The Thrill

How many people in the USA hate both Democrats and the federal government so damn much they are now actually ready to do violence to achieve political ends? I can't help but wonder. 

Please note that the question above was not asking how many people are now openly INSTIGATING the use of violence as a tool. No, my question was about appreciating the true number of Americans who are poised and prepared to DO violence. 

The reason I'm asking it that way is that I want to spotlight the distinction between two different brands of fascist trouble-makers:

Group 1 is made up of political extremists who are squawking in an incendiary fashion, hoping to prompt others to dish out violence. They prefer to benefit from targeted mayhem, done at a safe distance. 

Group 2 is made up of political zealots who are waiting for the righteous signal to act out their fantasies about a violent mission serving a cause. They are in it for the thrill of the moment and the prize they think will come to the winners of the ultimate conflict -- power.  

Hey! maybe no one should be all that surprised that a nation with such a widespread gun fetish problem would also have lots of citizens with itchy trigger fingers. As long as their victims are seen as members of an opposing tribe, some of our society's zealots appear to believe hurting their enemies is both justified and a rare kick.

Hopefully, the FBI has some idea how many people in this country are likely to be the doers in Group 2, not just Group 1 blowhards. My guess is it's safe to say there are some hundreds of thousands of Group 2s. Maybe some millions. Consequently, then I have to wonder what plans the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have for dealing with this real and growing menace.

-- 30 --