The Politics of Hate
As we get closer to the Presidential election in the United States I am more and more reminded of Khruschev’s November 1956 address, where he stated, “We will bury you.” Many attribute this line to his visit to the United Nations in 1960, but that was not the case. In any event, the sentiment being expressed today reminds me of Donald Brennan’s coining of the phrase mutually assured destruction.
The climate of mutual contempt has become M.A.D. and the fact that debate is non-existent while the rhetoric of hate drips from the lips of some members of Congress. This becomes echoed on social media and the mainstream media. Conflict entrepreneurs described by author Amanda Ripley, “inflame conflict for their ends. Sometimes they do this for profit, but more often for attention or power”, as has been evident with Tucker Carlson, and Steve Bannon, one of limited intelligence and the latter, character.
The cult of personality and identity politics has created a vicious cycle of loathing and expressed hatred for others. Doug Teschner, of NH Business Review, Jan. 12, 2024, suggests that to avoid the downward spiral that will inevitably lead to Civil War, it is necessary to listen, “have patience, humility and a good heap of courage…changing the country has to start with changing yourself. When enough of us act and demand better, politicians will follow, too.”
https://www.nhbr.com/beyond-the-politics-of-contempt/
One thing is for certain. If the wall of words continues much longer, actual warfare will replace the rhetorical one. The ex-president would love nothing more as an excuse to be able to dissolve the Congress and institute martial law. Chaos suits sociopaths, and the result will lead to mutually assured destruction.
With thousands of anarchists and domestic terrorists waiting for the spark that will set them loose, America is a cauldron on the boil. A country with 400 million guns let loose upon itself will be apocalyptic in its outcome.
Time is not working in our favor.
Why do men hate those they have never met or interacted with? It’s a phenomenon central to some of the problems associated with social media, and it makes the possibility of echo-chamber politics that much worse.
Is there any way back from the edge of the abyss? It will only take one light push.
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