Quick to Condemn

"We do not train to be merciful here. Mercy is for the weak. Here, in the streets, in competition. A man confronts you; he is the enemy. An enemy deserves no mercy."
--John Kreese (The Karate Kid)

Another call today for a public figure to resign because of something done decades ago. These episodes continue to suggest several things about our present circumstance.

One is the utter incapability of people to cope with situations that they deem 'offensive' no matter how distant and removed from the present. Better to strip the person of any prominence or connection with the in-group as a means to deal with painful cognitive dissonance.

Another is the escalating political division to be expected in a democratic state that increasingly motivates members of one faction to scrutinize past behavior of members of the opposing faction for any flaws that can be exploited. All political enemies must be destroyed.

Finally, it speaks to our growing intolerance of behavior that we may personally deem as unbecoming. Quick to condemn, slow to have mercy. Of course, we hope that our Creator acts just the opposite when we stand before Him on Judgment Day.