Fox And The Pig

As you know, Tom Fox, a Christian pacifist kidnapped in Iraq, was found dead over the weekend. There's really not much left to say about Fox's commitment to his principles, a level of commitment that, if taken seriously, can and in this case did end tragically. Still, this risk continues to be fully understood and accepted by those who survive Fox and plan to carry on his work. As Fox himself put it, perhaps anticipating that these might serve as his final words, "We reject violence to punish anyone. We ask that there be no retaliation on relatives or property. We forgive those who consider us their enemies. We hope that in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening nonviolently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.”

As I wrote back in December, attacking this philosophy is like punching water, which is why those who mock or slime activists like Fox look extremely pathetic and ridiculous to everyone save to themselves and those splashing next to them. And of course there are those Americans who essentially share the mindset of Fox's killers, who celebrate each kidnapping and act of torture and murder as a form of righteous punishment, an instance of brutal "irony." My friend Jon, the Tiny Revolutionary, graphically made this connection a couple days ago, and it bears repeating. Right after the Christian Peacekeepers were captured in Iraq, Rush Limbaugh coughed up the following:

"Fine, they get kidnapped. They get kidnapped at gunpoint. If that version of this is true, then -- OK, you've met the bad guys, and you tried your technique on them, and now you're blindfolded in a room with guns pointed at you and knives at your throat. I don't like that. But any time a bunch of people that walk around with the head in the sand practicing a bunch of irresponsible, idiotic theory confront reality, I'm kind of happy about it, because I'm eager for people to see reality, change their minds if necessary, and have things sized up."

Now, to anyone even remotely sane, Limbaugh's remarks are self-refuting, especially when you remember that throughout his worthless life, Limbaugh has avoided direct physical risk, whether it was the military or simply his inability to handle criticism up close and personal. If you want to see a pork-stuffed buffoon sweat and stammer and ultimately clear the room of those directly challenging him, check out this video from 1990, when Limbaugh guest hosted Pat Sajak's dying late night talk show. It's a beautiful illustration of his cowardice; and if a couple of audience members disturb him to such a serious degree, can you imagine Limbaugh making his way, unarmed and unescorted, through the alleys of present day Baghdad?

Tom Fox would forgive Limbaugh for taking glee in his dire predicament. But then, Fox gave his life for his beliefs. He was secure in his philosophy and faith. Limbaugh, on the other hand, oinks and snorts on behalf of American elites to amuse the rubes who revere him -- a swine who keeps a safe distance from the slaughterhouse, but who tap-dances to and laughs at the screams that emanate from within it.