Timothy J. Kunselman: 'It's political' and other annoying words and phrases

The most recent word that annoys the heck out of me is “weaponization.”

I first heard it used by Republicans railing against the Department of Justice and alleged use of the justice system to exact political punishment. “Weaponization” is right up there with “witch hunt” and “MAGA” and “red and blue states” and “conspiracy theorists” and “QAnon” and “Freedom Caucus.” (“Woke” is for a separate opinion op-ed all its own.)

This is not a new phenomenon in our history, which is what makes each round of accusations that this investigation or that action is “just political” more and more exasperating. Of course it’s just political! It is all just political!!

The implication of using words like “weaponization” is that the action being taken (i.e., Trump’s potential indictment over the “hush money” payment) is somehow unfair and only politically motivated, thus making it wrong. What gets lost in all the back and forth in the media is distinguishing between right and wrong and applying the law to one’s actions.

I believe that confusion between what is right and what is wrong is the greatest danger of all in our collective future. We need to cut through this constant barrage of name-calling and fanning of the flames over our differences and think about what the truth is.

Think for ourselves. Think of the perspective of others. Recognize that every person and organization has some bias or prejudice or motive behind their words and actions and parse it to find the truth and what is right.

Even though some may call it politically motivated or a witch hunt, the bottom line is whether an individual, any individual, no matter their stature or office, committed an offense under the law. If so, that person should be punished as the law provides. No person should be above the law.

Some may say, well, look at what the other guy has done, as if that is some kind of justification for what their favored person did. It’s not a justification. It’s an excuse. But it is also a meaningless excuse. The point is whether the person charged did wrong. What the other guy may have done is for another day, another investigation.

We spend all our time pursuing political vendettas and conducting investigations and coming up with annoying words and phrases, all of which tend to undermine faith in our democratic institutions. All the while being distracted from the important issues of our time and the international threats that may send us into another dark age.

Still, wrongdoing must be investigated and punished when found. It’s the only way to stop future wrongdoing. We should diligently pursue alleged wrongdoing and abide by the results determined by our peers under the law. If we do this, the standard by which we live and govern ourselves will be reset to where it belongs.

Timothy J. Kunselman of Pittsburgh is a retired attorney.