The Military Says It's Confronting Extremism. A Prominent White Nationalist Just Finished Boot Camp.

[msfiddlestix]

46. Thank you for the clarification.. I should have worded differently

the aspect of political origin. I'd argue (though it would hard for me to articulate exactly how I see it especially in legal context) the question of political origin if it is clearly ideologically anathema to the basis of our democracy and which cannot hold or exist with a military populated by pro authoritarian white supremacists.

It's sticky, sure. Especially given the fact one of the two major political parties gives succor to that ideology.

The issue is contradictory in one sense to me, because I'm old enough to remember the "America: Love it or Leave it" slogan thrown at anti-Vietnam activists. We were accused of being unpatriotic, "commie pinkos" etc. I am old to remember having to sign the Oath of Allegiance to America required to enroll in College. I took great offense to that at the time.

And now here I am after learning of a President's ties to Russian Oligarchs, and open adoration for despots and dictators from Saudi Arabia to the Philippines and beyond. I was aware since the invasion in Iraq we had Religious Extremists in our military, particularly the Air Force (White Nationalists/Dominionists) which has deeply troubled me for years.

In other words, in some sense it appears I've come to a 180 in my view of the responsibility of our institutions to adhere to the premise of our system of government. Which of course includes the Military, the Justice Dept., and Law enforcement agencies including Police Depts etc.

January 6th laid bare the fragility of our democracy to an extent I'm not sure we'll ever truly recover. I feel like it is completely broken. Damaged, perhaps beyond repair.

Freedom of Speech, cannot support the ideology of Religious or Political Cults any more than it protects shouting fire in a theater when there is no fire. In my view.

If it does, then we will be broken and a Fascists Authoritarian system for the near future, which will be extremely difficult to recover from.