The 1st Rule of Politics: Don’t Be Evil

Jay Jones and the Politics of Rage: From Hope to Despair

Above: American politics started in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 — we used to say “Virginia is for History Lovers,” — but the Jay Jones texts and the Abigail Spanberger call to “Let your rage fuel you,” show Virginia has come full circle. Left: Jay Jones (Democratic candidate for Virginia attorney general) and gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spangler at a June rally. Photo by Adnan Masri courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

The first rule of politics: Don’t be evil.

The second rule for all work, political, and personal relationships: Praise publicly and punish privately.

In writing and public moments, share your best ideas (not your worst). Jay Jones and Abigail Spangler forgot those two simple rules. It’s costing them.

The Jay Jones texts read like a manifesto from a mass shooter. A troubled, angry young man. Except this man wants to administer the law.

The Rising Rage: Jay Jones and the Future of Political Activism?

First, Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, told a crowd, “Let your rage fuel you.”

Rage? Research that word! Rage comes from “rabid animals,” foaming at the mouth like a dog with rabies. Rage literally means “madness, frenzy, or violent insanity.”

Leaders teach us to control our rage. But it’s suddenly all around.

Jonathan Turley, the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, just wrote a bestselling book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”