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July 25, 2011

"Why did ABB think right-wing terrorism could work? Because ABB grew up in a leftist world, he thinks like a leftist."

The error of ABB goes far beyond his decision to run wild with a Glock.
This is just his specific error. His general error is what Patri Friedman calls folk activism - a broad pattern of ineffective or counterproductive political action which extends across the entire right-wing spectrum, from moderate libertarians to hardcore neo-Nazis. It's not just that running wild with a Glock is stupid. Almost everything the right does is stupid. Very few rightists are running wild with a Glock, but most are in some way or other guilty of folk activism. -- Unqualified Reservations

Posted by Vanderleun at July 25, 2011 2:05 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.

Your Say

Jesus. That is the same mentality that claims all guns are bad, the Tea Party is made up of Nazis and sporting a Gadsden flag bumper sticker lands you on Janet Napolitano's terror watch list. America was founded on folk activism.

Posted by: RedCarolina at July 25, 2011 6:02 AM

What this kid did was murder, not activism. There is a vast difference. A broad sweeping cheap shot at American military initiatives and general conservatism like this is far more dangerous than the average gun owner. Otherwise we'd have shootings like this more often. He's no hero. He's a lone wolf murder who happens to not be Muslim this time.

Posted by: RedCarolina at July 25, 2011 6:25 AM

I didn't read it that way, RC. I read a completely comprehensible piece on why right-wing terror won't work, but will backfire. Also, how the left will use the opportunity to further their own tyrannical purposes. It was a brutally cold, open-eyed piece of analysis, which is sorely lacking in the media and even on blogs. His was a spot on analysis.

Posted by: Jewel at July 25, 2011 1:10 PM

Since when were "hard core neo-Nazis" part of the right-wing spectrum?

Posted by: Grizzly at July 25, 2011 3:55 PM

I agree, Jewel - that it makes a point on terrorism in general. Violence should be frowned upon across the board, but Bill Ayers and friends are not only still out there influencing young people, but also affecting elections and policy and even stirring the pot in the middle east. This piece does seem reach a bit with an exceptionally broad swipe at conservatism in general and in my book that is not only disingenuous, but dangerous as well. I concede, it's a thorough, comprehensive piece but I'm prickly regarding reckless labels, especially having gone through the 08 election cycle and our entire family being labeled racist for supporting McCain. On the ground, these broad assumptions pit neighbors against neighbors, friends against friends, even school kids against school kids. Trust me.. I'm living it. It's like playing with fire and then preaching on the risks of playing with fire. It's worse than hypocritcal and it is more dangerous than most acts of terror we've seen. Besides, the quip about Dresden didn't sit right with me. Writer lost all credibility with me there.

Posted by: RedCarolina at July 25, 2011 4:43 PM

I think we are all seeing that, too, RC. I quit talking at work, because one of our bakers is such an outspoken liberal. She absolutely believes everything in the press. I just shut up and do my job. The whole job is tense where once it was tense in another way. There is palpable anger between people who should hold things in common, but now don't. The divisions in our country are beginning to grow wider. It will be some small thing that sets the whole place on fire.

Posted by: Jewel at July 25, 2011 6:16 PM

The 08 election campaign did anything but unite us. That I know for sure.

Posted by: RedCarolina at July 26, 2011 7:23 AM

Well said, Jewel (6:16 PM), and very true.

Posted by: rickl at July 26, 2011 5:09 PM

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