A Thought Experiment for MAGA
[Wrote this for my local newspaper prior to the Pretti murder, now even more apropos]
Having observed the coordinated narrative MAGA is pushing regarding the Renee Good shooting, I’ve concluded that this debate really comes down to the concept of principle, defined in Wikipedia as: “…a fundamental truth or belief that serves as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behaviors, guiding actions and decision-making. It can also refer to a rule or code of conduct that helps determine what is right and wrong.”
Based on that definition it appears obvious that those on the right have completely abandoned principle (on this and dozens of other subjects) for political expediency.
To make my point, consider this thought experiment.
Clear your mind and imagine…
President Harris has established a masked, heavily armed, $35 billion secret police force, that is terrorizing red state neighborhoods under the guise of searching for illegals. They are busting down doors, dropping out of helicopters, ramming people’s cars, grabbing citizens and non-citizens alike off the streets, and tear gassing and beating peaceful protestors… all with zero accountability and complete immunity. They’re even sending the military into red state cities to intimidate potential protesters, which the Harris administration is defining as “domestic terrorists”. Anyone wearing a MAGA hat is automatically deemed suspect.
Today, one of those masked agents, upset that he was being disrespected, shot a MAGA female protestor, a mother of three, in the head three times at point blank range. He did this as she attempted to slowly drive away, as one of the other masked agents had told her to do. He then called her a “fucking bitch” as he holstered his gun.
In a statement to reporters President Harris defended the killing stating that the protester had been “highly disrespectful of law enforcement” and was likely a “professional agitator”. Other members of her administration implied that disrespectful behavior of this nature will not be tolerated and will be met with the same forceful response when encountered.
And then, someone comes along and posts something like this on social media:
“None of this would have happened if she had simply followed orders (from the 2nd masked agent, not the first) to “get out of the fucking car”. That’s all she had to do. Maga folks need to understand… if you’re out there protesting, or filming, or being disrespectful to these agents, you run the risk of getting shot. It’s that simple. Just submit to the federal authorities, do what you’re told, and everything will be ok. Can we at least agree upon that? What do you think?
I’ll tell you - with almost 100% certainty - what you would think. You would absolutely lose your fucking mind, is what you would think. You would be apoplectic with rage. You would be grabbing your “Don’t Tread on Me” flag, four or five ‘items’ from your basement armory, and be hitting the streets to put an end to this authoritarian fascist overreach once and for all.
And you would be right to do so. It would be a patriotic thing to do.
If you reverse the politics, as I did in this thought experiment, and your opinion on the matter also took a 180-degree turn, you are not being guided by principle.
You're being guided by something altogether different.
Because those without principles are the easiest targets for the multibillion-dollar right wing propaganda industry.
As has become undeniably evident.