It’s Not About Paula Deen, or Chick-fil-A, or Rush…

. . . or Glenn Beck, or Don Imus. It’s about culture shock. I suffered it in the mid-nineties when I was asked to present the invocation at a local conference. I ended the invocation with, “And I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ”. As I left the podium I was met by a woman who left her seat at another table to address me. She lashed out angrily, stating, “I do not believe in Jesus Christ.” To which I answered, “That is why I ended the invocation with, I pray this in . . .” I was visibly shaken as I sat down. You see, I was apolitical up to that point. And embarrassed now to share—I rarely read the newspaper or paid much attention to national news. Somebody had stolen my country while I wasn’t looking, and I had just learned about it that day. She aggressively insisted on her right not to hear the name of Jesus Christ invoked in prayer over my right to freedom of speech and faith. This microcosm of our culture’s change from what I experienced growing up was a startling wake up call. Little did I know that this type of confrontation would become a pattern used by Leftist activists at the national level—a clear violation of Constitutional principles.

The Constitution of the United States is a document that elicits a hierarchy of values that are to protect us from authoritarianism. Values refer to principles and ideals that are prioritized in a way to make judgments. National values are expressed through the collective character of its people. The Constitution formulates a list of systemic values to unify us. When you change the values and the hierarchy you also change the system. Values are inculcated, either consciously or unconsciously; collectively or individually; implicitly or explicitly. They can be (and are presently) installed in the masses through psychological aggression. Patterns are one way we recognize such a movement.

Paula Deen’s culture shock came in June 2013 as a result of a lawsuit by an employee on the issue of alleged racial and sexual discrimination against Deen’s partner and brother. During the deposition Deen admitted to using the “N-word” in her life. As a result her empire is collapsing. Twelve companies have slashed ties with Deen because of the controversy. Deen’s apology tour has been unsuccessful. She reached out to the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who said she can be “redeemed”. However, after Jackson tweeted  “Let’s redeem #PaulaDeen, she should not be destroyed”, he was met by a barrage of unforgiving twitter followers.  Deen recently hired Judy Smith, a Washington, D.C. based crisis management expert who inspired the ABC’s Scandal TV show.

Chick-fil-A’s culture shock moment came in June 2012. COO Dan Cathy made a string of public comments opposing same sex marriage. In an effort to minimize the onslaught of politically stirred activists, the company released a statement in July of that year, “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.” Regardless, a campaign was organized to hold a kiss-in boycott at one of their restaurants. Gay groups started boycotts of the company’s advertisers as well. Soon “outraged” politicians joined the madness requesting Chick-fil-A to leave town. For the first time, someone exerted some leadership to counter the Left. Mike Huckabee organized a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day that following August, which broke all sales records. Its success was extraordinary. Nevertheless, in September, Chick-fil-A changed its policy to alleviate the public pressure from the Left.

Rush Limbaugh’s culture shock came on February 29, 2012 when he referred to Sandra Fluke as a slut. The Left’s StopRush campaign is also to stop businesses from advertising on his program, a costly punishment to endure. Last March the Daily Kos reports that “to shut him down” is an ongoing effort, now in its second year. Kos writes, “If you get your news from NBC, you might think that the uproar over Limbaugh’s assault on women had died. You’d be dead wrong. StopRush is low profile, but it is very, very active.” Limbaugh did apologize.

Glenn Beck in January of 2009 hosted the Glenn Beck television program on Fox, drawing more audience than competitors CNN, MSNBC and HLN at the same time-slot. That success led to the start of a movement, but also serious opposition from the Left and then a parting of ways with Fox News on June 30, 2011. What was hidden to many was the Left’s activism to stop businesses from advertising on his show. While no longer active, the campaign can be viewed at http://stopbeck.com/dropped-sponsors/. On the bottom of the page the administrator writes: “I want to recognize the following organizations’ contributions in holding Glenn Beck accountable for his irresponsible vitriol, propagation of sexism and preying on racial anxiety. So, thank you: Color of Change, SEIU and Media Matters.” Over 300 listed businesses agreed to stop advertising on the Glenn Beck show. However, Glenn Beck’s success continues to soar with an Internet TV subscription model, called TheBlaze TV. Dish Network is now carrying it as well.

Don Imus, of the Imus in the Morning broadcast, then aired by MSNBC and now aired on Fox News Business, had his culture shock on April 4, 2007. In banter mode, Imus chatted about the NCCA Women’s Basketball Championship, describing the Rutgers University women’s basketball team players as “rough girls”. Bernard McGuirk, his executive producer piped in, characterizing them as “hardcore hos” [sic]. The exchange continued with Imus calling the girls “nappy-headed hoes” and McGurik adding more insulting epithets. A firestorm was lit. Imus appeared on Al Sharpton  syndicated radio talk show to address the issue and was mercilessly chided. Imus succumbed to the resulting public pressure, making a grueling and unsuccessful apology tour. His show was suspended anyway and then cancelled.

The concept of multiculturalism is antithesis to the Constitution. The original melting pot analogy, also known as cultural assimilation, has been replaced by another systemic value hierarchy. A Code Red strategy has been adopted by the Left to enforce their Constitutional infringements. Their targets are mercilessly attacked, making cultural examples of those who do not conform to the Left’s “party line” of multiculturalism and political correctness.

French sociologist, Jacques Ellul, determined that the only way to combat psychological warfare is by countering with the same. So a Code Red strategy needs a counter Code Red strategy—perhaps by a few good women.