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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHatred in the USA
On April 10, the FBI arrested Robert R. Doggert, 63, of Signal Mountain, TN. Initially, the criminal complaint was sealed. However, the complaint was recently unsealed, to show that the former congressional candidate was planning a violent attack upon an Islamic community in the town of Hancock, NY.
Doggerts plan was to have a para-military force attack the community, with snipers using rifles; with explosives to destroy the school and mosque; and machetes for hand-to-hand combat. He reportedly had selected this community, based upon some Fox News reports that it was a terrorist training camp.
It has been reported, based upon Doggerts previous communications, that he had planned a similar attack on another Islamic community in the past. However, during the course of his preparations, he had been disappointed to learn that community was non-violent, and its residents were well-accepted as good neighbors and responsible citizens by the larger community of non-Muslim residents.
Having lived and worked in this area of upstate New York for many years, I am familiar with the Islamic groups in Hancock and near-by Deposit, both in Delaware County. The vast majority are from families in NYC that, in the 1960s and 70s, converted to Islam. As happens with human beings of all religions, or no religion, some would seek to move out of the city, to raise their families in small town America. If one were to follow one of the main highways out of NYC, heading west, one comes to Hancock and Deposit, and eventually Binghamton.
In the 1980s, groups of people from mosques in NYC, seeking a better quality of life for their families, would pitch in funds, and buy old farms in our region. They sought to raise their own livestock and gardens. They faced a certain amount of mistrust at first, for several reasons: city folks do not always mix well; most are black, moving into white towns; and they werent Christians.
However, at a time when family farms were being put out of business by corporate farms, and when many beautiful old farms were being sub-divided into lots that realtors advertised in distant places, the locals came to appreciate having hard-working, law-abiding neighbors. Not everyone, of course, but in time it became clear that the only ones who were opposed to these settlements of Muslims were the racist trash on the margins of civilization.
After 9/11, the fear of Islam began its metastasis, and those who were not familiar with the group in Hancock became convinced that the settlement was a cell that posed danger to our society. The articles linked below, however, clearly identify the diseased individuals who pose the risk of extreme violence in America.
http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Former-congressional-candidate-arrested-charged-for--304050121.html
http://heavy.com/news/2015/05/robert-doggart-tennessee-congressional-candidate-islamberg-new-york-anti-muslim-islam-attack-arrest-court-documents-photos-charges-plea-patriot/
darkangel218
(13,985 posts)They abound everywhere. Some keep a mask on, others show their true colours instantly. They are here though. I've met too many in real life ,to think otherwise.
Absolutely disgusting.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)When that jackass says he wants to "wake America up" to "the threat," he is describing himself. But this level of hatred and paranoia is being cultivated ....in part, as others here note, by Fox News.
How in the hell does anyone think blowing up a school is patriotic? It reminds me of the shitheads that blew up the church, killing the four little girls.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)The Southern Poverty Law Center has valuable documentation of the numerous groups that pose a danger to our society. But I'm sure that there are even more, flying below the radar.
I'm glad that law enforcement nailed him. But I think there needs to be a significant grass roots peace movement. We need to combat the growing levels of hatred that are saturating our culture.
brer cat
(24,556 posts)is at the grass-roots level. Living in a very red area, I am too aware that hatred is spewed by people who assume their friends and neighbors feel the same way. No politician, no religious leader, no laws will ever reach them. It will take strong peer pressure to marginalize the haters, and cut them off from any support.
Good thread, H2O Man. K&R
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)GOP. As an American I accept other religions or the lack of religion, I think it is a choice one has to make for themselves. Peace will never be found with the amount of hate shown by people like this. The only difference in this guy and ISIS is name, religion and location, he is just as radical as ISIS.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)H2O Man
(73,528 posts)basketball great Bill Russell saying, "Chose your enemies carefully, for they are often the very people you will come to resemble most closely." This fellow, who is obsessed with "terrorists," is the very definition of one.
rurallib
(62,406 posts)hiding behind freedom of speech and freedom of the press, some very innocent people damn near got killed.
There have been so many folks in this country attacked just on the say so of FOX.
gregcrawford
(2,382 posts)Roger Ailes and his pack of malicious sociopaths are a clear and present danger to what's left of democracy in this country. Pox News is a malignancy that wouldn't even exist if Ronzo Reagan hadn't abolished the Fairness Doctrine. Those lying fascists have got to be held responsible for their actions, one way or another.
d_legendary1
(2,586 posts)and I was watching the fake news segment with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Jane Curtin. What got to me was when Jane Curtin said the line (pharaphrasing here) "I remember the days when I was the only pretty blonde reading the fake news. In this day and age there is an entire news outlet dedicated to pretty blondes and fake news."
(Cue Fox News logo appearing on the right side of her head)
What's sad is that they take themselves seriously about what they do.
H2O Man
(73,528 posts)Their style of "reporting" is diseased journalism. In a healthy society, they would be shamed out of business.
AgingAmerican
(12,958 posts)Fox news actively whips it up.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)the largest and best-known being Kiryas Joel in Orange County. Funny, I never hear about gun nuts threatening to shoot up Kiryas Joel.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)are a very dangerous mix. I hope this guy will get a nice long vacation in the Big House.