"Whatabout-ism"

"Whatabout-ism" in our public discourse is a problem.

Corey Lewandowski, during an appearance on Fox News, tried to mock his debate partner by saying "womp, womp" during a debate about an immigrant girl with Down Syndrome. [Source]

Bad timing. It appeared that he was making fun of the girl, and he got called out for it.

The next day, he refused to apologize, and said that, "We owe an apology to Jamiel Shaw and Brian Terry and Kate Steinle’s family [for allowing] those individuals to be killed by illegal aliens."

This is "whatabout-ism." Rather than taking responsibility for our own actions, "whatabout-ism" is all about diverting attention to something else. When it happens in relationships, it becomes impossible to have an adult conversation with someone. (I know because -- in my immaturity -- I've done it.) Anything you try to talk about become bogged down in the morass of a hundred different "whatabouts," all aimed at deflecting blame.

If we're going to have honest discussions about what's best for our country, this has to stop. Treat others with respect and decency, and stop belittling other people's values. You may think the other side is just plain stupid, but as a fellow American we all deserve better than that.