Radical Right Carries McVeigh spirit on into 21st century

by smkovalinsky | August 24, 2009 at 10:35 am

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The many similarities between 1990s right wing civil terrorist Timothy McVeigh and California Republican Congressman Wally Herger were highlighted on a post from "Reconstitution" this month, citing the fact that Herger spoke of his "pride" in right-wing terrorists Patriots at a recent townhall meeting, causing a scuffle:

A Redding woman cited for allegedly attacking another member of the audience at Tuesday’s town hall meeting with Congressman Wally Herger said she let her emotions get the best of her.
But Marisa Hewitt, 50, said Thursday that she was scared and defending herself after she was confronted by Robert Rapp, 64, of Redding while leaving the Simpson University gymnasium.

Hewitt said Rapp grabbed her after telling her, “You’re out of here.” She allegedly scratched Rapp’s arm and face trying to free herself from his grasp.

“If I had to do it all over again, I was a little embarrassed about how passionate I became, using the f-bomb a couple of times. I was steamed,” Hewitt said by phone from her home.

About 30 minutes into Herger’s health care forum, Hewitt said she became so disgusted with the audience and the congressman that she had to leave.

The tipping point for Hewitt, she says, came when audience member Bert Stead, 67, of Redding called himself “a proud right-wing terrorist” and Herger gave his enthusiastic approval of Stead’s remarks.

This is the crux of the matter: That the terrorist activites and unlawful procedures are viewed as acts of heroism and patriotism, just as in Jihad and Taliban and Hezballah. Indeed why should they not be? Disenfranchised young males like McVeigh and his present counterparts are the prototype for these milita movements: Barbara Erenreich had warned in the early '90s that the economic disenfranchisement of a certain kind of rural, working class male would lead to these consequences. Such types see Obama as part of the "liberal elite", which he is not, but once tarred with that brush, he becomes an "untouchable" in their view.

In addition, the machismo of a Rush Limbaugh - and pundits like Glen Beck and Michael Savage - is almost irresistble; and the siren call to radical action, autonomous and free, even moreso, to a certain type of disgrunteld American male. The identification with the founding fathers, and with the Republic of former days, gives a mythic aura to their enterprise, and an excitement to an other-wise blighted life. We can empathize deeply, without endorsing or condoning. Obama could inject these young (and not so young ) males with a spirit of pride, if only the pundits had not made him seem (inaccurately) like a member of a posh privileged world with which they cannot identify and on which they can never project their deepest passions.

In April of this year, the Department of Homeland Security conducted a studied assessment of such groups and the potential danger they pose. MSNBC's Pete Williams reported:

An assessment of right-wing radical groups in the United States, done by the Department of Homeland Security, says the current economic and political climate in the U.S. may help extremists recruit more members.

The report, dated April 7 and distributed to police nationwide, was made public by a conservative blogger. Its main conclusions closely track with a much more detailed assessment done in February by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which identified 926 active hate groups, up from 888 the year before.
The Homeland analysis says threats from white supremacist and anti-government groups "have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carry out violent acts." But it says they seek to expand their recruitment by trying to capitalize on:

-- insecurity brought on by economic troubles and loss of jobs
-- the rise in illegal immigration
-- fears of renewed efforts to limit gun ownership
-- and racist reaction to the election of President Obama.

Law enforcement organizations agree with these broad themes, but say fear of rising immigration is the No. 1 motive driving these hate groups.

The DHS analysis also says these groups may seek to recruit returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, to take advantage of their training. The FBI first called attention to that possibility last summer, but concluded that although around 200 military veterans have joined radical right groups since 9/11, "they have not done so in numbers sufficient to stem declines" in overall membership in these organizations.

Some of this is sobering. Added one commentator, "Apparently, the Revolution will be televised.".

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a211423

at 12:00 on August 24th, 2009

The woman who became violent at the town hall meeting I don't think was a terrorist. Although, I am not discounting the fact that terrorist organization are using the town hall forum to incite riotous behaviors in an already disgruntled electorate.

If I were a congress person, I prepare a strict agenda for town hall meetings that is fair and allows everyone to speak. I would open the meeting with a clear message dispelling rumors and myths with correct information and insist that questions address the correct information only. Anyone who attempts to shout while someone else is speaking would be escorted out. People would be limited to one question with my promise to answer the questions as honestly as possible with the caveat that I might not have all the answers, and if I don't have the answer, I will take your name and address and send you the answer when I have it.

Unruly groups thrive on disorganization; therefore, laying the ground work for a well organized, respectful exchange of Q & A might subvert some of what is taking place around the country.

smkovalinsky

at 12:21 on August 24th, 2009

Well, the woman became violent because she was angry at the Congressman who was openly defending terrorism. And he roughly grabbed her and escorted her out. Confusing, I know, but this was actually a case of a woman becoming violent because of a Congressman condoning violent behavior (* getting dizzy*--as for the rest, I think you are correct in the main. But I also think there are people who truly, really want violence. I do not think the Congressman was kidding. He and his most likely would be disappointed if everyone had an organized and respectful exchange: it is not as much fun as violent passion! I say that with a sardonic wariness. :(

smkovalinsky

at 13:20 on August 24th, 2009

Gee, I hope the blog where they quoted him as saying, "I am a right-wing terrorist, and proud of the fact!" was accurate. :0 ---yes, Pampleteering sounds good, maybe we can write and distribute ! ;)

a211423

at 14:48 on August 24th, 2009

I added a comment there ending with the suggest for a return to pamphleteering, but it appears to be gone, or at least its not on my screen.

smkovalinsky

at 16:10 on August 24th, 2009

Yes, look at mine above your last: I am responding to your idea about Thomas Paine and Luther, and the Pamphleteering--where did your comment go?????????????????????????????????? :(

a211423

at 17:19 on August 24th, 2009

the cyberstalkers are among us

smkovalinsky

at 17:33 on August 24th, 2009

Oh, nooooooooo. . . . . :!

a211423

at 08:38 on August 25th, 2009

http://www.mtshastanews.com/news/x769902147/Congressman-Herger-calls-Obama-plan-threat-to-democracy

Here is the article that I linked here yesterday that "disappeared."

It's about congressman herger's home town meeting in Redding.

a211423

at 08:50 on August 25th, 2009

I wrote that because he is a Republican and they did elect him the group of people present numbering about 2,000 were mostly his supporters. The woman who spoke out in opposition was a supporter of Obama's health plan and was apparently shoved by someone in the audience. She might have thought she was being assaulted and reacted. I would like to know if the person who shoved her was likewise removed.

There was nothing in the article about right wing terrorist Patriots.

And yes, it would be nice if we could bring back pamphleteering. It worked for Thomas Paine and Martin Luther!

smkovalinsky

at 09:06 on August 25th, 2009

Well, the source I quoted from said that Congressman Herger had said he was a "right wing terrorist and proud of it": hmmm, perhaps I ought to be a bit more suspicious of blog coverage. Or perhaps it said he supported the man who said that....My feeling for McVeigh was alwasy mixed. I had a lot of sympathy for him; I think I write on that topic because although the political aspects are foreign to me, the yearning for freedom and the feeling crowded, I do identify with. To return to the link: Yours was the more reasonable and moderate approach....so that means it vanished from a lefty, to be humorous....No, the man grabbed her and said "You are out of here" which riled her up , understandably.

a211423

at 10:29 on August 25th, 2009

Actually, I am glad we discovered this together. It just shows that there is a lot of misinformation out there, and its up to us to decipher the information and strive to discuss the truth, not someone else's embellishments or interpretations. Although Herger is on the other side of the argument from me, he still deserves to be truthfully represented.

I believe McVeigh was mentally ill, and his illness thwarted his ability to be rational. It's very difficult to have any sympathies when so many innocent people were killed. : (

smkovalinsky

at 10:33 on August 25th, 2009

Yes, agreed. No, I have zero sympathy for McVeigh's action. None whatsoever. What I symapthise with is the alienation which preceded the action; but that is separate and in no way justifies the action. Herger of course needs to be represented truthfully, and I must return to that source, and see if there are any others which claim he spoke as he did. (regarding pride in "right wing terrorists") Otherwise, I would not have mentioned McVeigh in the context of town halls, as it would be irrelevant and not an apt analogy at all.

smkovalinsky

at 10:41 on August 25th, 2009

Here, a211423, I've found the source; I knew I got the idea somewhere, & I was always under the impression that this was a serious blog, albeit right-wing.
http://reconstitution.us/rcnew/?p=5689

a211423

at 11:03 on August 25th, 2009

How much of this is "saber rattling" its hard to say. I believe the choice of words if correctly stated in the blog, and I have no way of knowing if they are true, are unfortunate and linking them to McVeigh is really inflammatory. At least the article is attributing the words to a member of the audience and not Herger, and the interpretations of his reactions are stricty arbitrary.

"...this is a serious blog."

A blog is a blog is a blog is a blog. lol

Blogs are not under any protocol or policies to be true, and should be viewed with some skeptism. For myself, I like to go to reputable source or at least look at several sources before forming opinions.

smkovalinsky

at 11:09 on August 25th, 2009

Yes, point taken about the blog thing. I suppose I was just dying for an excuse to write about the McVeigh connection, not because I am trying to bash the right, but because for some reason the entire subject is intruiging and absorbing to my mind. I read something about McVeigh ( back in 2002 in a library book, and now cannot recall the name of the text) which was a psychological critique of him and his ilk; not focusing on the acts of terror, but the mindset. Which I see resurfacing , with all its good and evil aspects---but.... :( not very good justification, more a rationalization I suppose.

smkovalinsky

at 11:20 on August 25th, 2009

a211423: This is attributed to Huffington Post, I will check further, regarding Herger:

smkovalinsky

at 11:21 on August 25th, 2009

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/22/herger-democracy/
oops, link did not take before

a211423

at 11:55 on August 25th, 2009

the mindset of those who commit acts of terror:

Extremism is fodder for any faction who believes they are disenfranchised based on information that might be true or false. The "lunatic fringe" for want of a better phrase like water seeks its own level. They gather around them the like-minded harboring support for their views and also others who might be willing to be led. This is why its important for everyone to have a fair voice, so they do not fall back on extremists tactics to get their message heard. I do believe in civil disobedience that is non violent and freedom of speech that can spirit change through the exchange of ideas while maintaining vehemency.

smkovalinsky

at 11:59 on August 25th, 2009

Yes, I am also for non-violent civil disobedience, as Thoreu and Martin Luther King advocated. I have a certain identification with libertarians, and some conservatives, which gets confusing. I love Obama, though, and hate to see him misrepresented. But you are so correct; extremism is usually the last resort of those who are being ignored in the public discourse.

dates - conspiracy!!! (not verified)

at 17:49 on September 2nd, 2009

Hows this for dates, numerology, and symbolism? McVeigh executed on 11 June 2001911 tragedy executed on 11 September 2001 and Michael Jackson executed on 25 June 2009Ted Kennedy died(?) on 25 August 2009 All two months apart: ...coincidence? .

dates - conspiracy!!! (not verified)

at 17:50 on September 2nd, 2009

Hows this for dates, numerology, and symbolism? McVeigh executed on 11 June 2001. 911 tragedy executed on 11 September 2001. .. and Michael Jackson executed on 25 June 2009. Ted Kennedy died(?) on 25 August 2009. All two months apart: ...coincidence?

smkovalinsky

at 03:02 on September 3rd, 2009

Yes, numerology makes a certain kind of sense. There is a natural chronlogy and rhythm to life, and it most surely comes of that. Of course , McVeigh was not really representative of the right now, I do not know what possessed me to say he was. But yes, there are strange parallels to things!