I Am with Meryl
The reason Republicans went ballistic over Meryl Streep’s Golden Globes speech is simple: they don’t understand it.
They cannot grasp the idea that someone would put their love of country ahead of all other considerations, including the negative impact doing so could have on their career. Republicans don’t do that – ever. They invariably put their own self-interests before anything else.
They cannot fathom how anyone could turn a moment of personal glory into an opportunity to speak out about the imminent harm about to befall their fellow citizens. Republicans don’t do that – ever. They bask in whatever praise comes their way without any thought given to anyone other than themselves.
They cannot comprehend why an artist of Streep’s stature would risk a box-office boycott in order to turn the spotlight away from her own achievements, and instead shine it on those who don’t have a world stage on which to speak, but nevertheless have voices that should be heard. Republicans don’t do that – ever. They use the spotlight to dazzle those who agree with them, while ensuring that those who disagree are left silent and in the dark.
They have no concept of choosing to say what needs to be said, regardless of the consequences. Republicans don’t do that – ever. They never say what needs saying, but only what their malleable constituents want to hear.
They can’t wrap their heads around the notion that anyone would invite criticism of her words rather than not speak her mind, that anyone would stand up for what they believe in rather than ignore the plight of their fellow Americans. Republicans don’t do that – ever. They toe-the-line and keep their mouths firmly shut – only opening them when it serves their own agenda, and furthers their own political ambitions.
Ms. Streep’s comments were based on concepts that are completely foreign to Republicans – concepts like patriotism, and concern for the direction in which the nation is headed. Her remarks focused on the bigotry and hatred that is now consuming far too many to be ignored. And yet again, Republicans don’t do that – ever. They instead choose to pretend that things like racism don’t exist, that “grabbing pussies” is merely locker-room banter, that mocking the disabled is “all in good fun”, that taking away people’s healthcare coverage is no big deal, that having an idiot in the WH who spends more time on Twitter than on intelligence briefings is completely normal.
The real problem with Ms. Streep’s speech was that the minute she started speaking the truth, she was speaking a foreign language that Republicans simply don’t understand.
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