Way to Respond?
Imported From America?
- 'Equal Time Radio'--July 29th 2011
>>We talk about the Noway nutbag and how HIS deranged thoughts and maniacal Manifesto has its roots right HERE! Heidi Berich, research director from Southern Poverty Law Centers Intelligence Project joins us.. . . - In Norway, A Monster Saw Himself As a Hero Of His Race--Youngstown Vindicator
It would not be worth mentioning that there are people making excuses for Anders Behring Breiviks barbarism except to provide a warning that even a homicidal maniac can find allies among the likewise twisted and fearful. - Oslo Shooter A Frightening Reminder of Radical Right Terrorist Threat--Southern Poverty Law Center
The horrific events that took place in Norway this past Friday a huge bombing in central Oslo closely followed by a bloody shooting rampage on nearby Utoya - Writers Cited in Breivik Manifesto Have Spoken at US Military Colleges as Anti-Terrorism Experts
(Truthout). . . But the most frequently cited author in the [Brevik] manifesto is Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam. . . .
A Vicious Cycle?
The tragedy in Norway, much like the Oklahoma City Bombing in the United States, has brought the European far-right into focus.
While reseaching this piece, I was surprised to see that the perpetrator was influenced by the American far-right. My surprise comes from how the American right seems to have taken many cues from European Fascism. Many of the same ideas are present; the desire to create a corporate state, run by and for large business and their CEO's. The use of media outlets to spread their propaganda, and the need to create an outgroup, or outgroups to divert enough of the population.
But whether they be European or American, the radical right are fighting the same force, diversity. Both are convinced that their way of life is threatened. When in reality, it's their dominance that's the threat. In America, the current nemesis seems to be Latinos; to the European, much like in the time of the Crusades, the menace is Muslims. As these marginilized groups gain political power and social acceptance, the rhetoric from even the mainstream right starts to sound more and more radical. What happened in Oslo, etc, was much like what happened in Tucson, something that was bound to happen.
So how will Norway respond to this wake-up call? I'd like to think that their response might be better that the American response to Oklahoma City or Tuscon. For one, while right-wing parties are a fringe element, albeit a growing one in Europe. In America, the far-right is a needed component of one party's base; from the 'Dixiecrats', to Nixon's 'Southern Strategy', to Reagan's 'Welfare Queen', and Glen Beck's fear of 'Community Organizers', with a member of a right-wing outgroup now sitting as President, is it any wonder radical right activity is on the rise. Also, I doubt the Norwegian right has a media machine to rival AM-Radio and its cable news affiliate.
But there is one final question. Do the people of Norway have the courage to stand up against thier right? We'll see that in the months to come, or will they do the only thing that would allow the ideas that led to the massacre to continue.
