How much attention should the media and political establishment keep paying the far right fringe in this country? Despite cries of liberal media bias, every little “rally” of 20 or so people at the Capital seems to get front page attention and every pronouncement by self-appointed spokesmen for right wing makes its way into the news.
It’s a tough call. On one hand, these groups are clearly more attention than they deserve. The much ballyhooed Liberty Convention in Missoula this weekend, which claimed to be preparing for 5000 attendees came up a little short:
The two-day gathering in Missoula was predicted to bring 5,000 attendees of Tea Party-affiliated conservative groups, according to Ravalli County organizer Mona Docteur. The Friday night and Saturday morning sessions each had about 5 percent of that goal.
I know the rhetoric is exciting. It’s exciting to hear speakers talk about “Karl Marx Republicans” and and compare the current political climate to Romanian soldiers killing Ceauşescu and the Vigilantes killing Henry Plummer.
But as amusing as they may be, it might be time to stop giving them so much attention. There were no doubt more people at the Missoula Target Saturday than attended the Liberty Conference; it’s time to adjust the coverage accordingly.
Why do I think we’re paying too much attention? Gary Marbut is a perfect illustration:
But small, active numbers can make a difference, gun rights advocate Gary Marbut told the audience. To poke fun at the University of Montana’s ban on weapons in the Adams Center, Marbut came with a bright yellow squirt gun holstered on his belt.
Talk about turning yourself into a metaphor. Marbut’s entire career has been built around convincing the Montana Legislature and media that he actually represents a large percentage of Montanans despite all the evidence to the contrary.
What the Liberty Conference and people like Gary Marbut demonstrate is the manner in which the right wing has moved the debate in this country. A tiny, shrieking minority on the far right has managed to realign the political spectrum, defining mainstream Republicans as gun zealots opposed to sensible federal legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act.
It’s time to put the fringe right wing back where they belong, on awkward web sites and anonymous comments on newspaper sites.
Article by Don Pogreba
Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.
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Pog ie,
It gives me great encouragement both that you have only enough conviction and fortitude to post anonymously, and that you appear to be capable of nothing more intellectually serious than name-calling – no serious discussion of issues. In both of these attributes, you seem to be pretty typical of your genre.
I'm heartened.
Gary Marbut
Oh no! The entire membership of the Montana Shooting Sports Association just attacked me.
I think you mistake my post for name calling, when it was actually just mockery.
P.S. I bet you can find my name on the site.
Enjoyable page, I surprisingly benefited from glossing over it, keep up the hard work.
I am not really excellent with English but I get hold this very leisurely to understand.
I found your post to be straight forward and on the money. When I’ve got some time later I’ll write a more in depth comment with my own thoughts on the subject, but for now..good job!
Great feature, I genuinely had a good time reading it, keep up all the hard efforts.
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