Credit Where Credit Is Not Due
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30 CommentsSteve Newton of Delaware Libertarian has written two recent posts (more on his latest posts at the bottom) on the Glenn Beck organization We Surround Them. In the first post Steve appears far more concerned with those who take Beck and Norris seriously, claiming that it’s those (read:us) attempting “to stereotype everybody who disagrees with them is a danger to society.” And it’s this cherry-picking of what’s dangerous that bothers me. Why aren’t both dangerous? Why aren’t both a joke? It’s this break in consistency that keeps eating at me. Now, I suppose I could view Steve’s words as a backhanded compliment, as in he expects more from us than he expects from the likes of Beck and Norris. But after reading the post several times I keep reaching the same conclusion: We are wrong (and over-reacting) for being concerned and criticizing these groups.
We are also, according to the post, late to the game. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not that we just suddenly discovered these secession groups. It’s that while we’ve been quite aware, for years, of these groups, they’ve resided on the fringe of our minds – just like they resided on the fringe of society. What has brought them to the forefront of our minds is their sudden resurgence and growing voice. Hence, our concern.
The second post attempts to legitimize these groups by citing Civil Rights and Civil Liberty concerns. In my opinion, Steve is giving the new members of these groups too much credit, simply because if they weren’t part of these organizations during Bush’s Presidency then they lose the legitimacy argument. Let’s be honest, the sudden growth and popularity of these groups has nothing to do with Civil Rights or Liberties, and everything to do with President Obama.
And that’s the point, unless… you can honestly say that the same thing would be happening under a McCain/Palin Administration. And, if you agree with me that it wouldn’t (other than what has always existed on the fringe) then the legitimacy argument doesn’t hold water. Which isn’t to say that I’m dismissing Civil Rights and Civil Liberty concerns, nor am I dismissing Steve’s arguments in relation to them. I’m not. In fact, my bet is that Steve Newton has given more thought to these issues than 95% of the We Surround Them members. What I’m dismissing is this groups attempt to wrap themselves in the cloak of these rights and liberties and claim validation for an agenda whose sole purpose is ridding the country of Obama.
