House Of Public Discourse
Is an area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action.
I’m amazed by the number of hate groups there are on Facebook that disguises themselves as religious organizations, ministers, and self-proclaimed prophets. They’re little more than deceivers and thieves, preaching hatred and division for profit. And then there are those groups claiming to be “patriots,” out to save their country, but in fact, they’re little more than supremacists and purveyors of bigotry and racism, sowing the seeds of domestic terrorism.
On the plus side, this allows us to analyze the mindset being propagated by these deceivers. Facebook is one of the most effective tools for espionage ever devised. It will enable them, and all the other agencies out there, to track and monitor the mental state of certain groups and individuals, and to see who’s connected to whom. We too can learn much from observing their stance and hateful rhetoric.
I’ve visited a fair number of these sites over the years to get a sense of the minds behind these spinners of fear and hate propaganda and to delve into the minds and read the many comments of those who subscribe to these lunatics. Occasionally I’ll post a comment and enter into a discussion with someone. That can be very insightful into the way that some of these people think, or instead, don’t think, but rely on right-wing propagandists to tell them what to believe. Some responses I receive are incredibly harmful, and some extremely positive. No middle ground, but still, in the process, many have requested permission to repost my comments and articles on their timelines. I gladly agree.
I will admit that I have several pieces I’ve written that I frequently post on these sites and elsewhere, but only when I feel they’re on topic and to the point, regarding the article at hand. More often than not, I’ll be deleted and blocked by so-called patriots and religious groups, but in doing so; I know someone has read my post. I’ve entered into their mind, and I trust the words I’ve posted will haunt them. Yes, I have intentions but no expectations. I find it more than exciting that I can be both cursed and praised for the same words.
I realize that in most cases I’m merely “casting pearls before swine,” but there’s always a chance I may reach some of those who are seemingly unreachable. That the words may in some way act as a catalyst, and perhaps some of these people will reach deep within themselves and touch their souls, that the words I’ve posted might assist them in their awakening. I hope that they might rid themselves of the destructive mindset of these cults that have control over them. I wish them freedom.
Written By House of Public Discourse Member Gary Markle
Over the course of Obama's presidency, many so-called experts claim populist anger has been at an all-time high. Neo-Nazis groups are reemerging, and other hate groups have sprung forth as well. Ever since the election of America's first black president, we have seen a drastic rise in these subversive groups.[See Article]
It doesn't matter that Obama has taken an economy that was in shambles and put it back on course. It doesn't matter that when he[Obama] took office our country was accumulating a debt like never before, and Obama has put measures in play that have turned it [deficits] around. Obama has done these positive things with a backdrop of pure seditious Republican obstruction. Moreover, the right-wing media, backed by deep-pocketed billionaires like the Koch Brothers have blasted the liberal president agenda as being a fascist, socialist, and communist one, as if there is even such a thing.[See Article] All of this bogus rhetoric has been directed at the very lowest common denominator of our society. Uneducated poor racist white people who call themselves the Tea Party and their cause has been coined " The Patriot Movement." [Read: Why Do Poor Uneducated White People Vote Republican?]
It has been a remarkable scene. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are 939 active hate groups operating in the Unites States.[2013]All hate groups have beliefs or practices that attack or malign an entire class of people, typically for their immutable characteristics.
Hate group activities can include criminal acts, marches, rallies, speeches, meetings, leafleting or publishing. Websites appearing to be merely the work of a single individual, rather than the publication of a group, are not included in this list. Listing here does not imply a group advocates or engages in violence or other criminal activity.[Southern Poverty Law Center]
What has exploded more than any other faction has been the formulation of the so-called militia. In this writer's view, it's nothing more than a bunch of grown-ups of both genders playing Army in the woods. The Tea Party and the Patriot Movement has been the spark that has opened this nasty can of worms in America. [See:Personality Traits Of The Right Wing Extremist]
Should We Rename The Tea Party The American Taliban?
The Tea Party A Vehicle For Anger
Anyone who denies that the Tea Party is a racist organization is either kidding themselves or suffering from the worst case of denial ever recorded in the history of man.[See Article] The politics of hate are the benchmark of the Republican Party. And now with a black president in the White House, organizations like the Tea Party, which have been co-opted by the Koch Brothers have a " green-light," to turn up the volume on racist activity all in the name of GOD and country. Factor in the reality that [America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory!] and what you have is a Molotov cocktail ready to explode. Obama is going to take your guns. Obama is going to turn our country over to the Muslims. Obama is a dictator. Obama is the anti-christ and facilitator of the New World Order.[NWO] The conspiratorial rhetoric has been in a word " pathetic." Now, for the dangerous element of these most unholy associations, we have seen high-ranking " good-old-boys" in law enforcement; mostly Sheriffs and Judges form partnerships for lack of term, with the Tea Party and the subsequent Patriot Movement.
A Prime Example-- If This Would Have Been The Black Panthers We Would Have Seen Helicopters Mowing The Protesters Down In Cold Blood
The American South Has Become An International Disgrace, Why?
If you take a look at it, yes there are hate groups all over the country. However, a closer examination finds the American South inundated with these groups of hate. There is this springboard of hate groups from familiar states Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Texas. The thing that's sad is these people wear this malfunction as a badge of honor. The behavior of these citizens is not only legendary and historical, but also predictable. The radical-right wing of the Republican Party in the rural South have taken over the party. What happens when you have uneducated racist and bigots controlling your party with well-funded media echo chambers like Fox News force-feeding them trumped up unfactual red meat? A rise in domestic terrorism.[Domestic Terror: The Deadliest Game! ]
This increase in domestic terrorism has spiked since the election of America's first black president.
A report says extremist groups have used President Obama as a recruiting tool.
“Most statements by rightwing extremists have been rhetorical, expressing concerns about the election of the first African-American president, but stopping short of calls for violent action,” the report says. “In two instances in the run-up to the election, extremists appeared to be in the early planning stages of some threatening activity targeting the Democratic nominee, but law enforcement interceded.” [See Report]
Then you have this sovereign nation movement. There are groups who are seriously advocating secession from the United States. Their platform would make a persons home an embassy. The person would call themselves diplomats. Therefore, you can't arrest us. We don't have to pay taxes. And, lastly, we do not have to follow the laws or regulations of the United States. These groups are nothing more than off-shoots from the "Tea Party and Patriot Movement." Here is just some of the lustrous sovereign nation citizens.
Sovereign Nation Citizens Hall of Shame
The Montana Freemen were a Christian Patriot movement based outside the town of Jordan, Montana. The members of the group referred to their land as "Justus Township" and had declared themselves no longer under the authority of any outside government. They became the center of public attention in 1996 when they engaged in a prolonged armed standoff with agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[See Source]
The Montana Freemen story tell us something very interesting. There are various versions of these sovereign nation movement groups. The members of these groups feel they can just join these organizations and declare their sovereignty and not have to pay their taxes. They don't have to have driver's licenses. This whole idea originated from radical groups back in the 70's and 80's. Their whole legal argument rest on the Posse Comitatus Act.
The Posse Comitatus Act is the United States federal law (18 U.S.C. § 1385, original at 20 Stat. 152) that was passed on June 18, 1878, after the end of Reconstruction and was updated in 1981. The purpose of the act (in concert with the Insurrection Act of 1807) is to limit the powers of Federal government in using its military personnel to enforce the state laws.
The Act does not apply to the Army and Air National Guard under state authority from acting in a law enforcement capacity within its home country or in an adjacent state if invited by that state's governor. The United States Coast Guard, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, is not covered by the Posse Comitatus Act either, primarily because although the Coast Guard is an armed service, it also has both a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency mission. While the Act does not explicitly mention the naval services (United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps), the Department of the Navy has prescribed regulations that are generally construed to give the Act force with respect to those services as well.[See Source]
Posse Comitatus Act Explained?
There were back then as there is today these groups of people who feel they are the organic citizens of this country.[White Privilege] They believe they were placed in this country by GOD Almighty himself. They claim to have this divine connection with the heavenly father. That this land[United States] was given to them and that no government can interfere. What these groups are saying is that " we white people were given this land by GOD and that we can't be told what or what not to do."
In legal jargon, what these groups contend is that they are not 14th Amendment citizens.
What is important here to point out is that all of this crazy right-wing madness are all just remakes of the John Birch Society. See article, Why Understanding The John Birch Society Is Important . Is it not remarkable, that we are seeing a reemergence of the John Birch Society?[JBS] The JBS has become an annual sponsor of those CPAC conferences were we see one Republican nut-job after the other try to woo the Republican minion. CPAC back in the early 90's denounce several conservative groups as being racist. The JBS was one of those groups. Today America is a very different place.
Now, by allowing the JBS to be a co-sponsor of this annual conference should tell even the most casual observer of politics where this country is heading and moreover what political party is behind this civil-injustice.
As we have seen in foreign lands ruled by theocratic organization like the Taliban. People are having their heads chopped off for not following their doctrines, and we are seeing these same type Christian groups here in America advocating the very same but under the guise of Christianity. [See Article]
Then you have these self-righteous, self-proclaimed, and self-absorbed people who call themselves " Oath Keepers." These deluded people believe that the United States is about to impose martial law on us all. And, they are the " Holy Warriors" to save us. The majority of these nutcases are ex-military and law enforcement. [See:Are We Creating Holy Warriors In Our Military? ]
They[Oath Keepers] are the main ones proclaiming that We The People are going to be herded into concentration camps by our mean and menacing government. It's that New World Order conspiracy with a new twist or two.[ See: America Loves A Good Conspiracy Theory! ] The bottom line this is very far a field. What is surprising is how little this craziness has been called out by the mainstream media. One could argue this is because there is no one central charismatic figure. However, the reality is these ideas and mindsets are completely groundless. Mindless pundits and political figures like Sara Palin, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Sean Hannity, and news outlets like Fox News say and report things routinely that are entirely false. What is happening with news outlets like Fox News and others is who can out spook who, and it all goes to rating and profits. What is dangerous is the way it affects many unstable Americans to act out in violence and much of this reverts to the electing of the first person of color to the " White House."
As an old disc-jockey of mostly classic rock and funky ole soul, I have a tendency to relate current news events with music. As I sit here looking at the live feed [see above] of the unfolding events of the Fiasco In Ferguson, I, m reminded of the Marvin Gaye classic, Makes Me Wanna Hollar! What is ever so shocking is how fore-sighted our musical artist can be.
Violence Is Not The Answer, Make Ya Want To Hollar!!!
Voices From The House
My heart is bleeding for those business owners who have lost their businesses, and for those who now will have no jobs. They did nothing to earn this burden. It was no choice they made, yet the price they have to pay is far higher than most others.
My heart bleeds for those who sincerely wish to silently protest the injustice they feel, without committing a violent act, because the acts of stupidity and vandalism are overshadowing them and their message.My heart bleeds for a town that is being set back when it could have been catapulted forward into a world of understanding, compassion and mutual respect.
And yes, my heart is bleeding for our nation, so caught up in teaching and learning hatred, bigotry and judgment that we can't see the world through the eyes of another.
My heart bleeds for a people that have still not learned that what we really need in this world is, quite simply, love.[HOPD Staff Writer & Editor Bev Cowling]
Children Of The Ghetto, Keep Your Heads To The Stars!
Can We Imagine Peace??
What If Michael Brown Was Your Child??
Voices From The House!
Today my heart breaks for the Brown family and friends. My heart breaks for all the business owners who will have to start over. Its Thanksgiving but as for us we will be so thankful for the little we have that others don't have. How I wish I could just save the world. I'm saddened by the racism, hate and greed in this Country, saddened by the children and adults dying by the hands of those who are supposed to protect us. Our police are out of control, and it saddens me that today in this day and time that we must fear the police as if we were back in the 50's and 60's again. This country is not moving forward, but it is moving backwards. We must stand hand in hand together united to beat this system and work as one. We all bleed red, have the same bodies and hearts. I'm begging for equal justice for all color and origins. Its time for a change, time to fight back and use our minds without violence. I am sad today; I hurt for all who have lost their lives at the hands of haters and racist, ignorant people who have no souls. May God comfort your hearts Mr. and Mrs. Brown and people of Ferguson ......We will never forget Mike Browns life mattered!!! [Susan Collins: Friend of the House]
Be A Ribbon In The Sky
What Does The Law Say In The Matters of Police Shootings, and Moreover Should It Be Revisited By The Courts?
Current law gives police wide latitude to use deadly force.
Here is the Heart of the Matter from a legal standpoint.
Justice Bryon White
“It is not better that all felony suspects die than that they escape,” wrote Justice Byron White for the majority. “Where the suspect poses no immediate threat to the officer and no threat to others, the harm resulting from failing to apprehend him does not justify the use of deadly force to do so. …A police officer may not seize an unarmed, non-dangerous suspect by shooting him dead.”
But the court added that police could use deadly force if the suspect had threatened the life of a police officer.
“If the suspect threatens the officer with a weapon or there is probable cause to believe that he has committed a crime involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical harm, deadly force may be used if necessary to prevent escape, and if, where feasible, some warning has been given,” said Justice White.
Voices From The House.
The ignorance of reality runs deeply throughout this country. Just as far as the massive corporate owned government and media will allow. Wouldn't it be something if the people actually had a voice that was recognized? You know like the voice of reason.It's called racism.
When our institutions use profiling based on skin color it creates fear on the part of the officers. They act from a place of fear rather than a desire to protect. Thereby supporting the premise that blacks commit more crimes. The poor and the oppressed populations are in fact more likely to steal, but the reasons aren't greed driven like those of the corporate owned government.
Racism is an absolute reality in the present situation regardless of whether or not the officer Darren Wilson is charged. The idea that one incident has created this situation is in itself ridiculous. This country has work to do. I wish to state proudly that I would like to be a part of the solution and not a problem. One People One LOVE![Mentor of the House: Diana Buettner]
Voices From The House!
Omg!!!! Protest in Greenville* can I go get my groceries & shopping done* I am against racism!! The jury was Not a jury of peers- was NOT equal* I do BELIEVE in fairness & I don't believe in violent riots* I do believe in protest in& rallies & standing up for your beliefs if it can be done in a non- violent fashion* WE ALL DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH KINDNESS & EQUALITY!!! POLICE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE-THEY GET AWAY WITH TOO MUCH SHIT!!
[Lisa Peacock: House Political Administrator & Social Worker]
Voices From The House.
CAN YOU SAY 'CONFLICT OF INTEREST' AND 'PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT'???? If this is true then this matter MUST be investigated by the National Bar Association, the State of Missouri Bar Association, and the Department of Justice, and other related government agencies!!!!! In addition to his duties as the county prosecutor, Robert McCulloch is also the president of The Backstoppers, Inc., an organization used to fund-raise for the men and women in uniform in both Missouri and Illinois. And, in August, his organization was affiliated with a t-shirt drive featuring a picture of Missouri and the statement “I SUPPORT OFFICER D. WILSON” which was set up to raise money for the Darren Wilson Defense Fund as well as The Backstoppers." [ See Source Sharon McGowan Willicome: Friend of the House]
People Do Make This World Go Round.
Final Voice From The House!
Something that has been bothering me lately about the grand jury report, and the statements that have been made from officer Wilson, and various reports made about this shooting. When the shooting first occurred, they did an autopsy, and released the animated drawings with the autopsy report done by Dr. Michael M. Baden, Forensic Examiner for New York State Police. Nothing in the grand jury report, or any media coverage lately, has even mentioned, or shown how the autopsy completely shreds officer Wilsons accounting of the shooting. On the pictures of the autopsy, they show two bullets entering his wrist from his palm side, with an upward trajectory. He would of had his arm raised somewhat to have the bullets travel in that manner. From the autopsy report, they give officer Wilsons height as 6' and Michael Browns height as 6'5. The two bullets that entered his abdomen were in a downward trajectory. The only way those bullets could of entered in that manner, would be if Wilson was above Brown, which would mean that Brown had to be at least falling, and fairly close to Wilson when those bullets entered his body. The two bullets to his head, went in at the very top of his head, and went almost straight down, which again from the trajectory, would mean that Wilson would of had to be practically standing right over him. This wasn't just the report from Dr. Baden, but also Dr. Cyril Wecht, world reknown forensic Pathologist, who also reviewed the autopsy. Why hasn't this been brought up? Furthermore,
The Civil Rights Federal Investigation will gather all their investigative reports and the findings and actions that were taken, as well as the information from the grand jury. It will be interesting to say the least, what comes of it. After all is said and done, I'm sure that there will be a civil trial, and that should prove to be interesting as well. There are a few people that aren't happy about the questions that I have raised, and think that I am defending what ever Michael Brown did. I'm not defending what ever he may have done, or the way he did it. I just think from what all the evidence and the autopsy report shows, it isn't matching up at all with what the different reports that officer Wilson has said, or the grand jury, and I don't think that what Michael Brown did, warranted lethal action. Especially the way the autopsy shows it.[House Contributor: Edythe Redmann]
" Libertarian" Rand Paul supports a federal bill that would arrest marijuana users. Typically this type of statement from a right-wing Republican would not be newsworthy. However, in the case of known flip-flopper ' any which way the wind blows' politician Rand Paul this is a complete about-face from previous statements made by the senator from Kentucky.
Seems this self-proclaimed Libertarian Republican politician who has positioned himself as the champion of the anti-government crowd has no problem with big government [Federal Government] from intruding the rights of states to regulate marijuana use. Matter of fact, he's all for it. Very quietly, as in the " hush of the night," senator Paul supported the Republican-controlled House of Representative's measure called ' Enforce The Law Act." This bill would allow Congress to sue the president for not faithfully enforcing laws. In this case Federal law. The type of rules these so-called Libertarians loathe.
“We write laws and he is just deciding willy-nilly if he likes it he enforces it, if he doesn’t, he won’t enforce it, and we really think he needs to be chastened, rebuked, and told that he needs to obey the constitution,” Paul said.
This position is a complete departure from previous comments from Rand Paul where he indicated support for the states to set their terms regarding marijuana use. On March 24, 2013, he[Paul] told Fox News,
“The main thing I’ve said is not to legalize them [marijuana and synthetic recreational drugs] but not to incarcerate people for extended periods of time.” [See Source]
Rep.Bob Goodlatte (R-Va)
Our staff here at the House of Public Discourse are well aware of Rand Paul's knack for playing of words. His base made up mostly of uneducated poor white people, and anti-government and white-supremacist groups don't catch these contradictory statements, or they don't care.
Paul, cannot claim ignorance for this flip-flop. One of the senators that introduced the bill Bob Goodlatte (R-Va) submitted a committee report citing President Barack Obama failure to enforce federal marijuana laws as an example of his federal overreach.
Back in 2013, the Justice Dept.,[ See Source] proclaimed it would not contest states marijuana laws. According to multiple sources many in Congress, support the president's action or inaction regarding this subject matter.
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon)
“It doesn't seem right to me to continue to waste our limited resources punishing people for doing something when it's legal under state law, the majority of Americans want it to be legal, and much more dangerous drugs like heroin are making a comeback,”
This bill passed the House with 228 Republican votes. 181 Democrats voted against the bill. At first, it was doubtful that Rand Paul would have a chance to vote on this with a Democratic majority in the legislature. However, with the results from the 2014 election giving the majority to the Republicans and impeachment of Barack Obama swirling around this bill could and very likely will be revisited. If the bill does come before the senate, it will be one of those moments that beg the question, " Will The Real Rand Paul Please Stand Up!"
The Religious Right Has Tried for Years To Lose Its Racist Image.
With the emergence of the Tea Party and its overtly racist attitudes, one can't help but be reminded of another so-called Christian organization the KKK. Over the years, the Christian Right has tried to wash itself clean from its racist past. In his 1996 Book titled Active Faith, conservative Christian activist Ralph Reed, Jr admitted that Christian conservatives had been on the wrong side of the civil rights movement.
“The white evangelical church carries a shameful legacy of racism and the historical baggage of indifference to the most central struggle for social justice in this century, a legacy that is only now being wiped clean by the sanctifying work of repentance and racial reconciliation,” [Ralph Reed,Jr]
"Racial Reconciliation" has become a buzz word for the Christian Right.
During the Bush, Jr years, factions of the anti-gay and anti-racism were co-mingled in a weird way. In 2006, at the Greater Exodus Baptist Church. An African-American church in Philadelphia leaders of the religious right invoked the words of Martin Luther King, Jr and Rosa Parks on behalf of gay-marriage bans and Bush judicial nominees.[See Article] All this played into the Bush compassionate conservative narrative that he ran on in 2000. According to an article in Progressive Values. Org what a difference an election makes.
'Even if you believed that compassionate conservatism was always a bit of a con, it’s amazing to see how quickly it has vanished, and how fast an older style of reaction, one more explicitly rooted in racial grievance, has reasserted itself.'
"Today’s grassroots right is by all appearances as socially conservative as ever, but its tone and its rhetoric are profoundly different than they were even a year ago. For the last 15 years, the right-wing populism has been substantially electrified by sexual anxiety. Now it’s charged with racial anxiety."
No sooner than Democrats took office the anti-government, and religious right screwballs began their demagoguery. However, with the recent explosion of GOP sex scandals and other scandals the right has had to take a break from their incessant moralizing. To compensate, we have seen the right-wing politicians and pundits, and their media echo chambers shift gears to a relatively new term, " Producerism."
"Producerism sees society as divided between productive workers — laborers, small businessmen and the like — and the parasites who live off them. Those parasites exist at both the top and the bottom of the social hierarchy — they are both financiers and welfare bums — and their larceny is enabled by the government they control."
"It’s not, after all, as if the Christian right was something completely removed from the old racist right — rather, as Reed acknowledged all those years ago, they were initially deeply intertwined." [badattitudes.com]
Tony Perkins, before he immersed himself in homophobic interracial amity once paid Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard David Duke $82,500 for his mailing list.[Source: The Return Of The Repressed] In 2004, David Barton, president of the Texas GOP at that time spoke at an event featuring white preachers and ministry workers dropping to their knees before their black brethren to plead for forgiveness.[Source:The Return Of The Repressed] Barton, years earlier was a keynote speaker at a Christian identity movement. At this event, Barton was on narrative of this movements mantra that. " blacks are sub-human, ' mud-people." The bottom line as blacks have become more politically active. And a force in the electorate. The factions on the right like this so-called Christian Right front have had to change their tune of racism and bigotry towards gays and lesbians and immigrants. But, the old truism, " you can't teach an old dog new tricks," is a valid one in that with the election of a black president these deep-seated prejudices have festered once again. Hence, in this writer's view the Christian Right has returned to its racist past.
There are many facets to the personality of a right-wing extremist. There have been many studies conducted on the issue. As a starting point, The Authoritarian Personality (1950) by Theodor Adorno, explored the connection between personality and fascist orientation. This study identified a personality connection characterize by a dynamic between authoritarian aggression and authoritarian submission. The study also found a common thread of anti-semantic and anti-liberal sentiments existed in the right-wing extremist. However, much of this early study has given way to more recent research. But, the one constant factor remains, most right-wing extremist hold prejudices against minorities and any behavior that does not conform to the perceived values of the group.
In recent times, right-wing extremist have been re-labeled right-wing authoritarian followers.
In a sense, these attitudes are broad social, and political predispositions and feelings towards people who are outside the authoritarian belief patterns. Recent research has focused on exogenous personal dispositions, in order to identify and explain individual differences and political orientations and behaviors.
These dispositions or traits are;
Openness to experience.
Conscientiousness.
Extraversion.
Agreeableness.
Neuroticism (or emotional instability)
People who score high on openness are curious, open-minded, creative and value novel stimuli. The conscientiousness person loves for there to be an order and obedience to norms and rules. Impulse control and task orientated goals are paramount. Extraversion implies an out-going personality and approach to life. Traits such as sociability, assertiveness and positive emotionality are common in extraversion personalities.People who score high on agreeableness are modest, trusting, altruistic and tender-minded. Neuroticism describes a pattern of negative emotions. That is related to feelings of anxiety, vulnerability and uneasiness.
There has been an ever increasing bevy of empirical data on these personality traits which investigates attitudes towards out-group members, especially immigrants. This new evidence has clearly shown that openness to experience is the most important predictor for differences of prejudice towards these out-groups. This attitude differs from the right-wing authoritarian who tends to feel they have a social dominance over these so-called out-groups. They tend to have a superior sense of morality for example. Similarly, agreeableness persons show a high disregard for right-wing authoritarianism and their views of social dominance and negatively reject right-wing extremist orientations. By contrast, conscientiousness people have shown a severe disdain for minorities and immigrants according to the study. They embrace right-wing authoritarian viewpoints, and many either agree with or find an excuse for right-wing extremist actions. Neuroticism [Neurotic] relates solely to right-wing authoritarian views and makeup a majority of people who join or participate or sympathize with right-wing extremist groups. The Extraversion [ Extrovert] exhibits no systematic association with out-group derogation or right-wing extremist elements.
Right-Wing Extremist
Based of this research, this writer contends that people who tend to be opened-minded to experiences are tolerant to others from perceived out-groups. People from another background are interesting to the open-minded person. Moreover, this open-mindedness fosters appreciation for their different ideas and opinions. This reality makes them less likely to advocate anti-pluralist political ideologies. For this reason, most open-minded people are demagogued by the right-wing extremist as being such things as socialist, communist, do-gooders, and lastly, liberal swine. In fairness, the open-minded person tends to feel that the right-wing extremist are uneducated derelicts of society. People who score high in agreeableness approach others with trust and are sociable and don't tend to get caught up in group boundaries. Moreover, agreeable persons are altruistic and advocate equality rights and support democratic ideas rather than laws of the strongest and go fend for yourself mentalities of the right -wing extremist.
However, people high in conscientiousness show a deep hate and fear of those in the out-groups. They challenge their established group relations, traditions, and social norms. In addition, their love for order makes them more comfortable with authoritarian political beliefs. With the Neurotic, who tend to be emotionally unstable they feel threaten by those in the out-groups. They show the condition of institutional racism and exhibit superiority attitudes towards minorities and immigrants alike. These attitudes serve as compensation for their paranoia, and feelings of uncertainty. Therefore, they are attracted to right -wing extremist beliefs. For the Extrovert, relationships can be ambiguous. They value self-expression and self-enhancement which results in a view for the obvious, " freedom of expression." However, this sense of freedom coupled with their dominant focus on their personal advantage some extroverts draw to the hierarchy-based beliefs of the authoritarian and can lead them to right-wing extremism.
An overflowing of immigrant families, mostly children, at the U.S. border with Mexico has led to calls for aid from the Obama administration and has sparked the conversation regarding immigration reform. Border patrol spokespersons have indicated that within the past two-weeks the number of people detained has fallen from 1,400 per day to 1,000 per day. The decrease has been attributed to several dynamics from both sides of the border.
Raul Ortiz
Raul Ortiz, deputy chief of the Rio Grande Border Patrol Sector, told NBC News.
The decrease can most likely be attributed to dynamics at play on both sides of the border, Ortiz said. While border patrol officers usually see a 10 percent decrease in immigration in July, he said, this month also followed a June "deadline" that people crossing from Central America thought they had to make in order to stay in the U.S. legally. That supposed benefit was false.The rumors were spread by cartels, looking to make money by ushering people into America through Mexico.
There have been messages put out by the Dept of Human Services warning people of the dangers in trekking across the U.S. and Mexico border. Also, the Obama administration has beefed up the agents on the border as well.
With all this happening you then factor in the right-wing politicians making political hay of these present realities by placating to their largely racist anti-government base blaming the current administration for the problem when, in fact, is only following the protocols put in place by their own past president George Bush. We have heard of domestic terrorist groups masquerading as so-called organized militia threatening to locate to the border and start shooting woman and children.
In this writers view, what we have in play here is a cultural war and a total ignorance of the history of both the United States and the State of Texas. As a resident of Houston, Texas, I know firsthand just how diverse this city has become and the entire state for that matter. Very few people realize that Houston has surpassed both New York and Los Angeles as the most diverse city in the nation. This distinction is also relative of the state as a whole. Our country has long been labeled a ' melting pot." and has always been a country that has prided itself for its welcoming of people looking for a better life. So, why the indifference now? If you look back on it, the same elements whining and crying about these children at our border now where outspoken in allowing temporary work furlongs for immigrants to combat unionize workers and to facilitate so-called " right to work," legislation. What this is boiling down too is a cultural social war and the issue to this point has become a play toy for the right-wing radicals and their wind up doll politicians like U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who incorrectly said that Barack Obama has promised amnesty to illegal immigrants.[See Article]
Calling On The Yellow Rose Of Texas, Save Us Again!
Many people may or may not know that the person who was credited for detaining Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, was a lady by the name of Emily D West also known as Emily D Morgan. This detainment according to both folk-lore and secular history enable the Texas rebels time to form and defend and defeat the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto. This battle has been widely accredited for turning the tide in the Texas Revolution. Ironically, this decisive battle was fought right here in Harris County,Texas and home of the nation's most diverse city Houston. What does this story have to do with woman, children, and families crossing into our state borders, one might ask?
Firstly, it goes to the word diversity. Not being originally from Texas, this writer was aware of the famous folk tune ' The Yellow Rose of Texas.' however, I did not know the story behind it and I surly assumed she was a white person. How wrong was I, very!
According to several reliable sources Ms. Emily West was a mixed race person. Ateenage orphaned free Negro woman in the northeastern United States, journeyed by boat to the wilderness of Texas in 1835. Colonel James Morgan, on whose plantation she worked as an indentured servant, established the little settlement of New Washington (later Morgan's Point). When Santa Anna and his troops arrived in the area, he claimed West to take the place of his stay at home wife in Mexico City and the traveling wife he had acquired on his way to Texas. The traveling wife had to be sent back when swollen river waters prevented him from taking her across in the fancy carriage in which she was riding. Santa Anna was either partying with West or having sex with her when Sam Houston's troops arrived for The Battle of San Jacinto, thus forcing him to escape in only a linen shirt and "silk drawers;" in which he was captured the next day. West's possible forced separation from her black lover and her placement in Santa Anna's camp, according to legend, inspired her lover to compose the song we know as "The Yellow Rose of Texas." [See Article] In Closing, how ironic that the icon for saving Texas from defeat in it's fight for independence was a woman of mix race. This should serve as a symbol to all Texans and Americans alike how endorsing the detainment, and unwelcoming of these woman, children and families goes against our heritage as a state and a nation.We as concerned citizens should not let the voices of the racist and politically motivated politicians dictate the policy of We The People. With that said, we call on the yellow rose of Texas, save us again!
We are living in ever-changing times. These changes are happening in all facets of our lives. On the political front, there are more and more people who call themselves or at least identify with what has come to be called libertarianism. Over the last year, I have been putting to study the behavior and attitudes of these pro-claimers of liberty and justice for all. Frankly, I have not been impressed with their narrative from their outspoken correspondence which makes comments like. "You sure love letting people steal your money!" Moreover, their behavior brings to mind the famous quote from one of the most popular presidents of all time, Abraham Lincoln.
"The perfect liberty they seek is the liberty of making slaves of other people." -- Abraham Lincoln
To a libertarian, property rights are sacred. Any government is bad. Capitalism has no flaws, and the capitalist are the modern-day nobles of our society. Worker rights and activism is evil. Lastly, they feel the poor are pampered and "good-for-nothings," who should be left to fend for themselves. For example, an outspoken libertarian Murray Rothbard, who claimed to be such an intellectual, advocated a dangerous spew to the least common denominators of our society. The libertarian’s emphasis is the demagoguery of government and taxation, and here is an example of his rhetoric:
Rothbard was an early pioneer of modern-day libertarianism. In a nutshell, libertarianism is a radical anti-state political philosophy. It unites a free-market system of economics,with a no exception attachment to property rights, a so-called profound love of human liberty and a love of peace, with the conclusion that society should be allowed to develop with no interference from the state whatsoever. In fact, the libertarian feels there should be no state, period. The libertarian hates worker unions. They [Libertarian's] claim labor unions pursue policies that disrupt a capitalism in action that is the cause of their prosperity. Renowned libertarian Ludwig Von Mises once said:
Ludwig Von Mises
"What is today euphemistically called the right to strike is in fact the right of striking workers, by recourse to violence, to prevent people who want to work from working."
With The Libertarian Who Needs Facts?
One thing this writer has uncovered in research of the libertarian and the followers of its ideology is that facts don't matter. Who needs facts, seems to be their mantra. Studies have shown when people leave one ideological extreme they usually end up in another. The methodology of the libertarian is not that hard to follow. Oppose their perceived evils of the world with a fairy tale; "Obama coming to take your guns, Obama is a Muslim and not a natural born citizen who is going to hand America over to our enemies, there is epidemic voter fraud." These are but just a few of the libertarian backed fairy tales of our current times. The bottom-line is the academic libertarian loves abstract, fact-free arguments. This type of behavior may go over well with like-mined right-wing authoritarian followers, where nobody is going to pull the old fact-checker out. But, en masse, it matters to the American people and time after time these flawed untruths being levied by deep-pocket backers of the Libertarian party have backfired on the libertarians.
The Libertarians Think They Are The Modern Day Founding Fathers! All the modern day political parties want the founding fathers on their side. The facts, with any earnest study, clearly shows all modern day political parties laid their roots in the 1700s. All of us are liberals, conservatives, libertarians, and independents against the monarchy which hovered over us, and we fought as a nation to unleash ourselves. We all fight for liberty and the pursuit of happiness. History has revealed to us times when our founding fathers not only encouraged rants against government, but led the charge. There were also times when our founding fathers were against rants of rebellion, anarchy, and the anti-government rhetoric that has become so common-place in today's environment.
James Madison
"It cannot have escaped those who have attended with candor to the arguments employed against the extensive powers of the government, that the authors of them have very little considered how far these powers were necessary means of attaining a necessary end."
"Stable ownership is the gift of social law, and is given late in the progress of society."
"All the Property that is necessary to a man is his natural Right, which none may justly deprive him of, but all Property superfluous to such Purposes is the property of the Public who, by their Laws have created it and who may, by other Laws dispose of it."
The Constitution of the United States is the very definition of a strengthened government. The Federalist Papers were nothing more than an extended argument in support of the Constitution. In fact, the founding fathers comprised a balance that was arbitrary and coercive. Fast forwarding to modern times, the founding fathers had no way of foreseeing the New Deal. There was no need for this type of action back when our nation was being forged. However, there are examples when the founding fathers were quick to resort to the resources of the state as quick as any modern day liberals. For example, Ben Franklin, played the Pennsylvania legislator like a "piano in the dark," using it to fund a hospital he wanted to establish. One of the first instances in our nation’s history, using the state to do good social work. It's also worth bringing to the light that the founding fathers' words were much nobler than their actual deeds. Most were quite comfortable with owning slaves. Women were given no voice whatsoever. George Washington himself, by executive order, made it a crime to criticize the government.
For almost 150 years, in fact, the Bill of Rights was paid lip service in patriotic orations and ignored in the marketplace. It wasn't until after World War I that the Supreme Court began the process of giving real meaning to the Bill of Rights.[ Source: Robert Allen Rutland]
Why Are Libertarians Dangerous?
The libertarians are dangerous because of their growing influence within the Republican Party for starters. Then there is the emergence of the radical Tea Party, which is nothing more than the repackaging-of-the-fascist-playbook. These people are political crackpots and are, usually, harmless. However, with America electing a black president, the Republican Party hierarchy began to come to the realization that its Southern strategy no longer can win national elections. Catering to the lowest common denominator in our society; the uneducated, racist, anti-government types, and their fairy tale propaganda is spurning not only division among people in America it is emboldening anyone with an ax to grind. To act out in violent anti-social ways which have brought on the genesis of new terms like ' hate crimes', and 'don't tread on me,' mentalities. With the already flawed doctrines of the Republican Party being proven to be failures, we see a faction develop that says we must hang on to power no matter what. In short, Republicans have taken the libertarian mantra that " government is bad," and run with it, largely with the help of deep-pocketed influences like the Koch Bros. Judicial decisions like corporate-person-hood and money is free-speech and lastly gerrymandered voting districts we are, in fact, looking at a governess by organized mob. Take all of this into account with the following Republican doctrines already in place and we have a civil storm brewing in this country. This storm is why Libertarianism is not only wrong, it's dangerous. Here are just but a few of the ills of the libertarian's influence on the Republican Party.
Reagan's "Government is the problem."
Phil Gramm's contention that the country's "economic crisis" and "moral crisis" were due to "an explosion of government."
Talk radio hosts' advocacy of armed resistance to "jack-booted government thugs."
Dole's 1996 campaign, advancing the notion that taxes were "Your Money" being taken from you.
Gingrich's Contract with America (welfare cuts, tax cuts, limitations on corporations' responsibility and on the government's ability to regulate them)
Dick Armey's comment that Medicare (medical aid for the elderly) is "a program I would have no part of in a free world."
Bush's tax cuts, intended not only to reward the rich but to "starve the beast", in Grover Norquist's words: to create a permanent deficit as a dangerous ploy to reduce social spending.
Jeb Bush's hope that the Florida state government buildings would one day be empty.
Intellectual support for attacks on the quality of working life in this county and for undoing the New Deal.
In closing, here is a video by an ex-libertarian who, mind you, clearly states his narrative is a worst case scenario if the libertarians were to gain a foot-hold of our We the People government. For one, this writer hopes never to see such a day.
What would Christian Reconstructionism in America look like? For starters, meet state representative Bobby Franklin from the 43rd District of Georgia [Cobb County]. Franklin advocates that the Tea Party should push for making all taxes illegal, and other federal powers he claims are unconstitutional, instead of pushing for mere tax cuts. Franklin would abolish driver’s licenses, public schools,
income taxes and mandatory vaccinations. Franklin has proposed legislation to
make gold and silver the only legal tender. Franklin wrote a bill calling rape victims “accusers." Franklin
also introduced a bill that would require a woman toprovide evidence that
their miscarriage occurred naturally or face
felony charges. Back in February 2011, in the Marietta Daily Journal , Franklin made several " off the cuff" comments.
"Cobb County, in its Soviet style central planning, has deemed that you have to have two acres just to have a chicken."
Franklin has been on record saying allowing gays in the military is no different than allowing convicted drug dealers to enter. Franklin adds:
"We've really adopted all 10 planks of the Communist Manifesto in one form or another in this country."
Rep. Franklin's " Life, Liberty and Property
Restoration Act," in which four spheres of government; self-government, family government, church government, and civil government
would create a six-person legal repeals panel to undo the incursion of civil
government on the other three. What's odd is the requirements Franklin mandates
to sit on such a panel. "None of the members shall have graduated from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association or have ever been admitted to the practice of law in any state." [Source: Talkingpointsmemo.com)
Christian Reconstruction in Their Own Words.
Rousa Rushdoony
Rousas Rushdoony has been coined the father of the Christian Reconstruction movement in America. Many credit him with the home schooling movement as well. It was Rushdoony's prolific writing, Institutes of Biblical Law, that spawned much of what has become known as the Christian right. This movement advocates that segments of society be reclaimed from the humanist and reconstructed on the basis of biblical law.
Reconstructionists claim that the unfettered free markets are biblically mandated.
What this is really saying, is that GOD is the force behind capitalism and government intervention is putting faith in man as opposed to GOD.
The
Reconstructionists have over the years aligned themselves with radical groups
like the John Birch Society. [JBS] In 2006, the Chalcedon foundation published an article celebrating the JBS. The JBS chairman of that time, John McManus, was interviewed.
John McManus
"For forty-eight years a single organization has led the way in preserving America's national sovereignty while helping to fortify the moral blockade on our failing culture... ''
Here is what the constitutional conservatives, theocratic libertarians and tea party movement people look and sound like.
TheInstitute on
the Constitution is an organization offering classes on teaching a
Christian nationalist view of the Constitution around the country. This
organization featured the above video speaker, Rev. Joseph Morecraft, where he
spoke on the topic God and Politics. This so-called, self-proclaimed speaker of
GOD himself advocates Godless conservatism has failed. Morecraft goes on by saying
that the time has come for Christians to start acting like Christians, and to
proclaim Christ Lordship over politics, too. These
type proclamations and foundations from the likes of Rep. Franklin and the
good pastor Rev. Morecraft are the building blocks, for lack of term, that
has manifested the emergence of the “theocratic libertarian." This overall narrative has been marketed by the Reconstructionists and their Dominion Theology. Throw in the Ron Paul school of Austrian economics and spread these narratives through the deep-pockets of the Koch Bros media echo chambers, and you muster in the anti-government crowd and lo-and behold, you have a mess on your hands.[In this writers view]
Dominion Theology And Why It Is Dangerous.
This worldview advocates abolition of much, if not all of the federal government, regulatory structures, social safety nets, and unions.
It
is the adherence to biblical law that becomes the method of control over society
once government is decreased, very much like the Taliban has imposed in
Afghanistan, and Islam has in Iran for example. It has become apparent that
these factions in America have been emboldened and seem to wish for the
circumstances in our country to be so bad that people will start buying
into their doctrine. Christian Reconstructionists seem to pray for the demise of
government so they can prescribe their medicine upon “We the People," no matter how bad that medicine taste. A primary target of the Reconstructionists, the John Birch Society, the Tea Party and the Ron Paul's of the world, is unions.
Gary North, one of Ron Paul's right-hand men,
back in 1978 in aBiblical
Economics Today article titled A
Christian View of Labor Unionsall
but called on a holy war against unions.
The unions are as good as busted. It's PATCO all over again. Other governors are already on board the union-busting train. Walker set the pattern....The return of the rank and file of union members to the Democrat Party, if it happens, will be mostly geezers with walkers. When you think `union' think `walker.'
The PATCO reference refers to Ronald Reagan's
firing of striking members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers
Organization in 1981.
Funny how the GOD of the right-wing movement played dictator in this situation ,when the using of executive order suits his fancy. How ironic. Just like with the recent fiasco in Nevada with rancher Cliven Bundy, it was an executive order by then President Ronald Reagan that created the land use fees and not the tyrannical U.S. government. This double standard has long been the order of the day with these Christian zealots.
Fast forwarding to the present political atmosphere, Ron
Paul and his protege son, Republican senator from Kentucky, Rand Paul have had a
long term association with the Christian Reconstructionists. Rand Paul Was The Featured Speaker At the Theocratic Constitution Party 2009 Rally. The Tea Party crowd have long described themselves as supporters of the libertarian viewpoints promoted by Ron Paul. However, Ron Paul is not a classical libertarian. Paul is from the right libertarian perspective. Ron Paul likes to parade himself as a Christian Libertarian or Theocratic Libertarian, a worldview more closely associated with the aforementioned Rousas Rushdoony and Reconstructionism. In closing, what has to be fully understood is the agenda that the Reconstructionists, Tea Party and Ron Paul type Libertarians are advocating. This Christian nationalism dynamic must be recognized for what it truly is and that it's much more than a movement driven by economics and tax reduction. In essence, they want to reconfigure the constitution to their personal whim for their own collective personal gain. The "wolf in sheep's clothing,' comes to this writers mind. But all one has to do is follow their comments to get a real understanding of what their goal would be. To circumvent the constitution's basic tenets; the separation of church and state, doctrines that allow all of us the freedom to choose our faith or lack of, and more importantly to keep it from our public places like schools, governmental buildings, and the courthouse just to name a few. Gary North wrote in Dominion Strategies in 1986:
Gary North
"What they are saying in their fund-raising letters is clear, and has been since 1980: `American fundamental Christianity is at last out of the pews and into the streets (Washington for Jesus), and the humanists are going to see their friendly little monopoly over America blown to kingdom-come.' Whether kingdom-come is officially premillennial or officially postmillennial isn't particularly relevant at this point. I assume that an activist, `let's get involved' Christian leader has become an operational postmillennialist and an operational Christian Reconstructionist until he writes a detailed book or produces a detailed tape series spelling out exactly why and in what ways he is not in deed (though not in word) on most specific issues, a Christian reconstructionist and a postmillennialist. Deeds are what counts. Motivational speeches are what count. The intricate details and particular qualifications of a man's personally held (and rarely spoken) eschatology are not what count."
Rev. Joseph Morecraft
I believe the children in the Christian schools of America are the Army that is going to take the future. Right now. . .the Christian Reconstruction movement is made up of a few preachers, teachers, writers, scholars, publishing houses, editors of magazines, and it's growing quickly. But I expect a massive acceleration of this movement in about 25 or 30 years, when those kids that are now in Christian schools have graduated and taken their places in American society, and moved into places of influence and power.'"
