He seemed to think it was pertinent that many of the arsonists, vandals and agitators were "right-wing".
I saw no point in disputing whether they were or were-not. They were breaking basic laws of civilization and should feel the full weight of the legal system regardless of affiliation or skin color.
Whether "right" or "left", they are scum.
Eric Hoffer wrote the book The True Believer in 1951. It is still in print.
Hoffer states that mass movements begin with a widespread "desire for change" from discontented people who place their locus of control outside their power and who also have no confidence in existing culture or traditions. Feeling their lives are "irredeemably spoiled" and believing there is no hope for advancement or satisfaction as an individual, true believers seek "self-renunciation".[2] Thus, such people are ripe to participate in a movement that offers the option of subsuming their individual lives in a larger collective. Leaders are vital in the growth of a mass movement, as outlined below, but for the leader to find any success, the seeds of the mass movement must already exist in people's hearts
Hoffer argues there are two important commonalities: "All mass movements are competitive" and perceive the supply of converts as zero-sum; and "all mass movements are interchangeable" -Wikipedia
That is, all mass movements are interchangeable to the thug who is a loser in "real life" and wants to feel powerful by cracking heads, destroying property and putting terror into the hearts of citizens.
Isn't that, by definition, a terrorist? A person not authorized by the military, i.e. a non-civil civilian who is creating terror via illegal acts?
I don't care if they are "right" or "left", "Commie" or "Reactionary" because they switch allegiance to whichever side appears most likely to win. Their loyalty is like a willow tree in a windstorm, changing direction with every gust. Today's skin-head might be tomorrow's leftist-thug.
Opportunism is a observable character trait. And indicates a lack of integrity.
ReplyDeleteHoffer's take is a little different than "opportunism". Opportunism suggests rational thought and calculation.
DeleteHoffer's take is that the thugs have a deep craving, almost like some diabetics craving sugar. It isn't "Hey, this flat-screen would look good in my bedroom" kind of thing. It is a primal need to feel powerful and important and to have control of your destiny. The actual dogma or ideology is window-dressing.
It is an article of faith among the Left that most or all of the riots and violence were caused by right wingers.
ReplyDeleteWhile there were a few right wingers involved, the vast majority were left wingers, of all across the spectrum. I'd be curious to see statistics on the race of those arrested... of course, from what I've seen there were times that rioters were ignored and those defending themselves were arrested, like in Albuquerque.
I used to work with a guy whose favorite expression for exercising discipline for miscreants was "Lay the lumber on them". In this case, I am perfectly fine with the literal and liberal application of that solution.
DeleteObservable act ==> Consequence regardless of considerations for other factors that really have no bearing on the facts-as-observed.
Right wing my ass, those who have consistently proven themselves to not follow any laws, and act as petulant children are not those on the Right. We're busy fishing, hunting, working and making.
ReplyDeleteI am truly sorry to hear about your retarded cousin. Is he/she in an institution ? Maybe they can help.
ReplyDeleteHe is gainfully employed and the majority of his peers are like-minded. They universally believe regulation is good because you cannot trust the stupid people who just want to make a living. You need the really smart people making those decisions.
DeleteIt must be something in the air.
I jumped to my conclusion merely because I have seen absolutely ZERO evidence either substantial or circumstantial, of any involvement of right-wing participants. If you have any, please provide. Thanks.
DeleteSuggest to your cousin that he can prove his theory by going to the scene and pulling on a MAGA hat next time the riots break out. I'm sure he will be surprised at the crowd's reaction, as well as at the number of kindred spirits he finds.
ReplyDelete