The Assassination Factor

[Amazon 7]

For the last 7 years we have heard almost nothing from the right wing extremists. All thru the Clinton years they rattled their guns... and spewed hate on right wing radio and fomented their followers to involve themselves in very un-american activity.. all in the name of Patriotism and mom and apple pie. Do you think one of these people will come forward and try to assassinate Obama? Will he wrap himself in the American flag and be supported in his actions?
Some of the responses in the Obama Racism threads have certainly brought this to mind and I for one, think the right wing militias will be in another frenzy if Obama is elected.

Sadly I think the article below brings out some of the ugliness that is about to erupt on the american political scene far more than it already has.


Clicky


OBAMA AND THE ASSASSINATION FACTOR

I realize the incendiary nature of this post but frankly, the candidacy of Barak Obama puts us in unchartered waters with regards to several issues. And one of those issues has to be the realization that black leaders in America have been targets of assassins in the past.

Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King are only the most prominent names on a long list of shameful murders – usually at the hands of extremist whites – that have stained this country’s honor and darkened the pages of our history. From those who sought to teach the recently freed slaves how to read who were hunted down and killed like animals, to martyred pioneers in the struggle for voting rights in the south at the turn of the century, to the devastating murders of civil rights workers in the 1950’s and 60’s, blacks who have stepped forward and offered to serve the cause of freedom in America have been at risk of being slain. And while few deny the steady and resolute progress toward achieving the goal of a truly color blind society, the fact is that there are dozens of groups like the Klan, Skinheads, Nazis, and Aryan Nation whose hate could erupt in a spasm of violence that would have tragic consequences.

And the hate and spite directed at President Clinton resulted in two serious assassination attempts. Francisco Duran fired nearly 30 rounds through the White House gate in 1994. And while he tried to mount an insanity defense, he also claimed that he was inspired by conservative radio talk show hosts who had talked about “cleansing” the government and “armed revolution.” Even if Duran is lying about what actually motivated him, no serious observer could fail to note that for much of Clinton’s presidency, there was an undercurrent of hysteria that animated his extremist critics.

So how does this affect the Presidential campaign? First and foremost, it places a responsibility on candidates, their staffs, and their supporters to be circumspect in their criticisms of Obama. You can lay into a candidate without inviting the public to hate them. One can even personalize their criticism without it degenerating into the kind of mindless hate that is so often directed at Bush. And this challenge will be monitored by a more sensitive press who will probably come down harder and quicker on transgressors.

It also behooves those of us who write for political blogs to be cognizant of the danger. Obama is one of the most liberal candidates ever to seek the Presidency. I doubt whether many conservatives agree with much of anything he espouses. But will it really kill us if we keep our criticisms focused on the issues of the campaign – including personal issues like his lack of experience and an emerging portrait of a mushy headed idealist? I think not.

I’m not telling anyone what to write or to limit themselves in any way except to understand the historic nature of Obama’s candidacy and the very real danger that the same kind of treatment the right gave Clinton could prove tragic. As I said, it isn’t just the odd, angst ridden social deviant armed with an automatic weapon that would feel enabled by such an atmosphere. There are very serious men fully capable of making serious plans who might not need an enabling atmosphere to kill but who might actually be encouraged by it.

In his book In God’s Country: The Patriot Movement and the Pacific Northwest, writer-blogger Dave Neiwert paints a startling and disturbing portrait of some of these extremists. Anyone who believes that these people are just a bunch of red necks hiding in the woods needs to be disabused of that notion entirely. And the Southern Poverty Law Center Intelligence Project has detailed files on dozens of hate groups, some of them heavily armed and made up of former members of the United States military.

They have the means and the motive (by their lights) to bring unspeakable tragedy once again to this country. It will be up to the dedicated and motivated professionals at the Secret Service to deny them the opportunity.

And it will be up to us to deny them any semblance of an idea that their violent action would be greeted by anything except outraged contempt.

By: Rick Moran at 1:49 pm

[billvon 3,132]

You could replace that poll with

a) McCain will win and unite the country

b) Obama will win, and the subsequent division of the country will result in an assassination attempt

One of those leading-questions things.

[lawrocket 3]

I put higher odds that he'll be capped by a lefty. Hillary is the one who innocently suggests that june is a pretty good month for capping him.

Note how many Hillary supporters won't vote for a black man. Hillary courts the hardcore racists. The uneducated. It's her swing demographic

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Amazon 7]

I dont think any one of the 3 leading candidates has a prayer of living thru a 4 year term.... for varying reasons.

I just want to see how many other people might feel the same way.. and why.

Hilary made a good point over the weekend even IF she stated it rather poorly. She has to realize that with all the hate and spite leveled at her and her husband.... it will all come back should she OR Obama be elected.

[nerdgirl 0]

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I put higher odds that he'll be capped by a lefty. Hillary is the one who innocently suggests that june is a pretty good month for capping him.

Note how many Hillary supporters won't vote for a black man. Hillary courts the hardcore racists. The uneducated. It's her swing demographic

Is your response serious or facetious?

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[nerdgirl 0]

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Do you think one of these people will come forward and try to assassinate Obama? Will he wrap himself in the American flag and be supported in his actions?

I honestly hope not.


At least one north Georgia law enforcement officer has been quoted as being concerned:

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“Do we think that anything is going to happen to Obama here in Georgia? No. Are we watching [local hate groups] carefully? Oh, yeah.”
— Detective Ken Krauss, Roswell Police

From a 20 May article in a Roswell, Georgia weekly newspaper: "White Fright: White Supremacy Groups Threatened by Obama Candidacy"

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For the last 7 years we have heard almost nothing from the right wing extremists.

Perhaps the media has not focused on them. But the anti-government, white supremacy groups are still in existence.

For example, there's the latest guy to be arrested a couple weeks ago when he thought he was selling materials to make an improvised chemical weapon to right-wing, anti-govertment, white supremacy group. When I give talks on improvised chemical terrorism, always mention William Krar usually with some quip like "if his first name was Mohammed or Akbar, AG John Ashcroft would have been giving a press conference himself the next morning."

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[TheAnvil 0]

The author is speaking of nut-jobs - he should look in the mirror! What a dumbass.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[lawrocket 3]

Actually, I'm serious. Who does Obama have to fear? The southern dem. The southern white. The midwest white union worker. The Nation of Islam. And the right-wing racists also don't want that heat

Who does Hillary have to fear? Try every obama supporter looking to right the wrong. McCain? He's got everyone.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Gawain 0]

Unfortunately, you bring up a point that merits observation. While you like to dress the issue purely in politics, I think a simpler, less fortunate reality must be addressed as well: racism.

On another note, I only know of one attempt during President Clinton's time in office, what was the other?

The only presidents I know of that didn't have an assassination attempt in the past 40 years are Presidents Johnson and Carter.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Amazon 7]

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I put higher odds that he'll be capped by a lefty. Hillary is the one who innocently suggests that june is a pretty good month for capping him

The odds are just not with you on this one counselor. The Southern Poverty Law Center lists at LEAST 888 known hate groups and almost every one of them is leaning so far to the right that Gen Forest and his riders would be proud. Follow the money.. and the guns that the right has as well as the airwaves full of "conservative" talk radio that is inflamatory to people who join and follow these groups.

[lawrocket 3]

Tell me the last assassination of a public figure carried out by a righty.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[grimmie 186]

No one has gotten their fat ass off of the couch and away from watching American Idol to shoot the worst President in history, so what makes you think some nut job will get out of his double wide to shoot at the next Prez??? Black, Woman or OLD????
No one can afford the gas to drive to an event they would be at...

[Amazon 7]

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The only presidents I know of that didn't have an assassination attempt in the past 40 years are Presidents Johnson and Carter.

Nope... there is one attempt on Carter. Even though the guy was relased on lack of evidence.... Raymond Lee Harvey was found to have some disturbing couincidences in his story...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Lee_Harvey

Full list of presidential assasinations and attempts... at least the ones that are acknowledged.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidential_assassination_attempts

[Gawain 0]

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The only presidents I know of that didn't have an assassination attempt in the past 40 years are Presidents Johnson and Carter.

Nope... there is one attempt on Carter. Even though the guy was relased on lack of evidence.... Raymond Lee Harvey was found to have some disturbing couincidences in his story...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Lee_Harvey

First of all, wikipedia is a handy, but not a 100% reliable source. Second of all, even the source you site doesn't outline an actual attempt at President Carter's life. Note, I am not saying there were no plots. I am talking about actual "attempts".

Imagine the bullsh*t that the Secret Service details have to go through to vet every single threat...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[rwieder 0]

Since McClain is the "Class Clown" (Mr. I'll Stay In Iraq For another 100 years" is where he lost me. Hikkary is a freaking joke, and Obama won't make it one way or another. I've decided to write myself in on tha ballot. I encourage each and every one of you to do the same. Please don't miss your constituntional right by not votimg. I've heard a lot of folks say they are not going to vote. Exercise your right to vote, but remember the candidates that are offered does not have to affect you voting.

-Richard-
"You're Holding The Rope And I'm Taking The Fall"

[Amazon 7]

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Tell me the last assassination of a public figure carried out by a righty.

I would say the right wing anthrax attempts on promininet democrats certainly counts as a good try at US Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy.

Since the strains were genetically traced to a US military source: the Army’s Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah its just not something that is readily available. I would not think the military or UTAH is exactly a hotbed of leftist activity..

[kelpdiver 2]

You're giving the subject more attention that warranted. Shooting randomly from the White House gate isn't a serious attempt. That they captured him alive is further proof of this.

The time when black civil rights leaders were being assassinated is also the time when white Kennedy's were being assassinated. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are still kicking as we speak, and I think it quite likely that Obama would complete a term in office fine. (I see better than even odds that the 2008 winner is a one termer.) The same people who might go for him would have tried to kill Hillary Clinton early in her time as Ms. President.

I'm more interesting in the motivations behind some to keep this subject going at a national level.

[mnealtx 0]

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Since the strains were genetically traced to a US military source: the Army’s Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah its just not something that is readily available. I would not think the military or UTAH is exactly a hotbed of leftist activity..

Traced to a military source? Not that I can find in a search - unless you're counting commondreams.

Oh, wait...that's another part of that vast, right wing conspiracy that everyone knows is out there but nobody can seem to track down, right?

Maybe y'all should look for these (attachment)!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[lawrocket 3]

They don't have a suspect in that. So you are operating off of assumptions.

I can say that lefties DO exist in the service. Even communist assassins like Lee Harvey Oswald.

And the Utah matter - do you think the person was FROM Utah or just assigned there? We don't know.

Personally I think that anthrax attack had white guy written all over it. Just like the DC sniper

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[jakee 1,611]

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You're giving the subject more attention that warranted. Shooting randomly from the White House gate isn't a serious attempt. That they captured him alive is further proof of this.

Lee Harvey Oswald and Sirhan Sirhan were both captured alive. They were pretty serious.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[pirana 0]

Before the primaries I was convinced he'd be the next President. Now I'm not so sure as it is easy to underestimate the level of non-violent yet deeply ingrained racism in our culture.

I find it interesting that an overwhelming majority want us out of Iraq, yet the latest polls show McCain would win over Obama - - but not Clinton. True, it is just one issue, but such a contradiction gets this amateur pundits attention because they (Obama & Clinton) have only subtle differences on all the major issues.

If he does win the office, it will a watershed moment in the history for our country - - a VERY big deal. There will certainly be stronger feelings about it than any election anybody alive has ever witnessed. Whether anyone with the tactical wherewithall also would have the gumption to try to pull it off; we'll see. But there can be no doubt that there is no shortage of extreme rascists out there that would like to see it happen.

I think it is very telling that it is a subject a lot of people do not want to discuss; and even here there are voices that do not want to acknowledge this as a serious issue. For a lot of right-wing extremists this candidate might as well have a big bulls-eye on his forehead.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[crwtom 0]

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Tell me the last assassination of a public figure carried out by a righty.

right wing terrorists are too stupid to get close to public figures

They just blow up random regular people.

(not my quote - but that of a friend who worked in counter terrorism)

Cheers, T

*******************************************************************
Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true

[BillyVance 35]

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Personally I think that anthrax attack had white guy written all over it. Just like the DC sniper

DC sniper? The only one I'm familiar with is the string of sniper killings in VA near DC by two black guys, one driving, and the shooter hiding in the trunk shooting out of a hole in the lid.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[jcd11235 0]

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I find it interesting that an overwhelming majority want us out of Iraq, yet the latest polls show McCain would win over Obama - - but not Clinton.

I've seen a few recent polls on that particular topic. Obama and Clinton would both be victorious over McCain according to most of them. IIRC, slightly more claim Clinton would win, but the average margin of victory slightly favors Obama.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[SpeedRacer 1]

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The author is speaking of nut-jobs - he should look in the mirror! What a dumbass.

Vinnie has made a good point. Think about everyone who has tried to assassinate a President: They are ALL nutcases. (John Hinckley, Squeaky Fromme, Oswald etc.)

Trying to associate them with a large political trend misses the point.

Speed Racer
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