This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Politics has always been a rough-and-tumble game. Recently it has become an even less civil game and, frankly, a more childish one.
When criticism is leveled against a political party, candidate or office holder, instead of delineating where and why the criticism is unwarranted, the opposition resorts to juvenile ad hominems. "Whining" and "pouting" seem to be current favorites.
In an ugly perversion of English, the word for one of nature's most exquisite creations is gaining ground. According to Merriam-Webster, snowflake "has developed a new and decidedly less pleasant use as a disparaging term for a person who is seen as overly sensitive and fragile." In the lead-up to the 2016 U.S. elections it was lobbed especially fiercely by those on the right side of the political spectrum at those on the left. And the snowball fight has continued since.
Regardless of political persuasion, those who hurl insults instead of reason might want to reconsider their tactics. Epithets reflect poorly on those who hurl them, suggesting the hurler has no class as well as no legitimate argument ... only a stockpile of playground taunts. Remember, overly sensitive, fragile snowflakes can become a treacherous blizzard.
Julene E. Fisher
West Valley City