states rights on steroids
In this report by Tom Boggioni @ the Raw Story comes a disturbing reality about the "conservative" movement fringe. Groups that do not recognize the legitimacy of the Federal government. States rights taken to the extreme; sovereignty advocates and the menace they could represent.
Sovereign citizen movement seen by US law enforcement as top terrorist threat - Saturday, August 2, 2014 20:42 EDT
In a new study conducted by researchers tasked with studying of the root causes and consequences of terrorism in the U.S. and abroad, the sovereign citizen movement was perceived to be the gravest terrorist threat, rivaling Islamist extremists and militia/patriot groups.
According to National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism —better known as START— sovereign citizens were the top concern of law enforcement, even as a belief that some domestic groups including the KKK, Christian Identity, and neo-Nazis represent less of an actual terrorist threat when compared to a previous study.
The report, complied by START researchers David Carter, Steven Chermak, Jeremy Carter and Jack Drew, is drawn from surveys with more than 364 officers representing 175 state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies. Those surveys asked respondents to to gauge their perception on the threat of terrorism, the nature of information-sharing, and their belief as to whether their agencies are prepared to deal with terrorist attacks.
The START report is here (.pdf),
When the republican F0x entertainment news division started glorifying
deadbeat rancher Cliven Bundy for his "civil war" talk against the Federal government I was angry yet after years of this crap from the right it soon became ..meh..this guy is just another minor-league teabag variant; one of many rightwing nut jobs we hear squealing about whatever the latest rwnj media pablum is being served up for them gripe about. Something blah blah blah Obama.
I have yet to hear anything from a republican at any level, citizens, legislators, governors, any republican, that doesn't involve President Obama on any topic any time. But this Bundy episode stretched out. There was a palpable desperate sort of vehemence that started to take hold and it's worsening
So while I'm not a big fan of the FBI, the DHS or the other law enforcement agencies cited in this report mostly because law enforcement in our society has gotten way too militarized as the years have gone by, after reading this START study it occurred to me that the combination of racism with a political party desperate to regain control/power, these fringe groups on the loose (having proven to be easily manipulated), could become more than just a loud obnoxious nuisance. Things could get more coordinately deadly especially if financed by the right, beyond hot dogs and cotton candy at the local fair
We've already watched how handily the "conservative" movement media both TeeVee & radio whips these fractious groups into a frenzy yet without the means or perhaps the real desire to 'shut that whole thing down' once animated. It makes them money
And what incentive does the GOP have if it means more of the same chaos the republicans have been wasting years now as legislators in their efforts to tank the economy? ..especially after an activist states rights majority @ the Supreme court gutting of the Voting Rights Act.. It would fit right in with the GOP platform. Polling has shown that the party in power takes the lions share of the blame whether it is deserved or not
threat assessment changes in extremist groups since 2007
So this post is not addressing the many very important issues we Dems are working to achieve against a GOP that serves no purpose but to foul that success. It is just my opinion on a tighter focus about a danger these extreme groups are when fired up.
Also the GOP as a party have shown us that intimidation is more than okay. It's a prerequisite. They do not not hesitate, not even a little bit when it comes to using any lever. So it's not that hard to see republicans and their RWNJ media department pals manipulating extreme militant groups to further their political ambitions.
We hear republicans warning of interposition & nullification. Threats of secession. Suing the President of the United states of America for lawlessness that they, the republican party are collectively, immensely guilty of flouting, and proud of - cuz feedumz
Some may wonder if it's wrong thinking by me that anti-establishment "sovereignty" groups; militants/teabag/libertarians that defy even despise authority would/could be used by republicans. We've all been watching as it's happening (George Tiller) Even asked ourselves how could the GOP stoop any lower? and why do these groups continue to vote republican?
The GOP couldn't care less about being liked or respected as long as they get the vote - which they do, the money - that too, and that it hurts the Dems. These liberty lovin' so-called lone wolves fall right in line when the "conservative" party tell them what they want to hear and it's usually about hating someone or something.
The "conservative" movement F0x entertainment news division has got that hustle down
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So just a quick Diary about a bad trend that caught me by surprise, yes even after all, it's still hard to grasp, at least for me, what some will do for power. That is why this latest report is so disturbing. We really do have the makings for an American Taliban (Kos™) right here at home.
And probably the only thing I'll ever believe coming out of the mouth of a republican - "We Built That" - yes, you did
Thx for stopping by :)
- it's gotten late and time to turn in - be back tomorrow
- late addition From the SPLC on sovereignty movement (video)