Party Pooper
Source: John Lewis Boycotted George W. Bush Inauguration | National Review
It’s a party. People are invited; they don’t come; big deal. Can’t be friends with everyone. Ironically, if these people did not receive an invitation, we can imagine the bleating about exclusionism, racism, sexism, whatever ‘-ism’ you can think of; and they’d be bleating to be invited.
The thing about a free country is that people can follow their own conscience about what or whom to believe and can take any legal course of action they choose in furtherance thereof.
Considering Rep Lewis’ rationale for not attending the ceremonial inauguration is however, laughable in its logic. He (and many others) cling to the straw that the recent election was illegitimate, which really means, their side lost and they are pouting. It’s as if he can’t accept the Green Bay Packers’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional NFL playoff game. Like the results of the national election, no amount of breath holding is going to change that. As noted in the article, he also declined to attend Bush 43’s inaugural as well. The guy is a poor loser.
As the media characterizes Lewis’ position as one of principle, it’s actually reinforcing his refusal to accept stark reality and being denied his way. This is the petulant behavior of young children. This is reflective of the constituency which he represents. While amusing, it’s also frightening that such a large swath of the populace are of this mindset, wherein logic is an abstract concept and reason and law are to be observed only when it suits them. Lewis has been living off the street cred afforded him because a brick fell on his head during a civil rights demonstration over 40 years ago. This is reminiscent of the character that Danny Kaye played in the film “White Christmas” who gestured to his arm every time he wanted his way. Forty years have passed since then. Things have changed. Lewis and his followers don’t accept that.
Lewis’ stand is not, as media outlets like to portray it, a gesture of conscience. It’s a stark unmasking of what he really stands for; a perpetuation of the division within society. Which brings to light the issue of whether he will vacate his office if his constituents eventually vote him out.