MEANWHILE:
The family of Floyd Ray Roseberry, the far-right ‘patriot’ who took downtown Washington hostage with threats of a bomb in his pickup truck, is reportedly saying he has a history of mental problems. Maybe so. Problem being, the same MIGHT very well be said of a number of right winged extremists and those of similar ilk, in and out of office, possibly starting with Donald Trump himself, if Mary Trump's revelations are to be believed.
There have already been several studies and op-eds on the subject, from an analysis of the capitol rioters, to a new study published in the Journal of Social Psychology, in which researchers found that narcissism via anti immigrant sentiment and ideological beliefs, based upon right wing authoritarianism and a desire for social dominance, was related to support for Trump. (surprise surprise)
So, judging from what WE'VE been seeing and hearing, I think it would be correct to conclude that what we are dealing with in the present day GOP is a cult-like following that has CLEARLY fallen under sway of some rather odious and dangerous SENTIMENT - that's spreading like an infectious "sickness" of the mind among all those susceptible - a temperament feeding and building upon itself.
Not omitting the fact that their elected representatives and relied upon news sources also continuously stoke the flames of their mass psychosis.
Like when an elected representative such as M. T. Greene goes off on a profane rant against the President, forgetting, apparently, that she's a member of Congress, and not just an ordinary citizen exercising her freedom of speech.
Or when another member of Congress, GOP Rep. Mo Brooks, openly expressed sympathy with yet ANOTHER act of terrorism by saying how "He Totally Gets 'Anger' Over 'Socialism.'
Anger expressed via written grievance, petition, boycott, votes, peaceful protests, lawful assembly? Yeah. Showing up in D.C. claiming to have a truck load of explosives, and threatening to blow stuff up? I think not.
The FACT is, there is PLENTY of late, coming from within the ranks of the right that smack of mentalities and rhetoric of an extreme and dangerously psychopathic nature. Like for instance the Proud Boys' increasing involvement in local affairs and now, reportedly, the anti-vaxxer movement, for the purpose of deliberately instigating, agitating and stirring up violent confrontations.
Or the Michigan man who started a petition for the recall of "militia-linked" Barry County Sheriff Dar Leaf, but who later withdrew the petition because he was inundated with death threats against himself and his family.
Perhaps not TOO coincidentally, Sherriff Leaf, if you recall, was the Michigan sheriff who shared a stage with the arrested militant terrorists who plotted to kidnap Michigan governor Whitmer, blow up a bridge, etc. etc. - yet Leaf defended THEIR right to "arrest" her.
If THAT'S not sick I don't know what is.
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