April 3, 2010
A Newly Aware America Confronting Old Tricks
Andrew Breitbart pulls together some of the threads related to the post-healthcare-vote anti-Tea Party redirection, concluding:
Who is calling the shots here? Is it the White House, by way of Chicago? Or is it Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid? The press refused to tell you the truth about this president. It refused to tell you of his proud adherence to the teachings of the original Chicago "community organizer" Saul Alinsky. We have now entered the first full-fledged Alinsky presidency. The only way to beat Alinsky is with Alinsky. The Democrats and President Obama will not give up this tack. Do you think the GOP will win the day in November and in 2012 if its strategy is to apologize for every manufactured "right wing fringe" outrage?
I disagree about "the only way to beat Alinsky." I think it's honesty. That's why it's significant that he's becoming an increasingly understood figure. Fighting Alinsky with Alinsky would mean deception and manipulation, which many whom I've observed on the political right are not well suited to do effectively. Bright lights and proper conduct are the appropriate and most effective responses. Two notes on this front, one national and one local.
First, consider this small story, slipped into the inner pages of the Saturday paper:
David Brian Stone [leader of the recently FBI-stung militia group] never got too far in his plans. His influence didn't appear to extend much beyond a close circle of family and friends, and associates say other militias refused to come to his defense during raids late last month. ...Members of a group in Hutaree's own backyard — the Lenawee Volunteer Michigan Militia — not only refused to assist one of Stone's sons who fled the FBI after a raid on Saturday night, but they actually turned to authorities to help track down Joshua Stone.
I lack the time and interest to dig into the details and merits of the FBI investigation and raid, but the timing and the huge national splash certainly gives the impression that somebody is constructing a narrative stretching from the Tea Party movement, through the Republican Party, to the most fringe characters of the right.
Which brings us to a local item on which I've been meaning to comment:
Some people wore tri-cornered hats and waved yellow flags that proclaimed "Don't Tread On Me." Others brandished signs with more current messages aimed at Rhode Island's congressional delegation, such as "Abort the D.C. Thugs," with photos of Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Patrick Kennedy and James Langevin, and "LANGEVIN'S VOTE CRIPPLE$ AMERICA."
The "Abort the D.C. Thugs" sign lies at about the edge of what one expects at these rallies, but the one about Langevin, specifically, crosses the line. Indeed, it's so beyond the appropriate that one wonders why reporter Mike Stanton, or his on-scene surrogate, didn't attempt to procure the sign-wielder's name and extract further comment. Perhaps the journalists' caught a whiff of the reek of setup around the sign.
Anybody have a picture of that sign — especially of the person holding it?
There is something that disturbs me about this raid on the "militia". As I read the news reports about "making war on the United States" I cannot help but think the FBI is attempting to construct a worthy enemy. In all, it seems like a single disgruntled family (does anyone know a fully gruntled family). When "captured" they voiced compalaints about taxation and immigration. Sounds pretty pedestrian to me.
I am afraid that Ruby Ridge left me somewhat cynical. I have never liked the idea of a marshall receiving "the highest award the service offers" for shooting aa unarmed woman holding a baby. Shooting the kid in the back didn't do much for me either.
I don't know why, but the name "Hutaree" is not new to me. Makes me think that they were not too deeply "underground".
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 3, 2010 4:30 PMRecall that a while back there was a Homeland Security memo "leaked" regarding the threat of "domestic terrorism" from returning veterans, those opposed to illegal immigration / amnesty, pro-lifers, general Obama political opponents, etc.
Perhaps a coincidence, but Justin's observation regarding "constructing a narrative" rings credibly, and perhaps that construction effort has been in the works for some time, awaiting deployment against Second Amendment defenders, amnesty opponents, the Tea Party etc. when the Obama administration deems it advantageous.
Given Obama's historical ties to Saul Alinsky / Bill Ayers - Weather Underground / Chicago thug politics / Communist Party USA/ Democratic Socialists of America, I wouldn't put it past him (through his henchmen) to manufacture one or more violent incidents to provide an excuse for a "crackdown."
Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at April 3, 2010 5:04 PMThis is not an Obama Administration "alinsky" plot. This is what the federal govt.does. Its not new nor does it have its basis in the West Wing. As Warrington mentioned, Ruby Ridge in 92 is an example of past govt. raids on supposed extremists. Waco, Texas is another from the Clinton era. We have Rainbow Farm in 2001. The list of FBI/Fed involvement in issues like this, and the corresponding media hype, could go on forever. Those in power do not like others questioning them or appearing to be a threat, especially if they have guns and have strong beliefs contrary to theirs. It is no surprise that DoJ and DoD lifers do these sorts of raids and spin them accordingly. Seriously, its like some of you people fell asleep for decades and/or ignore everything not fitting to your own strict political views exactly. Those in the DoJ who order these raids, who investigate these groups, do not change from administration to administration. These are the powerful folks of our federal bureaucracy, not the public face of the AG or the political appointments.
Posted by: steadman at April 3, 2010 5:30 PM"These are the powerful folks of our federal bureaucracy, not the public face of the AG or the political appointments. "
That is what I dislike about the idea of "term limits". I think the government could become mandarinized and controlled by long term bureaucrats who never have to stand for election. The "short termers" would not have the knowledge of where the bodies are buried and couldn't stand up to them.
Happy Easter all.....
Rounding up terrorists under GW - even folks who did nothing except Pizza Delivery or talking=GOOD
Rounding up terrorists under Obama - even those with real plans, lots of guns. etc. =BAD
If you remember that, you will know how to frame every story correctly.
Faust, as far as disgruntled, McVeigh was that. Heck, even Bin Laden is that. What you attach to their state of mind is interesting, but not relevant.....just as it is not relevant that they were Christian and uses crosses and other scripture as their basis.
I don't care if they were muslim, christian, jews or just a bunch of ingrates with small penises. It's time for the men to stop playing GI Joe Soldier on the weekends.
STUART:you're actually right about one thing-no GI Joe on the weekends.
But be armed.Just good common sense.
Fred Reed is not at his very best but he does make some points about government response to terrorism.
http://fredoneverything.net/NYCSubwayTerror.shtml
Posted by: Warrington Faust at April 4, 2010 6:04 PMI love that they asked for “Public Defenders”, now they know about the undercover FBI agent. The simpleton Tea baggers keep missing the point. These are the same whiners that were crying when the McCain/Bailin ticket lost. Now they are crying again because their yelling (because they are haters not debaters) did not stop health care from passing. They think they can scare, intimidate and force others to go along with them by comments like “This time we came unarmed”, let me tell you something they are not the only ones that are armed and not all ex-military join the fringe militia crazies who don’t pay taxes and run around with face paint in the parks playing commando, the majority are mature and understand that the world is more complicated and grey then the black and white that these simpleton make it out to be and that my friend is the point. Do not cry when regular people openly laugh at your group when they see on TV that your leaders are Sarah Bailin, Orly Taitz, Victoria Jackson, Michele Bachmann and that turn coat Glenn Beck from the LDS. They do more to discredit you on TV (powerful) than any of my comments do in the blog sphere.
Posted by: Montana at April 5, 2010 12:39 PMThe a##wipes running around in "militias" are frequently wannabes,and yes,you're right-most actual war veterans just want a normal life-I hope like hell sh*t doesn't pick up in this country because then we won't need external enemies to ruin things.
I still think an armed populace is a subtle check on any moves toward totalinarianism from either direction.
Who is Victoria Jackson?
My desire is to have government which is responsible and doesn't try to micromanage my life.I had enough of that crap in the military and law enforcement.
Sometimes I think the extreme left and right are looking for the same thing-worst case scenario.
What pisses me off beyond all get out is the ARROGANCE of most politicians who seem to think WE work for THEM.
That attitude is quite equally distributed.I'm afraid.
Anyone who really wants a colon cleanse should try finding a can of sauerkraut juice and drinking it.
Posted by: joe bernstein at April 5, 2010 9:09 PMFor some reason she is featured on Fox News:
Victoria Jackson of SNL and Tea Party Express
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jx_bySaVXU
Posted by: Montana at April 6, 2010 11:49 PM