Former counterterrorism chief: Trump defeat may prompt right-wing terror attacks

[Brad Sallows]

There are still a few groups of people whom it is permissible to revile if they are unable to function at expected social levels for reasons that are part of their wiring - incels, pedophiles, and survivalists, for example.  They had the misfortune not to be born with some socially harmful quirk, such as susceptibility to drug addiction, that has become tolerable or even generates sympathy and assistance.  I suppose eventually we'll get to the point where all the problems and difficulties people are born with are no longer their "fault", but we are not yet at that destination.  So marginalization will continue, and the marginalized will react.

I expect more "right-wing" extremism as a matter of course, if "right-wing" is synonymous with a tilt towards individualism.  Outcasts aren't part of the in-group or collective.

 

[FJAG]

..
I expect more "right-wing" extremism as a matter of course, if "right-wing" is synonymous with a tilt towards individualism.  Outcasts aren't part of the in-group or collective.

The concept of the right winger being the robust individualist standing up for his rights against an oppressive regime is a myth that right wingers tell each other to make themselves feel good about themselves.

There are just as many "individualists" amongst the Antifa rabble that you so detest.

What that "individualism" in fact is is an element of the "me" generation that bridges all sides of society. People who feel that society's laws or mores do not apply to them when it's inconvenient to them. They pick out those aspects of the social fabric that they want and they rail out against those that they don't like. They act out on whatever issues drive them at the moment and have little regard for the rights of others.

We're not talking about the mass of the population that lives peacefully in the centre but who lean left or right on various issues. We're not talking about the Marlboro man who just wants to live peacefully by himself in his cabin in the woods in upstate Idaho here. We're talking about a group of outsiders with radical beliefs for whom violence is an accepted or acceptable way of expressing themselves. They exist on both fringes although, for the time being, the larger number exist on the extreme right (at least based on the statistics coming out of virtually every police force in the western world)

:cheers:

 

[Jarnhamar]

Apparently the Rangers are the new training grounds for far-right organizers according to experts.

Potential for radicalism

More loosely knit than regular forces and even some long-standing reserve formations, the Rangers are seen by experts as a new place for far-right organizers who want their members to get survival and weapons training. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rideau-hall-attack-ranger-1.5694022

 

[reveng]

If a professor gets caught for child porn, does that make academia a training ground for pedophiles? Serious question.

 

[shawn5o]

Apparently the Rangers are the new training grounds for far-right organizers according to experts.


https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rideau-hall-attack-ranger-1.5694022

I remember when motorcycle "enthusiasts" wanted military members. (Some) MPs were suspicious of military members who owned hogs or hung around civilian hog owners.

 

[Haggis]

I remember when motorcycle "enthusiasts" wanted military members. (Some) MPs were suspicious of military members who owned hogs or hung around civilian hog owners.

My first section commander in the Reg F was a proud, card carrying member of the HA.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The concept of the right winger being the robust individualist standing up for his rights against an oppressive regime is a myth that right wingers tell each other to make themselves feel good about themselves.

There are just as many "individualists" amongst the Antifa rabble that you so detest.

What that "individualism" in fact is is an element of the "me" generation that bridges all sides of society. People who feel that society's laws or mores do not apply to them when it's inconvenient to them. They pick out those aspects of the social fabric that they want and they rail out against those that they don't like. They act out on whatever issues drive them at the moment and have little regard for the rights of others.

We're not talking about the mass of the population that lives peacefully in the centre but who lean left or right on various issues. We're not talking about the Marlboro man who just wants to live peacefully by himself in his cabin in the woods in upstate Idaho here. We're talking about a group of outsiders with radical beliefs for whom violence is an accepted or acceptable way of expressing themselves. They exist on both fringes although, for the time being, the larger number exist on the extreme right (at least based on the statistics coming out of virtually every police force in the western world)

:cheers:

My territory was Northern BC and the Yukon, the individualistic persons were abundant up there and generally wanted to left alone. As I represented the Feds, they were none to pleased to see me, but generally with respectful conversation, I could get my message across and help them map out a solution that required minimal further interactions with the likes of me. Sometimes we could even have a cup of coffee as well. If you come in those places with a burr up your arse with how important you or your work is and try to show your authority over them, it's not going to end well. Not everyone is going to respond to the nice approach, but it's a good place to start.

 

[Kat Stevens]

There was a certain person in The RCR in the 80s that I had a passing acquaintance with who made no secret of the fact he was hooked up and could make bad things happen to people he took a dislike to. Ended up zooming up the ranks pretty quickly, strangely enough.

 

[Brad Sallows]

>The concept of the right winger being the robust individualist standing up for his rights against an oppressive regime is a myth that right wingers tell each other to make themselves feel good about themselves.

That's not what I meant.  The media default for initial speculation regarding violence by apparent lone wolves or fringe groups is "right-wing extremist", until social media posts or other evidence surfaces which demonstrates progressive leanings if not outright political affiliations and endorsements.  The political left tries to exclude such people by assertion/definition: racists can't be leftists, misogynists can't be leftists, etc.  There are only two wings, so those people must be right-wing.

 

[tomahawk6]

Actually there are two wings one that supports Trump and the other are composed of Never Trumpers/Rhinos.

 

[dimsum]

Actually there are two wings one that supports Trump and the other are composed of Never Trumpers/Rhinos.

Hold on - so in your view, if you don't support the current President and are a member of the Republican Party (or support the GOP) then you're a RINO? 

It's possible to support the views of the party (GOP, Dems, whatever) but not the leader of said party. 

 

[FJAG]

Hold on - so in your view, if you don't support the current President and are a member of the Republican Party (or support the GOP) then you're a RINO? 

It's possible to support the views of the party (GOP, Dems, whatever) but not the leader figurehead of said party.

FTFY

;D

 

[RangerRay]

American politics has become just like Canadian politics where one now has to blindly follow the leader, no matter how toxic the leader is.

 

[Haggis]

There was a certain person in The RCR in the 80s that I had a passing acquaintance with who made no secret of the fact he was hooked up and could make bad things happen to people he took a dislike to. Ended up zooming up the ranks pretty quickly, strangely enough.

I'm quite sure you're thinking of a close associate of my section commander.  He was a MWO before his career came to a halt?

 

[Kat Stevens]

I'm quite sure you're thinking of a close associate of my section commander.  He was a MWO before his career came to a halt?

If it came to a halt rather abruptly, then most likely yes. First name rhymes with Sled.

 

[Remius]

This will certainly reinforce certain thoughts on right wing terrorism in the US.


https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/us/kenosha-wisconsin-wednesday-shooting/index.html

https://www.foxnews.com/us/jacob-blake-kenosha-wisconsin-protest-shooting-militia

 

[brihard]

This will certainly reinforce certain thoughts on right wing terrorism in the US.


https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/us/kenosha-wisconsin-wednesday-shooting/index.html

https://www.foxnews.com/us/jacob-blake-kenosha-wisconsin-protest-shooting-militia

A video I saw showed at least two people shot, one dead, while trying to jump on/take the gun from a male with a rifle on the ground. That said, I don’t know what happened prior to that. It could be the shooter was defending himself against assault; it could be people were trying to stop/arrest someone who had already used force unlawfully. Either way, his photo is out everywhere, so his life is pretty screwed regardless of the legality or illegality of the shooting.

 

[Brad Sallows]

Vigilantism isn't terrorism.

 

[Remius]

Vigilantism isn't terrorism.

Doesn’t matter.  The militia group is what they are focusing on.  The media is already going route. Right wing militia groups taking matters into their own hands. 

I’m not disagreeing with you but it was just a matter of time before someone got shot at these protest. 

 

[Brad Sallows]

It matters because there will be more vigilantism if authorities continue to decline to exercise the powers that were delegated to them.  And it won't do to try and push it off as "terrorism".  To describe people defending themselves or their homes or their businesses (their "property") - righteously or mistakenly - as terrorists is to incite them (and others) to vote for the politicians who stand against the disorder.  How badly do people want to unseat Trump?  Badly enough to swallow some of their self-indulgent satisfaction at watching the ongoing temper tantrum?  Badly enough to take the media to task if the media start playing word games in order to try and score political points?

Vigilantism must, like any problem, be correctly identified to be fixed.  And the fix for vigilantism is government-imposed order.