The New Terrorists
September 11, 2010 — Deacon DuncanTerrorism: promoting a sustained condition of fear in an entire population in order to get what you want. There are two types of terrorist. The violent type spreads fear by saying “I am going to hurt you.”
The milder type spreads fear by saying “Someone else is going to hurt you.”
You know, like “liberals.” Or better yet, “socialists.” Or gays. Or whoever it’s convenient to demonize at the moment.
Our biggest problem isn’t that we’re being terrorized by the violent guys. It’s all the “milder” types jumping on the terrorist bandwagon, working to maintain a continuous state of fear and paranoia in the general public. If we really want to help America by fighting terrorism, we ought to start by recognizing where it’s really coming from. It’s not being smuggled in from some Middle Eastern territory. It’s 100% home grown.
Just two cents worth, in observance of 9/11.
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September 11, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Great leaders use their strength to help us overcome our fears. “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Demagogues and terrorists prey on our fears. George W, Joe McCarthy, Glenn Beck, terrorists all.
September 12, 2010 at 9:09 am
Hear! Hear!
September 12, 2010 at 9:12 am
Exactly! People like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, et al, are leading us down the road to ruin and destruction for sure!
September 12, 2010 at 11:23 am
The other day I saw a bumper sticker on the back of a pickup that said,
The Road to Hell
Is Paved with
Republicans
I couldn’t believe the guy driving had the balls to wear that sticker in the capital of the Confederacy. Boston, maybe, but not Richmond, VA.
September 15, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Hmmm, there is a pretty significant line between demagoguery and terrorism, and I think Beck (and a lot of other talking heads) falls squarely into the demagogue/charlatan camp at present.
I suppose that demagoguery could be considered a form a mental terrorism, but the fear that he creates is nebulous.
Either way, both are dangerous as hell.
September 15, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Yeah, I know what you mean. It just struck me the other day that both are basically taking the same approach. One is active terrorism, and the other’s passive—the latter doesn’t engage in any outright violence (with its concomitant risks), but, like the former, it seeks to create a sustained atmosphere of fear and/or panic in order to achieve its own ends, contrary to the best interests of the victims. A difference of degree, not of kind.
September 15, 2010 at 6:31 pm
It’s a fuzzy line at best. When does Glenn Beckery stop and McCarthyism begin? When does McCarthyism stop and witch burning begin? McCarthy proved himself capable of destroying lives and careers. I don’t see where he should be demoted to mere demagogue just because he only drove people to blow their brains out and didn’t pull the triggers himself.