An accusation of racism may be the most radioactive charge in public discourse. Lots of smart people have stated that leveling the charge serves to cut off any debate on the underlying topic, i.e., health-care reform, radical czars, ACORN, etc.

But the profligate resort to the charge over the last few months actually seems to have energized the conversation on the details of many of these subjects. Those accused — Tea Party attendees, talk-radio listeners, and even a few GOP politicians — don’t seem to have gotten the message that they should be cowed and should stop questioning the positions of those hurling the accusation. In prior years, some of these same folks would have crawled into a hole, never to emerge.

But crying wolf inevitably leads to diminishing returns.

I wonder if Eric Holder still thinks we’re a nation of cowards?