Monday, May 01, 2006
Stumbling Block
One of the recurring stumbling blocks for reasonable people in comprehending right-wing terrorists in the US is that their spokesmen and women don't play by the same rules as the rest of us. While most of us are truthful and concerned if not active citizens, American terrorists are neither. And practice at lying--like many activities--does make perfect, at least, good enough to dupe most journalists and other largely inattentive people.
Fortunately, facts, like background records, are verifiable, and when there are none to back up right-wing assertions of such things as righteous public service or lack of bigotry, we can readily dismiss this as bogus propaganda. When the facts are glaringly to the contrary--as they are with the Minutemen--then we can repudiate them with all the moral sanction at our disposal.
But there is another aspect to this dilemma that many are hesitant to consider, let alone indict, and that is mental illness. Perhaps out of kindheartedness, most decent folks are reticent to bring up this contributing factor. Yet, how often does one here people say, "they're nuts," or some other similar comment about the violent, racist right-wing?
There are, of course, many types and degrees of mental illness, but taking the Minuteman national leader, Chris Simcox, as an example, would most of us not think bashing his head against walls, smashing up furniture, breaking windows, threatening his family members, and talking to himself repeatedly about wild 9/11 conspiracies is reason for concern about his mental health? How about organizing vigilantes to kill Mexicans who've done him no harm?
Do normal adults go around playing soldier with live ammo believing all the while they're saving the United States from a Chinese invasion based in Mexico?
Fortunately, facts, like background records, are verifiable, and when there are none to back up right-wing assertions of such things as righteous public service or lack of bigotry, we can readily dismiss this as bogus propaganda. When the facts are glaringly to the contrary--as they are with the Minutemen--then we can repudiate them with all the moral sanction at our disposal.
But there is another aspect to this dilemma that many are hesitant to consider, let alone indict, and that is mental illness. Perhaps out of kindheartedness, most decent folks are reticent to bring up this contributing factor. Yet, how often does one here people say, "they're nuts," or some other similar comment about the violent, racist right-wing?
There are, of course, many types and degrees of mental illness, but taking the Minuteman national leader, Chris Simcox, as an example, would most of us not think bashing his head against walls, smashing up furniture, breaking windows, threatening his family members, and talking to himself repeatedly about wild 9/11 conspiracies is reason for concern about his mental health? How about organizing vigilantes to kill Mexicans who've done him no harm?
Do normal adults go around playing soldier with live ammo believing all the while they're saving the United States from a Chinese invasion based in Mexico?
