News From the Front

So Joe Stack III banked his Piper Cherokee into an IRS building in Austin Texas and took two lives along with his own. He had fought for many years against the government and its tax policies and finally, in a Quixote-like gesture, charged the symbolic source of his woe. Like Quixote, he was deluded and unbalanced. And like the fictional hero, he will have his admirers.

Having done a quick check of reactions on the interweb I would say that he is receiving a 60% favorable response to his crime, calling him a patriot and making recommendations for a statue to be erected in his honor. And here’s the thing: an angry, bitter man in his life, his words are being read by millions following his death. Is there a lesson in this for any other would-be martyrs?

I read his so-called manifesto. There is nothing particularly political about it: he hated all politicians, and the government generally, and the IRS specifically. He did not appear, at least in this writing, to adhere to any particular group. But watch the right latch on to him. He will become one of their secular heroes. And Glen Beck will shed a tear or two. That’s right: he’ll say that it was unfortunate that he did what he did, but that he can understand how he was driven to this act. Make no mistake Glen. This murderer is one of your children. You have helped create the atmosphere where something like this is not only possible, but seems like a reasonable response. Yes, Joe Stack will be owned by the right.

The media will have its usual say, telling us that there are extremists on both sides, that violence is not limited to right wingnuts, that both are responsible for the breakdown in civil discourse. But remember: It is the right which violently attacks and kills, at abortion clinics, at homes, at churches.

It is the right that happily shuts down the work of government, without regard to their stand on the issues, only to serve a political end.

It is the right which vilifies government aid to struggling states publicly, while accepting the checks quietly.

It is the right which forms a new political movement in the name of tax reform, while it turns a blind eye to the virulent racism with which it is imbued.

It is the right which has perfected “blame the victim”.

It is the right which has created paramilitary groups armed to the teeth, with the avowed aim of overthrowing the democracy.

It is the right which has been busy stockpiling weapons and ammo for years, but especially since the last election, creating a much more dangerous environment, all the while clinging to a bogus reading of the second amendment.

So don’t tell me that there are extremists on both sides. Don’t tell me that the violence and evil intent is comparable, because the facts will not support you.

Joe Stack killed and died because he believed that the government was engaged in a nefarious plot against him. To the right I say: you can have him. We don’t want him.