Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy
No. of Recommendations: 14
The Trump administration is trying to seed a panic about "antifa," one which, if it succeeds, brings the media and the result of us along as collaborators in authoritarian regime change. So let’s be thoughtful.
It is not good practice to just repeat the words of those who are trying to manufacture a panic. Nor is it it good practice to juxtapose malicious fantasy with known reality and imagine or pretend that somehow the truth is in between. That just helps those who are seeding panic by providing an admixture that they cannot create themselves.
The way forward is to recognize that it is a fact that people in power sometimes try to sow and that they do so by patterns of lies. That is the fact that can be known and reported on.
The current "antifa" scare is an attempt at generating a panic, by people who do panic for a living and who have, unfortunately, succeeded before, at great cost to the rest of us. The price of an "antifa" panic is likely more than we can bear.
We need the truth about panics: that they are a form of deliberate politics based upon scripted lies. And we need this truth now.
——Professor Timothy Snyder
No. of Recommendations: 3
It is not good practice to just repeat the words of those who are trying to manufacture a panic. Nor is it it good practice to juxtapose malicious fantasy with known reality and imagine or pretend that somehow the truth is in between. That just helps those who are seeding panic by providing an admixture that they cannot create themselves.
The way forward is to recognize that it is a fact that people in power sometimes try to sow and that they do so by patterns of lies. That is the fact that can be known and reported on.
The current "Hitler" scare is an attempt at generating a panic, by people who do panic for a living and who have, unfortunately, succeeded before, at great cost to the rest of us. The price of a "Nazi" panic is likely more than we can bear.
We need the truth about panics: that they are a form of deliberate politics based upon scripted lies. And we need this truth now.
——BHM with apologies to Professor Timothy Snyder
No. of Recommendations: 8
Antifa is the bogey man. The problem is that anyone can be labeled antifa, and if T gets his way, they'll be foreign terrorists, end up in a CECOT situation, and we MAY find out later. I'm not confident we have enough transparency to stop that abuse early enough.
No. of Recommendations: 4
The biggest lie being told is that Antifa doesn’t exist.
No. of Recommendations: 3
And here's Turley on it:
https://jonathanturley.org/2025/10/13/antifa-denia...Once embraced and even marketed on the left, Antifa has become the group that must not be named as political violence rises across the country. It does not matter that radicals identify as Antifa, coordinate protests, carry Antifa flags, wear signature clothing, and espouse the same ideas from the “Antifa handbook.” There have even been people elected as Antifa representatives. Yet, the current spin is to pretend that they do not exist as a single organization to deflect the debate over violence on the left. Even with the past and current FBI directors saying that they exist as a group, politicians are mocking those who object to Antifa, even journalists and others targeted by its members.
This week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) claimed that “nobody” knows what the left-wing terrorist organization Antifa is and that it does not exist. However, he previously promoted the “Antifa Handbook” in 2018 and praised the group as terrifying Trump. Now, however, he has joined the chorus of Antifa denials as political violence rises around the country.Turley's column:
Antifa was first created in the 1920s, associated with the Weimar-era German communist group Antifaschistische Aktion.To this day they refer to each other as "comrades". Most ideologically-driven prototerror groups have ties to Marxism, including several Islamic ones. It's the Soviet Union's lasting legacy. Them and the willful Idiots who deny they exist.
While whipping up the mob with claims that democracy is dying and comparing their opponents to Nazis, they deny the existence of the very group that politicians like Ellison praise for targeting conservatives.
Hoover declined to admit the mafia existed until, on November 14, 1957, dozens of mobsters were found meeting in a farmhouse in Apalachin, New York.
What is different is that Antifa has repeatedly had such farmhouse moments, with prosecutions revealing a national movement with self-identified members. So why the denial? These are the shock troops for some politicians who think that they can use the violent group for political advantage. They are mistaken. Antifa is unlikely to have much use for establishment liberals once it gains more power.
Until then, Antifa can count on the Goldmans of the world to give them cover in denying that they exist.
In the film “The Usual Suspects,” the character Verbal Kint offered this explanation for the invisible villain Keyser Söze: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”
No. of Recommendations: 13
The biggest lie being told is that Antifa doesn’t exist.
No, the biggest lie being told is that it's under your bed.
No. of Recommendations: 2
The biggest lie being told is that Antifa doesn’t exist.
Where is their HQ? Membership list? Clothing? Location? ANYTHING?
You got nothing--and, as the little boy said--you are not wearing any clothes. So you shall be the laughingstock of the kingdom.
No. of Recommendations: 5
The biggest lie being told is that Antifa doesn’t exist.
That doesn't show up on my Lib radar - it must be a radicalized Dope view of "Antifa is an idea." In other words a straw-man-bare-faced-pile-of ... .
SNIP Rutgers professor known as ‘Dr. Antifa’ flees to Europe after petition to remove him
Rutgers professor Mark Bray, known as 'Dr. Antifa,' is moving to Europe and teaching online after receiving death threats following a petition calling for his removal.
The petition, launched by Turning Point USA, accused Bray of promoting 'militant anti-fascism,' while Rutgers said it is reviewing the situation. SNIP
So you are making death threats to the one person who has done a lot of research
Fascism defined - and found in Dr. Bray's book ANTIFA: The Anti-Fascist Handook:
a definition will have to suffice. Paxtor defines fascism as:
... a form of political behavior marked by obsessive pre- occupation with community decline, humiliation, or victimhood and by compensatory cults of unity, energy, and purity, in which a mass-based party of committed nationalist militants, working in uneasy but effective collaboration with traditional elites, abandons democratic liberties and pursues with redemptive violence and without ethical or legal restraints (pursues)goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.
Lemmesee - victimhood, white nationalism, collaboration with elites, abandons democratic liberties, without ethical or legal restraints (pursues)goals of internal cleansing and external expansion.
Fits MAGA almost to as T. You need a tad more militancy to achieve your goal, but Jan-6 and prior belligerencies were a good runup.
We need a cliff's notes version of Dr Bray's book to be rendered into memes and tweets for modern consumption.
No. of Recommendations: 16
The biggest lie being told is that Antifa doesn’t exist.
No one says it doesn't exist.
What we keep telling you is that it isn't an organization.
It's like capitalism. Capitalism exists. But capitalism isn't an organization. There isn't a way that you can become a member of "capitalism." There are capitalist groups, and plenty of organizations that have capitalism in their name.
No. of Recommendations: 4
No one says it doesn't exist.
Sure, ok. Joe Biden "It's just an idea!"
What we keep telling you is that it isn't an organization.
It's like capitalism. Capitalism exists. But capitalism isn't an organization. There isn't a way that you can become a member of "capitalism." There are capitalist groups, and plenty of organizations that have capitalism in their name.
And yet, this "idea" has
-A common getup
-Common tactics
-Common symbology
-Common ideology
-Common fieldcraft
-Websites
-Funding sources
-Lawyers
-Moves the same people across state lines
-etc.
Just because they don't have a Tax ID and a building that says "Worldwide Headquarters of Antifa" doesn't mean they don't exist. As I've said they're built on the IRA model.
No. of Recommendations: 19
The current "Hitler" scare is an attempt at generating a panic, by people who do panic for a living and who have, unfortunately, succeeded before, at great cost to the rest of us. The price of a "Nazi" panic is likely more than we can bear.
But it's not, really. For various reasons, I developed an interest in that era of history. My book reports and essays in high school and college were all related to that, as much as I could. The use of "Hitler" is really a short-cut, easily understood as "cruel dictator". Is the Felon an actual NAZI? He's not affiliated with that Party as near as I can tell. But he is an authoritarian, following many of the examples that the NAZIs followed in the 1930s. Similar rhetoric, similar actions. I saw it during his first run in 2016, and I'm really seeing it today. He's not as good a speaker as Hitler was (good thing!). But his messaging is very similar.
I can deal with policy differences. This isn't that. It's the subversion of our democracy, the suspension -in effect- of the Constitution, the persecution of opposition...that is worthy of a bit of panic. Mainstream Germans in the 30s were discontented (rightly so), and many (about 32%) voted for "change", and then later wondered what happened to their democracy as it faded away.
The lesson is that you can't compromise democracy or rule of law even a little bit for expediency, or you could just lose it entirely.
No. of Recommendations: 9
Sure, ok. Joe Biden "It's just an idea!"
Ideas exist. Capitalism is an idea. Anarchism is an idea. Environmentalism is an idea. It's not an actual organization.
And yet, this "idea" has
Yeah - just like capitalism. Lots of commonalities among capitalist systems. But there's no organization of "capitalism" that you can join.
No. of Recommendations: 4
Ideas exist. Capitalism is an idea. Anarchism is an idea. Environmentalism is an idea. It's not an actual organization.
Nice dodge. No one claimed they have a Legion of Doom-style HQ with their version of Lex Luthor sitting on a throne.
But there's no organization of "capitalism" that you can join.
How did Al Qaeda work? Did they maintain a list of Secret Terrorist Operatives Hidden Around the World?
I find this Antifa denial just...fascinating.
No. of Recommendations: 15
No one claimed they have a Legion of Doom-style HQ with their version of Lex Luthor sitting on a throne.
And no one claimed that you were claiming that.
It's not an organization. It's an idea and belief system, like "environmentalism." If you tried to claim that "environmentalism" was an actual organization, rather than an idea and belief system, the fact that most organizations don't have a LOD HQ doesn't make you correct.
How did Al Qaeda work? Did they maintain a list of Secret Terrorist Operatives Hidden Around the World?
No, but they were an organization that had a leadership structure. There was a head of Al Qaeda.
Just because there are some organizations that lack a headquarters and membership list doesn't mean that everything that lacks a headquarters and a membership list is an organization. The philosophical concept of Epicurianism also doesn't have a LOD-style HQ or a secret list of Epicurians around the world - and that doesn't make Epicurianism an organization, either.
I find this Antifa denial just...fascinating.
You're using a term wrong, and it's being pointed out to you. Why is that fascinating to you?
No. of Recommendations: 2
What?! Those ardent supporters of free speech???
after receiving death threats following a petition calling for his removal.
The petition, launched by Turning Point USA
No. of Recommendations: 5
promoting 'militant anti-fascism
Turning Point USA is coming right out and saying they are in favor of fascism.
No. of Recommendations: 4
I find this Antifa denial just...fascinating.
So you are denying not to your liking?
Does capitalism exist?
How about liberty?
Freedom?
Political parties?
ROFLMAO !!
You have been caged by your own nonsense. No way out because there is no exit--for YOU.
No. of Recommendations: 3
You're using a term wrong, and it's being pointed out to you. Why is that fascinating to you?
It could be a deliberate choice (i.e. the way Charlie Kirk would do the same thing).
No. of Recommendations: 11
In other words a straw-man-bare-faced-pile-of ... .
“Horseshit” is the word I believe you’re looking for.
“Antifa” is the label this administration will tag anyone with they choose to arrest, and any organization or NGO they wish to dismantle.
A carte blanchefor state sponsored terrorism.
No. of Recommendations: 3
More Horseshit says: “Horseshit” is the word I believe you’re looking for.
I guess, if ones wants to repeat your name.
“Antifa” is the label this administration will tag anyone with they choose to arrest, and any organization or NGO they wish to dismantle.
Lulz, More Horseshit. Some people say that smashing stuff and beating people is free speech but that's neither polite society nor the law.
No. of Recommendations: 18
Some people say that smashing stuff and beating people is free speech
Horseshit, unless you are talking about some of J6 defendents
No. of Recommendations: 4
More Horseshit:
unless you are talking about some of J6 defendents.
No, More Horseshit. I'm talking about your liberal street army that attacks cops.
Like these guys
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/meet-the-anti...Activist allies are raising funds for 10 suspected members of an antifa cell facing terrorism and attempted murder charges for allegedly attacking officers at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Alvarado, Texas, on Friday.
According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, as part of an Independence Day "ambush" on immigration authorities, the heavily armed anti-ICE cohort lured law enforcement officers outside before shooting at them from multiple vantage points. During the coordinated attack, a responding Alvarado officer was reportedly shot in the neck area by one of the gunmen positioned in nearby woods.Textbook domestic terrorists. Notice how they're getting funds raised for their trials.
Wonder where that's coming from? Now that we have a real FBI, we're damn sure going to find out.
Your street army is toast, More Horseshit. No more interstate trafficking in terrorism and "Mutual Aid" for "Direct Action" <--- all your little proto-Marxist terms.
No. of Recommendations: 14
Like these guys
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/meet-the-anti...
Out them on trial if the Washington Examiner article you quote is accurate and guilt can be proven.
I see that folks are raising money for there defense. You have a problem with the Constitution? Did you have a problem with all the MAGA networks that raised money for J6 defendents? I din’t, and I don’t in this case either, though I won’t be donating.
But here’s the most important point….
You offered this example, I suppose, to prove your attempted point that leftists defend breaking things and injuring people as permissible free speech, yet nothing in the article mentions “free speech” as a defense of their behavior. That’s just you spouting horseshit.
Put them on trial and if guilt is proven, put them in jail.
No. of Recommendations: 4
More Horseshit:
Out them on trial if the Washington Examiner article you quote is accurate and guilt can be proven.
Oh, so you think this didn't happen? Lol, okay, More Horseshit.
But here’s the most important point…. You offered this example, I suppose, to prove your attempted point that leftists defend breaking things and injuring people as permissible free speech, yet nothing in the article mentions “free speech” as a defense of their behavior.
Didn't say it did, More Horseshit. I suppose your middle name is "Strawman". No, that article was to refute the board stupidity that goes that Antifa doesn't exist. Or something. You people rarely say anything concrete or definitive in your posts. It's a chickenshit means of debating, practiced by people who don't want to be held accountable for what they really believe or say. Do better.
No. of Recommendations: 5
Ps: excuse the typos. I’m on vacation in Savannah GA, typing on a phone and I didn’t bring my reading glasses that are still sitting on the dining room table at home- where I put them so I wouldn’t forget to bring them.
Back home in 10 days- via Charleston, Nag’s Head, Fredericksburg (battlefield still open with the shutdown), and Blue Ridge Pkwy.
No. of Recommendations: 8
Oh, so you think this didn't happen? Lol, okay, More Horseshit.
It would be if I’d said that, but I didn’t, so you’re just spouting horseshit again.
No. of Recommendations: 4
It would be if I’d said that, but I didn’t,
You attacked the source's veracity, More Horseshit. Same thing.
No. of Recommendations: 3
I find this Antifa denial just...fascinating.
Ok, then who is the leader of Antifa? We know who the leaders of 3 Percenters and Oathkeepers are, but I don't know of any leader of Antifa. Not 3p and OK have loose organizational structures now, and both leaders were present at Jan 6.
Shouldn't you be sending the Antifa leader death threats by now?
Antifa has no central command, no definitive texts, and no clear command-and-control organizational structure. In 2020, FBI director Christopher Wray argued that Antifa is “more of an ideology than an organization,” though it would be more accurate to refer to Antifa supporters as adhering to multiple ideologies.
Most Antifa supporters operate in secrecy to protect themselves from law enforcement agencies and right-wing extremists, and Antifa cells exist across North America, Australia, Europe—including the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany—and other areas of the globe.
There's no denying it exists, but both 3P and Oathkeepers have more of an organization.
No. of Recommendations: 3
Activist allies are raising funds for 10 suspected members of an antifa cell facing terrorism and attempted murder charges
Yep, that group went round the bend. It's an odd group with a cult leader that has ties to the SRA. I wouldn't think there are many of those.
