Latest news with #moralclarity
New York Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Anger Over the Destruction of American Values
To the Editor: 'How to Make a Mild Guy Really Angry,' by David Brooks (column, May 30), struck a deep chord. His outrage is justified. The reduction of patriotism to mere tribal loyalty and the denial of the idea that soldiers might fight for ideals are not only historically inaccurate but also morally corrosive. Mr. Brooks rightly calls this what it is: an attempt to reject the better angels of our national character. If the current administration wishes to recover a sense of moral clarity, it might begin by revisiting the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching. Pope Francis often reminded us that authentic social peace cannot be built on exclusion or the idolization of the homeland, but only through a love that seeks the good of others. Human dignity is not earned by group membership or ancestry; it is universal and inviolable, and must be the foundation of all political action. When leaders traffic in dehumanizing language or policies, they not only stain the office they hold — they also cheapen the very ideals that generations of Americans have fought and died to uphold. America is indeed a homeland. But as Mr. Brooks reminds us, it is also an idea. And without that idea — of liberty, justice and equal dignity for all — we become just another tribe with flags. Robert StewartChantilly, Va. To the Editor: David Brooks's anger over the destruction of American values is felt by many who are demonstrating on our streets and filling town hall meetings. But if we are to reverse the terrible moral condition of the United States, we must accept that the American people are responsible for it. The American people elected Donald Trump and the MAGA majority in Congress, and by doing so eliminated historical national values such as democracy, compassion and concern for the national good, replacing them with individualism, grievance, presidential corruption and tribal dominance. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
National Post
02-06-2025
- General
- National Post
Michael Higgins: Flamethrower attack could easily happen in Canada
It would be redundant to call the flamethrower and Molotov cocktail attack in Colorado a wakeup call since the alarm bells have been ringing for some time, especially in Canada. Article content Article content Colorado happened just a week after two staff members at the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. were murdered and reveals, once again, that the rising tide of antisemitism shows no sign of abating in North America. Article content Article content In Canada, since October 7, antisemitism has flourished because of a lack of moral clarity from authorities and as a result of political leadership at all levels who are bound by an anti-Israel ideology. Article content Article content How serious is the federal government on 'combatting antisemitism' when the group tasked with findings ways to eradicate this particular evil recommended spending $10 million to 'address all forms of hate' and to provide $26.8 million to police colleges for training on 'all hate crimes.' Article content Article content When the National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism chooses to focus on hate generally then how are we ever to come up with an answer for Jew hatred. It's as if the federal government isn't really trying. Article content Article content The outrageous and brazen attacks against Jews in this country should have compelled governments to act, or at least to provide unequivocal moral leadership, which might have prevented the sympathetic response from some in authority to the hatemongers, like providing them with Tim Hortons coffee. Article content In Colorado, a 45-year-old Egyptian national allegedly set elderly demonstrators on fire as they held a peace vigil in support of Israeli hostages being detained by Hamas in Gaza. Eight people were wounded. The suspect reportedly yelled 'free Palestine' during the attack.
National Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Avi Benlolo: Hamas thanks Liberals again. It should be a national wake up call
Canadians don't believe in terrorism. They believe in peace and democracy. That's why this week's news should alarm every Canadian: Hamas, a designated terrorist organization responsible for the brutal murders and rapes of over 1,200 innocent people on October 7 — including the deaths of eight Canadians — publicly praised a joint statement issued by the UK, France, and Canada. That statement demanded that Israel cease its military operations—or face 'concrete actions.' Article content Article content Article content Let's be honest: if Hamas is thanking you, you're on the wrong side of history. Article content Article content And this isn't the first time. This marks the second instance where Hamas has openly praised Canada's stance. When a terrorist organization applauds your foreign policy — not once, but twice — that should trigger a serious moral reckoning. Article content Even more troubling, after it was revealed that several UNRWA staff were complicit in the October 7 massacre, Canada didn't cut back funding to the agency. The government increased it. What does that say about our moral compass? Are we so determined to appear 'neutral' that we're willing to reward those tied to terror? Article content This is not a matter of foreign policy nuance. This is a question of moral clarity. Hamas — an organization committed to Israel's destruction — welcomed the joint Western statement describing it as a 'an important step' in the right direction. Why? Because it lets them off the hook. Why release the hostages or stop fighting if even the West is behind us? Article content Article content The Canadian and friends statement contained no demand for Hamas to disarm and to stop firing rockets. There was no appeal to Qatar or other regional powers to pressure Hamas to lay down its arms — instead, the statement expressed support for their efforts. Article content The blame — once again — was placed squarely on Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. That double standard is antisemitism, plain and simple. Article content Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney amplified this misguided posture with sharp rhetoric, and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand added fuel to the fire by falsely accusing Israel of weaponizing food, citing unverified and inflated casualty statistics — without once acknowledging Hamas's role in provoking and perpetuating this war. Article content Let's remember: this war began with the slaughter of innocent civilians by Hamas. Israel has a right — and an obligation — to defend itself.
