The above article by David Brooks is quite good. (Thanks to friend Byron Howes for bringing it to my attention.)
The line that strikes me as most insightful is Brooks' citation of Cass Sunstein at Harvard Law School.
Mr Sunstein points out that 'If I imagine my foes are completely malevolent, then I can use any tactic I want.'
Here is how I have expressed this same behavioral impulse: "Opposition to 'Baby Killers' justifies contempt, hatred and any physical attack conservatives wish to make on their liberal foes."
As soon as the allegation of 'Baby Killer' appears on radar, liberals are not only demonized but in need of extermination, a vaguely punitive outcome until God Himself -- "in all his Glory" --hurls such vermin into "The Lake of Unquenchable Fire."
Abusing, injuring, and even killing these degenerates is small change in comparison to the divinely-ordained punishments God Almighty will mete out as their "just deserts."
"Christian" "conservatives" are always angry (and often, rabidly mad) because they see themselves as divinely sanctioned avenging agents of God's Will.
Since God will torture these damned souls (eternally and without a moment's surcease), inflicting such pain as mere mortals cannot conceive, God's "justice" becomes carte blanche for "The Saved!" to do whatever the Hell they want.
Not only are abuse, injury and death considered acceptable punishments, for many "Christian" "conservatives," abuse, injury and death are deemed moral obligations that must be fulfilled by those who side with the unimpeachable righteousness of God's infallible judgment.
It is true that - thus far - there has been little murder and mayhem, unless we take into account America's treatment of slaves and our forebears' extermination of Native Americans.
"Thanksgiving": One Person's Justification For Thieving Genocide Is Another Person's Rage At Being Ripped Off And Mass Murdered
In any event, the theological groundwork is complete. Ample tinder has been stacked around the stake where Satan-worshipping baby killers (and cannibalistic child abusers) will be burned the instant QAnon -- America's new secular religion -- gives the nod.
The situation is as volatile as Temper Tantrum Trump not getting his way.
On the other hand...
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