Getting Mad at Everything

Lately in the news there is a lot of righteous anger flying all over the place.  The problem with the reaction of indignation over everything is that it can minimize issues where the righteous indignation is correctly being displayed.  To understand when reaction to righteous indignation is spot on and when it is going to far, I think we can look at a few examples.

Case study #1: Donald Trump

The second highest polling candidate Donald Trump shouts and declares that Mexico is sending up drug dealers, criminals, and rapists.  When challenged about his statements and how he is misusing and misreading statistics about the horrible plight of women and children trying to get into the country being raped, he states on CNN:

"Well if you look at the statistics of people coming, you look at the statistics on rape, on crime, on everything coming in illegally into this country it's mind-boggling!" he told Lemon, in a clip previewed on CNN's "Situation Room." 

"Well, somebody's doing the raping, Don! I mean somebody's doing it! Who's doing the raping? Who's doing the raping?" he asked.

So, to be clear- Trump is bashing Mexico and unfairly categorizing nearly all immigrants as criminals and rapists.  Sure, he may be pushing for the Steve King vote in the Iowa polls (and it seems to be working.)  Here is what King had to say in defense of the Donald:

"I have been down to the border and the number I come back with is 75 percent are sexually abused on the way to the United States," said King. "I say in Donald Trump's defense, somebody is doing that to the kids being raped and abused. It's reasonable to conclude they are Mexicans."

Let's take a look at the reactions:

Proper reaction: Univision cancels ties with Trump, Mexico pulls out its candidate from the Trump run Miss Universe, NBC says "you're fired" to Donald, Ricky Martin cancels a charity golf event for Hispanic youth from a Trump golf course.

Improper: Suing Univision for dropping you after you insulted 99% of its television audience

"We will not only vigorously defend the case, but will continue to fight against Mr. Trump's ongoing efforts to run away from the derogatory comments he made on June 16th about Mexican immigrants. Our decision to end our business relationship with Mr. Trump was influenced solely by our responsibility to speak up for the community we serve."

Case Study #2: The Confederate Flag

After a racist and unhinged man gets a gun and kills nine people and is obsessed the the confederate culture and the confederate flag.

Proper response: Calls to remove the Confederate flag from all government places including license plates, state flags, and state capitals.  This is the right response to righteous indignation.

Improper: Pulling the Dukes of Hazzard from TV Land.  Well, I thought it was improper until I read Ben "Cooter" Jones defend the flag based on racism and overthrowing the government because it wanted slavery:

Meanwhile, former actor and Congressman Ben Jones, who played Cooter on “The Dukes of Hazzard,” has been on a tear lately, defending his show’s use of the symbol on various news outlets and in op-eds. Jones, who is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, recently wrote on Facebook: “That flag on top of the General Lee made a statement that the values of the rural South were the values of courage and family and good times.”

Now I am a little confused.