American Political Culture

                                                                  Political Posturing and Cultural Conditioning

    “I don’t like your politics,” proclaimed Floyd Corkins before shooting a security guard at the Family Research Council facility in the Washington D.C. area on August 16, 2012. 

    Sound familiar? Both the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations pronounced this statement to Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Iran. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, both administrations have already killed countless human beings—some labeled ‘suspected’ militants, but most, non-militant men, women and children—and destroyed the countries’ civil societies and physical infrastructures, as well as murdered two national leaders. And if hyped-rhetoric from the Obama court is any indicator, the drones should begin bombing the men, women, children, teachers, ‘suspected’ militants, homes, schools, religious centers, police stations, and water and electricity suppliers in Syria and Iran any day now, especially if Israel can convince Obama of its delusional doomsday scenario.

    Considering the jury is still out over the nature versus nurture debate, it’s wisest to acknowledge each factor’s contribution. In the meantime, however, if our general state of society offers any clues to the mystery, it’s evident that nurture and environment play a significant role in people’s thoughts and behaviors, with the Corkins’ shooting as just one example. 

    Additionally, the U.S. presidential administrations generally kill people and destroy nations considered by the U.S., respectively, as “others” and undemocratic, nearly always ensuring manifest justification. Paralleling such irrationality, Corkins is a gay rights’ activist, and this particular center houses a right-wing Christian lobbying association. However, Corkins’ political message didn’t end with the gay/Christian dichotomy.

    As one hand held the gun, Corkins’ other hand held a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich—the Chick-fil-A corporation, it turns out, donates millions of dollars to anti-gay organizations each year. The outspoken president of Chick-fil-A preaches that homosexuality is a slap to God’s face.

    Thus, the shooter’s message not only reflected his hostility towards a political faction that portrays gays and lesbians as heathens doomed for Dante’s hell, but it also highlighted how corporate financial contributions can overtly influence the political debate and subsequent policy decisions.

      If you’re wondering whether Chick-fil-A financially supports either U.S. presidential candidate, unfortunately, we, the citizens, aren’t entitled to this information, thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision on Citizens United.

2012 copyright © Eileen M. Sembrot – All rights reserved.