Reflections in Populism

We are hellbent on justifying our own flaws and guilty consciences with the actions of others. We do this to the point of convincing even ourselves that we support and believe in the unspeakable acts of the obviously depraved. We defend them as if we are defending ourselves. We want the world to condone what they’ve done so that we can feel that the things we think and do are acceptable. We fly the flags of devils in defense of our demons. The things for which we hate ourselves the most determine who we are willing to fight for. Our poorly behaved celebrities and politicians-our infamous yet idolized criminals are only funhouse mirrors in which we see ourselves. If this seems like an exaggeration, see if you can recall yourself or anyone else defending someone with, “I would have done the same thing.”