Operation: Zero Tolerance
Jeff Talbot
For what it's worth, every so often I feel an impulse to contribute to society. Not so much to feel a part of the circle, in fact, the more I look around the more appealing quarantine seems; rather my aim is to point out societal slip ups or inquire, why, when too many acquiesced in nodding unison. So, my fellow citizens, I lay before you a warning. A warning to be vigilant of the words being hurled at you.
Zero tolerance. In all actuality this store-bought slogan has always been an insult, but I feel as though it has just recently graduated into a fully grown annoyance. Before we delve into this political mutilation of the English language, think back, where have you heard this before? What has zero tolerance been applied to? “We will not tolerate this aggression.” “Racism will not be tolerated.” “There will be zero tolerance for terrorism.” “Drugs will not be tolerated.” Sound familiar? Don't let the topics fool you; ethnicity, drugs, terror. It sounds strictly political but zero tolerance is applied to schools, companies, municipalities, and countries alike; and, amazingly, through zero tolerance these institutions all achieve the same end.
Absolutely nothing.
But the phrase sounds poetic doesn't it? Zero tolerance is one of those catchy diddys you almost want to say just to let the words fill your mouth. First off, it is a fascist concept. Hitler and Stalin instituted this philosophy in their countries. The phrase dogmatically adheres to a strict code; the incapability of “tolerating” exceptions or compassion of any kind. Everything is black and white; there are no gradations. Really it is nothing more than a cosmetic cover up designed to impress and comfort simpletons. The words fill the air with a sense of accomplishment when nothing is being done short of uttering the words themselves. In fact, the only result of zero tolerance is an ever tightening grip of control over the poor souls having to “tolerate” hearing the meaningless phrase (I wonder if that's an inside joke with the higher-ups?). The closest zero tolerance ever came to living up to its hype, is when, infamous hippie, Tommy Chong, was busted during the equally trite War on Drugs phase. The man may have been apathetic and left a trail of half eaten cupcakes in his wake, but he was most certainly not intolerable. Yet another victory for Uncle Sam, the justice dispensing sentinel.
Take a close look at the words. Zero tolerance. What do they mean? Zero defined as none, not less than or more than. Non-existent. Tolerance meaning the capacity to endure something, be it a belief or physical infliction, etc… Zero is simple enough to understand and have a general consensus of agreement about, but, tolerance seems to get misconstrued. Tolerance means to put up with something, not accept it. You tolerate a cold or someone's opposing religious views, but you don't accept them. Huge difference. What these manipulative fanatics should be saying is “zero acceptance.” After, all that is the implication of “zero tolerance,” to eradicate an idea that is deemed unacceptable. If these control-happy nuts want to exercise their ego they should at least do us the credit of using the appropriate words.
Zero tolerance not only does nothing for the problem at hand, it does irreparable damage by ignoring it all together. The phrase brings promise and bestows faith in the exact people you should be wary of. Remember, my fellow ardent patriots, whenever you hear the phrase, zero tolerance, grab your hip hugging boots and shovel, because someone is bullshitting you.
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