Today we find right wing racist smear artist Chuck C. Johnson totally freaking out because he was criticized by Salon writer Joanna Rothkopf in this article about his character assassination of Michael Brown: This Michael Brown Character Smearing Is Particularly Awful. In the course of his inadvertently hilarious meltdown, Johnson brags about his “150+ IQ” and says he reads two whole books a week! And he threatens to destroy anyone foolish enough to criticize him by digging into their personal lives. Right wing journalism at its finest, ladies and gentlemen!
One of the truly unfortunate side effects of the Internet is the propensity of truly stupid, mean-spirited people to think they have something useful to add to the public discourse. Loathe as I am to devote column inches to a hate-mongering racist thug like Charles C. Johnson, there are times when racism, hatefulness, homophobia, and misogyny need to be exposed for what they are.
Johnson, who’s devoted a ridiculous amount of time and effort to demeaning and devaluing the life of Michael Brown, has put out some truly vile propaganda camouflaged as well-researched and fact-checked journalism. Like the late Andrew Breitbart, who could at least write something coherent now and again, Johnson, has some serious issues with those not fortunate enough to be born White. He also, like most Right-wingers who have a website, has a VERY thin skin and zero tolerance for criticism. Johnson can dish it, but he certainly can’t take it. I suppose you can do that when you hold yourself and your 150 IQ above mere mortals (i.e.- Liberals, women, minorities, etc.).
Here’s a news flash for you: Having an IQ of 150 is no guarantee of intelligence or decency. A higher than average IQ doesn’t mean you aren’t a miserable excuse for a human being. You can have a high IQ and still be a truly horrible person…and Charles C. Johnson is living proof. A higher than average IQ doesn’t inoculate one from racism, hatred, and misogyny. It doesn’t mean you have anything of value to offer humanity. What short of human trash thinks it appropriate to expose the rap sheet of Mike Brown’s stepfather? Or thinks that trying to use Michael Brown’s juvenile records against him is valid? (Thankfully, that opportunity’s been denied him.)
I also have an IQ of 150, but I understand that those digits and $1.25 might get me a cup of coffee at the nearest Waffle House. It’s a number, apropos of nothing. It means one has a brain and knows how to use it. What one does with that brain has nothing to do with IQ. You can be a “smart” person and still be a dumbass. You can be “smart” and yet still not realize that hating most of humanity is not a positive quality. Johnson clearly hasn’t figured that out, and he’s quite willing to go after his adversaries in an exceedingly personal manner…though he’s threatened to sue those who would use his tactics against him.
Stay classy, eh?
Does it Matter if Hillary Clinton Is a Carpet-Muncher? http://t.co/BlGvZNpvNK
— Charles C. Johnson (@ChuckCJohnson) September 2, 2014
I understand that there are those who, for whatever reason, believe that public life is a blood sport, and that they have the absolute right to take down whomever they choose by whatever means they deem necessary and appropriate. The damage they do and whatever pain they may cause is immaterial, because they’re proud, enlightened Conservatives and morally superior to lesser mortals (i.e.- Liberals and other heretics).
Just try turning the tables on them, though…and prepare for a hell-storm of righteous indignation. Johnson believes that because of his enlightened state he’s free to trash whomever he likes, and that mercy is for losers and Liberals. Because of this, NO ONE has the right to use those tactics against him. HOW DARE anyone even think they can engage in “character assassination” and “scurrilous accusations” directed at him? He’s Charles C. Johnson, and therefore immune to the scorn of lesser humans. Anyone acting differently can expect to be hearing from his attorney.
The truth is that Johnson’s a bully. He lacks even the most basic sense of human decency and cares not at all that he causes pain to others. I could go on at length, but he’s but one of the many ignorant, hateful trolls who consider that late Andrew Breitbart a role model. They’re White, they’re angry, they traffic in racism and misogyny, and they’re more than willing to destroy anyone who gets in their way.
As one who strongly believes in karma, I have to believe that Johnson and his ilk will eventually get their comeuppance. When that happens, there won’t be enough Schadenfreude to go around. Until then, people like me will have to continue exposing and calling out trolls like Johnson…because they have NOTHING of value to offer humanity. I refuse to stand by idly while people like Johnson spread their evil…and I believe that darkness will eventually be defeated by light. I have to.
(BTW…it’s Charles C. Johnson, NOT this Charles Johnson.)
