Political Violence in America
I have been meaning to write about this topic for several days now, in part because of Cheney and the right-wing movement's proud defense of torture, and in part because of having finally finished (after much delay because of my book tour) Rick Perlstein's masterful book Nixonland. I got started yesterday morning, and then got the terrible news about Dr. Tiller, and had to stop for awhile. I hesitated to keep writing because I want to be careful with tying this terrible event to the conservative movement, and indeed I want to start with some caveats. But there are some things that just have to be said on this dark day.
My first caveat is a big one, and an obvious one: most conservatives do not in any way support this kind of political terrorism, and are in fact saddened by it. There is no question about that, and I think when discussing the issue of political violence and American fascism, we should be very clear about that important point.
In addition, I think it is extremely important that progressives be very slow and very careful in calling conservatives fascist or supporters of political violence unless they actually show themselves to be that. A person may passionately believe, for example, that abortion is murder, and still strongly oppose any kind of domestic terrorism.
One final caveat: if you look back at the history of political violence in America, as I do in my book The Progressive Revolution: How The Best In America Came To Be, there is no question that progressive-minded folks have also engaged in political violence. The Revolutionary War, the Civil War and World War II were all led by progressives and you don't get much more violent than a war (not that I would have opposed those wars, I would have supported them). John Brown in the 1850s believed and fought for a violent slave rebellion, and occasionally leftist leaders in the 1960s went over the line and committed acts of violence. And anarchists assassinated William McKinley in 1901.
Having said all of that, though, it is also undeniably true that there is a dangerous and virulent streak of violence and fascism in American conservatism, now and throughout our country's history.
Conservatives in the South who vehemently and violently defended and fought for slavery and Jim Crow are the most obvious example: From the vicious caning of political opponents on the floor of the Senate, to the fighting of the bloody Civil War, to the gunning down of hundreds of freed slaves in the reconstruction era, to the lynching of thousand of African-Americans in the 90 years after the Civil War, to all of the horrible violence of the civil rights struggles in the 1950s and 60s, the story of race relations in the South has been long and incredibly bloody. The North wasn't exactly pure on race issues either, from the mass murder of blacks in Tulsa in 1921 to the rock throwing mobs of Chicago greeting Martin Luther King.
Racial violence hasn't been the only from of political violence by those opposed to progressive change in this country either. Labor leaders have been assassinated; women suffragists and other progressive reformers have been tarred and feathered, and violently harassed. Tim McVeigh, the perpetrator of the country's biggest single act of domestic terrorism was a far right-wing, militia activist. Sadly, the Tiller killing is only the latest in a long string of anti-abortion activists bombing clinics and murdering people.
Even more serious, though, is the kind of domestic political violence we have seen by certain politicians. Everyone should read Nixonland, which shows the depth of depravity of the kind of political movement Richard Nixon was leading - blatantly breaking the law right and left, seriously considering the firebombing of a think tank they didn't like, gloating over gunning down the four students at Kent State.
This is the administration Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, Donald Rumsfeld, Pat Buchanan, George H.W. Bush, G. Gordon Liddy, and many other modern day conservatives happily and proudly worked for. It is no wonder that we see them today so blithely defending the violation of the Geneva Convention and our own Bill of Rights. These are political leaders who have no qualms about torturing people, either, which is perhaps the ultimate example of political violence.
Just as political conservatives of an earlier generation had no problems aligning themselves with segregationists of the South while mobs were beating freedom riders almost to death, Bill Connor was sicking German Shepherds on children, and terrorists were firebombing churches with little girls inside them, there is a virulent strain of political conservatism today that is not troubled by political violence. Let us hope that progressives win the day over this kind of conservatism. If we don't, I think it is safe to say we should fear for our country.
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Always remember, the abortion rate is higher in Right wing nations than in Left wing nations.
If you chart abortion rates to political leanings, there is a clear corrilation.
But the "Pro-life," leaders don't want anyone to realize they are driving the abortion rate up with their other policies.
(And yes, illegal back alley abortions are still abortions, making them illegal doesn't mean they don't still happen).
I am right-center and believe gays have equal rights, think the current abortion laws (at least here in NY) should remain as they are, & I don't claim to be a Christian. I also believe firearm ownership is an undeniable right (for law-abiding citizens), & believe that lower taxes invites business into economically hard hit areas.
When you state that all right wing non-Obama voting people are racists & fascists, it pushes more moderate ex-Repubs to defend they're brethren. The same was true for the left when Bush was president. Point of the story, Let's stop repeating our stupidity!!! It's Americans versus politicians! Don't let them redirect your energy. Dem's the ball is in your court, instead of jumping all over conservatives, watch your elected officials!!! Your guys are being found to be corrupt all over the place!! There's too much money out there for nobody to be paying attention to the necessary evil, politicians. I expect you guys to try to keep the .gov's eyes on the ball. We failed with Bush, succeed and prove us wrong, keep the blood-suckers in line, win by respect not by attrition.
The author made it very clear that he was NOT trying to tie this to all conservatives.
why is the south so prone to such violence and why are they so much more far right and conservative then the rest of the country? I am seriously asking this. I am trying to understand what is it about the culture south of the Mason Dixon that makes them much more extreme and conservative?
I live in the midwest which is known for conservatism but, what is underplayed is the role of the progressive movement in this part of the country as well.
While many point to 1980 and Reagan as the beginning of the conservative era, I always saw it as beginning in the Nixon years - or even earlier, the McCarthy era where Nixon made his political mark.
Both periods are notable for the smear and fear manipulation and the criminal lengths that is so a part of the conservatives of today. The do anything, say anything mindset. Inciting people and pushing them into extremism.
Read "Deer hunting with Jesus" for some insight into this.
In the midwest folks will rail against "those darn muslim terrorists," but if they drive past a young muslim man hitchhiking on the road they will pick him up, give him a meal, and chat his ear off.
In the south the muslim man would be hung...
I don't know why either.
Politics is war to a lot of people. They don't believe in the "commonwealth" or the need for tolerance and rational common sense. They must fight to the death for their beliefs. They are the "true believers" of Eric Hoffer's book of the same name. They believe the means always justifies the ends. Throw in the religious element and you have a violent stew brewing. A free society demands civility and responsibility to encourage free discourse. If this is treated, as it is in the media, as a constant game of winners and loosers, then we all loose.
Uh huh. Read "Liberal Fascism."
What you seem to land on for your example is "racism" not fascism, and keep in mind that it was the democrat party that largely fought against civil rights for decades. Racism was at times fascistic, but lets not re-write history, the history of fascism in inextricably linked to socialism through naziism and mousilini, and we all know which side of the political spectrum socialism is on, and the single most violent poltical movement in history is without a doubt Socialism and communism. There is no comparison in terms of death toll on the right, nothing even in the same ballpark, heck, the same sport, as the violence of socialism.
But If we are talking about recent political violence, we should include the leftist violence at the last two republiican national conventions, and the lack of same at the last two democrat national conventions.
Wow!
Since the Civil Rights movement, the Democratic and Republican parties have pretty much switched sides. Yes, is was Southern Dems who wanted to uphold segregation, but once the Democratic party embraced civil rights, those very same southern Dems defected the party. It is more appropriate to say progressive and conservative (or status quo), as the parties have both evolved. The Republican Lincoln party was the progressive party of the time, and the Democratic party of the Civil Rights era was the conservative party. The point is, in narly all instances, the party that held the progressive stance has always been on the right side of the debate (no pun intended).
Amazing how you brush so close to history without knowing anything about it...
The "National Socialist," or Nazi party was founded in direct opposition to the Communist party of Germany, "which centered around nationalism, anti-communism, traditionalism and the importance of the ethnostate."
Nationalism and traditionalism, hmm, obviously the heart of the right, and not the left.
You could also claim the modern Christain Democratic party is a Left wing party by the same arguement (it has Democratic in it's name, right?). Unfortunatly for you, it is the Right wing party of Germany.
Actual socialist parties are generally not that violent, with the obvious exception of the American and French Socialists of the late 1700's.
Political violence on America courtesy of the Republicans party,abetting ill comments,
radio shows,Senators ,Congressman,Congresswoman,Palin,Newt,Delay and many more.
The USA has never been more fascist than it is now - and it'll get worse with the democraps in power, gleefully bringing in the censorship doctrine, loss of secret ballot for union membership, etc, etc.
"most conservatives do not in any way support this kind of political terrorism, and are in fact saddened by it."
And where is your evidence for this statement. So far all the vocal conservatives (and it does appear that that accounts for a majority) appear to support exactly this kind of political terrorism. I can certainly recall the rabid crowds at Palin's and McCain's rallies, if you can't.
Are liberals saddened by the army recruiter kiled by a muslim extremist, I have not seen a single article on this or any other left blog. I guess its only news when an abortion doctor is killed. The far left and far right are both crazy!
He's American,converted to Muslim,be truthful to yourself .
Converted to Muslim,be truthful to yourself .
The murder of the army recruiter is a tragic event, true. However, there were no protesters creating a hostile environment outside the recruiting center. There were no commentators demonizing military recruiters. This was a lone individual making a violent choice. There is no realistic comparison.
Ted Kaczynski
So according to YOUR logic, conservatives should believe that liberals supported this guy since NO liberal groups publically disavowed this guy. Thanks for your clarification on this issue.
Ted Kaczynski was killing people with his bombs to push against what he thought was a society too enamored with technology that was eroding our freedoms. That was never a democratic or progressive campaign or "wedge" issue... whereas virtually every republican or conservative has their views upon abortion - most of them tend to be against it.
I'm sorry, YOUR logic doesn't stand up here.
You don't believe that greater than 50% oppose political terrorism?
If all you hear are the loudest voices you won't hear from most folks.
Welcome to the World, America.
The rest of the World is scared of you already. Now you are only getting some of your own medicine which you use to deliver to other countries and people all over the world 24/7/365 with your shining w.e.a.p.o.n.r.y..
How does it taste?
If you don't disobey us, you have nothing to fear.
Yesterday, we learned that this guy had been found with bomb making equipment, at one point, and was anti-government. When I heard that, I realized that he was mentally ill. This morning CNN reported that his family had said he had a history of mental illness and his wife said he had become obssesed with the doctor.
The man who killed this abortion doctor was seriously mentally ill. This was not a political killing but a failure of both our legal and health systems.
Now, you can talk all you want about abortion and your right to it, or your right to "Gay Marriage" or any number of other things but it's not conveinent to talk about making sure that those who are severely mentally ill and the smaller percentage of those that are violent....are taken care of?
The fact is that we care not to think about it....
Until it happens again......
Did anyone notice that ALL the MSM left out the fact that this guy had mental problems?? They just wanted to rant on the conservatism connection to extremeists groups angle. Gee I wonder why no one is watching them anymore.
Yes, he was mentally ill.
If someone is retarded and I convince him to rob a bank and give me the money, should I get away scott free?
If you shout that a man is "a murderer," enough times, eventually you will get a mentally ill man to kill them, the Right has known this for some time. Think about Lincoln, Kennady (JFK and Bobby), etc.
Every murderer today tries the insanity defense for what it is worth.
Conservatism today has morphed into something dark and perverse. The Republican Party has become a recruiting ground for extremisits who want to try out new, anti American ideas to see if they will fly, that is, if they can be re-branded into something that can be sold to a busy, hurried, frightened populace.
Remember back in Clinton years, when the GOP started cozying up to domestic terrorists. The police were put on trial and the criminals given victim status. Weaver, Koresh, the radical ersatz militias that threatened small town public officials and BLM employees? Conservative talk show hosts giving on-air advice on how to kill police (Head shot!) and calling them jack booted thugs. Larry (wide stance) Craig introducing a bill to disarm BLM employees. These were all embraced by the mainstream GOP back then. Their arguments were all the same as they are now; 2nd amendment, smaller government, individual freedom. All code talk for "I hate America."
"Their arguments were all the same as they are now; 2nd amendment, smaller government, individual freedom. All code talk for "I hate America."
Maybe you should read up on WHAT the founding fathers actually stood for. Bush was NOT a conservative by ANY means. Just ask any conservative that you know.
"What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them." --Thomas Jefferson
Try readaing a little here.
http://etext.virginia.edu/jefferson/quotations/jeffcont.htm
"Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise." --Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1785. ME 19:18, Papers 8:682
"The rich alone use imported articles, and on these alone the whole taxes of the General Government are levied. ... Our revenues liberated by the discharge of the public debt, and its surplus applied to canals, roads, schools, etc., the farmer will see his government supported, his children educated, and the face of his country made a paradise by the contributions of the rich alone, without his being called on to spend a cent from his earnings." --Thomas Jefferson to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 1811. ME 13:41
"Facts are stupid things." --Ronald Reagan.
***
Stop lying to yourself. You support ideas the Founding Fathers rejected. You prop up fascism, wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross, under the guise of patriotism and traditionalism. Before you invoke the Founding Fathers, you would do well to read history.
What is it that you conservatives don't understand about eighth grade civics? Do you think Jefferson would say the same thing if he were alive today? In his day everyone had single shot muskets. You people like to quote the DecofInd, Federalist Papers, DecofRightsof Man, Common Sense, etc. New flash: it is the CONSTITUTION that is the law of the land. The rest of this stuff might give you a warm fuzzy as you count your ammo and polish your barrel, but the CONSTITUTION allows for the people to peaceably assemble and petition government; not kill cops.
Republicans and conservatives demonstrated their hate for America during the Clinton years ait will be worse under Obama because, despite all his perceived and actual faults, Bill Clinton is white.
I've heard nuts on the other side saying that when you hear somebody talking about peace and justice it's all code talk for Marxism.
Republicans and conservatives view justice as an impediment to their destruction of America. During the Clinton years Repcons were content to assume if you were indicted, you were guilty. They wanted the grand jury to supplant the trial jury This was the result of the Ken Starr witch hunt generating subpoenas so fast for anything for anyone that Repcons in Congress said let's just convict on the indictment.
America started down the road to facsism quite some time ago. When the American government decided to assist in the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Chile, at the bequest of an American corporation called IT&T. When corporations lead a country into war, it's fascism.
Agreed.
Actually, fascism isn't when corporations lead countries into war. It's when governments force "private" businesses to do their bidding. Only the government has a monopoly on force.
Apparently you have mixed up the definitions of facsism and communism
fascism - the govt is owned by a private entity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
communism - the govt owns the means of production of the country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism
Conservatism is not related to the last 8 years of bush rule.
That was fascism. Republicans are only going to be a part of the system again if they prosecute the war crimes. Otherwise they are toast.
I agree with some Republicans and some Democrats.
Lets not forget that some former terrorists, Bill Ayres, eventually "reform" become Professors and spiritual advisors to eventual Presidents!
He was convicted of nothing.
Perhaps you should read what the FBI agent who ACTUALLY investigated Bill Ayers and his friends in the Weather Undeground supported. A failure of the legal system to prosecute such domestic terriorists is a symbol of our liberties. Its better to let a guilty man go free than to convict an innocent man is what our laws are based on.
Where did you dream up, "spiritual advisor to eventual Presidents"??? Really? Are you confusing him with Obama's preacher? Hmmmmm???
Don't you have to be convicted of something before the word "terrorist" applies?
No.
Not in Republican America. If you're indicted, you're guilty.
I don't know for sure but isn't our biggest export military defense hardware and software both legal and illegal weapons?
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