Tag: Alt-Right

The alt-Right: An era of misinformation incorporated

From climate denial to COVID-19 confusion to the destruction of liberal democracy, the question has to be asked — how did we get here? Who are the key players in Australia and who are their backers?

Source: The alt-Right: An era of misinformation incorporated

The alt-right has been under the media spotlight — but should we be concerned about the ‘alt-left’? – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Riot police restrain counter-protesters with bandanas across their faces in Boston.

Key points:

The term alt-left was popularised by Donald Trump after the 2017 rally in Charlottesville
Militant far-left groups have gained traction in the US since Mr Trump was elected
Experts say far-right movements are more likely to use violence to achieve their aims

Mr Stuart added that while the far left and the far right are both political extremes, their similarities don’t extend beyond that.

He said the beliefs of the far left tended to be tied to class and social mobility, which usually doesn’t require violence to achieve their goals.

“Whereas on the right, it’s about race, it’s about sexual orientation,” he said.

“For the right, it’s about essential characteristics that cannot be changed, and when you’re faced with the situation, the only obvious answer is violence or deportation.”

via The alt-right has been under the media spotlight — but should we be concerned about the ‘alt-left’? – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The Far-Right ABC: The elephant in the corner of the room

But the Far-Right is OK. It’s just part of our Liberal Party. It’s normal. Nothing to see here.

Q&A represents the echo chamber of the political mainstream, but not the balance of the Australian people. The Liberal Party is tearing itself apart precisely because its Far-Right hijackers can’t seem to get the people to follow, so they blame the latest leader.

Remember when Q&A admitted an Islamic State suicide bomber into its studio? At least, that’s what the News Corp tabloids portrayed on their front pages after Zaky Mallah asked a question from the audience. Mallah had admitted to making threats against the lives of ASIO officers and served his time, but had been cleared of a terrorism charge. He was working to prevent young Muslim men from being sucked into ISIS.

There was a robust exchange. The Liberal panelist basically dismissed the legal process and said Mallah should simply be deported at the Minister’s discretion. Malah responded that the Liberal’s attitude would provoke young Muslim Australians to join ISIS. He was shut down by Tony Jones and a Murdoch frenzy ensued. The ABC grovelled and disavowed actual robust debate.

But it was Liberal John Howard’s Government that joined the illegal invasion of Iraq against the clear wishes of the Australian people and in the face of clear warnings, amply vindicated, that it would make us a target of terrorists. Who’s putting us more in danger?

Beyond that, Far-Right extremists advocate radical social engineering, steadily dismantle our open society and democracy, and exploit racism, xenophobia and any other social division they can get their tyre iron into.

via The Far-Right ABC: The elephant in the corner of the room

Bob Katter, Fraser Anning roasted by John Oliver over ‘final solution’ speech

 

The horror show that is Australian politics remains the gift that keeps giving for comedian John Oliver – and this time he’s set his ire on embattled Queensland MP Bob Katter.

On Sunday’s episode of his US show Last Week Tonight, the late night host showed his viewers footage of Fraser Anning’s notorious maiden speech in parliament last week, in which the Katter Party senator called for a “final solution” to Muslim immigration.

“That is just not a phrase you want to throw around for pretty obvious reasons,” Oliver told his stunned audience.

“It’s the same reason that we don’t name babies Adolf anymore, or have tiny moustaches, or call yoga retreats ‘concentration camps’.”

via Bob Katter, Fraser Anning roasted by John Oliver over ‘final solution’ speech

No need to import alt-right nutters, we have plenty of our own

Peter FitzSimons

Importing what’s already home grown. Making hay and being Alt-Right it’s a Gold Rush.(ODT)

As for paying up to $750 to see Ms Southern, close-up, and speak? Please.

Save your money, my friends. Turn on Sky News After Dark any day of the week. You can watch hours of that kind of stuff, from the comfort of your own home. You can call Bronwyn Bishop “Butter,” ’cos she’s always on a roll, on those very subjects. And don’t forget Ross Cameron. And that other fellow, someone-or-other Hargraves. On Sunday night, and I am not making this up, they even provided a platform for Blair Cottrell – previously notable for his criminality, and for advocating that every Australian classroom should have a portrait of Hitler on the walls – to give his views on immigration. I am not making that up, I said! And tell us, Blair, given your boast about using “violence and terror”, to get what you want from women, your views on feminism?

Yes, Sky News costs a bit, but if you divide the cost of subscribing by the number of cans of Pissed-Off they serve up, it is, seriously, as cheap as chips.

via No need to import alt-right nutters, we have plenty of our own

The alt-right is in decline. Has antifascist activism worked? | World news | The Guardian

 

Antifascist protestors marching towards Michigan State University where alt-right leader, Richard Spencer, addressed an almost empty audience on 5 March.

The alt-right appears to be falling apart. The Traditionalist Workers party disintegrated this week after a lurid interpersonal drama among its leadership. Richard Spencer says his alt-right rallies aren’t “fun” any more, and is rethinking his college tour in the aftermath of his fizzer of an event in East Lansing, Michigan, two weeks ago.

via The alt-right is in decline. Has antifascist activism worked? | World news | The Guardian

Neo-Nazis are trying to spread hatred through comedy. This isn’t funny | Tauriq Moosa | Opinion | The Guardian

An anti-white supremacist rally in Charltottesville, Virginia. ‘If you believe that Nazi ideology should be opposed, you can’t just ignore the way this ideology is spread.’

it’s also important as it reveals how Nazis use satire, humour or “lolz” as partial immunity for their hate, allowing them tolerance from those who would (or should) otherwise repudiate it. As the guide states: “Packing our message inside of … humour can be viewed as a delivery method. Something like adding cherry flavour to children’s medicine.”

via Neo-Nazis are trying to spread hatred through comedy. This isn’t funny | Tauriq Moosa | Opinion | The Guardian

Alt-right hopes to organize street-fighting goon squad: Is it more than macho posturing? – Salon.com

Far-right fanboys are trying to organize street gangs — and the most effective way to fight back may be mockery VIDEO

Source: Alt-right hopes to organize street-fighting goon squad: Is it more than macho posturing? – Salon.com

Don’t Let Spicer And The Trump Administration Off The Hook For Winking At Anti-Semites

Media shouldn’t be so willing to let White House press secretary Sean Spicer off the hook for his comments comparing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Adolf Hitler given the implicit and explicit ways President Donald Trump and his administration have embraced white nationalists. No matter how ineffective, Spicer’s comparison is anot

Source: Don’t Let Spicer And The Trump Administration Off The Hook For Winking At Anti-Semites

Dutch election: Defeat of populist candidate in Netherlands may not be replayed in France – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

What does Geert Wilders’ loss mean for Marine Le Pen?

Source: Dutch election: Defeat of populist candidate in Netherlands may not be replayed in France – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Misinformer Of The Year: The Ecosystem Of Fake News And The “Alt-Right”

An anti-intellectual alliance of misogynists and white nationalists is using cult tactics to harass and abuse Americans. They systematically attempt to discredit reputable sources. They replace logic with paranoia. They horrifically harass perceived political opponents. And this campaign, which has dangerous historical precedents, has been empo

Source: Misinformer Of The Year: The Ecosystem Of Fake News And The “Alt-Right”