‘Paradox of Tolerance’: A Poem by Warren Bonham

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Paradox of Tolerance

“[i]f tolerance is taken to the point where it tolerates the
destruction of those same principles that made tolerance
possible in the first place, it becomes intolerable.”
—Gaetano Mosca (1858-1941), Italian political scientist 

People touting their tolerance
often are those
who are most prone to holler
while aiming their blows
at groups whose past performance
they think has not quite
been in total conformance
with what they deem right.

They begin with untainted
intentions that would
cause them all to be sainted
if they ever could
ever be altruistic,
at peace and serene,
but when they go ballistic,
they get really mean.

It is not hypocritical,
seen through their eyes,
to be hate-filled and critical
when they despise
someone they deem intolerant,
then it’s fair to
get hot under the collar,
and shout till they’re blue.

They define toleration
as acts that are kind
towards all in their nation
with whom they’re aligned.
To these like-minded brothers,
they give all they’ve got,
but they often wish others
would die and then rot.

When someone with such notions
becomes an elite,
then not facts, but emotions
dictate how we treat
any child who is dealing
with pubescent flaws,
or a criminal stealing,
but for a “good cause.”

So, when crimes get committed,
they’re either ignored,
or the perps get acquitted,
but when we reward
all these heinous infractions,
we lose people’s trust
and assure more such actions,
without being just.

When it’s feelings that dominate,
then we have got
a case where things are commonly
done without thought.
But our brains were put there for
our aid when confused—
we have heart and brains therefore
they both should be used.

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Warren Bonham is a private equity investor who lives in Southlake, Texas.