Charlie Sykes says if we’re not alarmed, it’s because we aren’t paying attention.
Granted, paying attention to this corrupt and incompetent administration means constant alarm–my own ranges from moderate concern to abject terror–but Sykes was singling out a recent memo issued by the bimbo who is currently cosplaying as US Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
The memo orders the FBI to “compile a list of groups or entities engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism.”
And who are these “domestic terrorists”? Apparently, anyone engaged in an activity that “paints legitimate government authority and traditional, conservative viewpoints as ‘fascist.” Bondi proposes to punish such offenses “to the maximum extent permitted by law.” (If she was a minimally-competent lawyer, she’d recognize that the First Amendment prohibits punishing “activities” that are really just beliefs…)
The memo orders the creation of a massive dragnet that focuses on “Antifa.” As sentient Americans know–but the credulous MAGA base evidently does not–Antifa is simply a word meaning “anti-fascist.” (You. know, like the American soldiers who fought in WWII.) There is no “Antifa” organization, nothing comparable to the communist cells that so terrified patriotic citizens back in the Cold War/McCarthyite days. But Bondi’s use of the term accurately signals her obvious goal, which is focused on ideology, not on terrorism as we have historically defined that word.
As Sykes explains (emphases his):
Although the directive mentions the statutory definition requiring acts dangerous to human life, it directs federal law enforcement to investigate individuals whose “animating principle is adherence” to several viewpoints.
And the“extreme viewpoints” and ideological frameworks the Attorney General instructs federal law enforcement to prioritize include? (These are direct quotes)
• Opposition to law and immigration enforcement…
• Extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders…
• Adherence to radical gender ideology…
• Anti-Americanism…
• Anti-capitalism…
• Anti-Christianity…
• Support for the overthrow of the United States Government…
• Hostility towards traditional views on family, religion, and morality,,,
Sykes accurately describes this as “clowns-with-flamethrowers territory.” and notes that Bondi appears to be quite serious– that she’s providing “heavy hitters with legal hammers, writing that “The JTTFs [Joint Terrorism Task Forces] shall prioritize the investigation of such conduct.”
Needless to say, an attack that characterizes “antifa” as the cause of domestic terrorism ignores reality and the mountains of data confirming that far-right attacks –especially those from white supremacists–vastly outnumber all other forms of domestic violence. (That documented and fact-based conclusion has now been deleted from the department’s website.)
I am fascinated by Bondi’s list, which certainly establishes that–at least in her opinion–I’m a “domestic terrorist.” I may not own a gun or other weapon (I certainly don’t!) and I may run from anything remotely like a physical confrontation (yes, I’m a big coward), but I am firmly opposed to the current administration’s “immigration enforcement” tactics. I definitely adhere to what MAGA considers “radical gender ideology” (I support same-sex marriage and the right of trans people–including young people–to access appropriate medical interventions). I have a sneaking suspicion that Bondi would consider my strong objections to Trump’s war crimes and pathetic pro-Putin betrayal of Ukraine to be “anti-Americanism.”
I’m equally sure that my disdain for White Christian nationalism and my practice of putting quotation marks around “Christian” to recognize those using the label inappropriately would be sufficient for Bondi to consider me “anti-Christian.”
And I am absolutely hostile to the “traditional views” that have kept women in the kitchen and out of the workforce, LGBTQ+ people in the closet, and dark-skinned folks in servitude. You might call any of these hostilities my “animating principles.”
When I look back at the comments that are routinely posted in response to my daily rants on this site, I have to conclude that most of my readers are “domestic terrorists” too. In fact, if survey research is to be believed, a majority of Americans run afoul of several of the vague descriptions on Bondi’s ridiculous culture-war list.
For that matter, Trump, Bondi and this entire clown car of an administration are the ones guilty of “Anti-Americanism.” Bondi’s list is just additional evidence of that fact.
After reading Bondi’s screed and listening to her mindless comments/rants to Congress or Fox, I’m struck once again by the famous line mentioned to Bob Woodward by “Deep Throat” in “All the President’s Men”: “These guys aren’t very smart.”
Bondi = bimbo? Bondi = cosplay? Sure. Look at the swamps from which she sprang. She defines herself as just another hateful, bigoted and backward-thinking dummy who labels herself as a Republican.
I hope I live long enough to see her labeled as JAILBIRD.
During our cruise we stayed at a hotel in Florida where several uniformed guardsmen were staying. No weapons, masks or flak vests. Standing in line for breakfast next to one of the National Guardsman, I asked since it was a Saturday if they were on weekend drill. He politely responded: “No, we are here on orders.” No further questions or information, I returned a polite response: “Thank you for your service.” That same day we boarded our cruise and from our stateroom there was a red, white and blue flag on private property: “Gulf of America”. The nautical maps in the chart room clearly said we were on the Gulf of Mexico. Ironically on the roof of that property were eight laborers all speaking Spanish replacing a tile roof during a heavy cold wind. Code? The flag “says”: “I support Trump … don’t touch my men, they work for me”. Bondi wouldn’t where to step without inadvertently to be mired in deep far right do do.
“fascism
American
[fash-iz-uhm]
/ ˈfæʃ ɪz əm /
noun
(sometimes initial capital letter) a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.”
Dear Fellow Domestic Terrorists (the excepted few can ignore this); as we wait with “baited breath” (not knowing what that really means) for the Trump/Johnson controllers of our future health care system reach a conclusion as to let us live or die, my memory of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) included many REAL Republicans writing and support to enact. The term “Obamacare” was meant to be an insult to the expected failure of the Bill by those who are now valid members of the MAGA party and Trump’s fading support by some of its members.
Is the brick wall blocking the health care passage, the total screwup by the FBI in naming the “person of interest” in the Brown University mass shooting (the culprit still at large), or Trump’s open hatred of Rob Reiner vs. support by most American’s grief and loss, the reason for his sudden announcement of a presidential speech tonight? Whatever the reason or lack of reason by him, we need to watch; “Keep you friends close and your enemies closer.” will keep us informed as to his current mindset…if he remembers why he called for this national broadcast of another of his rambling blatherings.
“For that matter, Trump, Bondi and this entire clown car of an administration are the ones guilty of “Anti-Americanism.” Bondi’s list is just additional evidence of that fact.” They will all be in his audience with applause and “standing Os”; but let’s see where Margery Taylor Greene is seated tonight and if she stays in her seat. We need to keep our eyes on her to know if she is friend or foe, she has a strong following and we can learn more about Bondi’s inside actions in this administration.
We can’t just keep on watching this shitshow, we need action sooner not later. Susie Wiles will lose her job now since she has spoken against Herr fuhrer. The next chief of staff knows they must stay quiet no matter what. But since he is a one man ruling by executive orders president, why even have a chief of staff? The incompetence of everyone in this administration is overwhelming for sure in every area. But Congress approved each of the snakes. If biblical stories were correct, we are quickly headed to the 2nd coming of Christ. If that nirvana is inevitable, good, I’ve lived a full life, but if that is not the outcome, what and when will this clown show all get removed from office and duly prosecuted for treason and other crimes against humanity?
If you read Bondi’s memo, it basically says that all DemonCrats are “domestic terrorists.” MAGA and Johnson have all been on social media blaming Biden and the Democrats for “destroying the economy and healthcare.” They are “spinning” out of control.
I am a proud believer of #Antifa. However, if you read the memo, she’s basically using a broad brush to claim anyone anti-MAGA as anti-fascists. Because she’s as ignorant as the other assembled idiots in Washington, she’s admitting that MAGA are fascists. It’s simple logic. LOL
I caught a snippet of a lawmaker interviewing a head honcho from the FBI. He asked the FBI rep how many members were in Antifa. He asked where their headquarters were located. FBI dude, fumbled but said, “We are in the beginning stages of our investigation.” LOL #FOOLS
I don’t have any trust in the FBI and haven’t for years. They can’t find their asses with both hands. Whoever runs for POTUS from the Democratic Party had better respond by wiping MAGA off the map, starting with the Epstein Ballroom. The goal of the Tech Broligarchy is to destroy democracy. Curtis Yarvin wrote the manifesto. They all need to be jailed for treason.
It’s comforting to know that when they round us up, I’ll be in good company.
Back in the ’60s, my first foray into politics, I joined an organization that. backed an anti-war candidate against a sitting Democratic Congresswoman and also an anti-war candidate for Governor. Just as bad we backed a pro-civil rights, pro-equal rights, pro-union candidate against the UAW’s choice who at least (and at most) was pro-union.
We were denounced by our Congresswoman as a bunch of “Commies”. Fortunately, in those days it was only words. There was no Justice Department follow up. Maybe some of us made it into Hoover’s FBI files, but that was it.
Now we have cabinet officials blurring the distinction between RPGs and real life, with some cosplay. added in for fun (Kristi Noam as the hot female Rambo; Donald Trump as Mad King Ludwig Louis XIV-XVI Kim Il Un Putin [can’t figure our which, or if it really is all])
The name of the group of Commies was The 17th Congressional District Young Democrats of Michigan. I suppose we were radical compared to other Young Democrats but clearly under Bondi’s definition, we were, and those of us that are still around that I know stilll are, “domestic terrorists”.
Perhaps one day, having been on Bondi’s “domestic terrorists” list will be as much a badge of honor as beiing on Nixon’s “enemies list”. I just hope that day comes soon.
I am Spartacus
Len, the leftist word used by MAGA today is “Marxist.” It’s all over social media, especially X. Anybody left of MAGA is a Marxist.
I guess Marxist = Domestic Terrorist.
They toss these words around like they know what they mean. 😉
Bondi=Bozo? Oh , hell yes!
Orwellian horseshit!
Proud Antifa, me! Us!
Bad Antifa…from Trump’s deep deluded world.
I think the MAGA leaders are less “Ignorant”
about fascism that we think. They know what they’re doing, which is to stir up fear and keep us in line. And it’s working. When they conduct their hearings, they should ask witnesses to define “fascism”, then remind them what the word “anti” represents.
From the deranged mind: “The “total and complete blockade,” Trump wrote on his social media platform, will only be lifted when Venezuela returns to the US “all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us.”
Wha??????
We had a saying in the “big city” police department I worked for for 31 years:
The three most over-rated things in the world are : home cooking; home sex; and, the FBI” which was also known as the “Bureau of Inconclusive Results.”
Mitch D; maybe he will explain this to us in detail in tonight’s diatribe…if he stays awake long enough to deliver it.
I’m a really big fan of Marx. Groucho is my favorite, followed by Chico, then Harpo. (I never really liked mime.)
I’m looking forward to meeting all of you, possibly at Guantanamo. First order of business is to build a pool, so bring something you can dig with. It gets hot in Cuba.