What Are We So Afraid Of?

During the sermon today, which dealt with Palm Sunday of course. I was reminded, by the trials that Jesus went through for us; fulfilling the prophecy by allowing himself to be crucified due to the fear of the "chosen people" (and his disciples as well); of the enormous destructive power of FEAR.

Jesus was crucified because people were afraid of what he preached (and it hurt their greedy profits as well). His "People" actually chose a murderer and terrorist over him, because of fear!

Yesterday, I published a Blog concerning California's Gun Capital: Redding, California.

I am pondering the effects of fear on the decisions of many of my fellow citizens to purchase guns and ammunition at a fever clip. What is sparking this? If you buy a gun, to "defend yourself" what are you afraid of? Redding is not a target shooting mecca, those weapons are bought because of FEAR. FEAR of what?

1. The FEAR that the President will confiscate their guns? This is not credible in any way. It is interesting that the same people who are so afraid of confiscation, also are Tea Party Patriots, who carry copies of the Constitution around. There is simply no way confiscation is going to occur. The Senate cannot even pass an assault weapons ban for God's Sake!

There is no threat, none: except in the propaganda of Fox News and Right Wing Media.

2. The FEAR that parolees, recently released into California communities, will attack us? This is not credible as well, since only non-violent criminals have been released. And, with California's (hated) gun control laws, criminals have a tough time getting guns.

In fact, law abiding citizens in Redding, are way better armed than potential bad guys: except in the propaganda of Fox News and Right Wing Media.

3. The FEAR of minorities, Mexican mafia, Black Panthers; etc? I know this is racist, but racist fear is an enormous factor driving urban fear.

In fact, Redding and Shasta County have nominal minorities at best who are overwhelmingly law abiding. There is no gang activity of any note. In fact, inter-racial violence is practically non-existent: except in the propaganda of Fox News and Right Wing Media.

4. The FEAR of terrorism or Middle Eastern states attacking? The odds of this are many times higher in urban areas, not rural ones. Recently, on Fox News, Lou Dobbs actually warned of an impeding invasion by Iran, which necessitated more gun ownership. Iran does not have a navy! How in the hell are they going to get here?

In fact, there is virtually no chance of a terrorist attack in Redding or Shasta County, none: except in the propaganda of Fox News and Right Wing Media.

5. The FEAR of federal agencies attacking independent patriotic groups, like Waco Texas. This might be valid, except for one fact, there is little evidence that any fringe groups exist in Shasta County and federal Tobacco and Firearm Agents have been emasculated for the past ten years, and do not have the manpower to deal with rural areas like Shasta County: except in the propaganda of Fox News and the Right Wing Media.

The common thread through this, is the last sentence of every section: "propaganda of Fox News and the Right Wing Media".

Conservatives in Shasta County spend hours watching and listening to right wing media. I would bet that Fox News is watched at a much higher percentage in Shasta County households, especially by retired propaganda consumers. "Rush if Right" stickers are prominent on car bumpers.

FEAR works, Joseph Goebbels knew this, Hitler knew it. Jews made up 2% of the German population, but the Nazis used fear and stereotyping to drive the Germans into a genocide that is unmatched in world history. There simply was NO threat to Germany from its Jewish population, none! But, propaganda is a powerful thing, when laced with fear. Fear works!

The main message of the right wing press is FEAR couched in "Fair and Balanced" reporting. And that is right down Shasta County conservatives' fear filled alley!

Be afraid, be very afraid, as you load one more of your arsenal of weapons; ranging from machine pistols to AR-15s. Be afraid, be very afraid of the "feds" and "join the revolution", to protect yourself. People are actually afraid of their own government, when we have a democracy, not a dictatorship. There is absolutely no reason to fear: NONE.

The only thing to fear, is fear itself. FDR said that many years ago, and America responded with ending a depression and winning a war.

And the war was won against states who were using FEAR to motivate. Okinawans actually threw themselves off cliffs, rather than surrender to American troops, because they were afraid the G.I.s would EAT them! That's right, propaganda had instilled so much fear in them, that they committed suicide rather than surrender.

What are you fools so afraid of?

Or, shorter, GROW UP, MAN UP FOR ONCE, AND STOP THIS CHICKEN SHITNESS!