THE MYTH OF "LIBERAL TOLERANCE"

One of the enduring myths that the Left promotes about itself is that is based in large part on "empathy" and "tolerance" and "diversity."  Naturally, they have mangled, mischaracterized and generally abused the very definitions of those words.  George Orwell understood this phenomenon very well as he himself had been a Socialist most of his life.  

Left-wingers claim to be more tolerant than Conservatives but what they apparently don't understand is that "tolerance" is not synonymous with "approval."  In other words, "tolerance" is not required for those things of which we already approve.  True tolerance refers to those things of which we do NOT approve.  And so the opportunities for the so-called "tolerant" Left to practice what they preach would be at those moments when they are confronted by something, someone or some statement of which they disapprove.  And therein lies the problem.  Whenever Left-wingers see a statement of which they do not approve they don't demonstrate tolerance but rather go on the attack in the most vicious manner allowable by the law.  And sometimes they go beyond the law if they think they can get away with it.  

Approving same-sex marriage does not qualify as "tolerance."  We don't "tolerate" things we approve.  Tolerance would be to acknowledge and respect the fact that others have a valid objection to same-sex marriage.  People can agree to disagree and that would be an example of genuine tolerance.  But that's not what happens whenever Leftists go on the attack.  And they compound the hypocrisy by bitterly complaining whenever THEY are on the receiving end of abuse.  

Many of the "liberals" who wailed and wrung their hands over the loss of "civility" in the wake of the Tucson shootings would not be nearly as concerned if Gabrielle Giffords had been a member of the GOP.  There would be no weeping and wailing.  No calls for "civility."  And "tolerance" would be more likely to be demanded for the shooter rather than empathy for the victims.