The Tea Party isn't terrorist per se; they're just mentally unfit

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Zutak (655 posts)

The Tea Party is not a Terrorist Organization
 
The Tea Party isn't really an organization at all. It is more a self-identified cultural/political niche, like Hippie was.

But even if the TP was a hierarchical organization it wouldn't be a terrorist organization, strictly speaking. It would be like Sinn Féin.

Since TP is not an organization, however, even that isn't the case.

So what is the problem?

The problem is that the TP appeals primarily to people with personality disorders strong enough the warrant diagnosis and treatment, and any group formed from such an appeal is likely to include a substantial sub-set of potentially violent persons.

The TP phenomenon mainstreams a set of mental and personality disorders that are typical of domestic terrorism, but that does not mean that everyone embracing those modes of thought will be a terrorist.

It is the familiar Muslim logic problem. A lot of terrorists are Muslim, but not a lot of Muslims are terrorist.

With the TP that problem is sharpened because, unlike Islam, there is no TP moderation by definition. But it remains a useful model.

Most TPs are not terrorists, and nothing called the Tea Party directs acts of terrorism hierarchically.

Rae (282 posts)

2. Are you trying to say that

neo-Nazis, white supremacists and anarchists didn't exist before the Tea Party?

Because those designations align far more closely with the Las Vegas nuts than the Tea Pary designation.

Zutak (655 posts)

10. No. I am saying that since TP appeals to those *pre-existing* issues

that any TP rally or meeting will include a lot of criminals and deviants, but that doesn't mean the TP organized or created their deviance.

The TP merely provides a common flag under which mentally dis-ordered terrorist wannabes will co-mingle with the more typical RW extremists.

To say the TP created all these people would be like saying that cake creates ants.

That said, bringing mentally unstable Republicans together with the various domestic terrorist wannabes will surely result in the radicalization of some folks who would have otherwise merely annoyed their families with racist tirades and grotesque self-pity while yelling at the TV. So the TP is surely a factor in increasing the threat of that kind of terrorism.

But just because the existence of the TP movement/niche will lead to more terrorism does not mean TP is a terrorist organization.

No more than an extreme conservative Mosque is a terrorist organization, even though its existence as a cultural force and as a meeting place for the un-well is a factor in the development of terrorism.

Rae (282 posts)

15. And this is where you lose you argument

"bringing mentally unstable Republicans together with the various domestic terrorist wannabes"

You are firmly stating that Republicians who want a limited government and less taxation are mentally unstable because they disagree with you.

Now, where have we heard that type of argument before?

Zutak (655 posts)

19. I am firmly stating that most persons active in Tea Party activities

are suffering from a disorder. (Most is a word with a meaning. 50%+) Some are just Fox-addicts looking for something to do. Some are tagging along with friends. Some, sadly, are children. Some are merely curious.

But the bulk are manifestly suffering from a rather obvious and striking deformation of mind or personality.

And the mental soundness of everyone cannot be stipulated as a precondition to discussion.

Your response is rather dishonest:

You are firmly stating that Republicians who want a limited government and less taxation are mentally unstable because they disagree with you.

No. I am not stating that at all. Your claim that all Republicians who want a limited government and less taxation are Tea Partiers is ridiculous.

You really think that all Republicans who (claim to) want those things are Tea Partiers???

That's like saying that al Queada is an organization of people who drank milk as a child.

Millions of Republicans manage to claim to be fiscal conservatives without showing up in costume at white supremacy and revolution rallies.

Tea Partiers claim to want those things, but that doesn't magically make all Republicans tea-partiers.

I814U2CY (268 posts)

8. Long on wind, short on facts

Bill Ayers, avowed communists and terrorists who wishes he could have done more.

Al Sharpton incited anti-Semitic riots that led to murder

Floyd Corkins, wanted to commit mass-murder at FRC and smear Chik-Fil-A sandwiches on the face of his victims over their

Joe Stack flew his private plane into IRS building; quoted Lenin, lamented America's lack of socialized healthcare system

Cleveland 6 from Occupy movement convicted on terrorism charges for conspiring to blow-up bridges

James Lee took hostages at the headquarters of Discovery networks, distraught more was not being done to trumpet the so-called perils of climate change.

Paul Watson, ship captain that intervenes against whaling vessels and their targets; thinks billions of humans should die to restore balance to the Earth

Clay Duke fired 12 shots at Panama city school board, thankfully missed before being shot. Groused about the 5% stealing from the 95%

Earth First, commits regular acts of violence and endangers life

ELF members continually commit acts of violence in the name of their cause

SEIU thugs pummel black conservative while screaming racist epithets

Norman Leboon fires shots at Eric Cantor's office

Leftist continually assault, shout-down and bar speakers that do not tow the party line

Leftist professor Amy Bishop murdered co-workers

Leftist lawyer Lynne Stewart convicted of aiding the "Blind Sheik" Rahman

Leftist student group support Hamas in its goal of destroying Israel

All good doubters of "Bush's 9/11 story" no doubt have Jared Loughner to look-up to

Elliot Rodger, murderous misogynist, favorite Cenk Ungyar's "Young Turks" on his YouTube account


The list goes on.

Zutak (655 posts)

14. Projection as a defense mechanism is seldom pretty to see

http://discussionist.com/101566152

[Dori]

The Tea Party wants lower taxes and a smaller government.

That really scares the DUmmies.

[JohnnyReb]

Well, call me a terrorist. In about 10 minutes I'll be voting for Lt Col Connor and Tim Scott in SC primary to be my republican choices in the November election.

In a straw poll Graham got 60% of t6he vote and the other 5 or 6 got the rest. Of those others, Connor got the most 18%. I am hoping that enough people vote for the others that Graham doesn't get a majority and will be defeat in 2 weeks in a run off.

FIRE GRAHAM

[Karin]

Nice work, I814U. 

Millions of Republicans manage to claim to be fiscal conservatives without showing up in costume at white supremacy and revolution rallies.

Prove any past tea party rally came clothed in white robes, you pseudo-intellectual douchebag. 

Also, show me any recent tea party rally.  That's like so two years ago, dude. 

[fatboy]

That is some serious mole work. I have to admit, I'm impressed!

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

That is some serious mole work. I have to admit, I'm impressed!

It's Discussionist.

No moling necessary.

[diesel driver]

Zutak (655 posts)

14. Projection as a defense mechanism is seldom pretty to see

And "denial" isn't just another river in Egypt, DUmbass.

[JohnnyReb]

YES...we are the crazy ones...we've worked all our lives being forced to keep up the deadbeat DUmmies...you gotta be crazy to do that.

[YupItsMe]

I814U absolutely destroyed this idiot.   And of course the idiot comes back with the line about projection.  Zutak. it's not projection when someone cites 15-20 examples and you've got squat.  You were owned!