Extremism is defined as “the holding of extreme political or religious views; fanaticism.”
By that definition, extremists are fanatics. And fanaticism is neither a religion nor a political belief.
I have noticed a lot of talk about “the far/extreme right wing” and some “the extreme/far left wing.” And, in my opinion, both sides are wrong because they have sacrificed their beliefs in the process of becoming fanatical.
Take the recent protests on college campuses. Remember, I participated in these back in the 60s and we were absolutely sure our cause was just. By the way…it was. The firing of teachers for their political beliefs (even though they never expressed them in class) and the ongoing war in Vietnam (which did not officially end until April 30, 1975) were just causes to protest for. And so is the desire to end the bloodshed on both sides in Gaza. But attacking Jewish students, breaking into buildings and destroying property or even locking yourself inside of one does not constitute protest. They constitute harassment, breaking and entering and willful destruction of property. They come with fines and jail time. They do NOT come with deportation or harassment by the agents of ICE. In my opinion, those protestors went too far and thus became fanatical.
I saw similar behavior during the rise of Women’s Liberation in the 70s. Women publicly burned their bras as young men had burned their draft cards 10 years earlier and for the same reason: to protest oppression by the ruling class/patriarchy. Women refused to subscribe to the “you’ve come a long way, baby” commercialism of their very righteous demands. Young men didn’t want to be shipped off to Vietnam to die for an oil field.
But then, things got extreme. Women refused to have anything to do with men, thus causing some men to refer to them as using LGBT slurs. Of course, if you refuse to date, marry or have sex with men, guys are automatically going to think you prefer women and that is not a specious conclusion. Later on, men were accepted as allies if they acted in good faith, but some feminists still want nothing to do with them, especially if they are older white men (a club I had absolutely no say in joining).
The Tea Party movement, according to Wikipedia, began in 2007, encouraged by Ron Paul’s run for President. Their platform was “lower taxes, a reduction of the national debt and federal deficit budget through decreased government spending.” They also opposed the Affordable Care Act. At one point, they were a fringe contingent of the Republican party. Now, it seems, they have been replaced by christian nationalists. And, if you’d care to see how much farther extremists have taken that party, compare the Tea Party’s stated goals with the current administration’s actions.
Project 2025 was the brainchild of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative “think tank” that opposes abortion, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, rights of immigrants and racial equity (often associated with DEI). These are the men that are currently running the country and their agenda seems to be to eliminate anybody who isn’t them. Well, lah dii freaking dah and don’t they think they’re all that and a bag of chips?
Project 2025 sounds like it was written by the same folks that brought us the “Left Behind” series of books and movies, which were based on Rapture Theory (G-d is going to come down, take all the “good” people with Him and leave the rest to perish in agony as the world burns).
I’m neither a theologist nor a philosopher, but here is what I know from personal experience: G-d loves and accepts each and every one of us exactly as we are. The phrase “I am as G-d made me” is no joke. And anybody who preaches otherwise is a lying dog-faced pony soldier.
The problem is fanaticism doesn’t have a “party” or a “side.” As Cory Booker recently stated, “This isn’t about left or right. This is about right and wrong. This is a moral moment.” Agree or disagree, we are faced with people who blatantly ignore the rights and feelings of others and yet claim some form of moral high ground. You cannot make that claim when you do not exhibit certain moral behaviors. You cannot claim that your opponent is the devil or a fascist or a leftie or a marxist or a right/left wing nut job when your actions blatantly show a willful disregard for women, children, the poor, the marginalized, people without homes, folks that label themselves as “neurodivergent” or any other group that isn’t you. All you can do is own up to the fact that you no longer give a damn about anybody but yourself. And that kind of narcissism is what is destroying our country.
Do I want to see America live up to its promise? Of course. And I know how to do that: Listen. When folks tell you they’re hungry or lonely or afraid or depressed, listen. Don’t try to shoo them away with false assurances and bromides. Listen.
And then, DO something about it. Whatever you can. Whatever is in your meager resources to do.
And, if, perhaps, you are a member of Congress or an elected official:
DO YOUR [EXPLETIVE] JOB!
Hold those magnificent grey heads high. Onward!
Comments may be submitted to “Talk To The Old Guy” on Facebook.