Date: 3/9/2021
This is a response to: “Exploring the radicalization of the American right .” First and foremost, thanks to the Reminder for providing a print channel to express views!
We believe the article possesses informational biases. The title suggests it is only right wing views that have become radicalized and there is little in the middle of the political spectrum. The author interviews only a left political source from the U. of M. The language used by Professor Gross is extreme. To illustrate: , (the right sic) has “support(ed) sedition.” There is… …”the fragmentation … and the elimination of most sources of information that enjoy universal trust.” (Only the mainstream media?)
“President Trump … only rarely … condemned ultra nationalist and racist groups.”
“I worry … about … millions of people … sealing off from alternative perspectives and sources of information that is …frankly frightening.” Mr. Gross then continues stating, “Republican leaders need to … denounce extremism.” (Not ALL national leaders?).
“There needs…effort by…conservative leaders to de-escalate…” “Congress (should) speak with one voice in rejecting claims of fraud…and censure the former President for … the Jan. 6 attack.”
Congress could have censured President Trump during Impeachment II and opted not to do so. As well, according to a Gallup poll (August 2020), “86 percent of Americans believe media sources report political views rather than reporting the news.” (a new low). Never noted is the 5 years of hostility in the news media including:
• 2 impeachment acquittals (a record in a presidency);
• 10 liberal protests in 2017 led by Democrats during the count of the Electoral College votes;
• overt threats by Maxine Watters to members of the Trump administration;
• Sen. Schumer’s threats to Supreme Court members during the Kavanuagh hearings;
• Actual violence in liberal American cities throughout the summer of 2020 causing $2 billion in property and human damages;
• Liberal leaders have not decried political violence generally or by BLM or Antifa;
• And, is there no curiosity about irregularity in votes in key states?
Finally, if Congress spoke with one voice as suggested, we would have a dictatorship, not a republic. We are saddened that a “political scientist” from a university would have this perspective. As conservative citizens, we believe in constitutional freedoms. We are disappointed that conservatives and independent voters are regularly cast as “extremists”. We are dismayed at “cancel culture" when liberals call for the elimination of cable news companies. Censorship of Parler and Judicial Watch is disturbing! Sore winners?
Vibrant discussion and divergent viewpoints are healthy signs in a Republic . We need more coverage that highlights public policy issues. We urge Ms. Heinonen continue this dialogue by having a second article on “the radicalization of the left” as a balance. Otherwise, we continue to have one-sided perspectives in print – and a continued assault on views other than progressive or liberal ones.
Bernard Graney
Maryellen D’Alessio
Alexandria Moynihan
