By David Iwinski

Although I thoroughly understand the position the reader has raised with regards to “trigger words” that he might feel unfairly describes parties on the right, I’ve become somewhat insensitive to the minutia of these issues, as I’m now conditioned to expect most mainstream media descriptions of folks on our side of the political spectrum to contain pejoratives. These descriptions often attempt, in ways not-so-subtle, to stain conservatives with negativity about our acts and intentions. 

This is particularly true whenever there is any reference to President Trump or the catchphrase first used in his 2016 campaign, “Make America Great Again” – MAGA. In the matter of The Hustings’ center column previewing the Braver Angels’ June 17 debate on violence in our political system [https://thehustings.news/braver-angels-debate-the-place-of-violence-in-our-political-system/] which referred to what happened at the Capitol January 6 event as a “pro-MAGA insurrection” I am frankly less irritated by the insertion of the MAGA connection than I am about describing the event as an “insurrection.” But such hyperbole has become commonplace and says much more about the embarrassing lack of media neutrality and emphasis on factual reporting than anything else. 

It is unfortunate, yes, but I do not wish to become obsessed with the triviality of triggers as many on left have become, and I do not need the center column of The Hustings to be a safe place. While perhaps irritating, these are essentially small matters and I am generally very pleased at the center column’s neutrality.