ACORN and Conservative Paranioa

[Bravus]

Here's a short taste:

Quote:

I think one of the sure signs that an ideological group has gone off the rails is when they imagine an obscure and frankly geeky group of affordable housing advocates to be the undercover stormtroopers of a presidentially sponsored secret strike force -- one meant to do them harm. It is around that point, more or less, that you can be assured that the group has run entirely out of terrifying enemies, or even credible imaginary ones, and so has resigned themselves to building their own Rube Goldberg doomsday device from whatever perceived plots and oppressors can still be dredged up. It is around that point, more or less, that you can be assured that their train has left the station; their Threat Level has been elevated to some color not visible to the human eye; their elevator no longer reaches the rotating restaurant of their mind.

...

Paranoia and conspiracy theories are, to put it simply, the main stuff of modern, everyday, televised conservatism. There may have once been some underlying ideology wedged in there somewhere, but it's no nothing resembling ideology that either modern conservative pundits or modern conservative Americans gravitate towards. Instead, it's a manufactured paranoia, an absolutely certain belief that they and their nation are in imminent freaking danger due to some remarkable, terrifying, and frustratingly unacknowledged threat. Fox News may be an outlet for convenient fictions presented as fact -- in other words, for propaganda, in the truest and most negative sense of the word -- but it is instructive that nearly all of that propaganda is targeted towards the same message: be afraid. Be very afraid, right now, of a dozen or more different things. Be afraid of your President; be afraid of your countrymen; if you have time, be afraid of everything else.

Now go read the rest of the article here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/4/12/718102/-ACORN-And-Conservative-Paranoia

[lazarus]

Good article. What is said however is how many Christians will uncritically embrace the conspiracy nonsense and thereby damage their witness to the wider world for the sake of political allegiances.

[Key Guy]

Bravus... explain this away, please.... from: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/14/federal-agency-warns-of-radicals-on-right/

Quote:

The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias.

A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority.

"It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says.

The White House has distanced itself from the analysis. When asked for comment on its contents, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said, "The President is focused not on politics but rather taking the steps necessary to protect all Americans from the threat of violence and terrorism regardless of its origins. He also believes those who serve represent the best of this country, and he will continue to ensure that our veterans receive the respect and benefits they have earned."

The nine-page document was sent to police and sheriff's departments across the United States on April 7 under the headline, "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."

It says the federal government "will be working with its state and local partners over the next several months" to gather information on "rightwing extremist activity in the United States."

The joint federal-state activities will have "a particular emphasis" on the causes of "rightwing extremist radicalization."

Homeland Security spokeswoman Sara Kuban said the report is one in an ongoing series of assessments by the department to "facilitate a greater understanding of the phenomenon of violent radicalization in the U.S."

The report, which was first disclosed to the public by nationally syndicated radio host Roger Hedgecock, makes clear that the Homeland Security Department does not have "specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence."It warns that fringe organizations are gaining recruits, but it provides no numbers.

The report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.

(more online)

Dangers?

1. Involving law enforcement to be extra sensitive to trumped-up fears

2. "Information gathering" on "extremist groups" with even one issue that the White House feels to be a threat. Abortion? Immigration? Rejecting federal authority in favor of state or local authority? What else?

Another step, folks. Another step.

[Key Guy]

Backlash...

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/12227/

Quote:

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today joined state Rep. Brandon Creighton and sponsors of House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 50 in support of states’ rights under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“I believe that our federal government has become oppressive in its size, its intrusion into the lives of our citizens, and its interference with the affairs of our state,” Gov. Perry said. “That is why I am here today to express my unwavering support for efforts all across our country to reaffirm the states’ rights affirmed by the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I believe that returning to the letter and spirit of the U.S. Constitution and its essential 10th Amendment will free our state from undue regulations, and ultimately strengthen our Union.”

A number of recent federal proposals are not within the scope of the federal government’s constitutionally designated powers and impede the states’ right to govern themselves. HCR 50 affirms that Texas claims sovereignty under the 10th Amendment over all powers not otherwise granted to the federal government.

It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed.

HCR 50 is authored by Representatives Brandon Creighton, Leo Berman, Bryan Hughes, Dan Gattis and Ryan Guillen.

To view the full text of the resolution, please visit:

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/billtext/html/HC00050I.htm.

[Dr. Shane]

Paranoia knows no ideology. When conservatives have been in power we have seen liberal paranoia run rampant - even in this forum. When liberals are in power we see conservative paranoia run rampant - even in this forum. Anyone that can't see paranoia all across the political spectrum is wearing blinders - in my humble opinon.

[Bravus]

But is it helpful and positive in either case? Or destructive?

We can play the 'it's always the same on both sides' game forever, but does that mean it's impossible ever to say that something is bad and unproductive and unhealthy for a nation? I'm absolutely happy to say that liberal paranoia is equally unhealthy. What I'd like to see is a return to debates about policy positions instead of paranoid craziness.

[Dr. Shane]

I have thought about that a lot and am not convinced that the crazy fringes are completely bad for the nation. A democracy is all about the arena of ideas. It is kind of like having a brainstorming session where everyone throws in their ideas regardless of how crazy they are. So in the arena of ideas we get the crazy paranoia from the wacko left and the radical right as well as the libertarians and socialists. We get thoughts from all over the political spectrum, we consider them, debate them and form public policy.