The Difference Between Ordinary People and Right-Wing Columnists

In her column bearing the nuanced title "Ding dong, the tyrant's dead," Barbara Kay of the National Post purports to differentiate between "ordinary people" and "liberal elites" using the lynching of former US ally cruel enemy of freedom, Saddam Hussein.

Kay announces to us that when she learned of Saddam's death she,

"did a little on-the-spot jig and started humming Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead."

Really? Now I'm sure that this is perhaps a figurative jig, and not a literal one, nonetheless, Kay is free to express herself as she sees fit (and I am free to mock it). Unfortunately not everyone did a jig along with Kay (it's embarrassing to be the only one dancing sometimes, isn't it?) Apparently the UK foreign secretary had the temerity to ruin Kay's jig by saying,

"We advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime."

Oh really? That's no way to call a tune! Poor Babs! This is coming from Bush's bestest ally in Iraq too - the UK government of Tony Blair! I won't bore you with the rest of Kay's haranguing of the rest of us for being less than giddy. Suffice to say though, even war supporters like Christopher Hitchens are able to differentiate between a lynching preceded by a show trial and justice. Being able to demand a single (high) standard for justice and oppose the death penalty on principle has a name - moral clarity.
Picture: How to dance a jig when you are untroubled by lynchings.

Tags: Saddam Hussein, Barbara Kay, Christopher Hitchens, death penalty