Will ex-military 'Patriots' form a more dangerous kind of militia?

[Are_grits_groceries]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bggXQxhyo4s

One of the more disturbing trends we've been observing is the return of far-right "Patriot" rhetoric about government oppression with the election of President Obama. Fueled in no small part by mainstream right-wing talkers proclaiming we're headed into "socialism" -- not to mention a "radical communist" who must be "stopped" or else America will "cease to exist" -- the overheated rhetoric has been gradually getting higher in volume, intensity, and frequency with each passing week.

The initial concern that this raises is the possibility of a new wave of citizen militias, particularly when you have mainstream pundits like Glenn Beck out there helping to promote the concept. As Glenn Greenwald observed, the "Patriots" are back with a vengeance.

At least for the time being, however, there isn't any evidence of new militias forming, though we may see numbers growing within the coming months within existing units, particularly as Fox News and radio pundits start fueling right-wing anxieties.

However, we are starting to see a trend that's even more disturbing: Military veterans voicing Patriot-movement beliefs, including threats of violent resistance to the Obama administration
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/willl-ex-military-patriots-form-more

These people are nuts and scary!

[old mark]

1. Thanks for the post and the link. Rec. nt

[no_hypocrisy]

2. During the Weimar Republic in Germany, one group that supported Hitler early on was the Freikorps.

This group was made of unemployed, disenchanted army veterans from the First World War who needed to blame the government, its leaders, the Jews, the Jewish bankers, etc. for losing the war that should have been won. Heinrich Himmler came from the Freikorps. It was easy to convince these men to join Hitler to restore Germany's position of pride and reverence to the world.

[MADem]

3. Militia movements have waxed and waned over the years.

Like it or not, TIA (Total Information Awareness), by another name of course, or some cousin of it, will be deployed to check those stupid bastards out.

I am offended that they usurp the name of a football team that would have nothing to do with them. Why can't they call themselves COWBOYS or BEARS or something?

Let's call a spade a fucking shovel, here. The reason that most of these people are annoyed with Obama isn't because of anything he's DONE--even with his fast-tracking of key legislation. He hasn't been in office long enough for there to be a real "effect" from his presidency, other than a psychological one.

These people are pissed off because of the level of melanin in the man's skin. That's the ONLY reason they're pissed off. That's what drives their little train. They're racists, white supremacists, call them what you will--and that's why their tightie whities are all in a bunch--that someone with a touch more melanin is sleeping in the "White" House.

Too bad about them--they don't get their way this time.

[pnutbutr]

4. how is this different

than the bushco fear mongering? A few crazies out there calling for this crap in no way means it's gonna happen. The less attention we put on this bullshit the better off we are.

[bigbrother05]

5. Because they could be the kind of folks to do another McVey

There are always fringe groups (end-timers, survivalists, militias, and others) that appeal to small numbers and gather to share their "concerns". What is happening now and during each of the last two Dem administrations is that the RW media circus has elevated their rhetoric.

Despite their protestations that they are exercising protected free/political speech, the RW echo chamber is inciting such groups to conclude that not only are their worst fears coming to pass, but that the only "patriotic" thing to do now is to act in the manner of the Founding Fathers, armed insurrection. If all your news comes from Fox News and AM talk radio, it would not be very hard to be convinced that violence against the government is needed and even welcomed by "Patriotic" Americans.

It used to be, during the Carter and Clinton years, that these splinter groups shared videos and books almost from hand-to-hand to propagate their dogma. With the rise of cable and internet connectivity, even the most virulent ideas quickly spread and take on a "mainstream" veneer that only serves to reinforce baser instincts. We will have a much harder time guarding against such home-grown threats because the stresses of our current situation, both political and economic, make it more difficult to recognize where heated rhetoric ends and anarchy begins.

[pnutbutr]

8. uh

Again, How is this different than the bushco fear mongering? The looming threat of terrorism within our borders. Ooooooo, scary stuff. Now it's the looming threat of armed insurrection.

I consider myself a patriotic American. Do you consider me lumped in with these fringe groups who in all honesty wield no power and are shunned as crazies by the vast majority of Americans, including conservatives.

[Skidmore]

6. I'm more concerned about ex-Blackwater mercenaries and the like

who fall outside of the VA system.

[annabanana]

7. They are likely to join outfits like Blackwater

oh excuse me. . Xe.

That way they can make gobs of money and then terrorize the Country on their own time..