Ben Shapiro’s “Sunday Special” from this past weekend (ep. 129) is well worth your time. They discuss what “conservative” means, and how we’d better start fighting against China and the woke before it’s too late.
China and woke-ism are #s 1 and 2 in threats against America. Immigration is probably #3, but China and wokeism are definitely 1 and 2 — although I’m not sure which is 1 and which is 2.
That’s why I cannot possibly vote for a Democrat for president. None of them are willing to fight the most important fights. They’re obsessed with things that are far down the list of priorities.
Very hard to listen to Ben Shapiro, although he is not quite as bad as Tucker Carlson. They are both motor mouths that spew forth fallacy upon fallacy, making it very hard for the listener to pick apart the mistake of one argument as they rapidly move on to the next one.
I’d say the # 3 problem is creeping fascism, as it is in Europe as well. The GOP and the European fascists are increasingly warming up to each other. (I am still in touch with Redneckville and they are a-tellin’ me that they totally groove on the current lot of Euro-fascists. The president of the Czech Republican bellowed forth: “Transgendered people are disgusting!” That’s tellin’ ’em!) Russia (nearly a fascist country) is probably # 2 right now. China (again a country of the same kind, broadly speaking) is probably # 3, for the time being anyway. That could easily change though.
I am sure that some of the woke engage in abuses here and there, but I don’t see them siding with Putin as Carlson plainly sided with arch-fascist Putin. They are easily bashed and beaten by the minions of Trump.
QUOTE: I am sure that some of the woke engage in abuses here and there, but I don’t see them siding with Putin as Carlson plainly sided with arch-fascist Putin.
Interesting point. In observing the extremes of both the left and right, it seems there are key differences. The liberal extremists are annoying and have a potentially negative impact on American culture…especially as they are actively working to “cancel” people who don’t agree with them. Yet, I don’t see them aligning with authoritarians and acting in ways that put our democratic republic at risk…like conservative extremists.
What’s scary is increasingly conservative extremists accept lies and misinformation without ANY regard to facts, data and truth. Even worse, some of the their leaders and heroes play on that dynamic for political and monetary gain. For instance, it is a demonstrable FACT the massacre at Sandy Hook was a “real” event. Yet, loyal conservative extremists still believe the lies of Alex Jones. He’s made a mint off those very lies. You even had MTG giving an atta-boy shout-out to Alex Jones during this week’s CPAC meeting…the very day he was legally and monetarily condemned and proven to be a despicable liar in a court of law. The same is true about the 2020 election fraud “big lie”…which has fueled the fire for all types of crazy behavior inclusive of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The same for their reaction to government COVID restrictions…”armed” protests, death threats, kidnapping plot and even showing up and threatening government leaders at their homes. Funny thing, when that happened to conservative SCOTUS members it was considered an outright atrocity but not so much when THEY did it to liberal government members. But, I digress.
Extremes by both the left and right are problematic and need to be addressed. Yet, some behavior amongst conservative extremists has been labeled as domestic terrorism. That definitely needs to be included at the top of list of threats against America.
EXHIBIT A: https://youtu.be/pTXoSWAonzE
The conservative extremists’ anger and rhetoric seems to be reaching an inflection point with the FBI’s search of Mar-a-lago. Threats of “civil war” and language such as “we have crossed the rubicon” is being used in their declarations of ire.
Ironically, the people that tout the “rule of law” manta resort to threats of potentially illegal acts in response the rule of law being exercised by a law enforcement agency under the leadership of a lifelong Republican appointed by a Republican President. You can’t make this stuff up! Hopefully, a lesson has been learned from the Jan 6 Capitol riot and law enforcement will take seriously the threats from this mob.
*I’d say the # 1 problem is creeping fascism
Just consider Viktor Orbán’s recent outburst of racism (“we do not want to become a mixed race”). He has secured an authoritarian position in Hungary, and now this. And to top it off, he is being warmly received by Trump and is to speak at a CPAC meeting. Tucker Carlson loves him! Movements of that kind are definitely at the top of the list of real concerns of the present time.
The danger of America adopting some sort of “keep whites separate” attitude seems very iffy and remote to me. I would oppose such a thing if it was actually a threat — esp. since my wife and children are all of mixed race. But the prospect seems very unlikely.
The danger from China and wokeism is a clear, present, and immediate issue.
The danger of substantial pockets of America (and of course Europe) embracing a doctrine “racial purity” is definitely a clear, present danger, and immediate danger since it is already deep in the culture. Racism doesn’t just go away. It lies low for a while and rears its ugly head whenever it can.
I would worry about being being a Republican hardliner when the GOP plainly embraces a hard-core racial purist. But some people prefer to whistle past the graveyard.
If wokeism merely amounts to things like a non-binary Potato Head, it is perhaps silly, but not dangerous. China is something to worry about, but not nearly as much as Russia is – at least at present.
Europe was once severely degraded by insane racism and Russian imperialism. The world will be a very ugly place if that happens again, as Republicans warmly embrace it.
I guess it depends on who’s ox is being gored.
FBI Director Wray testified before Congress that the issue of domestic terrorism has been a problem for the U.S. for a long time and that it is not going to disappear soon.
“So whenever we’ve had the chance, we’ve tried to emphasize that this is a top concern and remains so for the FBI. In fact, we’ve viewed it as such a critical threat that back in June of 2019 under my leadership, we elevated racially and ethnically motivated violent extremism to our highest threat priority on the same level with ISIS and homegrown violent extremists where it remains to this day.”
He added: “I would certainly say, as I think I’ve said consistently in the past, that racially motivated violent extremism specifically of the sort that advocates for the superiority of the white race is a persistent evolving threat. It’s the biggest chunk of our racially motivated violent extremism cases for sure and racially motivated violent extremism is the biggest chunk of our domestic terrorism portfolio.”
I’d seriously consider the perspective of an agency that has experience in assessing risk/threats. Interestingly, it seems the perspectives of many US citizens align with what the FBI reported. A YouGov survey indicated most Americans consider white supremacy as a serious problem.
Yet, as I said previously, it likely depends on whose ox is being gored. For those who have little risk of being negatively impacted by such a threat might not be concerned or see it as a considerable threat.
https://today.yougov.com/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/08/15/white-supremacy-trump-fox-news-poll
And the GOP continues to fan this fire.
It’s a part of their demagoguery. I’m still waiting for the alleged “terrorists” that cross the US southern border to manifest.
Interestingly, at the time these allegations were being made, the US State Department said that no terrorists had been found crossing the southern border from Mexico into the U.S. In a 2017 report, the State Department said there was “no credible evidence” indicating that international terrorist groups have established bases in Mexico or sent operatives into the U.S.
QUOTE: That’s why I cannot possibly vote for a Democrat for president. None of them are willing to fight the most important fights.
Indeed, the Dems have issues. We now have a swath of liberals that find the word “spaz” (in a Beyoncé song) so offensive they are looking to cancel her. Or, those that want “abortion on demand”…that totally exclude ANY discussion of the life of the unborn and the rights of the father. Or, want to persecute those who refuse to call a biological male a female or supports the notion that there are only two sexes. Or, those who are so sensitive that they attempt to literally shut down speech by anyone that disagrees with them (for fear of being triggered). Or, those that try to drive government officials out of restaurants or show up at their homes…because they disagree with them.
Yet, what’s the alternative in our two-party system? Republicans??? You have those who not only believe but promulgate a lie that the 2020 election was stolen (without evidence that can stand security in a court of law). Or, resort “mob rule”…storming the US Capitol and making threats to execute the Vice-President. Or, traffic in whacky conspiracy theories that drive them to send bombs to their political opponents, plot to kidnap a governor, send death threats to those they consider RHINOs. Or, those that pull political shenanigans to secure SCOTUS seats and SCOTUS candidates that are deceptive to Congress and the public during confirmation hearings. Or, those that hail whack jobs like Alex Jones and Sydney Powell as patriots. Or those who say, “Blue Lives Matter” but publicly denigrated police officers that protected congressional legislators from “the Jan 6 Capitol mob rioters”. Or those that want to succeed from the union. Or, those who boo and physically assault members of their own party because they worked on bi-partisan legislation. Or those who burn and ban books. Or, those who won’t hold their leaders accountable for their lies…some that had detrimental consequences for the country. Or, those that support a president that would say things like this about our alleged nemesis China:
* “We have a tremendous relationship with China which is a very positive thing.”
* “I’m confident that they [China] are trying very hard. I know President Xi and we get along very well…they are trying very, very hard. ” (in response to the question… “how confident are you that China is being 100% honest with us when it comes to this scary virus?”)
Seems to me the pick-ins are slim on both sides. I’d likely have to do a case by case review and pick the lesser of the threats. Yet, this much is clear…ANY candidate that does anything that threatens democracy itself will never get my vote. Unfortunately, that’s a real threat these days…especially on one side of the scale!
Sooooo….wasn’t it just a short while ago that conservatives were OUTRAGED that protestors were at SCOTUS justices homes??? Well, the federal judge that allegedly signed the warrant authorizing the search of Trump’s property has been getting violent threats and his home address posted on social media with encouragement to go there. In fact, the Southern District Judicial Office had to take down personal information about the judge from their website due to threats. So, where is the outrage about such threatening behavior by conservatives and right-wing pundits? Oh, I forgot, they are too busy being outraged at the FBI for executing the rule of law.
Not only is this aberrant behavior not being condemned by the “law and order” crowd…they seem to be relishing in it:
* Conservative politicians are fundraising on this for their campaigns.
* A Republican Senator was complicit with unsubstantiated allegations that the FBI unlawfully planted evidence at Mar-a-largo.
* The Republican House leader (a confirmed liar) issued a threat to investigate the DOJ (the same man that didn’t want to investigate the mob and sponsors responsible for the Jan. 6 riot). He’s also calling for Republican lawmakers to verbally attack the FBI.
* A Republican Senator made an unsubstantiated allegation that the lawful actions taken by the FBI were of the sort from a banana republic. Ironically, Trump announced he would launch an DOJ investigation against his political opponent if were elected.
*A conservative pundit promulgated rumors that the FBI might be plotting an assignation attempt on Trump.
*Without specific facts, conservative media is condemning the FBI. Did any of them think to ask Trump to release a copy of the search warrant? It has SPECIFIC information in it. In fact, why hasn’t he released it? If there’s something truly untoward occurring, sharing the warrant would only bolstered the claims.
Funny thing, it wasn’t so long ago the “law and order” crowd, inclusive of Trump, was praising the FBI for taking a bold, decisive move when rightfully investigating Hillary Clinton (who was a real presidential candidate at the time). Yet, that praise has turned to vitriol now that the FBI (under the direction of a Trump appointee) has applied the rule of law to Trump. If Trump Derangement Syndrome was a real thing, I’d be convinced these deplorables had a severe case of it. Yet, since there is no such thing, it’s likely that they are not “really” interested in the “rule of law” being justly applied but to have it as weapon for their own biased purposes. These people are a true threat to America.
PS…there has been calls from conservatives to “Defund the FBI”. Wait!!! Wasn’t there a great hue and cry from conservatives AGAINST such a notion not so long ago?
As well, the constant negative rhetoric from conservatives is incendiary. Paul Gosar, a sitting Republican congressman, tweets… “We must destroy the FBI. We must save America.” What happened to “Blue Lives Matters”???
Unfortunately, a young man in Ohio was killed today because of his attempted attack on a FBI field office. The specifics of his radicalization are to be determined. Yet, how sad it would be if this man lost his life from listening to the misguided rhetoric of some conservatives pretending to be patriots.
Ironically, the “law and order” president’s and the GOP’s recent rhetoric has been a catalyst in unprecedented threats against the FBI nationally. Maybe conservative extremists, the 45th President and GOP congressional leaders should be considered as a threat to America?