Fear Junkies

[filkertom]

We've noticed for years how the Right uses fear. But it's only been recently that speculation has begun that they are, themselves, addicted to fear. This Firedoglake post by Kevin K. sums up the concept very well, I think.

Comments

[beldar.livejournal.com]

Fascinating post, and interesting reading the reactions below it.

The worst part is that we see these people motivated by irrational fear, and it makes us afraid, because how do you handle the insane? Thus we get in danger of being caught up in the fear and adding to the problem.

By "us" I mean in a general sense. Don't know if you're freaking. (It's probably all filk-fodder anyway, eh?)
Me, I try to at least keep my own perspective, but -- damn, three more years of this (at least!)

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

That would make a lot of sense. Adrenaline junkies.

[trdsf.livejournal.com]

It makes perfect sense. Today's neocons and Bushies are the true and full inheritors of Joe McCarthy--but instead of a Red under every bed, they fear a turban on any head. Unfortunately, the closest people we have to Murrow are relegated to cable rather than having full network access because this time the networks are full, willing and deliberate accomplices to the noise machine.

[scott644.livejournal.com]

That applies to the left as well as right, liberals as well as conservatives. I've too many friends on both sides to believe otherwise. As a political commentary once put: politics isn't a straight line of left and right - it's a circle, with the extremes of both sides meeting at the bottom. And it's these extremes the reference discusses.