Political radicalization

Thomas Matthew Crooks Had Donald Trump Signs in His Yard—Neighbor

I can’t help but shake my head at the sheer irony and hypocrisy that comes to light when the topic of Thomas Matthew Crooks having Donald Trump signs in his yard is brought up. The attempts to deflect from his political affiliations by some individuals are almost comical if they weren’t so concerning. Let’s not focus on his politics, they say. Just because he’s a Republican doesn’t mean he’s a Republican, they claim. The mental gymnastics required to twist these facts into some convoluted narrative is truly astounding.

It’s clear that Crooks was deeply ingrained in a conservative environment. With 12 firearms taken out of his home, being a registered Republican voter, his father described as a libertarian gun nut, and classmates confirming his conservative views, it’s hard to deny the political leaning of this individual.… Continue reading

Right-Wing Embrace Of Conspiracy Is ‘Mass Radicalization,’ Experts Warn.

https://www.npr.org/2020/12/15/946381523/right-wing-embrace-of-conspiracy-is-mass-radicalization-experts-warn?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

For some reason, this article evokes images of the OKC bombing in my mind. That was another period of right wing radicalism. The current situation feels worse, though.

Because at least when that domestic terror attack happened, our politicians and media rallied together to denounce it.

You didn’t have people creating multimillion dollar funds for Timothy Mcveigh’s defense, political leaders saying that maybe we need to listen to the Mcveighs of the world, and anybody attempting to justify him was immediately shunned.

We don’t have that now. If another domestic terror attack like that happened, it would split the country.… Continue reading