Hatemongers like Kender, Big Dog, Jay Stephenson, and Misha often express their wish that someone whose politics they do not like should be killed. Most often, the targets of this eliminationist rhetoric are marked for death because they hold political views at the liberal end of the spectrum. And this sort of mindless rage is more and more finding its way into the mainstream media.
It seems that the merchants of hate have gotten their wish:
In Tennessee this weekend, the chickens came home to roost when a gunman named James David Adkisson walked into a Universalist Unitarian Church and began shooting. So far, two people are dead, and seven more were wounded. He was saying “hateful things,” according to all the news reports.
…
Now, MSNBC is reporting this morning that Adkisson targeted the church because of its liberal politics. A four-page letter police recovered, according to Knoxville police officials, referred constantly to his “stated hatred for the liberal movement.”
Right-wingers love to “joke” about mowing down, rounding up, and otherwise “wiping out” all things liberal. It’s become a standard feature of conservative-movement rhetoric. And whenever anyone calls them on it, they have a standard response: “Aw, c’mon—it’s just a joke!”
In reality, of course, rhetoric like this has historically played a critical role in some of the ugliest episodes in American history, as well as thousands of little acts of xenophobic brutality: functionally speaking, it gives violent—and frequently unstable—actors permission to act on these impulses. People like this always believe they’re standing up for what “real Americans” think—and the jokes tell them that this is so.
Naturally, as David Neiwert goes on to explain, those who have pushed the eliminationist rhetoric into the mainstream will disclaim all responsibility for their part in setting the stage for such attacks. Fleeing from personal responsibility for one’s words and actions is a hallmark of the far-right fringe.
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I got shorted. Heh.
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Hey KMan are you planning to see the new XFiles movie????
I am and can’t wait! Mulder and Scully return!!!
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Sitting in Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge in LAX after a wonderful
three nights on the Queen Mary. I really was expecting the absolute
worst having read posts here and on the QM group, but while there are
some things that could have been done differently, I found the Queen
Mary to be reasonably well maintained and well run. -
If ignorance is bliss why aren’t you so much happier? -
hey dude…I am hurt…no shorter kender post? I am filing discrimination charges against you at once….
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Fish don’t stink under the water
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Where’s my dollar?
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I saw that there were 8 comments here and thought that there might be an interesting discussion going on. Instead, it’s a bunch of conservative bedwetters talking about teevee & the Queen Mary.
K-Man… How gay.
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According to a press release by De Rotterdam BV and publications in the
newspapers, the s.s. Rotterdam will depart from Wilhelmshaven early
Saturdaymorning and will arrive at her future berth at the Maashaven in
Rotterdam at 09.00 in the evening on Monday 4 August. -
BJ, that’s probably because that’s got more relevance than anything posted here.
And, Billy, you say ‘how gay’ like it’s a BAD thing…Aren’t you libs supposed to be all-tolerant and loving?
Meaty, you have shown pretty consistently that ‘discussing the issues’ with you consists of people posting items, links, and comments with you doing any one – or any group of – several things in response:
- Demanding people post links to prove their point rather than responding to any point raised.
- Refusing to follow the links and complaining that you are asked to do ‘their work for them’.
- Complaining that they post quotations rather than something original.
- Complaining that people post their original thoughts rather than (quoting/linking to) someone else.
- Screaming ‘liar! liar!’
- Complaining that Conservatives never discuss the issues with you.
And then, no doubt, being SHOCKED that you don’t get any quality discussions here…
Screaming ‘liar! liar!’ and demanding links in 5…4…3…
Orion
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and ACTION!
Orion
(You’re kinda like a puppet…it’s easy to make you dance…)
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I love it when wingnuts make assertions and then demand that YOU find evidence to support them. It proves their laziness, their stupidity and general inability to debate.
Wingnut debate skills are not even 3rd grade level. If, for example, they took someone to court for an alleged crime and then demanded that the defendent was responsible for finding the evidence, the Judge would dismiss the case immediately. Debate is no different. If Wingnuts are going to make an assertion, it’s THEIR responsibility to back it up.
No wonder ‘conservatives’ are losing the battle of ideas. No wonder the wingnut blogosphere is such an intellectual desert. It’s a bunch of grown-ups who act like 8 year olds.
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chuckles Mmm-Hmm…Yes, that’s all true, isn’t it? Them wingnuts is just EVIL SILLY BAD MEN!
Out of idle curiosity, do you even read what you write, or do you just enjoy a semi-orgasmic sensation as it pours out of your fingertips, never to be seen again?
Orion
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Well, what do you expect? I’m one of those evil, silly, bad men!
One notes that honest, rational discussions require TWO people at a minimum to participate…So far, I keep running into only ONE of those and that one keeps getting frustrated at your – and your readers’ – one very boring and repetitive trick. But, he DOES keep hoping that eventually you – and your readers – will grow and develop a new one.
Tell me, have you folks ever heard the phrase ‘knee-jerk liberal’? Just askin’.
Orion
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shaking head sadly Of course…Like I said, I’m evil!
EVIL I tells ya!
Orion
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EVIL!! pointing finger at self with demonic expression EEEEVVVIILLLL!!!
Orion
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