Another Brick THROUGH the Wall

In the wake of the health care legislation vote, we have seen the hatred and vitriol become even worse. Instead of acting like rationale citizens, Americans are acting like animals because "they didn't get their way". We have seen multiple death threats levied at members of Congress as well as windows at district and county offices shattered with bricks. Not to mention a severed gas line at the home of the brother of a Democratic congressman from Virginia.

These are just a continuation of the anti-government organizations that have been spawned in the wake of Barack Obama's election. They harp on being patriots and acting like the patriots in 1776 did. They are on a mission to get "their government" back and free themselves from a dictator. They harness their guns and freedoms and will do whatever necessary to keep them. These individuals fear the government and show utter disdain for the president. They are what some might call a Hatriot. They represent the extreme opinions and actions in society and are often dangerous. Militia groups are becoming much more common than just a few years ago. And it is leaders in these groups who encourage actions like throwing bricks and also have spoken of a civil war. There are other groups who are swearing a sacred oath to the U.S. Constitution and make it their mission to defend it against anyone who threatens it. Not too surprisingly, they view President Obama as one attacker of the document they hold so dear.

To give this some more context, there were extremist groups voicing out against the government as far back as the 1950s. During a 50 year span between 1954 and 2004 there were 845 acts of domestic terrorism from far-right and white supremacist groups. Those acts included bombings and shootings and one notable act was the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing in response to what occurred in Waco, TX two years before.

However, as dangerous as those groups were; in today's Internet age these groups can mobilize and recruit much easier and quicker. They can take partisanship and inject it with steroids and be as extreme as possible. These Hatriots have talk radio and even elected officials sparking their cause and giving them a stronger voice. This wingnut behavior cannot be ignored as we have seen talk lead to actions and there have been multiple deaths that have occur at the hands of these unhinged individuals.

These individuals are miss using their voices and taking the wrong actions. The basis of our democracy was built on debate and responsible actions. Protests are part of the foundation of this country and anyone can assemble for a cause. But using deadly verbiage and making threats or worse; carrying them out; is not what needs to be happening. If these people who complain about taxes and injustices took a minute to actually thing about their actions; they might see they are only hurting themselves. Who do you think pays for the damages to a member of Congress's office? YOU! These Hatriots and others need to stop and slow down and realize where a normal person draws the line. If they did, they would realize that their actions only hurt "their America".

Last time I checked trying to kill someone or destroy federal or state property is not going to help your cause. Unlike in 1775, everything here belongs to us; NOT ANOTHER COUNTRY. And also unlike then, we are no where near that type of rule. AND, all those who base their arguments on 1775 times need to understand the state of the country then and the state of the country now. Much of what was written then was meant to set a foundation, but it was also in the mind frame of how those individuals saw the world and the potential future of the country in those perimeters.

It is often said, but always holds weight: YOU MUST LEARN FROM HISTORY. We have seen misguided actions by similar groups through history and history has shown that they were on the wrong side with their actions. It is ultimately up to the Republican members of Congress and in some cases, the Democratic members of Congress, to act like elected officials and not endorse, promote, and even at times stoup to their level. And when these actions are not just geared towards the elected officials who might garner disdain from individuals, but towards their family members; that is taking it way too far.

I have said it before and will continue to say it; if you have a problem with an elected official; go vote. You don't vote; to me you lost your chance to open your mouth. We see it time and time again, unpopular officials will get thrown out of office if they do not reside in a safe district or state.

It continues to anger me to no end to see yet another example of utter disrespect my people who call themselves "real Americans". When the elected officials and other personalities stop upping their rhetoric, maybe will finally see a reversal in these actions. But until then, we will continue to see unstable and irrational individuals continue to run rampant and only hurt the nation they think they are aiding.