Some of Jerry Falwell's students felt that the danger of protesters at his funeral was so high that they prepared and brought low-burn gasoline bombs to use on the protesters. The level of paranoia this demonstrates is frightening in itself.
Digby predicts that when a Democrat is elected President in 2008 it will set off a spate of right-wing terrorist activities right here in USA. Timothy McVeigh (See also an interview with Timothy McVeigh.) and Eric Rudolph (See also Eric Rudolph at Wikipedia) are not the only crazies the right-wing has to field with bombs and guns. Both had numerous supporters who aided and hide them. The "Army of God strongly supported Eric Rudolph, and a variety of right-wing militants, gun-nuts and religious types apparently provided some support to Timothy McVeigh. The FBI has played down the people who actually aimed and set off those two and carefully not gone after them.
The anthrax letters sent to a variety of Democratic politicians and News media in 2001 figures has to be considered American right-wing terrorism, based on the fact that the targets are all considered enemies by so many right-wingers. (See also the Anthrax attack website by Ed Lake.
With Bush in office, the right-wing (and especially the Christianists) have felt they were making progress in bringing America into the Dominion. I'm sure that the election of 2006 shook them up, but right now it could be just a setback. But a strong election of a Democratic President in 2008 together with further deterioration of the national Republican political position could set off a bunch of the crazies. Since the police forces are often right-wing themselves, they won't make a big deal of it. The question is whether the media will.
With the media track record over the last 15 or so years, I doubt they will look at it or report it if they see it.
Orcinus has been following such things. Go look at his writings on "Eliminationism in America."
See also:
Showing posts with label Falwell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Falwell. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Jerry Falwell's death
I haven't been sure how to respond to the Reverend Falwell's death. He has been a man who has had a massive impact on public life in America. In my opinion, most of his impact has been negative. But I think it unlikely that I will be called on to give a eulogy at his funeral, so what I think isn't too important. Whatever, here it is anyway. I finally found the words to get close to what I feel.
The Newshour last night had someone who graduated from Falwell's Liberty University and spoke at length about what a truly fine person Rev. Falwell was in person, and how quick he was to offer a hug to so many. OK. I never knew him personally, and I doubt that he would even allow me to walk on the said-to-be-beautiful campus of his Liberty University. I knew (know?) his through his works as reported by the media. Since he made his bones through his Television activities, followed by his establishment and operation of the organization he called the "Moral Majority." (See also Wikipedia on the "Moral Majority.") my reaction to his death is based on those activities.
Rick Perlstein today writes about his public works, and his writing in fact matches my memories quite well. Rick begins with the rather shocking statement "He was, of course, a monster." and then he goes on to present his (strong) evidence for that statement.
As I say, I know Rev. Falwell through his public works and not as a living person. I can accept that in his personal life he was (as attested) a really fine, warm, and loving human being. I offer my sympathies to those close to him for their loss. But I judge his worth only through his most public works. Those are what matter to most of us.
Based on his public works, I am glad he is no longer with us. I certainly don't think he spoke or acted well for organized religion, and his incursion into politics has helped to bring much of the worst side of the American character into a leadership positions in both the Republican Party and in the governmental structures of America.
Perhaps with his demise, the rest of us can begin to recover and look to the better aspects of America.
The Newshour last night had someone who graduated from Falwell's Liberty University and spoke at length about what a truly fine person Rev. Falwell was in person, and how quick he was to offer a hug to so many. OK. I never knew him personally, and I doubt that he would even allow me to walk on the said-to-be-beautiful campus of his Liberty University. I knew (know?) his through his works as reported by the media. Since he made his bones through his Television activities, followed by his establishment and operation of the organization he called the "Moral Majority." (See also Wikipedia on the "Moral Majority.") my reaction to his death is based on those activities.
Rick Perlstein today writes about his public works, and his writing in fact matches my memories quite well. Rick begins with the rather shocking statement "He was, of course, a monster." and then he goes on to present his (strong) evidence for that statement.
As I say, I know Rev. Falwell through his public works and not as a living person. I can accept that in his personal life he was (as attested) a really fine, warm, and loving human being. I offer my sympathies to those close to him for their loss. But I judge his worth only through his most public works. Those are what matter to most of us.
Based on his public works, I am glad he is no longer with us. I certainly don't think he spoke or acted well for organized religion, and his incursion into politics has helped to bring much of the worst side of the American character into a leadership positions in both the Republican Party and in the governmental structures of America.
Perhaps with his demise, the rest of us can begin to recover and look to the better aspects of America.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)