Saturday, March 16, 2019
Widely Held Beliefs in an Exaggerated Form
I was fortunate enough to have had a college history professor who was incredibly insightful (unlike so many in academia who offer no insight at all beyond the whining rap sessions regularly held in high school classrooms). Among his many profound references was a quote (from who I don’t recall) stating that, “Extremist behavior represents widely held beliefs in an exaggerated form” — definitely.
So it is that we can accurately note that “not all Muslims are terrorists” yet also accurately note that a large number of Muslims believe that death is an appropriate punishment for apostasy, and other favorites of those who demand that Sariah law rule over all humanity. In the enclaves of a kinder gentler Islam there are people who sincerely believe that a world ruled under Islam would be an ideal world. Can we say they are mouthpieces of Islamic terror? Of course not. And, so it is with so many beliefs that are tarred with guilt by association. Indeed, the nut cases of the world often hold some views common to large numbers of decent people. Hitler liked dogs and was a vegetarian. Should we cower in fear of the strident health nut who tells us that we should be eating more tofu? Is there a warranted fear that someone with a German Shepherd may have his sights on Poland and plans to embark upon mass-genocide?
Extremists in New Zealand murdered — slaughtered — innocent victims attending mosques. Responses from the public and media are predictable. Many responded in horror and sadness — obviously appropriate. Many began the usual attempt to milk a tragedy, to associate the killers with every garden variety right-of-center belief. You hold the widely held belief that chaotic bureau-orchestrated “immigration” is a bad thing for advanced democratic nations? You may as well have pulled the trigger in New Zealand. Or so is the view of some.
The killer’s manifesto names people on the mundane right, like Candace Owen and of course Donald Trump. In so doing, the killer clearly shares the view that radically different belief system and cultural standards wantonly imposed on developed countries has some negative repercussions. As it turns out, a thorough reading of the killer’s manifesto shows him to be — obviously — an extremist. Along with his hatred for Islamic immigration is a subtle dose of admiration for corporatist / communist systems (China specifically). If anyone has ever read klansman David Duke’s ideals it is clear that he also is no champion of the free market or libertarian belief but the media goes out of its way seeking to tie the hateful and violent to the most common conservative beliefs.
President Trump has, of course, already been asked about the increase of “White Nationalism” (as if that were an undisputed fact in current affairs). Trump answered undramatically that he viewed it as the actions of a small group of people who have problems. He added that he didn’t have a lot of information yet — wrong answer! If you’re Trump, there is no right answer aside from admitting that you (Trump) are a racist and helped set the circumstances of such a horrible event. The fake establishment media is now beyond predictable. While it’s clear that acts of terrorism are not just driven by sects of Muslim fanaticism, it’s a bit early to conjure images of weekly terror acts by “White Nationalists.” That doesn’t mean that we’re not heading in that direction. There’s no justification for acts of terror against innocents toward anyone, by anyone. With that clearly understood one can see that pockets of resentment in the west are reaching the snapping point.
Islamic fanaticism is often described as stemming from the frustration of living in dysfunctional societies and suffering the legacy of western colonialism and interventions. It could be noted, with at least some similar legitimacy, that many in the west are sick of globalist bureau-schemers shoving their “multicultural” dystopias on citizens. We can reasonably expect that the crazy ones among the frustrated and resentful will no longer be compliant.
Now the real nonsense begins; along with legitimate calls for prayer and sympathy for the victim’s of the terrorist act in New Zealand, comes the demands that anyone not in lockstep with open-border policies and the left’s agendas in general must now not only apologize for something they have no relation to, but — the usual demand — to simply shut up and not resist what “leaders” have determined is best for them.
The Bureau-masters of the universe aren’t paying attention. Mass-migration will continue to be actively facilitated by the global planning elite. Crime will continue to rise in formerly placid nations, terror incidents will continue to occur by radical ideologues across the belief spectrum. And, of course, innocent people will be killed. If evil actions are committed by a favored group, media outlets will sweep the incidents under the carpet and calls will continue to be made to punish those who bring such incidents to public attention.
Nothing in these tragedies is cause for sober-minded people to shut up about or stop advocating for sane policies in the framework of democratic society.
The guy who tried to kill Republican congressional members playing baseball two years ago shared some views with Bernie Sanders. The recent terrorist in New Zealand shared some views with western conservatives and...Hitler liked dogs. I like dogs. ...So what?
