Terror From Within 

By Hank Silverberg

What is the biggest threat to our country today? 

There are rogue countries like Iran and North Korea trying to get nuclear weapons. 

Russia is trying to expand its influence and world power by invading Ukraine and taking control of a major supplier of food for the developing world, while China is trying to use that conflict for its own expanded global influence.  

ISIS and Al Queda, though weakened substantially, are still out there and still hate the concept of the United States of America. 

Yes, these are all of great concern, and we must keep up our efforts to protect against them. 

But the biggest threat to our way of life may be coming from within. 

Now, before you read any more be advised I am not

a conspiracy theorist, nor do I see the boogie man under everyone's bed. These are real threats that America has faced before which resurface from time to time, but this time it may be a bit worse. 

An article in The Washington Post laid it out pretty well back in January, but it didn't get much play (here's the link). 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/01/26/christian-nationalism-jan-6-extreme-right/

It's called "White Christian Nationalism," and it has infested our politics, our public policy, and even our places of worship. The article details the evidence on how this relatively small group has preyed on people's faith and patriotism, but also on their fear and ignorance to push this country in a direction the majority of its citizens really don't want to go.

They have used Donald Trump as their rallying point, conspiracy theory groups like Q-Anon as their propagandist, and groups like Black Lives Matter as their targets. In the process, they have had a major impact on moving the country to the right. The threats are growing, and the January 6th, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was a very visible example.

Read the article to get specific details, but to make the point I pulled this quote from the Post's story. 

"The growth in Christian nationalism has translated into threats against the Jewish community. A recent study conducted by George Washington University’s Program on Extremism revealed a December Telegram post from Mike Lasater, president of the St. Louis Proud Boys chapter, that read, verbatim: “Our time is not up; it is the jewish hegemony whose days our (sic) numbered. This is a Christian nation; jews may be citizens of this country, but they are guests of our nation, and they should remember that.”

Jews are singled out often, but we are not the only targets. Immigrants from just about everywhere are also on this group's radar, along with Muslims, atheists or frankly anyone who doesn't practice their distorted form of Christianity. 

And also take close notice, though much of their verbal support has been for the resurrection of Donald Trump's presidency and his "America First" disinformation campaign, they have also ensnared a significant number of incumbent congressmen and predominantly Republican candidates for state and local office all across the country. 

Many of them may not even know who they are in bed with. 

What can you do? Be skeptical going into the fall elections whether the candidate is running for Congress or county clerk.  Ask about their definition of patriotism and specifically about their loyalty to separation of church and state. What are their views on immigration and the 14th Amendment (One man, one vote)? And then, GO TO THE POLLS to prevent any reactionary group of "nationalists" from taking the county away from the rest of us.  

Here's Some Impact 

Here is another example of the campaign these groups are covertly, and not so covertly, running. 

A new poll out this week finds a majority of those questioned believe the U.S. government is corrupt and almost a third say it may soon be necessary to take up arms against it. 

The University of Chicago's Institute for Politics poll found two thirds of Republicans and Independents believe the government is "corrupt and rigged against everyday people like me," while 51% of liberal voters feel the same way.

And here's the startling numbers: 28% of all voters, including 37% of gun owners, agreed "it may be necessary at some point soon for citizens to take up arms against the government." 

Thirty-three percent of Republicans, 35% of Independents and one in five Democrats agreed with that statement. 

Other findings:

*56% of Americans say the elections are fair and accurate (but it falls to 33% among Republicans).

*70% of Republicans and MORE than 70% of Democrats agree with this phrase:

The other side "are generally bullies who want to impose their political beliefs on those who disagree." 

And a quarter of all responders say they have lost a friend over politics. 

https://uchicagopolitics.opalstacked.com/uploads/homepage/Polarization-Poll.pdf

Gas Prices  

You may have noticed that the price of gasoline is on its way down. It always goes down slower than it goes up, but I paid $3.73 for unleaded regular on Saturday here in Virginia compared to $4.49 a month ago. Nationwide the average is $4.41, down six cents from the last week. But it's still averaging $5.17 on the west coast, as much as 16 cents higher than the rest of the country. 

(Price I paid on Sat 7/23) 

What's the reason for the drop? The Biden Administration could not be blamed for the rapid hike, nor can they take credit for the on-going decline in gas prices.  

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/gas-prices-remain-in-a-freefall-072222.html#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20the%20price%20at%20the%20pump,also%2016%20cents%20less%20than%20a%20week%20ago.

 GasBuddy says Libya is ramping up its oil production and in general, global oil production is up. AAA says gas is most expensive in California with an average of $5.81 per gallon and cheapest in Texas, an average of $3.45. 

I note this all because conservatives kept blaming the Biden Administration's energy policy for the sharp increase. But that policy has not changed, and the prices are now going back down. Could the original increase in prices have been speculation and the decline now simply because the higher prices had cut demand?  Supply and demand are usually what it is all about. 

The average price at the pump has dropped 32 cents over the past six weeks but is still $1.32 higher than it was a year ago. 

Dumbest Quote of The Week!

This week's dumbest quote comes from yet another Republican candidate for public office. He's Matt Birk, and he is running for Lt. Governor in Minnesota. The quote is actually from a speech Birk made last month to a national anti-abortion group in Georgia on the day the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Here is what Birk said when talking about abortion:

 “Our culture loudly but also stealthily promotes abortion. They’re telling women they should look a certain way. They should have careers, all these things.”

The implication in context is that women should stay home and raise babies. Birk is a Harvard graduate, but he also played professional football, and like Hershall Walker from last week, he may have been hit in the head a few too many times. 

Note to Birk: Women make up 51.5% of Minnesota's labor force. If they stopped working the state's economy would collapse.    

 (Your comments and suggestions are welcome.) 

(My book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at:

HankSilverberg@gmail.com  for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature.)                       

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796