talkpolitics | Violent Words. Violent Acts. It's Not Rocket Science.

Mike Vanderboegh, of Pinson, Ala., former head of the Alabama Constitutional Militia, put out a call on Friday for modern "Sons of Liberty" to break the windows of Democratic Party offices nationwide in opposition to health care reform. Since then, vandals have struck several offices, including the Sedgwick County Democratic Party headquarters in Wichita. 13 Wham.com

The call from the right for liberals to “do what we say and you won’t get hurt” has been turned up just a notch. In reaction to the passage of health reform, a right wing blogger named Mike Vanderboegh called on his readers to break the windows of Democrats. Shortly afterwards, several Democratic Party offices in different cities were targeted with bricks flung through their windows. Mr. Vanderboegh seems positively exhilarated by the response to his message:

"Wake up and understand what is happening in this country. You need to start listening to people who you think you didn't have to pay any attention to, because sooner or later they will get your attention.”

Indeed. In fact, someone out there is so hungry for attention that someone phoned in to the office of Louise Slaughter threatening violence against the children of lawmakers who support healthcare reform.

Imagine that. A blogger posts a call to vandalism on his blog – and vandalism takes place! It’s as if words typed into the ether actually have some sort of meaning and lead to action in the offline world!

Vanderboegh, of course, insists that he’s not promoting “actual violence.” “How ambiguous is it if I say break windows? Am I saying kill people, absolutely not,” he insists.

But you see, here’s the thing about blogging -- readers are able to see, not just the message of the blogger but, through the comments section, how that message is processed and interpreted.

And looking through the comments posted on Mr. Vanderboegh’s blog does not indicate much reluctance about upping the ante if smashing windows doesn’t work. Here are a few of the comments posted by his fans in reaction to what he calls “the window war.” I should point out that the number of comments on his blog are not high, and these were not at all difficult to find:

“Hmmm, no demopub office here, far as I know. I'll think of something...”

“One article talks about a lack of notes, the other, a lack of injuries...hmmm”

“Today it was bricks, tomorrow it will be ???? The fuse has been lit.”

“We need to track these highly respectable representatives (cough) down to their residences. Where we can then present them a Hallmark card (cough) kindly requesting they consider the Contitution when they vote.. Rocks and bricks are optional but torchs, pitch forks, tar and feathers are encouraged!!”

“As we know, our society has its roots in broken windows - not to mention tar-and-feathers (always horrible, often fatal) and bullets!”

“I wonder if the brain dead socialist in Washington would get the idea if it happened a lot more often.  Would a wrist rocket and some ball bearings help get the idea across?”

“I bought a pistol belt and load bearing harness at the Army/Navy surplus store today. Haven't worn one since 1981. Fits real nice.”

“Good thing 223 ammo is still cheep and available. just bought another 1000 rds for 'target' pratice. these clowns are the best gun and ammo salesman in the world.”

“4" PVC Pipe End Cap Portable Compressed Air Tank Hose Pipe Fittings Valve Expanding Foam for Sabot  Brick  Paint, Scope, Laser Rangefinder, and compensator optional.  Use of above parts left to the imagination of the reader.”

“They're all whining about bricks......  Just wait until it turns to bullets.”

But hey, this is all just a bunch of blog commenters right? It couldn’t possibly have an impact in the real world. It's all just posted to upset liberals.

Right?

Well, it has had an impact in the real world. Strange as it may seem to many people, those supposedly “meaningless” comments sections on a blog (and a small comments section at that) actually reflect the views of human beings who exist outside of the Internet and are capable of acting in the offline world.

Literal people, not virtual people, who are capable of reading Mr. Vanderboegh's blog, literally hefting a literal brick, and literally hurling it through a literal window.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No, I didn't say that. What I am saying - the ruling party changed so the opposite crazies crawled out from under the baseboards :)

Ah, so. Makes more sense now. Bah, reading comprehension after I take my meds... not so great.

Well in your defense I didn't spell it out straight forward like that

I'm having the same reaction to these posts. I keep thinking "well at least people will stop tarring the whole left with the actions of the black bloc".

Were there W-era brick throwers?

You clearly forgot elections of 2004. Just from the top of my head I remember pro-bush supporters being beat up in Boston and in one of the PA's republican headquarters windows were smashed with rocks.

That's why I asked - I don't really keep track of brick throwing incidents.

I'm just showing how both sides have an amnesia when they get in power...

I think you and I were talking that tea party now knows what it feels like when several bad people ruin fun for everyone else.

Could you imagine what would happen if Tea Party had

signs like that at the protests? That's why after 8 years of that conservatives go "are you serious?" each time MSM goes into hysterical mode for a week after someone is being spat on. Not that I support that kind of behavior

Your link isn't showing up. And yes, most people even if really angry, still act decently. And the few that don't end up on the news making everyone else look like an asshat.

just google images "kill bush"

Ah, yes. I have no tolerance for that regardless of who it's toward. The same for BUSHitler sign, etc. Attack bad policies, attack bad decisions, but don't threaten lives or compare people to fucking Hitler.

Like you said, extremists making either side look really bad.

you're going to have to provide cites. Because Fox News would have been breathlessly reporting EVERY SECOND of that.

It's called google
http://www.mattmargolis.com/archives/2004/03/27/the-margolis-incident/
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1232770/posts

it's called you backing up your assertions.

from http://www.mattmargolis.com/archives/2004/03/27/the-margolis-incident/:

So to clear things up – I was not “beat up,” we are all okay

I'm sure he was JUST LIKE Matthew Sheppard.

The ~~plate glass~~ Brick through the window was a crime, and should have been prosecuted.

Edited 2010-03-24 23:26 (UTC)

you know what "from the top of my mind" means?

Here are more stories from '04 to refresh yours (and my) mind http://old.nationalreview.com/kurtz/kurtz200410070852.asp

oooh, opinion pieces!

no that was atmosphere republicans felt in 2004. As I've stated before - each side remembers how nasty the other side is only while they are in power, once they become opposition they get a case of acute amnesia.

uh-huh.

Well paft, mcpreacher and you are perfect examples. Peaceful pot-smoking hippies who would never hurt a fly vs. evil hateful armed to the teeth militant conservatives. Keep on dreaming.

I'm not the one stockpiling ammunition. I'm not the one with the "liberal hunting permit". These are the jokes of YOUR people, not mine.

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dwer.livejournal.com - 2010-03-25 03:55 (UTC) - Expand

merig00.livejournal.com - 2010-03-25 11:52 (UTC) - Expand

dwer.livejournal.com - 2010-03-25 11:53 (UTC) - Expand

merig00.livejournal.com - 2010-03-25 13:56 (UTC) - Expand

peaceful non liberal non conservative pot smoking hippy armed to the teeth here. can confirm you are treading into Rule 2 and 9 territory.

*heads for bunker*

merig00.livejournal.com - 2014-07-12 20:25 (UTC) - Expand

rick-day.livejournal.com - 2014-07-21 12:16 (UTC) - Expand

merig00.livejournal.com - 2014-07-21 13:29 (UTC) - Expand

So liberals were emptying the stores of gun shelves as prominent pundits and at least one elected high level elected official threatened secession during the Bush administration, were they?

Cites please.

Liberals don't believe in 2nd amendment, they prefer firebombing. Again Vermont secession anyone?

I'll do you better, I've got a prominent politicians wanting Bush dead. Let me introduce you to Democrat Kentucky governor Steve Beshear

“When I mention that Democrats are problem solvers, I can think of only one Republican who can be a problem solver — that is Vice President Dick Cheney if he would just take George on a hunting trip,”

M; Liberals don't believe in 2nd amendment, they prefer firebombing.

Well, first of all, I know quite a few liberals who own guns (including members of my family.) And no, they were not running out to stock up after Bush was "elected."

M: Again Vermont secession anyone?

You're comparing a small, tongue-in-cheek movement, led by academics in a tiny state that to the governor of one of the largest states in the nation seriously invoking secession a loud, enthused crowd?

M: I'll do you better, I've got a prominent politicians wanting Bush dead. Let me introduce you to Democrat Kentucky governor Steve Beshear. “When I mention that Democrats are problem solvers, I can think of only one Republican who can be a problem solver — that is Vice President Dick Cheney if he would just take George on a hunting trip,”

And now you're comparing a bad joke to o the governor of one of the largest states in the nation seriously invoking secession a loud, enthused crowd?