Attention Mika Brzezinski: The Occupiers Aren't Homeless... They Just Smell That Way

Monday, on MSNBC's Morning Joe, lefty sidekick Mika Brzezinski got pretty emotional. She was upset... I mean really upset with comments Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich made at a recent GOP forum. In discussing the Occupy Wall Street movement, Gingrich ended a diatribe on the hypocrisy and moral falsity of the protesters by suggesting they "get a job" right after they "take a bath".

The statement absolutely revolted Brzezinski who claimed to be "sickened" and "disgusted" by the "arrogant" and "un-self-aware" Gingrich. She tore into the former Speaker of the House for having the gall to talk down to the protesters with rhetoric that made her "skin crawl", labeling him a hypocrite and suggesting that he's the one who needs a bath.

Eager to affirm her outrage, she appealed to the show's panel of fellow liberals for their thoughts. They of course, agreed.

Now, I can understand how a fierce partisan like Brzezinski would get worked up over a high-profile individual laying a knockout blow on her ideological viewpoint. However, it's comical to listen to her speak of the Occupy Wall Street protesters as if they're a group of helpless, neglected, and displaced individuals who have no other option in life than to sleep in parks in unsanitary conditions, and plead for others to take pity on them.

These people aren't homeless. According to surveys down at protest sites, the majority of them aren't even jobless. Yet, Brzezinski would have us believe that they're some sort of protected class who shouldn't be subjected to public condemnation on the grounds of moral decency.

The Occupy protesters are CHOOSING to stay in these dirty, sometimes disease-riddled, makeshift communities while "Help Wanted" signs are often hanging in the windows of the businesses sitting across the street from them.

They're not above harsh criticism any more than the Tea Party movement, which commentators from Brzezinski's own network have routinely said far, far worse things about. I don't recall her getting terribly emotional about any of those people's disparaging comments.

I don't doubt that Brzezinski's reaction to Gingrich's words was genuine. Unlike many of her network colleagues who shamelessly play the morality card against anyone with an opposing viewpoint, she wasn't feigning outrage. She absolutely believes what Newt said was morally repugnant... which is in itself ironic, being that she's the one accusing someone else of being "un-self-aware".

No one is discounting the hardships that have come with these tough economic times. As I pointed out in a previous column, I certainly haven't gone unscathed myself. But lets be honest here... We're talking about a collective of people who have chosen to spend both day and night seeking public attention, creating conflict, and burdening others while drenching themselves in an unsavory environment of their own creation. They could be spending their time filling out job applications and submitting resumes, but they have elected not to. Thus, they're not hapless victims worthy of unconditional sympathy from presidential candidates, as our friend Mika has chosen to believe.