From the right: Pete’s Putative Purity

The media have ordained “Saint Peter Buttigieg” as “go-to expert on all matters of faith,” snarks David Harsanyi at National Review. When Beto O’Rourke called for stripping un-PC non-progressive churches of their tax-exempt status, Buttigieg rightly enough warned that “any state empowered to target problematic Catholics or Evangelicals could one day come after Unitarians or Reform Jews.” But the South Bend, Ind., mayor has clearly stated that religious freedom must be “constrained” if it “becomes a rationale for doing harm.” Unless, says Harsanyi, he agrees that (for example) “religious establishments should be able to hire teachers who agree with their teachings, even when those teachings have long held that homosexuality is sinful,” he’s not really for “the free practice of faith” at all.

Foreign desk: Revolts Against Iran

“From Baghdad to Beirut, the citizens of countries thought to be part of Iran’s axis of influence have begun to revolt against Tehran,” reports Eliora Katz at Tablet. Despite “brutal crackdowns,” millions are protesting “against the corruption and failure of their governments and Iran’s domination over their national politics.” Notably, the anger is strong in Shiite communities, despite religious ties to Tehran — and growing. Iraq has seen “the public burning of portraits of Iran’s supreme leader and the torching of offices linked to Iran-aligned paramilitary groups.” In Lebanon, “Shiite protesters torched Hezbollah offices in the group’s heartland of Nabatieh” — an astonishing rejection of Iran’s pet terrorist group. But it’s too soon to tell if “the nascent political revolts in Lebanon and Iraq can survive the backlash from Iranian-backed militias and snipers long enough to evolve into a meaningful, organized political opposition.”

Campus watch: Fewer Pundits, Please

Life is sweet for big-name conservatives who travel “college towns giving stump speeches” paid for “out of donors’ pockets or college activity fees.” But what is the “tangible benefit,” asks David Hines at the Federalist. Why “provide a cushy lifestyle for righty pundits”? Hines asks college students. Decades of venerating thought leaders have produced “a conservative grassroots obsessed with the importance of sharing ideas,” but with no understanding of how to make “ideas … take root.” And a movement of nothing but great talkers ends up being “just ten thousand people with podcasts all interviewing each other.” Other kinds of “conservative activism” are needed, so how about “inviting people who’ve done practical things” instead of “expensive famous speakers”?

Libertarian: Dems Go for Woke

The 2016 results proved that “Democrats needed to do a better job courting socially moderate working-class voters” who hate political correctness, notes Reason’s Robby Soave — but they plainly didn’t listen. A recent New York Times poll shows “Trump losing to Joe Biden, the comparatively moderate former vice president, but besting both Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)” in six key swing states that will “likely decide the election.” This shows that most Democrats’ strategy — “running to the left on virtually every issue” — is “dangerous” for the party. Democrats need to take this news as “a wake up call” because, in the swing states, “there is indeed a cost to running so far to the left.”

Culture beat: The ‘Ghosting’ Generation

“Ghosting,” or closing off all communication with no warning or explanation, is “increasingly typical for employers seeking talent among young professionals entering the workplace,” notes Commentary’s Noah Rothman, who himself got ghosted by two babysitters. Global staffing firm Robert Half finds: “Employers have experienced a 10 to 20 percent increase in the number of candidates and prospective hires and employees who simply vanish.” Younger people have an “aversion for interactions that cause discomfort,” including the employer-employee relationship. It’s not just rude, says Rothman, but also “unproductive and unhealthy” for employees who lose “opportunities for growth and personal development” and show “a lack of confidence and self-esteem.”

— Compiled by The Post Editorial Board