Subversion

I have long suspected that many of the anti-Zionist, anti-Israel, and antisemitic organizations operating in the US were being funded by radical governments, terrorist organizations, and/or other bad actors.  After years of these linkages occasionally referenced in the press, and since the explosion of very organized protests since October 8, I am now completely convinced that I was right to be suspicious.

The problem is getting more attention as simple facts emerge, like the revelation that a large percentage of the Columbia University protesters were not actually students attending Columbia.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali just penned an essay titled “We Have Been Subverted” in the Free Press.  For those not acquainted with Ms. Ali, she is a Dutch American émigré from Somalia, a critic of radical Islam, and a conservative, as well as  a former model and politician.  She quotes a former KGB agent who practiced such subversion as he describes it:

“ Subversion refers to a process by which the values and principles of an established system are contradicted or reversed in an attempt to sabotage the existing social order and its structures of power, authority, tradition, hierarchy, and social norms.  It involves a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system, often carried out by persons working secretly from within.  Subversion is used as a tool to achieve political goals because it generally carries less risk, cost, and difficulty as opposed to open belligerency.  The act of subversion can lead to the destruction or damage of an established system or government.  In the context of ideological subversion, subversion aims to gradually change the perception and values of a society, ultimately leading to the undermining of its existing systems and beliefs.”

Ali goes on to proffer her opinion that there are 3 major forces working somewhat independently to subvert the United States.  Those being American Marxists, Radical Islam, and the Chinese Communist Party.  She cites the recent explosion of anti-Israel activity on college campuses as an illustration, as well as encouraging
children to chant anti-Israel rhetoric, and the recent excesses attributed to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) efforts, among others.

Because her orientation is conservative (center-right)  she leaves out the fourth major force:  those here and abroad who promote Christian Identity and white supremacist totalitarianism.

So do not dismiss what Ali has to say because she is conservative.  Sure, Some of what she writes will make your blood boil if you are seriously  left of center, but I ask you to read this long essay regardless.  Why?  Because while Ali uses some conservative right-wing language and examples, her conclusions ring true.  Surprise, Conservatives can be insightful just like Liberals.

There are some truths that are very uncomfortable to hear and digest.  For example, if what Ali states is true, 19 Black men were killed by U.S. police in 2019.  From that came Black Lives Matter marches, protests, and subsequent descent, in some cases, to riots, property destruction, and white people getting away with murder.   How did that happen?  Ali is asserting that it was not a groundswell, bottoms-up reaction but, rather, an exploitation that whipped up frenzy based on a belief in facts not in existence. The original purpose of the protests were exploited and perverted.  And that takes resources, money, time, and energy, in addition to planning.  It takes purpose.  It takes intent.

It turns the incredibly tragic deaths of 19 Black men (19 too many) into a nationwide protest (quite understandable and I think appropriate) that in many cases devolved into violence.  It turned vaccine hesitancy into a damaging and dangerous political argument pitting us against the “other” and getting people to believe that somehow our government was both ineffective and putting us in danger.  It is turning the miniscule number of trans athletes in high school and college into a constant television, print, and social media headline phenomenon that causes people to believe the incidence rate is orders of magnitude greater than reality and scares the shit out of parents.  It makes our justice system look totally politicized and untrustworthy which is, unfortunately, proof that we can do this to ourselves.  It fans the flames of the culture wars to absurd levels of rhetoric and hatred.

The result is a deterioration, in America and elsewhere,  in our belief that our systems work and that our values are right.  It makes us think that our society and systems are going to the dogs.  It helps bolster the canard that our democracy doesn’t work and that we would be better off with some type of totalitarian system that would stop all this “bad” stuff from happening.  It erodes our faith in ourselves.  By using deceit, lies, misinformation, support of racial, ethnic, and religious divisiveness, and unconscionable social media promotion in promoting all of the above as well as damaging conspiracy theories with no basis in fact, it has produced a significant percentage of our population to believe what, on the face of it, should be considered absurd and idiotic.

In short, it is subversion.  It is not an accident.  It is being bought and paid for by those who want us, as a country, to fail.  It is affecting and infecting our youth to commit to causes and outcomes that are unfathomable.  It is effective in its purpose of making us doubt ourselves, our society, our neighbors, and the rule of law.

The purveyors and supporters of these distortions are looking for and promote radical alternatives to our democratic republic.   The middle of both parties is being intimidated, bullied, and marginalized.  Our media, and our social media in particular, is fanning the flames because the more papers they can sell, or ads they can place, or clicks that they generate is better, and worth more to them, than less.

Aayan Hirsi Ali is right.  We are in dangerous times and it is time to fight back.  Abraham Lincoln said it best, “A house divided cannot stand.” 

Last week, I attended a public airing of the podcast “Sisters-in-Law” this link is to their website).  These women, all attorneys and frequent political commentators, are accomplished, whip smart, and incredibly entertaining (this link to the episode I attended).  During the Q & A, there were many questions related to topics in this rant, questions that basically came down to “what can we do about this [problem]? 

The Sisters’ answers, together and individually, were always the same:  “Vote.  Get your friends and family to vote.  Vote people into office who will attack, challenge, and counter the dangers we face.” 

I couldn’t agree more.