It is a good thing that the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted and seen Proud Boys leaders sentenced. It is a pity white supremacism will not be more degraded by this. Thank you Ruth for reminding us the threat is on-going.
On going and globalized. At least now the threat is receiving serious attention and is more widely known. Still, hate groups have become "smarter". The infiltration of mainstream politics at the local level is particularly disturbing. The local level is where people live. So violence and intimidation tactics at the community level are more likely to undermine democracy unnoticed. Very troubling.
Fringe group is no longer applicable for the Proud Boys. Mainstream group is more appropriate. Their movement is a worse pandemic than COVID! At least there’s a vaccine for COVID! Awareness and education are the best treatments for right wing hate groups for reasonable people, but so far few are paying attention!
I fear that the conditions that make these groups attractive to some are spreading. The anti LGBTQ rhetoric and talk about "parents' rights" (here in Canada) are the rallying cries for a base that feels hopeless and disaffected in society in general. Canada's housing crisis is creating fertile ground for these groups and their false sense of community and culture of grievance.
The proud boys, and their continuing activity tied to the Republican Party, simply reinforces the point of view of Robert Reich, that this is part of a slide towards fascism on the part of Trump and the Maga Republicans. They remind me of the brownshirts who were the thugs that supported Hitler and became his own private army.
excerpt copied and pasted from a television news report re: a NOVEMBER 2020 Republican Party rally:
"We need a chapter of the Proud Boys right here in Wisconsin because they're the only ones with the courage to get in the face of Black Lives Matter," Clarke said.
The group has been described as a far-right organization with a history of violent confrontations.
"Pro-free speech, pro-gun rights, glorifying the entrepreneur, venerating the housewife, reinstating the spirit of western chauvinism, that's what the Proud Boys stand for," Clarke told rally attendees.
Republican State Sen. Chris Kapenga also attended the rally.
He claimed he did not hear Clarke's comments and that he "didn't know much about the Proud Boys."
Kapenga said he was invited to speak at the rally by the Republican Party of Milwaukee County to discuss voter fraud concerns.
"We pray every day that God has not turned his back on this nation," he said at the rally.
END OF EXCERPT
you may google to find the whole story.
I do not know if Clarke will announce to run against the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, Tammy Baldwin, but it is something to keep in mind if he does. Thank you for your work.
Disheartening at the least that the Proud Boys are operating at the local level. That's why it's important for us to get involved at the local level. I'm sure they will employ scare tactics, that's how they operate.
Unfortunately, the lengthy sentences handed down on the far right leaders will not be sufficient to stem the flow of new recruits. Those recruits come from the under educated, unemployed, mentally challenged and easily manipulated individuals.
What will stem the flow must be a more focused and forceful marketing strategy by those groups that support a truly democratic form of government. We need a better education of the public showing the freedoms we will lose with the style of government as seen in Brazil and Hungary. We must first stop the creep of these right wingers from local government.
I don't mean to be picky but why should WE call them, "Proud Boys?" I would call them, "Shameful Boys" or "Gullible Boys."
By the way, these are men. They might have wished that someone had been proud of them when they were boys, and I do, too. If that had been the case, they might not need to only be proud of their ability to hurt other people with their physical strength. It's too bad that other strengths, such as kindness and generosity, were not valued and rewarded in their childhood and adolescence. They and we would all be better off.
Like you, Madeline, I resist using the name "Proud Boys" (which was stolen from a song from the Aladdin movie, believe it or not). When I was on Twitter (no más), I used to write "Prowd Boyz," to avoid giving them publicity. What we need is a U.S. government that is 100% pro-democracy. If that means voting out every frickin' Republican in every jurisdiction, so be it. Hate groups are no joke. There's no place for them in the United States that I love, whose Constitution I follow.
Ditto, and amen to all of that, Hal! I like your changing the spelling, at least, so as not to further legitimize their name for themselves. I'll also use "so-called..." when talking about what I consider terrorist organizations. BTW, have you heard about Elon Musk's latest scapegoating of Jews in general after George Soros' company sold all their TSLA stock? I'm not on ex-Twitter anymore either.
One cannot help but notice the connection between the Oath Keepers/Proud Boys and the paramilitary groups in Italy and Germany under Mussolini and Hitler. Our growth in fascist paramilitary groups is a symptom that is screaming at us, that fascism is here. Stiff sentences are appropriate for these Neanderthal knuckle draggers.
Absolutely, Steve! Too many people are seduced by the Hitlers of the world, the sociopathic, malignant narcissists who disproportionately infect the political arena. And yes, the Southern Poverty Law Center has been following these White supremacist gangs and I believe they've been announcing for many years now that they are the #1 terrorist threat in America. For our own protection, we need to know who these guys are and go after them with the full weight of the law...Swift justice and stiff sentences that get publicized widely.
It's a fine day when the foot soldiers are brought to justice and handed strict sentences. Of course, being in the lower ranks, they can be pardoned should their leadership resume elected status. When is their leadership going to be pursued, if ever? Mercer, Koch, DeVos, and their financial associates deserve their proper due. When removing a leaf or cutting a branch the tree survives. Eliminating the trunk and roots ends the tree.
David, let’s use another metaphor; most trees are friends not foes. But, I agree with the gist of your message.
I suspect prosecutors are going mostly against the low-hanging fruit. Foot soldiers are expected to turn against their leaders, eventually, and spill the beans; especially if the fascist terrorist MAGA GOP is crushed in 2024.
I'm happy that there has been some justice. Although this is a step back for the Proud Boys, there are others in the group who will step up and become leaders. Our continuing vigilance is necessary.
Call your Congress persons. Urge them to lean on DOJ to prosecute ALL-conspirators, especially those in Congress. (323)224-3121. AG Merrick Garland, is a disappointment, to say the least. Urge others to do the same.
“… [fascist terrorist MAGA] GOP. A democracy needs at least 2 opposing parties. We have to add the prefix ‘MAGA’ when attacking the GOP. Best to attach the ‘f’ to MAGA, as well.
I totally agree with needing 2 or more parties but you are forgetting that the GOP has abandoned democracy. Anyone who votes for Republicans now is voting for fascists. They are no longer a democratic opposition. MAGA owns the party, at least for now.
I’m not ‘forgetting that the [MAGA] GOP has abandoned democracy.”
I don’t disagree with most of what you’ve said, but still consider it best to use the prefix MAGA, so as spare the traditional GOP in the hope they will defect. If 70% of the GOP is MAGA, we need that 30% that is not (I haven’t looked up the #s, but I suspect I’m close.) Also, there HAS to be at least 2 opposing parties in a democracy, so I still suggest attacking the MAGA fascist element and working with the so-called ‘moderate’ faction of the GOP. It is in our interest to recognize the split within the GOP.
Thanks for recognizing MOST of the GOP is fascist. I also agree that the GOP has to be crushed and defectors should vote Dem. Any vote for a 3rd party is a vote for the GOP. I’m even more concern about 3rd parties than about the GOP.
PS
Sorry if I’m being repetitive; the tension within the GOP needs to be recognized and worked with.
I agree, completely, Kate. BTW, Sociopaths don't experience shame and neither do most of the people who idealize them. So when a sociopath has political clout, morals and ethics are no longer on the societal radar screen. :(
It’s chilling actually. And suspect (their bottom line) - replacement heads quick honored promotion awards ‘for the cause ‘.
It’s a strange and scary mentality, it’s the sought plot of fascinating thrillers...perhaps even romanticized ..cold , calculating, deadly. It’s curious how people are drawn to this , even more so the charisma and seduction .
It is a good thing that the Justice Department has successfully prosecuted and seen Proud Boys leaders sentenced. It is a pity white supremacism will not be more degraded by this. Thank you Ruth for reminding us the threat is on-going.
On going and globalized. At least now the threat is receiving serious attention and is more widely known. Still, hate groups have become "smarter". The infiltration of mainstream politics at the local level is particularly disturbing. The local level is where people live. So violence and intimidation tactics at the community level are more likely to undermine democracy unnoticed. Very troubling.
Agreed.
Fringe group is no longer applicable for the Proud Boys. Mainstream group is more appropriate. Their movement is a worse pandemic than COVID! At least there’s a vaccine for COVID! Awareness and education are the best treatments for right wing hate groups for reasonable people, but so far few are paying attention!
I fear that the conditions that make these groups attractive to some are spreading. The anti LGBTQ rhetoric and talk about "parents' rights" (here in Canada) are the rallying cries for a base that feels hopeless and disaffected in society in general. Canada's housing crisis is creating fertile ground for these groups and their false sense of community and culture of grievance.
Accountability for treasonous activities should provide some social immunity!!
The proud boys, and their continuing activity tied to the Republican Party, simply reinforces the point of view of Robert Reich, that this is part of a slide towards fascism on the part of Trump and the Maga Republicans. They remind me of the brownshirts who were the thugs that supported Hitler and became his own private army.
excerpt copied and pasted from a television news report re: a NOVEMBER 2020 Republican Party rally:
"We need a chapter of the Proud Boys right here in Wisconsin because they're the only ones with the courage to get in the face of Black Lives Matter," Clarke said.
The group has been described as a far-right organization with a history of violent confrontations.
"Pro-free speech, pro-gun rights, glorifying the entrepreneur, venerating the housewife, reinstating the spirit of western chauvinism, that's what the Proud Boys stand for," Clarke told rally attendees.
Republican State Sen. Chris Kapenga also attended the rally.
He claimed he did not hear Clarke's comments and that he "didn't know much about the Proud Boys."
Kapenga said he was invited to speak at the rally by the Republican Party of Milwaukee County to discuss voter fraud concerns.
"We pray every day that God has not turned his back on this nation," he said at the rally.
END OF EXCERPT
you may google to find the whole story.
I do not know if Clarke will announce to run against the Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, Tammy Baldwin, but it is something to keep in mind if he does. Thank you for your work.
Tammy Baldwin is a Democratic Senator from Illinois.
My apologies for this terrible error. What I meant to say is, Tammy DUCKWORTH is a Democratic Senator from Illinois.
Disheartening at the least that the Proud Boys are operating at the local level. That's why it's important for us to get involved at the local level. I'm sure they will employ scare tactics, that's how they operate.
Dear Joanna,
I don't know why you would say that.
Wisconsin.
"U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin was the first woman elected to the United States Congress from Wisconsin. " PBS Wisconsin
Unfortunately, the lengthy sentences handed down on the far right leaders will not be sufficient to stem the flow of new recruits. Those recruits come from the under educated, unemployed, mentally challenged and easily manipulated individuals.
What will stem the flow must be a more focused and forceful marketing strategy by those groups that support a truly democratic form of government. We need a better education of the public showing the freedoms we will lose with the style of government as seen in Brazil and Hungary. We must first stop the creep of these right wingers from local government.
I don't mean to be picky but why should WE call them, "Proud Boys?" I would call them, "Shameful Boys" or "Gullible Boys."
By the way, these are men. They might have wished that someone had been proud of them when they were boys, and I do, too. If that had been the case, they might not need to only be proud of their ability to hurt other people with their physical strength. It's too bad that other strengths, such as kindness and generosity, were not valued and rewarded in their childhood and adolescence. They and we would all be better off.
Like you, Madeline, I resist using the name "Proud Boys" (which was stolen from a song from the Aladdin movie, believe it or not). When I was on Twitter (no más), I used to write "Prowd Boyz," to avoid giving them publicity. What we need is a U.S. government that is 100% pro-democracy. If that means voting out every frickin' Republican in every jurisdiction, so be it. Hate groups are no joke. There's no place for them in the United States that I love, whose Constitution I follow.
Ditto, and amen to all of that, Hal! I like your changing the spelling, at least, so as not to further legitimize their name for themselves. I'll also use "so-called..." when talking about what I consider terrorist organizations. BTW, have you heard about Elon Musk's latest scapegoating of Jews in general after George Soros' company sold all their TSLA stock? I'm not on ex-Twitter anymore either.
Good idea to re-label the “nothing to be proud of” boys!!
I like that, Randolph! The "nothing to be proud of" boys.
One cannot help but notice the connection between the Oath Keepers/Proud Boys and the paramilitary groups in Italy and Germany under Mussolini and Hitler. Our growth in fascist paramilitary groups is a symptom that is screaming at us, that fascism is here. Stiff sentences are appropriate for these Neanderthal knuckle draggers.
Absolutely, Steve! Too many people are seduced by the Hitlers of the world, the sociopathic, malignant narcissists who disproportionately infect the political arena. And yes, the Southern Poverty Law Center has been following these White supremacist gangs and I believe they've been announcing for many years now that they are the #1 terrorist threat in America. For our own protection, we need to know who these guys are and go after them with the full weight of the law...Swift justice and stiff sentences that get publicized widely.
It's a fine day when the foot soldiers are brought to justice and handed strict sentences. Of course, being in the lower ranks, they can be pardoned should their leadership resume elected status. When is their leadership going to be pursued, if ever? Mercer, Koch, DeVos, and their financial associates deserve their proper due. When removing a leaf or cutting a branch the tree survives. Eliminating the trunk and roots ends the tree.
David, let’s use another metaphor; most trees are friends not foes. But, I agree with the gist of your message.
I suspect prosecutors are going mostly against the low-hanging fruit. Foot soldiers are expected to turn against their leaders, eventually, and spill the beans; especially if the fascist terrorist MAGA GOP is crushed in 2024.
Point well taken.
I'm happy that there has been some justice. Although this is a step back for the Proud Boys, there are others in the group who will step up and become leaders. Our continuing vigilance is necessary.
Now the JD needs to investigate the likes of Gaetz and Gosar and their connection with the Proud Boys.
Call your Congress persons. Urge them to lean on DOJ to prosecute ALL-conspirators, especially those in Congress. (323)224-3121. AG Merrick Garland, is a disappointment, to say the least. Urge others to do the same.
Great analysis Professor =] TY!
Kathleen Belew is a great resource on this topic =]
Thanks, James!
Where is the social shame? I see far right people in power posting selfies with these people.
Call me old-fashioned, but I think it's appalling to hang with racist terrorists. Proud I feel that way.
Fascism seems to be all the rage right now with most of the GOP. It's amazing how easily they gave up on democracy.
Shamelessness is a badge of honor for the GOP.
“… [MAGA] GOP.”
“… [fascist terrorist MAGA] GOP. A democracy needs at least 2 opposing parties. We have to add the prefix ‘MAGA’ when attacking the GOP. Best to attach the ‘f’ to MAGA, as well.
I totally agree with needing 2 or more parties but you are forgetting that the GOP has abandoned democracy. Anyone who votes for Republicans now is voting for fascists. They are no longer a democratic opposition. MAGA owns the party, at least for now.
I’m not ‘forgetting that the [MAGA] GOP has abandoned democracy.”
I don’t disagree with most of what you’ve said, but still consider it best to use the prefix MAGA, so as spare the traditional GOP in the hope they will defect. If 70% of the GOP is MAGA, we need that 30% that is not (I haven’t looked up the #s, but I suspect I’m close.) Also, there HAS to be at least 2 opposing parties in a democracy, so I still suggest attacking the MAGA fascist element and working with the so-called ‘moderate’ faction of the GOP. It is in our interest to recognize the split within the GOP.
Thanks for recognizing MOST of the GOP is fascist. I also agree that the GOP has to be crushed and defectors should vote Dem. Any vote for a 3rd party is a vote for the GOP. I’m even more concern about 3rd parties than about the GOP.
PS
Sorry if I’m being repetitive; the tension within the GOP needs to be recognized and worked with.
I agree, completely, Kate. BTW, Sociopaths don't experience shame and neither do most of the people who idealize them. So when a sociopath has political clout, morals and ethics are no longer on the societal radar screen. :(
“… [fascist] racist [MAGA] terrorists.”
Fittingly, "proud boys" is what cattle ranchers call castrated steers that act like they still have their testicles. 😄
Ha!
It’s chilling actually. And suspect (their bottom line) - replacement heads quick honored promotion awards ‘for the cause ‘.
It’s a strange and scary mentality, it’s the sought plot of fascinating thrillers...perhaps even romanticized ..cold , calculating, deadly. It’s curious how people are drawn to this , even more so the charisma and seduction .
💙💙VOTE ALL THE COMPLICIT OUT 💙💙