Our Western Elites Are Untrustworthy Scoundrels

In order to survive and thrive, a civilization needs, at minimum, the following three features:

It must uphold as sacrosanct the right of self-defense -- for both the nation and its citizens. You can't maintain a functional economy unless the people feel secure in their homes and out in public. This is common sense -- and the real reason the US has the Second Amendment.

It must have pride in its own heritage and institutions. This isn't about being a jingoist. Appreciation for one's own history and culture does not require hating or mistreating others. It does, however, require a willingness to apologize - i.e., to present logical arguments - for one's patrimony.

It must encourage virtue and upright civic behavior.  Widespread selfishness and moral disorder do not a healthy society make. And before the libertarians in the audience get too upset, no, I'm not proposing that virtue necessarily be imposed via government force. I am proposing that extra-governmental mores step in and do the job.

Now why did I delineate these far-from-exhaustive basic requirements? Because as a quick perusal of the news feeds reveals, the clerisy in both the US and Europe has lost all interest in heeding their wisdom and has consequently proven itself to be utterly unworthy of our deference.

Consider, for example, the following news item:

Anger in Italy after authorities cover up nude Roman statues 

of goddesses so as not to offend Iranian president

"Italy covered up marble statues of nude Roman goddesses in order to spare the blushes of the visiting president of Iran, who is on a visit to Europe to rebuild relations with the West after the recent deal on restricting its nuclear ambitions lifted years of economic sanctions."  

Some may argue that this was simply a show of respect for the Iranians. But it's funny how unidirectional this supposed "respect" happens to be. When our diplomats head to Iran, will similar courtesies be paid? If we take offense at certain aspects of Iranian culture, will our feelings be so assiduously protected? Ha. Don't make me laugh.

Then there's this:

Danish teen fought off her attacker - now she'll face fine

The teenager told police that she was attacked in central Sønderborg on Wednesday at around 10pm by a dark-skinned English-speaking man. She said the man knocked her to the ground and then unbuttoned her pants and attempted to undress her. 

The girl was able to save herself from further assault by using pepper spray on the attacker, but now she may be the one who ends up in legal trouble. 

“It is illegal to possess and use pepper spray, so she will likely be charged for that,” local police spokesman Knud Kirsten told TV Syd.

This is self-evidently outrageous. If a woman is being attacked, she should be allowed to use any method necessary to make the rapist stop. But apparently, Danish politicians don't care about preserving the bodily integrity and dignity of their women. Rape culture? I've got your rape culture right here.

And lest you think we Americans are immune to this rot, allow me to present the following:

San Francisco park debuts open-air urinal

San Francisco's iconic Dolores Park is now home to the city's first open-air urinal, the latest move to combat the destructive scourge of public urination in the City by the Bay.

The concrete circular urinal is out in the open, though plants and a screen offer some privacy. It's a welcome addition for the park that had just three toilets, which led many to relieve themselves in bushes and on buildings.

"Honestly, we were ready to go pee anywhere," San Francisco resident Aaron Cutler told news station KNTV. "So any facility is better than none."

We were ready to go pee anywhere. We were ready to go pee anywhere. Has no one taught Mr. Cutler manners? I can see peeing in the middle of the woods; I've done it. But when you're in a public place that other people use? No -- you hold it until you find an appropriate non-public place to do your business. Why? Because you are not the center of the universe. Spraying your urine on a public thru-way endangers every business in the area. Who, after all, wants to patronize an establishment surrounded by your stink? Where is your shame?

I'll tell you: Our elites have dumped the concept, just as they have dumped their other fundamental responsibilities -- and that's why lunatics like Donald Trump have political traction.