Recently, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tackled the “hush-hush” topic of political violence, making the point that today’s angry political climate could cause people to cross the unthinkable line from heated debate to dangerous actions. Her words came on the heels of the Baptist minister in Arizona who called for the death of the President. Republicans were quick to dismiss Pelosi’s claims, with House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) going so far as to say Speaker Pelosi is “living in another world.” But Speaker Pelosi is not the only one who’s concerned.
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In a recent interview, several Secret Service, FBI and CIA Agents all agreed they are also concerned that today’s climate of supercharged and often “out-of-control” political vitriol could lead to violence. Although there is an acknowledged difference between a shouting match and a violent act, security experts believe that angry incidents in recent weeks serve as larger indicators of an increase in political rage in the country. And when you combine this type of rage with the first African-American President in U.S. history, an upswing in racial epithets and incidents, and guns showing up at events attended by President Obama, federal security agencies meant to protect the commander-in-chief have ample reason to be concerned.
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People are scared. Not only did the United States suffer a crippling economic collapse that threatens its long-held position as the world’s most dynamic economy, but dramatic demographic changes suggest that groups now considered racial minorities will create a “topsy-turvy” effect and become the MAJORITY of the U.S. population by the year 2042. Now, egged on by the likes of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and others, that worries the current majority. “Times of threat bring increased aggression,” said Jerrold Post, a CIA veteran and founder of the CENTER FOR THE ANALYSIS OF PERSONALITY AND POLITICAL BEHAVIOR in Langley, Va. “And the whole country’s under threat now, with the economic difficulties and political polarization. The need to have someone to blame is really strong in human psychology. And once you have someone to blame, especially when there’s a call to action, some see it as a time for heroic action.”
