Truth is, those of us who cherish democracy and prefer to avoid giving in to bullies need to do a better job of understanding our mean-spirited opponents. Thus, as we hear reports of chatter about more mob-driven events being planned -- Sept. 18th? -- we ought to look at more than just what's on the surface.
Like, what's the real purpose of such shenanigans?
Well, if the Congressional and F.B.I. investigators look under enough rocks they are likely to find some answers. Other answers call for deduction.
Simply put, here’s what I'm saying: The planners who command the violent activist wing of the Trumpist Party doesn't want to use violence to actually overthrow the federal government. No. They want to use violence and intimidation as tools to win elections. So, like January 6th was, the next such event will be a stunt designed to scare the hell out of people ... and, of course, as a recruitment and fundraising gimmick.
Thus, even if the mob raises hell and says it wants to skin some politician or scientist alive, the next stunt's real purpose will be to make anyone who opposes them feel afraid of vigilante violence. It's the old gangster-style ploy: "We know where you live."
Generally speaking, extreme right-wingers seem to have convinced themselves that most liberals are scaredy cats who will always cave. That, rather than challenge them publicly. Moreover, fascists leaders have always needed to have their brownshirts, or blackshirts, to ratchet up the fear factor weighing on the citizenry.
Some of the white nationalist fratboy groups who've made a show of loving Trump as a celebrity already seem eager to play that role. So what color shirts will they eventually choose to wear, to signify, as they stomp around in groups fingering their triggers?
My guess is gray.
Bottom line: The tactics to win street battles and propaganda battles will come, change and go. Nonetheless, the Trumpist goal is to win elections, by any means necessary.
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