[Jay P Greene blog had a guest post by Matthew Ladner — The Brown Shirt Left — http://jaypgreene.com/2014/09/29/the-brown-shirt-left/
The accompanying visual. a poster of a brown shirted commando, has disappeared. Below is my comment on this story.]
Polarization Seems To Be The New Tactic
There is something in the air, and I get it here in British Columbia, Canada, and from my readings about world events.
We’ve just finished a bitter Teacher Strike — mid June to 22 Sept — and we thought that was the end of agitation. But no, soon the word was out that this was just the beginning. Beginning of what, you might ask? Well, a lot of unfinished business — class size, underfunding, etc. etc.
Also, this year we are to hear an appeal from the government side about a court decision that found bargaining in bad faith and violation of the union’s constitutional rights. What is different about this latest court event (we have many in public education in BC) was that for the first time an intervener was given standing when the Appeal convenes next month. The Coalition of BC Businesses is expected to present regarding financial harms to the economy.
What has happened is that the left in BC doesn’t want any tilting to happen in favor of the government. A strong organized campaign and petitions are underway — ONE: to discredit the small businesses in CBCB and TWO: to identify businesses in the province which can be seen to support public education. These are “polarized” for two treatments — ONE are “approached” to disassociate from CBCB upon pain of boycott, etc., and TWO are encouraged to post this sign in their window.
Not calling them “brown shirts” yet, but kind of intimidating!
I found your event in Arizona on a video. Hecklers were shown. I could not find the Republic story and link didn’t workhttp://www.myfoxdc.com/clip/10634238/governer-hopefuls-ducey-and-duval-face-off-in-debate-over-how-to-fund-education
I was surprised to see Security at this event. I saw them escort two hecklers but there must have been more, as I was sure I heard a female voice. I wonder when the time will come when disruptive hecklers will be IDed and referenced in the files. I’m fearful for future democracies and wonder what the young people at this event must have thought.
Anyway, to sum up, I’m wondering if gradualism is being replaced with rapid polarization. This is the 130-year anniversary of the Fabian Society, devoted to bring about democratic socialism through gradualism and permeation — logo — Educate, Agitate, Organize. They’ve got outriders and camp-followers everywhere, it seems.