The following exchange is from Dialogue Group 9, Thread 23.

1. How real is the Right-Wing threat?
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 10:04 AM/EST
George

I am concerned by how powerful the right wing has become. They not only seem to have seized the Republican Party, but, in the form of the impeachment process, have wrested control of the nation's business and priorities from the entire government.

If the nation were in a stressed state, such as in a severe recession or a war, their power would, to me, be truly terrifying.

Such a state could come tomorrow. Am I just being paranoid?

What about the influence on everyday public interactions? I firmly believe that the hatred spawned by this element is what made the Oklahoma City bombing possible, and what drives the kind of embracing of violence we still see around abortion clinics and in gay- or racist-bashings.

How real--how pervasive--is the right wing threat?

2. Right Wing. Is it a conspiracy?
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 12:48 PM/EST
LouisC

I belive the so called 'right wing' or 'religous right' can be a very real threat. I think some of the retoric does lead to incedents like the Oklahoma City bombing, and assination of abortion doctors. I don't know how 'organized' the threat is. I don't think there is a conspirasy as such, but a lot of groups & individuals (such as Rush Limbaugh) that feed peoples fears, and feed off each other. The web sites BingoNutz refers to as her source of information seem to fall into that catagory.

side note: I read that David Duke of Louisiana is planing to run for the seat being vacated by Bob Livingston. Wouldn't it be ironic to replace one congressman guilty of sins 'under the sheets' with another guilty of more dangerous sins 'under the sheets'!!

5.
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 5:05 PM/EST
owl kathy

I think fanaticism is dangerous wherever it exists. Especially when the fanatics believe they operate on behalf of God or country or clan or the working stiff--etc. etc. It becomes especially dangerous when these groups come into conflict with each other (e.g. Ruby Ridge, Waco). The question is, in a free country, in an open society, how is the fanaticism met? Watched a so-so video movie just last night: "Not In This Town." Dealt with these very issues. A very complex subject! Unfortunately, often the ignorance and fanaticism are tolerated as "their American privilege" until someone is injured or killed. How can we as a society avoid these casualties? Or is it just the price we pay for this open, free society?

6. The center will hold (cross your fingers)
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 5:12 PM/EST
Jim43

There couldn't be a Right Wing "Threat" or a Left Wing "Threat" if the "center" would only participate actively. When the going gets rough, the center has usually responded. That isn't to say that there aren't casualties along the way.

Remember, it wasn't so long ago that the phrase "domestic bombing" would bring to mind university ROTC offices, not federal office buildings or women's health clinics.

Unfortunately there might always be people who bomb things, whether they're anarchists, Right Wing extremists, or Left Wing extremists.

Good thread George.

7. it's a promise....
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 5:44 PM/EST
alan O.

the right wing (or as i call them, the wrong wing) threat isn't a threat...it's a promise. the question of course is will they be able to keep it? without a big speil (which i know i'm capable of) many people want a quick fix to their problems, much due to ignorance, fear and frustration.it is very appealing for people who don't have the resources or education to easily be lead or have some idiot like a rush limbaugh fill in the blanks for them. the big question is about those teetering on the edge who might not fall to the right court, who other wise normally wouldn't, but could if they feel so alienated that they just snap. all the lonely people where do they all come from? thanks

8. Right Wing Threat?
Mon, Jan 4, 1999 - 8:49 PM/EST
Barrister

This is a great thread. I hope it keeps going. I have always been suspicious of anyone screaming "conspiracy," whether it was leveled at the Left in the Vietnam era or the Right now. Are there similarities between the two that give rise to the alleged conspiracies thirty years apart? One that comes to mind is the ability of a small, dedicated group to get their message out. The Left did it through marches and confrontation. The Right has done an excellent job of using the internet. Don't know if anyone has done a survey, but there seems to be far more politically right than left stuff on the web and in chat rooms. Techno-confrontation. Any more folks?

9. On the other hand:
Tue, Jan 5, 1999 - 1:01 PM/EST
RatGirl

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

George Bernard Shaw

Balance is a good thing, n'est ce pas?

15. Oh My - I'm not alone!
Tue, Jan 5, 1999 - 4:44 PM/EST
Sharon

George - bless you for starting this thread! I have often felt like I went to sleep and woke up in a different dimension! I listen to some talk shows (while driving - for as long as I can stand without driving off the road or into the person in front of me!) and wonder if I have been picked up and placed in a strange world of twisted logic! My husband doesn't understand why I even tune in - but I think it is important to know what is out there - of course, these right-wing fanatics on the radio and their 'ditto-head' listeners (I think that is Rush's term??) are not very numerous, but they are very vocal, which I think is the problem, as stated above. For example, those so-called pro-life activists who insist that they don't advocate violence, while speaking in the most violent terms, egging on those sick gun-fanatic, wackos who murder brave doctors doing their best to provide legal procedures to those who need those procedures!

Carry on!

16. Sooooo....
Tue, Jan 5, 1999 - 5:02 PM/EST
RatGirl

Who's perception of reality is more real -- the right? the left? the center? If we change the perception, then we change the reality -- so is that what we're doing here?

19. Actually, maybe...
Tue, Jan 5, 1999 - 7:19 PM/EST
Kola

Not to put a damper on alan's clear enthusiasm for Rat's proposal, but this country's understandings of right, left and center are a bit limited. American conservatism, for example, bears little resemblence to European conservatism, and our "left" would be regarded as centrist at best most places in the world.

This is important for more than theoretical reasons--it stifles our ability to think creatively about politics and to come up with meaningful ideas or actions in the strange times we inhabit. One result is apathy and non-participation. Another is frustration and anger that can be expressed as violence by the worst extremes on either side.

20. make it simple....
Wed, Jan 6, 1999 - 5:24 AM/EST
alan O.

kola, europe is different, yes. but all of these differences all go back to root causes and basic human needs. i would differ with your description in comparing the states to europe - it's not about the place on the political spectrum where their center is compared to our left etc. but that they are not weighed down with an underlining puritanical mindset as is in this country. italians cross themselves at church with a big grin and go out and live la dolce vita - adultry and all. creative thinking comes about by being open and putting all on the line, to be willing to go where ever that may lead. a person must have a certain sense of self and security, not go that straight predictable course in life. my sense is that if people are stable emotionally, and have a good sense of themselves then much good will follow. intelligence isn't only by the knowning the books but comes in many forms. visual, verbal, music etc. and also in social and psychological skills. i think too often conversations about politics are void of human behavior and lack a connection to real lives. i like to keep it simple...everyone wakes up in the morning and has the same fears and needs - my goal is to remember that, and to be part of working toward creating a world where all people can rid themselves of their fears and provide for their basic human needs. i think the political conversation should be less about the jerks in office and more about peoples' lives. thanks.