The rise of menace as a mainstream political tool

[wing2000]

60 Minutes interview with Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richter and election denier Shelby Bush who has called for "lynching" Richter in the past (during the interview, she claims she meant a "political lynching"):

 

[Zaha Torte]

That wasn't what I meant, and you know it. I don't care if you disagree with her policies or you think that they're wrong for the country - that's politics. But that sort of imagery serves no purpose other than to stir up fear and anger. Don't get taken in by those looking to spread hatred and division in our country.

I am not "taken in" by those who spread hate and division - I don't vote Democrat.

That imagery is a reflection of reality - and that is where we all should live - even if it makes you angry or afraid.

Bad policies should make you angry and the dangerous results of said policies should be feared.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

I am not "taken in" by those who spread hate and division - I don't vote Democrat.

Ah yes, that classic comeback - "I know you are, but what am I?" It remains about as effective a debate tactic as it was in third grade.

That imagery is a reflection of reality

No, it isn't. It's a reflection of what the fearmongers want you to think reality will be if "the other guy" wins. As the thread title says, they're using menace as a political tool.

Bad policies should make you angry and the dangerous results of said policies should be feared.

Politicians enacting policies that I disagree with doesn't make me angry. It motivates me to vote for their opponents - those who can change or fix those bad policies. Our political system is such that there will never be an administration that does exactly what you want. If you get angry every time someone pushes a "bad" policy, you'll be angry your entire life.

 

[timothyu]

Only because we've embraced them as a society.

Modern day idols.

 

[Zaha Torte]

Ah yes, that classic comeback - "I know you are, but what am I?" It remains about as effective a debate tactic as it was in third grade.

I would never accuse you of being a Democrat.

And Projection Bias can affect third graders and adults alike.

No, it isn't. It's a reflection of what the fearmongers want you to think reality will be if "the other guy" wins. As the thread title says, they're using menace as a political tool.

We have seen the effect of importing illegal aliens en masse in the West as well as the allegiances of the Left - these images depict reality.

Politicians enacting policies that I disagree with doesn't make me angry. It motivates me to vote for their opponents - those who can change or fix those bad policies. Our political system is such that there will never be an administration that does exactly what you want. If you get angry every time someone pushes a "bad" policy, you'll be angry your entire life.

Tell that to all the victims of violent crime by illegal aliens in this country - as well as to the loved ones of those who are no longer here because of them.

All prevented if we actually enforced the laws that are already in place.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

And Projection Bias can affect third graders and adults alike.

Indeed. See "I can't possibly be duped - I'm not a Democrat!"

We have seen the effect of importing illegal aliens en masse in the West as well as the allegiances of the Left - these images depict reality.

Violent crime continues to trend downwards (with repeated studies showing that illegal immigrants are significantly less likely to commit violent crimes than American citizens), and I can't say I've seen my neighbors dressed up in robes burning American flags around oil drums. So no, I'm going to say that those images do not represent reality.

All prevented if we actually enforced the laws that are already in place.

Which laws are not being enforced? Be specific.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Anti-Asian slurs scrawled on ‘Dave Min for Congress’ signs in Huntington Beach; suspect arrested​

The Huntington Beach Police Department arrested a suspect after multiple “Dave Min for Congress” signs were found vandalized Tuesday, including several spray-painted with anti-Asian slurs, authorities said.

[Police responded to an incident in a second location.] The suspect, Kevin William Walker, 62, of Fountain Valley, was arrested on suspicion of vandalism of property worth $400 or more, according to the Police Department. It is not yet known whether he is connected to the first vandalism incident, said Cuchilla.

Min released a statement saying the recent display of anti-Asian hate was “saddening, but not surprising,” noting that it happened a few days after a Donald Trump rally in Huntington Beach on Saturday.

Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, in comments to the Daily Pilot, said she too has had signs vandalized, and then went on to accuse Min of sowing division and “race baiting.”

 

[essentialsaltes]

[Sep 24] TEMPE, Ariz. — Police are investigating what appears to be gunfire damage overnight at a Democratic Party-coordinated campaign office for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The apparent gunfire marks the second incident of criminal damage at that office in recent weeks, according to Tempe police, who said that just after midnight on Sept. 16 the office’s front windows were hit with what appeared to be a BB gun or pellet gun.

Democratic campaign office in Arizona closes down after being shot at 3 times in 3 weeks​

The gunshots into a Democratic office in Tempe, Arizona come after multiple instances of threats or violence during the 2024 election cycle.​

The candidates and staffers who had been working out of the office have moved their activities to other, undisclosed locations, said Lauren Kuby, a state Senate candidate in Legislative District 8.

 

[Zaha Torte]

VP Harris has never called Trump Hitler.
Many others have pointed out Trump's obvious authoritarian behaviors -
- attacking the press
- dehumanizing and blaming groups of people who are different
-etc

Nice pivot - I never mentioned Harris. She has called him things - don't pretend like she hasn't.

The fact both he and the press had the opportunity to speak out against each other proves he is no tyrant.

I would need an example of him "dehumanizing" groups of people.

Is that like what the Dems and Lefties do for black people and the not-yet-born?

 

[Zaha Torte]

Calling people Hitler is protected by the First Amendment.
Inciting imminent lawless action is not protected by the First Amendment.

You condemned Biden when he said that he wanted to beat Trump up?

 

[Zaha Torte]

The Terms Of Service instruct members to “Address only the content of the post and not the poster.”

Gotcha.

Politicians have always said things about people - but it's only bad when the Orange Man does it.

Remember when they claimed that Trump was racist for using the term "lynching" in reference to politics? Something that many politicians on both sides have said for decades - but it was only bad when he said it?

Intellectual dishonesty and hypocrisy.

 

[Zaha Torte]

This thread is replete with menacing words and actions from many politicians and other partisan figures.

Like who? Be specific.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

Menace, as a Political Tool, Enters the Republican Mainstream



It paints an ugly picture of our political future...

Thoughts?

I understand that, as a liberal, you are looking at Kamala's election numbers in despair. But these attempts to vilify Trump has got to stop.

 

[Oompa Loompa]

I'm honestly surprised the killing hasn't started already.

And it won't. No matter how badly you wish to believe the lies you were told about Trump and MAGA Republicans. I am honestly surprised that Trump has lasted this long before some deranged leftist lunatic successfully assassinated Trump. Yet, with every failed attempt, there is no shortage of leftist liberals criticizing the assailant for "missing the target." I honestly don't think Trump is going to finish his second term before some leftist knucklehead succeeds.

 

[Zaha Torte]

And it won't. No matter how badly you wish to believe the lies you were told about Trump and MAGA Republicans. I am honestly surprised that Trump has lasted this long before some deranged leftist lunatic successfully assassinated Trump. Yet, with every failed attempt, there is no shortage of leftist liberals criticizing the assailant for "missing the target." I honestly don't think Trump is going to finish his second term before some leftist knucklehead succeeds.

The Dems and media are encouraging it.

 

[Fantine]

The propensity of the right to incite violence is indeed dangerous. Historian Heather Cox Richardson, who, although not a journalist, writes the most incisive political commentary from a historical perspective, wrote about this extensively on 10/13.

October 14, 2024

As the two presidential campaigns position themselves for the final sprint to the election on November 5, the difference between them is dramatic.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

 

[wing2000]

I would need an example of him "dehumanizing" groups of people.

A sampling of the labels applied to immigrants:

“Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from. ... It’s poisoning the blood of our country.”
"prisoners, murderers, drug dealers, mental patients and terrorists, the worst they have”

And his political opponents:
"Vermin"
"Enemy within"
etc

 

[Zaha Torte]

The propensity of the right to incite violence is indeed dangerous. Historian Heather Cox Richardson, who, although not a journalist, writes the most incisive political commentary from a historical perspective, wrote about this extensively on 10/13.

October 14, 2024

As the two presidential campaigns position themselves for the final sprint to the election on November 5, the difference between them is dramatic.

heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

There is no need to read it. The last decade disproves that claim.

 

[Zaha Torte]

A sampling of the labels applied to immigrants:

“Nobody has any idea where these people are coming from. ... It’s poisoning the blood of our country.”
"prisoners, murderers, drug dealers, mental patients and terrorists, the worst they have”

And his political opponents:
"Vermin"
"Enemy within"
etc

You mean to say illegal aliens - they are not immigrants if they are not coming through our ports of entry for inspection and submitting to our immigration process.

And if we have no means of vetting these illegal aliens then how is Trump wrong in his assessment?

I don't see what he says about illegal aliens or his enemies to be him "dehumanizing" them.

 

[Fantine]

There is no need to read it. The last decade disproves that claim.

Many people have selective memories. I trust the objective research of a renowned historian.