Guest Post by Kevin Lynn
Back in the 1980’s I was a counterintelligence officer for the Army and early on in my career I developed an interest on the topic of terrorism. Working casual duty for short time at Fort Huachuca, I helped pull together the first manual on anti-terrorism operations. Between 1985 – 1990, I had worked with police, intelligence, and security forces on terrorism related issues in Europe and Asia. I rouned out my ten-year career in the military with a stint as the Terrorism Analyst to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
Although it’s not the case in a post 9-11 world, at that time the field of terrorism was not considered a good career move. Many of the groups that had made headlines since the late 1960’s had been rounded up, simply dissipated, or were close to being rounded up. Being the curious type, I learned a lot about terrorist psychological profiles, tactics, and strategies.
In cases were terrorism was applied to foment revolution, the intention was to isolate a country’s leadership from the citizenry. Terrorist attacks on government leaders was a means to this end. It served the purpose of isolating the government from the people and allowing the revolutionaries the opportunity to sow dissent and carry out other forms of direct action. In the past governments that felt besieged would respond with increased military and police presence; and suspension of rights such as increased powers to search, seize, and detain citizens. These asymmetric responses often led to a further isolating of the government.
When Rep. Maxine Waters stated at a rally, “if you see anybody from that (Trump) Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd and you push back on them, and you tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere,” was she in a fashion attempting to isolate the government from the people? Not being a mind reader, I cannot tell you what Rep. Waters intentions were at the time she made the statement or are at this moment.
Now, there are those who may say I am making a mountain out of molehill in this instance. And, perhaps I am. But given the power of certain NGOs and scurrilous individuals to amp up the emotions of the populace, it may just be a matter of time before acts such as telling a government official they are not welcome in a public place take a turn for something far more serious. Perhaps someone does get “pushed” back physically. That would be assault and is that anyone’s concept of what it means to live in a free and open society? Although not popular today, I tend to fall back on the words of Evelyn Beatrice Hall from 1906 when she stated, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
In a different time, Maxine’s comments might have met with universal derision. But today, despite her being distanced by several members of her party, there are many cheering and egging her on. To those that would take advantage of an open society wherein our political elites walk among us common folk as a license to assail them, I would caution you.
Perhaps this is symptomatic of our times. As I expounded on in a blog a few years ago, this is a time of a “Fourth Turning;” a cyclical event known historically for its foment and chaos. As Talcott Person’s aptly stated:
“A Fourth Turning is an era in which the availability of social order is low, but the demand for such order is high. Examples of earlier Fourth Turnings include the Civil War in the 1860s and the American Revolution in the 1770s—both periods of momentous crisis, when the identity of the nation hung in the balance.”
Our last Fourth turning was roughly 80 – 85 years ago, a time of economic stagnation and the world on the brink of total war. The stock market tanked, authoritarian regimes rose up and millions died in a world war. With that perspective, I think it would behoove our leaders to calm the waters. As on the 4thof July in 1776, there is a lot of tinder out there just waiting for a match to fuel the flames of revolution.
It looks shaky from my perch.
The kids are under a lot of social pressure.
So many clueless people in positions of power.
Printing money to save the banksters.
It is as simple as turning away from God.
that’s it? did you write this while sitting on the dumpster? it’s specter, not spector.
Is it really about the children? Then how about the hundreds of thousands of US children that are the subject of abuse right here in the United States? This is not about the children, this is an INVASION…
https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/07/in-a-year-child-protective-services-conducted-32-million-investigations/374809/
Chip
Getting young idealistic people to do things that are rash & illegal is an old tactic of the left. They need change agents & social justice warriors, but the problem is that people who enthusiastically support them at one time may get some sense, mellow out, get married & start a family, get a real job, etc.
Nothing will lock you into the cause & stop all that like a felony arrest.
When I was in college, I was opposed to the War in Viet Nam, because I became aware that we were killing more ciivilians than fighters & did not think that the fall of Viet Nam would lead to war on our soil. Also, it was LBJ who was prosecuting the war, & I didn’t like him. Now one of the Chicago Seven (people arrested at the Chicago Dem Convention for leading street demonstrations), Abbie Hoffman, had written a book entitled, “Steal this Book”.
Well, I stole one & read it. It was essentially street Marxism, the notion that property is robbery, therefor robbery is property therefor this is yours cuz you stole it (This logical chain is stolen from the late great Douglas Adams). He went into all the easy cheats & thieving that you could do to get by and “liberate” private property for a good cause. It was written in a clever & witty manner. I always remembered something from the preface:
“It is appropriate that I write this from prison, for it is in prison that you will find your true rehabilitation – hatred of oppression.”
That always seemed misguided but principled until a few years ago when I realized what he was saying & doing. He wanted to get as many of us arrested, our young lives ruined, as possible, because then we would have nothing to live for except the Revolution. Otherwise, we would mostly outgrow it, as I mentioned above.
I saw this very clearly then, & I decided that I didn’t like Mr. Hoffman any more.
He has since gone to see the Judge.
Not only has Hoffman gone to see the Great Judge, he committed suicide to do so.
This piece doesn’t appear complete…was there a point?
The point was Maxine may be starting a civil war.
We desperately need the Fourth Turning.
Here in Minneapolis the city council and the mayor are just about as socialist as you can get, without outright calling yourself a socialist.
This ‘bedroom’ town that my wife and I moved to in 1978 – is rapidly becoming San Fransicko of the midwest. There is a big push to build light rail and increase population density (apartments) similar to the communist bloc nations. And bike lanes – everywhere.
The latest is to issue city wide ID cards. The newspaper (Minneapolis Red Star) says it will be for immigrants, and LGBQ people (why do queers need an ID?). It’s not a valid ID in any legal sense, but the ‘immigrant community’ is demanding them. What a load of shit. They want $250,000 to fund the program.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis officials are moving closer to offering city identification cards that would be available regardless of a person’s immigration status.
The ordinance is in its early stages and is set to be presented to the Minneapolis City Council before the year’s end, the Star Tribune reported . The identification card would be available to anyone in Minneapolis above 14 years old — regardless of immigration status, gender identity or whether they have a home.
Council member Alondra Cano, chief sponsor of the ordinance, said the identification card is being designed to meet many “constituency needs,” not just those of the immigrant community.
“We are talking about homeless people, young people, elderly people, the GLBTQ community,” Cano said.
Activists from the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, which is pushing for the new program, filled the city hall chamber on Friday with fliers that read: “ICE separates families right here in Minneapolis. Protect them with a Municipal ID now.”
“Our communities are suffering,” Daniel Romero, a volunteer and leader with the group, told council members. “You know what’s happening in our country today and you have the ability, it’s in your power, to change that in the city of Minneapolis.”
Cano said officials are proposing incentives for people who get the identification cards such as discounted parking. They could also work as a library card and help people open bank accounts.
Under the current plan, the card would list a person’s name, address and date of birth, with gender optional.
City council members and the mayor support the ordinance. Advocates of tougher immigration enforcement portray such programs as encouraging people not to follow the law.
My hope is the Fourth Turning will sweep this all away.
dm- i want my KMA minnehopeless id:>
The Communist Conspiracy is so simple that a 5th Grader could understand it (if it was taught). The Judeo-Communist are trying to create Chaos and declare Martial Law, bring in UN Troops, disarm Americans, establish the New World Order out of Chaos (ie, arrest and murder Christians/Conservatives/Muslims/Blacks etc). Outlaw currency and give every Slave the Mark Of The Beast so the Oligarchs can Rule happily ever after.
Besides rampant vote fraud, gerrymandering guarantees that the Useful Idiot (D) wins. It’s not that We The People keep voting in Useful Idiots, the Democrats insure that a Useful Idiot will always win.