Republican Mobs Stirrng The Pot Until It Boils Over

Sometimes, words can kill.

A vocabulary carefully crafted into lethal lies almost always foreshadows fatalities.

In the case of Nazi Germany, the evidence of Hitler's wicked intentions -- from Mein Kampf to the Brown Shirts - was vividly clear. People may have ignored the alarm bells, but no one can say that there were not warnings of the brutality to come.

In 1994, Hutu radio broadcasts that called Tutsis cockroaches helped lead to genocide in Rwanda. Prior to the infamous broadcasts, a newspaper published the Hutu Ten Commandments, which smeared the rival ethnic tribe and included the eerily prescient eighth commandment: "Hutus must stop having mercy on the Tutsis."

Earlier this month, in Gojra, Pakistan, more than 20,000 rioters torched 100 houses that belonged to Christian families and murdered seven people after a false rumor spread that the town's Christians had defiled the Koran. Local mullahs enthusiastically furthered this big lie and used it to spark violence.

"We were afraid because the clerics had been railing against us in the mosques," Riaz Masih, a Christian and retired math teacher whose house was gutted told the New York Times. "They said, 'Let's teach them a lesson.'"

The circumstances of these tragedies are vastly disparate in terms of geography, time period and circumstances. However, they illustrate three points:

1) Inflammatory and defamatory words, especially if spoken by religious or political authority figures, can and do lead to violence.

2) There is no shortage of mentally unbalanced people who will sometimes carry out shocking acts, and we should be very careful not to incite them with rhetoric that stokes their paranoia. Like stacks of firewood, these angry individuals go unnoticed until the gasoline is poured and the match is lit.

3) Americans are human beings, just like everyone else. So, the notion that what we say does not matter "because it could never happen here" is jingoistic foolishness.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Dr. Michael Brown, an anti-gay ideologue in Charlotte who brought hundreds of red shirted fundamentalists to that town's gay pride event. Brown's mission is to "raise up a holy army of uncompromising spirit-filled radicals who will shake an entire generation with the gospel of Jesus by life or death."

If you haven't noticed, the extreme right is getting dangerously delirious. A black president, a Latina on the Supreme Court and gay people gearing up to marry in Iowa has exacerbated this crowd's feelings of marginalization.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of conservative leaders willing to exploit the situation for political gain. Just as Brown was able to organize the troops, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (among others), is mobilizing angry mobs (at least the ones who aren't Republican operatives) to harass members of congress about health care at town hall meetings.

What these partisan "patriots" are doing is manufacturing mayhem and damaging democracy. It can't be good for the nation to provoke the woefully out of touch and encourage them to go out of control.

It is contemptible that a major political party would exploit the ignorant, to fund the elite. These foaming-at-the-mouth fools (many think Medicare is a private health plan) rail against government bureaucrats influencing healthcare decisions. Yet, they seem blithely and suspiciously unconcerned about insurance company bureaucrats denying life or death coverage to maximize profits.

No matter your view on healthcare and Obama's plan, this rabble rousing by Republicans on behalf of their lucrative lobby firms is disgraceful. These political opportunists stir the pot of pugnacity, but in their arrogance believe they can keep it from boiling over. When crowds are summoned, filled with alienated people who feel a competing sense of abandonment and entitlement, it is only a matter of time before people get hurt.

I am a staunch First Amendment advocate. But let's not pretend such irresponsible words and behavior does not have casualties and consequences. We can best celebrate free speech and assembly by freely choosing not to incite or assemble irate mobs that lack control or any normal sense of inhibition.

Follow Wayne Besen on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Truthwinout

Comments

[upbeatdem]

Excellent post. Thanks for your insights. Unfortunately, I am not sure that the people who are stirring up this anger and hostility even care whether it results in violence. I am still incredulous that the man who stood outside the President's New Hampshire town hall meeting with a gun was not apprehended by the Secret Service. It is time that we all took this threat of violence very seriously.

[DestinationsUnknown]

Can we get all the bush lovers - i want my country back state their favorite Insurancve Company

Tell us what the best insurance companny you have and why

Until then- zip it

You have destroyed our country enough

The World Blames you people-the bush lovers who want bush bavk

I want my country back - right!

THE WORLD BLAMES YOU!!

So do we

You have not proven yourself yet

[DesertWarDawg]

"Sometimes, words can kill.

A vocabulary carefully crafted into lethal lies almost always foreshadows fatalities.

In the case of Nazi Germany, the evidence of Hitler's wicked intentions -- from Mein Kampf to the Brown Shirts - was vividly clear. People may have ignored the alarm bells, but no one can say that there were not warnings of the brutality to come."

First, the comparison you use is extreme at best and has its own “inciting rehortic” side to it as well. Just look at some of these posts. But then you knew that didn’t you.

So .......... what is your answer then Besen? Shut down all the disagree? Censor all that you or some "group" feel is inappropriate? And if so, who is going to be that decision maker? Who is going to tell everyone else what they can and cannot say?

This is already practiced in China and the old Burma and other similar societies.

Everyone here seems to be slamming so what is the answer? Suppression base upon whose limitations? Who will be the judge? Who among all of you critics will be the final word on what can be said?

[ballina]

No one is saying they have the answer - they are saying that issues should be discussed in a civil manner. It is time people who are against the health care initiatives, and other Obama policies discuss them - hold community town hall meeting where all viewpoints can attend, etc. They also must speak out against hate-speech and those who seem to call for the murder of the President and Congressional leaders. That is not how America is supposed to work!

[DesertWarDawg]

you apparently have not read early aemrican history. shouting and fist clenching were required in the early congress.

i have not heard any reports at town meetings where anyone is calling for the murder of obama or any other politicians, outside of the normal hate groups who need little for them to start yapping on the internet.

i wonder of the group in berkley that blocked the entry way to the recruting office, called those inside murderers and chanted war criminals were conducting an open forum of calm, responsible discussion?

"No one is saying they have the answer", so you just complain, label the "other side" and what? maybe if you just ignored it and wrote it off to what it is, fear of being old or disabled and left behind or forgotten ........ the frenzy would subside.

after you argue with a fool long enough ......... you know the rest.

personally, being a white male firearm owning onservative right winger who understands that we already have several forms of nationalized health care programs who only opposes the idea that it is some how a constitutional right of every one, legal or not ..........­. i really don't see much difference in the liberal posts.

i see hate. and hate is hate rep or dem and is generated by fear on both sides.


btw, i did not vote for obama and i do not like the man, nor most of anything he stands for, but i don't endorse anyone doing any

[DesertWarDawg]

the previous post should have ended ..........­....

btw, i did not vote for obama and i do not like the man, nor most of anything he stands for, but i don't endorse anyone doing any harm

[mcmchugh99]

It doesn't matter if it boils over. We just finished a conservative cycle that lasted 30 years, and it will not be turning back in that direction for at least a decade. It doesn't matter how much the Republicans threaten, bluster or pack town hall meetings.

As long as Obama stays on teh reform path, he will be elected again in 2012 by a larger majority than in 2008.

The public opinion polls of the moment matter nothing in the face of these larger historical forces, that none of the Republicans understand at all.

[blood1]

I could have ignored the pundits. When elected GOP legislators decided to start saying the same WORDS, not same ideas, but SAME WORDS - that I became alarmed. When these GOP legislators decided to become "bearthers" and then "deathers"­...then I knew this country was coming to a fork in the road. Are we going to act like rational human beings or are we going to become a mob. Unfortunately, the answer is not clear. According to the actions of the GOP legislators, they seem to think mob rule should be the answer.

[vascopyjama]

When we tell corrupt developing countries that they need democracy, is this the sort of democracy we are talking about?

[MeinNH]

You are so right. It is a sad day when we have become the laughing stock of the world.

[NewArtz]

The conscience can only go so far, before lies believed create lies told. Americans can be for or against government sponsored health care. But none of us can afford hatred incited, provoked and set loose. We cannot arm our children and expect they will lead us to glory.

The Family that hates only knows war.

[theclosetconservative2]

Hate's coming from the left pal. http://theclosetconservative.com

[rich misty]

Conservati­ve/Republi­cans are not victims. Conservatism tortures.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-08-12/the-gops-misplaced-rage/full/

Leading conservative economist Bruce Bartlett writes that the Obama-hating town-hall mobs have it wrong—the person they should be angry with left the White House seven months ago.

Until conservatives once again hold Republicans to the same standard they hold Democrats, they will have no credibility and deserve no respect.

[Spamzillla]

Let’s not be naïve. Even if the violent, racist right wing comprises only, say, .1% of our population, that means that nearly 300,000 well-armed psychos are waiting for a “spark”. I suggest that this situation represent a much greater threat than Osama bin Laden. So, what should we do? Simple. Trust the country, your neighbors, and the judicial system. We Americans can be slow, clumsy, and ugly, but eventually we’ll get it right.

[theclosetconservative2]

How is the "right wing" racist? Facts, please. http://theclosetconservative.com

[rich misty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw-2SCNPyUs -Maddow on the Birther Movement

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2141655/posts -James W. von Brunn on Freerepublic

Southern Poverty Law Center

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=1052

As the first months of the Obama Administration unfold, a growing consensus is emerging that a resurgence of right-wing hate groups and radical ideas is spreading across the United States. Law enforcement officials, civil rights groups, and many others have all expressed worries about this troubling trend.

http://research2000.us/2009/07/24/were-not-putting-you-on-eugene-betw/ -Polling firm editorial, they were actually on the phone ^ with birthers asking questions.

MSNBC president calls birther movement "r@cist" http://mediamatters.org/blog/200907240043

Chris Matthews wonders if it's about "not documentation, but pigmentation" http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907230001

CNN's Martin: Birther's "I want my country back" comment means "How is this black guy all of the sudden running the country?" http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/200907220041

[timmmahhhh]

From NORTH of the mason dixon line.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/12/AR2008051203014.html

[DesertWarDawg]

gee racist right wing, can you say generalization.

I am a white Christian right winger. I own firearms. The last time I checked I wasn’t walking around waiting for any excuse to become violent towards anyone.

I guess that I really don’t know what I am thinking according to you. Because you say so I must be violent. Because you say so I must be waiting to shoot someone. Because you say so ………………

No because you say so does not make it so. Because you say so does not mean that it will happen.

What I see on these posts are a bunch of paranoia over retirees and a few house wives.

As far as extremists, they have been around for decades. They are not new. The numbers have increased as of late simply because idiots like them always surge on a new whatever, in this case a black president.

Change the “right” to “left” and there is not much difference between these posts and what I have read on the paranoid conservative blogs. Paranoia seems to have infected both sides.

[opit]

Change 'right' to 'left' and there is not much difference.
Well, yes. On the 'right' we have companies having freedom to do what they want without the state interfering and on the 'left'....­oh, that's right. There isn't one.
American politics consist of 2 right-wing parties trying to convince the population they have a choice.
If they did, you would find that those who want the freedom to operate their businesses without interference via Mafia-promoted regulations occupy both 'ideological' positions.
I say Mafia because it's the best word I can think of to describe a bought and paid for gang of thieves. The differences between the 'parties' are mostly show for a 'Good Cop, Bad Cop' routine.
I live in what I sometmes jokingly refer to as Soviet Canuckistan - though rich men rule here too!

[Spamzillla]

"Generalization"? I specifically mentioned a VERY small percentage of the population. Try to actually r-e-a-d the post instead of assuming that everyone is a narrow-minded as you.

[garymc8]

They were projecting that if your annual family premiums is average ($13000) in 2012 it will be $25000. The bulk of the protestors will figure this out in 2011 when their premiums exceeds their income.

[DesertWarDawg]

annual family premiums is average ($13000) ????????

not even close to what I am paying for good family coverage per year. way high.

[roch20]

"No matter your view on healthcare and Obama's plan, this rabble rousing by Republicans on behalf of their lucrative lobby firms is disgraceful. These political opportunists stir the pot of pugnacity, but in their arrogance believe they can keep it from boiling over. When crowds are summoned, filled with alienated people who feel a competing sense of abandonment and entitlement, it is only a matter of time before people get hurt."

Great article, it's a shame that the right-wingers would not keep their mouths shut to read the article, apparently, they have develop a very thin skin in the process!

[DesertWarDawg]

"it's a shame that the right-wingers would not keep their mouths shut to read the article"

can you feel the hate hear. liberal fuzzies seem to have vanished.

I am a right winger and I read a lot.
I am a right winger and I don't shout
I am a right winger and I own firearms ......... and I don't walk around waiting to hurt someone
I am a right winger and I have a family
I am a right winger and I pay taxes
I am a right winger and I love my country
I am a right winger and I served my nation in battle
I am a right winger and ..........­......... I am a person

[Growup22]

Mommy, If it's called the White House, why's a black family in it? Well honey those liberal whites and dem hispanics and blacks put him there, but he doesn't belong. So we gonna start screaming that he's born in Kenya, he's gonna kill grandpa and ma and see how many of us it takes to get him out. Now if that don't work, we have a right to bare arms and we will make sure that he sees our guns everywhere he goes. Dem white people who voted for him don't know what they done did and they will change their minds if we scream loud enough. I heard Glenn and Rush say it so it must be true. We got to give this country back to our own kind no matter how much lying and cheating we gots to do. But mommy you told me that lying was wrong? Only when a democrat does it baby, otherwise it's just fine. Now lets go hang that confederate flag outside, until the White House is ours again and we can start wrapping ourselves in the real American Flag that our Soldiers die for.

[rich misty]

Fanned and Faved

[DesertWarDawg]

I guess you are supposed to be funny or cute. The key being "supposed".


You are a very scared people, aren't you?

[DesertWarDawg]

According to your post all right wing whatevers are just a pack of confederates and KKK members in disguise and all are ignorant.

It appears that you have already delivered what is nothing less than the call to lethal violence against what ……. senior citizens. It appears that you are in fact the ones working yourselves into a frenzy of a bunch of retirees. A few retirees and the occasional housewife scream at a meeting and at least two of you are ready to permanently dispatch all that are in disagreement with you.

lagumbo …….. question is, are you going to make “some people die”

The same goes for you usna73. are you going to answer the call to fight fellow Americans in the street and spill their blood and possibly get yours spilled in the process?

This is the very speech from the White Tribesman that one poster decried as that of a mad man.

This idiot calls for killing and so are you. Explain the difference. All I see are the writing s of two morons calling for violence because someone has a differing opinion than theirs or perhaps the screams of retirees at town hall meetings are keeping you up at night, Some warm milk might help.

I remember the liberals of yesterday that claimed understanding and tolerance and peace. Liberals that marched in the streets to end war who now seem to be calling for the very violence they denounced.

[DestinationsUnknown]

cant yell fire in a theater

cant say bomb on a plan

cant say bomb iin a crowd

cant say bomb in an airport

NO- YOU CANNOT SAY DEATH TO THE POTUS

[DesertWarDawg]

I assume you have a point?

[Aerows]

I didn't interpet Lagumbo's comment that way. I interpreted it as a very sad prediction that people will not put down the angry rhetoric long enough to find get through this without violence.

One characterization that the right-wing likes to present is that liberals are cowards. Ghandi was peaceful, however he was also an extremely courageous person. A desire for peace does not mean a lack of resolute purpose in the face of conflict - it means a desire to settle differences without violence. A person bringing a gun to a Town Hall meeting with a sign that says "It's time to water the tree of liberty" is an act of violence in itself, because it is an implied threat. Our President has enough courage, however, that he spoke anyway. There were people who didn't agree with that man there, they stayed anyway.

That is called courage in the face of conflict. Bringing a gun to the Town Hall is called cowardice, because it shows a person that can't even listen to a viewpoint different than their own without threatening violence.

[rich misty]

According to the recent poll by Research2000, 58% of the Republican party believes in the fantastical delusion that Obama is not an American citizen and that his birth certificate has been deliberately falsified. 58% of _all_ Republicans.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/31/21947/1488 -Kos on the Birther Poll

http://research2000.us/2009/07/24/were-not-putting-you-on-eugene-betw/

However, the _entire_ Conservati­­ve/Republ­i­can ideology is based upon similar fantastical delusions.­.. Not just the Birthers, all Conservati­­ve/Republ­i­cans.

From "Bush kept us safe" thru "Weapons of Mass Destruction" all the way to "The fundamentals of the economy are strong"... None of their ideology, their motivations, or their beliefs are based on facts or reality... None of them. Not one thing is real, not one.

[DesertWarDawg]

if even what you said was true ..........­. we are still here, ain't we?

"all Conservati­­­ve/Repub­l­i­cans" really?

So, then after 20 yrs. in the serivce and 4 years as a PMC in Iraq and Afghanistan that my ideology is based upon delusion?

So, then after we carried a young conservative marine back to base after he took hits from an IED ........ this was after he waved off Iraqi children putting himself in the open .... he died ......... his ideology was based upon delusion? His sacrifce to save the children was based upon delusion. If it was, then may I have even half of his delusion and may I die for even half the reason that he did.


The problem is that when you generalize and sterotype you only show what a fool you actually are.

[MJinCanada]

There are two kinds of countries in the world.

There are the countries where people understand that bringing weapons and dehumanizing rhetoric to a political debate is inappropriate.

And there are the countries where forensic experts exhume mass graves -- and try not to break down as they put together the skeletons of young women still clutching their babies and 12-year-old boys with childish treasures in their pockets -- to find evidence for tribunals and identify the dead so their families (such as remain) can bury them decently.

I've never heard of a happy medium between the two.

[rich misty]

Fanned and Faved

[Badgirl]

These GOP & Fox puppets are using Counter-Intelligent procedures (COINTELLPRO) circa 1960.

Let's see "Black, Muslim, Community Activist, Socialist, Pals Around With Domestic Terriorists "

Let me guess - MALCOM X? NO ! OBAMA '09 !! According to Sara Palin and her Merry Fox Pranksters!! Heat to roiling boil. Whip up a frenzied crowd ? Incite a riot of spirit-filled radicals?

[theclosetconservative2]

Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, Jeremiah Wright, Frank Marshall Davis. Coincidence? You decide. http://theclosetconservative.com

[rich misty]

You LOST the election, your endless campaign means and accomplished NOTHING.

[wpiv926]

It is so funny to watch people who work as slaves to the corporate interests, are hurt by the corporate interests, and believe the lies of the corporate interests, go out and protest against their own best interest and for the corporate interests.

[garymc8]

Amazing that its so clear to some and so opaque to others.

[Alphamailman]

I can think of many words to use, but "funny" is not one of them...

[rich misty]

They are like trained seals at an aquarium show.

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/haidt08/haidt08_index.html