about George W. Bush, and Bill Ayers' bombing campaign is explained away as a consequence of him having just felt so strongly about social justice, but a few people yell things at McCain rallies and suddenly it's a sign that anger is out of control in American politics? It's nice of McCain to try to tamp that down... but, please, can we also note the staggering level of hypocrisy here?...

The Angry Left has gotten away with all sorts of beyond-the-pale behavior throughout the Bush Administration. The double standards involved -- particularly on the part of the press -- are what are feeding this anger... So while asking for McCain supporters to chill a bit, can we also ask the press to start doing its job rather than openly shilling for a Democratic victory?

I agree about the media bias, but let's consider whether there may be some reason to tolerate more anger from the left than the right, especially if the lefties in question are young and the righties are old.

We're genetically programmed to weather the crying and tantrums of children. Teenagers sulk and shout, and we may grow impatient, but we understand the condition. We may well remember feeling the same way. Teenagers and young adults may annoy us, but we're not appalled. We think we can continue to speak calm reason and they will come around some day. But an angry older person sets off an alarm. Something is wrong here. Either there really is a problem or this person is unhinged. It gets our attention.

Now, I know there are old lefties too. Believe me, I know. I live in Madison. But I don't see these people yelling and screaming. I see world-weariness, bemusement, cynicism, and other age-appropriate manifestations of dissatisfaction. That may not be too pretty, but it's not notable. It's not interesting. If these old lefties went to a campaign event and yelled at a candidate irrationally, wouldn't we see it in the news?

Another distinction is the target of the rage. Rage against government -- short of true threats of imminent violence -- is a familiar American tradition going back to colonial days. In its best forms, it's useful and healthy, encouraging evidence that we are not supine. What is disturbing is rage against private citizens, especially against racial and ethnic minorities. There's nothing good there. There's no bracing, salutary form of racism.

In short, an old person expressing anger about race is entirely different from a young person raging about the government. Different treatment is appropriate.

The question remains, of course, whether we're getting accurate reports of angry old racists. I doubt it.

IN THE COMMENTS: People are reminding me of various angry un-young lefties: Olbermann, Kos, Hamsher, Code Pink ladies. I agree that those people rant angrily, but they aren't indulging in "assassination fantasies." But, okay. I don't mean to say there aren't any old angry lefties, only that anger is more disturbing coming from an older person.

(Line that stood out: "Banks are going bust.")

Full post as published by Althouse on October 12, 2008 (boomark / email).