You Say You Want A Revolution

Rick Perlstein on a recent watershed moment when legitimate authority was challenged and chose to back down:

Here is a truth so fundamental that it should be self-evident: When legitimately constituted state authority stands down in the face of armed threats, the very foundation of the republic is in danger. And yet that is exactly what happened at Cliven Bundy’s Nevada ranch this spring: An alleged criminal defeated the cops, because the forces of lawlessness came at them with guns — then Bureau of Land Management officials further surrendered by removing the government markings from their vehicles to prevent violence against them. 

What should be judged a watershed in American history instead became a story about one man’s racist rants. Even as two more Nevada lunatics, inspired by their stint at Cliven Bundy’s ranch, allegedly ambushed and mowed down two police officers and killed a bystander after crying, “This is the start of a revolution.” And now, an antigovernment conspiracy theorist named Douglas Cole recently shot at two police officers in Nevada County, California (though you may not have heard about that, because the New York Times hasn’t found the news yet fit to print).

Perlstein goes on to discuss how the lack of a strong push-back by the Democratic Party since 2000 has allowed a vacuum to form, which far-right gun nuts and Campfire Commandos have easily filled.  It's a story of political cowardice and missed opportunities.

Speaking of nuts, here's Stupid Party poster boy Gov. Piyush "Bobby" Jindal speaking Saturday at convicted bag man Ralph Reed's (My) Faith and (My) Freedom annual conference:

"I can sense right now a rebellion brewing amongst these United States," Jindal said, "where people are ready for a hostile takeover of Washington, D.C., to preserve the American Dream for our children and grandchildren."

"Rebellion?"  "Hostile takeover?"  Those are more than loaded words.  That's walks right up to the border of sedition.  He's talking about a coup against the legitimately elected government of the United States!  We haven't heard any responsible elected officials of either party denounce Jindal's incitement to violence.  From past experience, we don't expect we will.

Sic transit gloria, America.