"The anger of the festering fringe"

I came across this very engaging entry in Roger Eberts' blog at the Sun Times and it reminded me of a lot of what I've been reading here at ATS.

THE ANGER OF THE FESTERING FRINGE

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I've had these thoughts for some time, but have been reluctant to express them. Now so many others have voiced them that it's pointless to remain silent. I am frightened by the climate of insane anti-Obama hatred in this country. I'm not referring to traditional conservatives or Republicans. They're part of the process. I'm speaking of the lunatic fringe, the frothers, the extremist rabble who are sweeping up the ignorant and credulous into a bewildering and fearsome tide of reckless rhetoric.

There have always been nuts. Remember when the John Birch society thought Kennedy was a communist? In those innocent days most of the American people were reasonable. They'd shake their heads in wonder at such a weird notion. Kennedy might be one of those liberals, but he wasn't a commie. And when people said Johnson murdered Kennedy? Also ridiculous. But slowly, ominously, things began to change. After his death, it was said that Edward Kennedy was a Soviet agent. These theories have rabid subscribers.

Obama is a Muslim. Obama was born in Kenya. Obama was a terrorist. Obama will destroy Medicare. Obama will kill your grandmother. Obama is a racist. Obama wants atheism taught in the schools. Obama wants us to pay for the health care of illegal immigrants.

These beliefs are held by various segments of our population. They are absurd. Any intelligent person can see they are absurd. It is not my purpose here to debate them, because such debates are futile.

This almost accurately sums up my appraisal and sentiments on the matter.

He particular makes a good point here where he addresses the more recent calls for a coup by the same groups of people that would have branded any such talk as unpatriotic and anti-American a few years ago. Now they have no compunction about calling for the overthrow (and in some cases the assassination) of the democratically elected president of the United States and would support treasonous acts of terrorism just to protest the election of a man they have political issues with.

You know...the kind of thing we've been accused of funding in other countries.

What are we to make of the recent suggestion on the "respected" right-wing site NewsMax, later withdrawn, that "it might not be such a bad thing" if the U. S. military rose up and overthrew Obama in a coup? That sort of talk belongs on a password-protected neo-Nazi or Klan site, not in a place where ostensibly intelligent people look for information. Where were the editors? What did they think? If they're "conservatives," do they support the overthrow of our government by a coup? Ebertblog-suntimes.com

I personally can't say that I am overwhelmingly impressed with the Obama administration, but all the absurd and unpatriotic calls for coups and the perplexing comparisons of Obama and the current state of America to Hitler and Nazi Germany respectively, have left me a bit discombobulated.

America is in serious trouble and if anyone is paying attention they know that things will get much worse before they even begin to get better.

Is all of this heavily dramatized panic over Obama an attempt to find a scapegoat and essentially distract/manipulate Americans into putting all of the blame unreasonably onto the "new guy"?

- Lee

reply to post by lee anoma


The worst part is that people with legitimate concerns such as people against the war, against big government and out of hand spending or corruption are all being ignored or lumped into groups with the crazy fringe groups. It's a great tool that the powers that be use to keep dissent down and they make sure that the MSM keep focus on the crazy fringe elements to keep the sheep oblivious.

Propaganda is such a powerful tool.

Why is dissent against Obamas policies always described as anger, racism or something other than simple disagreement? Why was protest the height of patriotism under Bush, but now its about the most nefarious thing you can do?

Are you really that brainwashed?

[edit on 8-10-2009 by Wimbly]

reply to post by Wimbly


Because in a room of 50 people who all share the same concerns about big government, taxation, loss of liberty, etc... sitting around talking about Ron Pauls new book or figuring in percentages of income lost the one guy who jumps up on the table and starts shouting insane things is the one who gets the press coverage.

reply to post by lee anoma


From the article:

There have always been nuts. Remember when the John Birch society thought Kennedy was a communist? In those innocent days most of the American people were reasonable. They'd shake their heads in wonder at such a weird notion. Kennedy might be one of those liberals, but he wasn't a commie. And when people said Johnson murdered Kennedy? Also ridiculous. But slowly, ominously, things began to change. After his death, it was said that Edward Kennedy was a Soviet agent. These theories have rabid subscribers.

There's already a problem when referring to earlier times as In those innocent days about a time period when racism was a legally sanctioned practice and before the voting rights act was signed. We like to think back historically and view the times as simpler and more innocent, when infact it just wasn't so.

Do some research on nazi germany before they became the enemy of the world.There are many similarities between modern day U.S. and the nazi party before the went over board.They started off as a party for the people and seemed to have good intentions but became to powerful.We've all heard the statement absolute power corrupts absolutely.But seriously do some research I think you'll be surprised,don't just think we don't like obama.I for one don't like the way he is steering(I can't say leading because he's not a leader)our country!
I have a question for you.
How much research have you done for yourself before you judged the "fringe"?

Originally posted by Wimbly
Why is dissent against Obamas policies always described as anger, racism or something other than simple disagreement? Why was protest the height of patriotism under Bush, but now its about the most nefarious thing you can do?

Are you really that brainwashed?

[edit on 8-10-2009 by Wimbly]

Because the "disagreements" haven't been presented as disagreements, they've been put out there as......

"He's a "nazi", a "commie", a "socialist". "Let's have a coup", "a revolution", "let's succeed from the union".

Thus far, the right hasn't said, "We disagree". No, they have shouted "he's not American".. or "He's a Muslim".

Perhaps if the right WOULD simply "disagree" then the heated rhetoric and hate filled attacks on his religion and nationality would begin to shrink, and then maybe we could all engage in productive discussion..

reply to post by lee anoma


Regarding a particular phrase in the article, I'd like to ask anyone how exactly you would determine who precisely fits this broad description?

I'm speaking of the lunatic fringe, the frothers, the extremist rabble who are sweeping up the ignorant and credulous into a bewildering and fearsome tide of reckless rhetoric.

The words are the point of fear and are affixed to people out of fear not facts. Reckless rehtoric???

What is wrong with everyone? Are we so terrified of the unknown and unknowable enemy that reckless rhetoric is now the #1 identifier? How exactly does one determine which rhetoric is reckless and which is not? Hmmm> it depends on your leaning doesn't it? Therefore, any rhetoric can be reckless. Even this thread.