Hypocrisy part of bigger problem in society
Commentary by Tim Dragga

Jessica Simpson is on the cover of this month’s Maxim magazine (the pics are probably already all over the Delt’s chapter room).

Previously, I drew, perhaps unfairly, a comparison between her own brand of hypocrisy, abortion protesters, murdering doctors and nurses, and U2 performing at the Super Bowl halftime show.

Now much like one of my own personal heroes, Dennis Miller, I don’t wanna get off on a rant, but it seems like we’ve got more people hedging their bets than Enron staffers filing for unemployment.

I am not meaning to have any problem with liberal or conservative ideology, it’s just the hypocrisy espoused by affiliates on both that really makes me think some people should be locked in a porta potty, lit on fire and sent careening down a mountain side.

When you’ve got someone like Bono appearing at the World Health Organization to talk about how globalization and corporations are responsible for Third World debt only to turn around and perform at the corporate conglomerate melee that has become the Super Bowl, you can’t help but scratch your head and wonder if the joke’s really on you.

I haven’t seen any information to suggest that any of the more than $110 million they’ve taken in on tour is being sent to a Third World debt charity.

It’s not that hypocrisy doesn’t have its place in the world. If hypocrisy didn’t exist, those in the religious right wouldn’t have anything to do.

Hypocrisy often works out to create hilarity and occasionally leads a person into the right thing, if for the wrong reason. We can all appreciate a little intrinsic hypocrisy in the people who support abortion rights but are against the death penalty. And hey, it’s okay. I’m the first to admit I fall into that category, but at least it’s something I have to find a way to reconcile within myself.

What seems to be increasing is that now hypocrisy arises because it’s purchased.

People are willing to turn their convictions aside when the stack of cash gets high enough. Of course, that’s not a new revelation. It’s why special interest lobbyists exist and we’ve got politicians whose motives are more bought than a call girl’s enthusiasm.
Maybe it’s just the inevitable evolution of our capitalist society but it seems that there’s no point in having a conviction if it’s only on loan to the highest bidder.

Muhammad Ali was a true hero because he refused the draft and stood firm on what he believed to be right. He did it despite the fact that it was going to not only cost him money, but what would have been the three best years of his career. Regardless of whether you might disagree with his ideas you have to at least respect the fact that he held to his convictions even when it was inconvenient.

Now whether hypocrisy is motivated by economic reasons, or because it’s easier than logically accounting for two seemingly contradictory viewpoints, becomes largely irrelevant when it comes down to the result.

The increase in hypocrisy is indicative of a larger problem that’s been mounting in our culture’s political climate. That is, people are letting their stance on specific issues define their world view and ideology instead of having their world view designate their stance on specific issues.

When only specific issues become the focus, a person is left trying to explain some sort of world philosophy out of the arising contradictions. The effect is akin to building a house from the roof down instead of the ground up.

But then again, I’m a guy who supports abortion rights and not the death penalty.

Tim Dragga is a junior political science major from Lubbock. He can be contacted at (t.c.dragga@student.tcu.edu).

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