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Sharing Tea Bags with Right Wing Extremists
One of the very bizarre accusations overheard at the tea bag protests Wednesday was that President Obama is somehow a "fascist." At the same time, and often in the same protest, he was also accused of being a "communist."
Of course it's ideologically impossible to be both, in the same way it's impossible to be both informed and a FOX & Friends host, but then again I'm expecting too much logic and message coherence from people who spent all of Wednesday protesting against socialism and wealth redistribution while gathered in publicly funded -- dare I say "socialized" -- parks and town squares.
But back to that "fascist" accusation. I'm not convinced that tea baggers like Michelle Malkin understand that fascism is, in fact, a form of right wing extremism. Because for the last 24 hours or so, Malkin, Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and the usual band of apoplectic brainiacs appear to have been vigorously defending "right wing extremism" after having previously accused the president of being on the same flank of the ideological spectrum.
Yeah, I know. It doesn't make sense.
Rewind to Tuesday morning: a Homeland Security report covering potential threats from "right wing extremist" groups, including militias, white supremacists and neo-Nazis, was obtained by talk show host Roger Hedgecock. And, predictably, the gang who can't seem to decipher basic high school level social studies concepts, kneejerked into one of their paranoid tantrums -- insisting that the report was entirely about them.
Almost right away, the far-right blogs and FOX News Channel were set ablaze with reports that the Obama administration was targeting conservatives with a massive surveillance operation. But here's the thing: the DHS report wasn't about conservatives. The word "conservatives" doesn't appear anywhere in the report. It was all about radical domestic terrorist groups who happen to subscribe to outlandish ideologies well beyond the mainstream of political discourse. Notwithstanding this very clear distinction, Malkin and the broader wingnutosphere lost their collective shpadoinkle and insisted the DHS was targeting the mainstream tea baggers.
Now, when this story first broke, I was at a bit of loss as to how to accurately interpret the right's wildly conspiratorial, victimized reaction. Either Malkin and Beck were just as confused and incoherent as always, and, in their loud noises anti-government rage, they were inadvertently coupling themselves with right wing extremists. Or they not-so-subtly admitted that there isn't much difference between a garden variety conservative, a garden variety wingnut and a garden variety right wing extremist -- that they're all basically militant racists who are plotting to blow up federal buildings. I don't know.
There's one thing we know for sure, however: they're definitely freaked out about the government's post-9/11 intelligence apparatus -- the very same bureaucracy they actively and vocally cheerled throughout the Bush years. Malkin, in particular, was one of the most outspoken and cheerleadery endorsers of allowing unchecked executive power via the vice president's office, the NSA, the CIA and the military, while encouraging these agencies to use any means necessary to smoke out the evildoers. This included illegal wiretapping, rendition, suspension of habeas rights and every awful provision found within the USA PATRIOT Act.
Yet in light of this DHS report, Malkin seems to believe that the government might be spying on people. Her people. "Right wing extremists."
So they're suddenly worried about privacy are they? Whatever happened to Rush Limbaugh's maxim: "Our civil liberties are worthless if we are dead!" Or Senator Big John Cornyn's words of wisdom: "None of your civil liberties matter much after you're dead."
Glenn Greenwald wrote on Tuesday:
When you cheer on a Surveillance State, you have no grounds to complain when it turns its eyes on you. If you create a massive and wildly empowered domestic surveillance apparatus, it's going to monitor and investigate domestic political activity. That's its nature.
It's like that classic SNL sketch from 1988 with Tom Hanks as Mr. Short Term Memory. Hanks is at a restaurant and orders his favorite meal: poached salmon. He takes a bite of his fish then, forgetting he took a bite, shouts, "Ah! There's something in my mouth! There's something in my mouth!" The wingnuts begged and fear-mongered for this gigantic overreaching surveillance state and now they're suddenly alarmed that it's covering terrorists other than brown-skinned foreigners with funny hats?
That could be the clincher, though. The far-right outrage might have something to do with skin color.
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project reported that as many as 60 domestic, white right wing terrorist attacks were thwarted by law enforcement in the ten year span following the Oklahoma City bombing which, by the way, was also perpetrated by an American right wing extremist with boy-next-door white skin.
The plots, all foiled by law enforcement, reportedly included violent plans by antigovernment militia groups, racist skinhead organizations, and Ku Klux Klan members to use various types of chemical bombs and other weapons.
Nice. More examples of right wing extremists. Extremists who are evidently being coupled by Malkin with the broader conservative movement. I hasten to note here that I'm not citing these examples for the same reason Malkin and wingnutty websites such as Religion of Peace like to highlight Islamic terrorist attacks: as an ongoing feargasm intended to incite more wars and cultural intolerance. I'm merely presenting evidence that, yes, right wing terrorists do exist. Sorry, Malkin. There are also left wing terrorists, by the way, and they were the subject of their own DHS report issued back in January, according to the Washington Times.
The point being that terrorist attacks can be orchestrated by anyone -- not just brown religious zealots. (I can't believe I actually have to write that.)
Whether intentional or not, the talkers and bloggers who appear to be driving the post-Bush crazy train, have, intentionally or not, opened up the conservative tent to some pretty unsavory and dangerous characters. And in light of what happened in Pittsburgh, are they really so sure that deliberately conflating conservatism with the radical, violent end of the ideological spectrum is such a wise strategy? Beck and the others were so shocked and disturbed that their rhetoric was being partly blamed for Pittsburgh. But that was last week. This week, they definitely seem to be sharing their tea bags with the psychotics. And such behavior can cause a serious infection. Political infection. Is what I meant.
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I have a novel idea . Why don't we take the names of all those Republican's who protested the tax on the very rich and tax them instead of big business ,seeing how they think its unfair to tax the very rich and fair to over tax the middle class and working poor, give them what they want ,,tax them !
I find myself in a bind. I believe that any Honest Patriotic American would say: “I care about making money as much as I care about Liberty.” However, if the United States Government went bankrupt, large private businesses and vital small businesses would suffer. Even though I know Libertarianism is the only path to true liberty, true liberty can be achieved in light of recent economc events but it may have negative consequences especially when it comes to my small business’ bottom line. I’m sure you can understand, this would be a devestating blow to my family. I mean, I thought the whole point of Libertarianism was to have a goal of a free-market so that Liberty can be restored. Libertarianism is forward-looking Conservatism with a static political theory which has been backed up by reason. It gives us hope for a richer future. Congressman Paul, I want to know what is the best way to rectify my political philosophy and my business interests using conventional logic.
Thank you for reading this letter, I very much look forward to hearing your response.
All of us in the private sector know that it is sometimes best to declare bankruptcy and re-structure your business. It sounds hard, but we don’t have to worry because it’s just the government. How are they going to appear to be a sound business model when they are paying money to tax collectors but the Armed Forces and public law enforcement have been dissolved?
From The Desk of A Concerned Libertarian:
Dear Congressman Ron Paul,
I am writing this letter so that we can both profit from an opputunity which can (finally) bring about Liberty. When I was skimming the Associated Press for entertaining stories about celebrities, I unfortunately heard some “bad news.” I couldn’t believe what I was reading. The country of Iceland is bankrupt!?!?!? My great-great grandfather was Icelandic! I immediately got in contact with my parents, who happened to be vacationing in Iceland, so I could make sure everyone was okay. Boy was I surprised when they told me, “Don’t worry about us, everything is fine over here.” Instantly Anarchy, State and Utopia by Professor Robert Nozick came to mind. It hit me: what we Libertarians need is for our government to declare bankruptcy.
Let's do it people. Let's make bold decisions about what's best for our future! Here's a letter I wrote to Congressman Paul. Both liberals and conservatives have said they respect this man so I felt it was best to send him my insights. Enjoy!
Sorry, but the current tea party group is too late. You have already given all of your tax breaks to the ultra rich in this country during the Bush years. You have gotten what you wanted...gutted middle class.
Here's another cliche for the GOP and the conservative movement: You can't have your cake and eat it too.
What is the definition of a "Left Wing Extremist?"
What is the definition of a "Right Wing Extremist?"
What is the definition of "Rich."
Feargasm, an interesting word invented, I believe, by Bob Cesca. To find out what the word means and how and by whom the feargasm was brought to the American people, read Bob's book, "One Nation Under Fear."
It's a good read.
There are lots of Republicans veterans that believe that they are right wing extremist because they are going nuts think that this government is going to round them up and put them in those FEMA prisons and take their guns from them and they are seeing their government becoming Socialist, Fascism, Communist or all three because of the Homeland Security statement that got out to the public these are the same people that wanted all these freedoms taken from us during W reign with the Patriot Act which they were all for to make us safe now you have a Democrat in and a black man and the government as we know it is coming to an end.
I read some of the stuff they are saying an I think maybe they are right wing extremist or just plain ignorant they feel that they have been slighted because they are veterans and the government is targeting all veterans, one thing is you can not reason with them period. I know that it is only some veterans because I am a veteran of the Vietnam Conflict but to have gone this far there are to many as far as I'm concerned.
The coordinated dog-whistle narrative being fed to teabaggers is lighting up GOP email lists like TownHall and Human Events. One threatens impending economic holocaust, social panic and racial slaughter in the streets like the LA riots, but luckily they are also selling survival guides which teach you how to forage for food, cook up your own antibiotics and stockpile weapons.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/TownHall-Economic-Holocau-by-Gustav-Wynn-090403-744.html
I always enjoy reading your post, once again you hit the nail on the head.
Years ago we saved enough money to put 20% on a house. After more years of hard work we paid off the morgage. Now that we are retired we may lose our house because we can't pay the taxes. Never asked for a Golden Parachute or bailouts. Last year paid $39,000+ in income taxes (Fed & CA). Thought about the Boston Tea Party idea when the Fannie & Freddie bailouts (part of my tax money) happened last year. I was at a Tea Party. I'm not a FOX or Repub person but also not an Obama or MBNBC person. After reading and listening to Mathews, Oberman, Maddow, O'Rielly and Hannity, it will be hard for me to turn MSNBC on again. I am ashamed of the left for their characterization of people at the Tea Parties. Most I talked to were civil and concerned about taxes and spending.
ps I began my "political" involvement at a fundraiser for George McGovern in an attempt to end the war and stop the killing. Nixon won and more were killed (both sides). Obama said he was going to get us out and yet more are being killed and his involvement in Af/Pak is only increasing. We need to give both parties the boot because they are one in the same.
You are a little confused. Nixon won in part because he had signed a peace treaty with the Viet Cong. His impeachment followed and was a distraction that stopped us from going back into Vietnam. So, your memory of your first political involvement is a little off and it makes the rest of your comment suspect.
You do understand that the Democratic national government has raised nobody's taxes, but actually cut some. There is a plan to let the top bracket go back to what it was in 2001 after two more years. This was the plan when taxes were cut then, and it's probably a good idea since fully funding the government is the only way to control inflation and protect the value of the dollar.
State and local governments have to balance their budgets. The Obama administration has extended the offer of stimulus funds to them so that vital services and unemployment insurance can be maintained. Perhaps, libraries, schools and jails can be economized. This is not clearly a good idea.
You paid $39,000 in taxes? You do know that a lot of people don't even make that much in wages, and you are going to lose your paid off house because of property taxes, I'm sorry but I really can't believe a word you say it just doesn't make any sense. I don't even believe you were at a tea bag party your to mixed up to find one.
Exactly what I was thinking...
By the way, you are not one of us. You paid 3 times in taxes than I make in an year, you are one of them.
I drove by the tea party in my town during rush hour and got a good look at the signs the protestors were carrying, they were mostly anti-Obama. Nothing about taxes or deficits. It was a racist hate fest. The GOP glommed onto the Libertarian tea party protest and turned it into an anti-Obama, anti-Democrat corporate sponsored political lynching. The deserved every joke about them.
Where were these people during the Bush years when taxes were cut for the wealthy and raised on the middle-class? Why weren't they out there protesting unfunded mandates like No Child Left Behind which is breaking the backs of our public schools or Medicare Part D which made medicine very difficult for elderly middle class people to afford? Where were they last summer when we learned that the Bush economic policy doubled the deficit?
So please, while I feel for you in your position, I have a very hard time believing these tax day protests had anything to do with real concern over taxes and deficits. Because all these people were A-OK with it when the Republicans controlled Congress and the White House.
Amen, well said. I paid twice what this person claims to have paid the gov for 2008 and I am a Obama supporter all the way. How can you lose your house because of the taxes and pay the fed $39.000? Something doesn't add up.
Well said, Kir. It's hard to understand why posters are attacking those attending the tax protests. I say bravo!
Try Urbandictionary.com next time. And please of please, right wing, keep on being socially tone deaf.
and thnly disquised Bigots
This is not about Socialism, Communism or Fascism.
There is only one ISM in evidence among the teabaggers.
Racism!
What exactly is Racist... I'm curious...
Try Wikopedia, it's on the internets..
Racism? That is simply absurd! Surely you were being facetious?
People were protesting because they are simply tired of being endlessly and unfairly taxed. I applaud the protestors and share their concern.
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