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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July 28, 2008 at 11:38 pm
kender
If ignorance is bliss why aren’t you so much happier?
July 28, 2008 at 11:43 pm
kender
hey dude…I am hurt…no shorter kender post? I am filing discrimination charges against you at once….
July 29, 2008 at 12:20 am
Raven
I got shorted. Heh.
July 29, 2008 at 12:21 am
Raven
Hey KMan are you planning to see the new XFiles movie????
I am and can’t wait! Mulder and Scully return!!!
July 29, 2008 at 12:25 am
kender
Fish don’t stink under the water
July 29, 2008 at 12:34 am
Raven
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.
July 29, 2008 at 6:11 am
Ogre
Where’s my dollar?
July 29, 2008 at 12:42 pm
meatbrain
As always, the marching morons prove that they are utterly incapable of discussing the issues.
“I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: “O Lord make my enemies ridiculous.” And God granted it.” — Voltaire
July 29, 2008 at 10:05 pm
billy Joe
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.
July 30, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Raven
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.
July 30, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Orion
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:
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
July 31, 2008 at 6:50 am
meatbrain
When Jeff “Orion” Burhans posts known falsehoods, what term fits him better than “liar”?
Burhans was challenged to provide specifics about Obama’s gun control policy. His response?
When challenged to supply specifics regarding Obama’s campaign statements and voting history, his response was to whine that I should “learn how to use a search engine”. Apparently, providing facts to back up his claims is not a skill that Burhans cares to learn.
July 31, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Orion
and ACTION!
Orion
(You’re kinda like a puppet…it’s easy to make you dance…)
August 1, 2008 at 2:46 am
billy Joe
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.
August 1, 2008 at 11:25 am
Orion
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
August 1, 2008 at 11:35 am
meatbrain
This, of course, is not what Billy Joe said. It’s not even close. Jeff “Orion” Burhans falls back on the time-worn and easily-recognized straw man fallacy. It’s really all he can do, since Burhans has demonstrated time and again that he is incapable of honest, rational discussion.
August 1, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Orion
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
August 1, 2008 at 4:59 pm
meatbrain
Again, Burhans employs a straw man rather than engage in honest debate.
If Burhans is referring to himself, he is quite obviously lying. He refuses to discuss issues, preferring instead to employ ad hominem attacks and straw man arguments. He is incapable of honest, rational discussion.
August 1, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Orion
shaking head sadly Of course…Like I said, I’m evil!
EVIL I tells ya!
Orion
August 1, 2008 at 8:04 pm
meatbrain
Again, Burhans employs a straw man rather than engage in honest debate. This is all he can do — he is incapable of more.
August 1, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Orion
EVIL!! pointing finger at self with demonic expression EEEEVVVIILLLL!!!
Orion