I Want You to Think About the Reasons for, and the Reality of Domestic Terrorism

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

 

From FBI Director Christopher Wray: “Domestic terrorism is the greatest threat to the American people.”

Everyone remembers the name Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995 where 168 innocents were murdered, 19 of them small children. The media reported stories about Ted Kaczynski, dubbed “The Unabomber,” for 17 years, beginning in 1978.

However, domestic terrorism is much more common in our country than reported by the media. Large events receive the headlines, but mass shootings continue to happen more frequently than the number of days on the calendar. After the cowardly attacks on 9/11, Republican politicians misdirected the facts related to domestic terrorism and focused their attacks on all Muslims, insinuating that they were all enemies of the United States. The truth is that the greatest danger lies within our own people, and it is related to uncontrolled gun violence and the greed of those involved in their manufacture and sales. They chose to be represented by the NRA, the most corrupt and dishonest lobby in Washington.

In the United States anyone can buy a gun or the materials needed to construct an explosive device. It is an undeniable fact that America is the most violent, most unsafe nation in the world of developed nations. I am often amazed that our tourism industry continues to exist.

There are several facts of enormous importance about what is happening in our nation today. First, a fact which is undeniable, but ignored by all politicians. There is nothing in the first amendment which prohibits restrictions on the type of weapons and ammunition which can be purchased by ordinary citizens. Assault rifles and handguns have a single purpose, to kill human beings, and no other. Because these weapons are available to virtually anyone, there are more mass shooting in America than days on the calendar. This situation has existed over the last six years, and the numbers have increased with each succeeding year. The saddest fact is that school shootings are also escalating.

The fact that our government is doing absolutely nothing to make it safe to leave our homes is unforgivable and cowardly. Those who rule over us in Washington refuse to practice the golden rule, to always do the right thing.

Politics is the ugliest profession in America, and the men and women in Washington who call themselves “professional politicians” are a disgrace to the human race. They hide behind lies and personal ambition while claiming to serve 330 million people. The truth is that their personal ambitions take priority over the facts and doing the right thing. Elections mean more to them than serving their country’s people.

Let’s look at why domestic terrorism is increasing and who is responsible.

At the core of why domestic terrorism has become our nation’s biggest problem are three entities: the Republican Party, Fox News, and Donald Trump, who in fact is a fascist, not a true Republican or Democrat. These three entities share a common goal as old as our nation: divide and conquer.

The only way right-wing extremism can take full control of this country is if they weaken our greatest asset, dividing our people with blatant lies and half-truths. By creating anger, hatred, and encouraging violent action, they have removed the word “United” from the United States of America.

Most of you know that I am 77 years old. I was born at the end of our nation’s last “justifiable” war. I remember post war movies and tales of courage based on patriotism. Our nation has not been as united since the early 1950s and reached a level of division not seen since the Civil War in the 21^st century. The reason for dividing our nation is founded in one “four letter word,” politics.

Political parties are destroying what little remains of the country of our Founding Fathers. This country of 330 million people is controlled by a total of 545 men and women who spend their days on a hill believing they are better than all of us and refuse to vote for our needs and wishes.

Domestic terrorism will continue to grow unless great changes are imposed on how our government operates, and who we allow to live lives of wealth and power. Our country can be saved, but there is very little time for us to act. Our enemies appear before the television cameras every day. They are television “news” broadcasters, Fox News, and extremists on the right side of the aisle. Every time they open their mouths, they lie to us and preach distrust, anger, and hatred, all lies intended to keep our people divided.

I’m not certain that our nation’s people are intelligent enough, or care enough, to take action and follow leaders who actually care about our nation’s future.

On the morning of November 9^th, 2016, I woke up believing that our nation was not worth saving. Uninformed and prejudiced men and women had chosen the worst man in the world to live in the White House. I was relieved to know that at my age I would probably never witness the total destruction of my once beloved country. I hope I was wrong, but I don’t think so.

Op-ed by James Turnage

Find my nine novels here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-Turnage/author/B00LOCJ2Z2?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true