Human Time Bombs

6 dead. 13 wounded. A disturbed individual who loves “We the Living” a virulently anti-communist manifesto, as well as “Mein Kampf,” Karl Marx’s “Communist Manifesto,” and parrots Glenn Beck’s obsession with a Gold Standard.

A Nation fed and bred on fear since before 9/11, a Nation in which the siege mentality extends far past the “with us or against us” vitriol extended to Countries we have invaded, but within our shores against one another.

If you recall, I attended a Tea Party in Brighton Michigan, as an activist and reporter for the Left. I saw first hand the violent and divisive vitriol that rippled out from the stage, inciting the people to almost a blood lust fervor.

If you recall, as well, the pages of Wild, Wild, Left and its affiliated radio show have spoken often about human time bombs as a result of the conditions in this Country. Gottlieb and I have spoken and written extensively on the subject for several years, pretty much as sole voices on the topic. Sadly… our predictions have proven true time and again.

I will not, cannot, in good faith point blame solely at Sarah Palin’s cross-hair poster, nor the violent imagery and allegory painted daily by the extremists of the Right on Fox News as directly responsible for this tragedy. I can and do, however, blame them for the promotion of Politicians who have pushed this country into an increasingly militaristic and fascist direction, one that enables bigotry, one that crushes the economy of the many for the profit of the few, one that glorifies our Unjust Wars of Aggression and as such, cause the deaths of millions of people across the Globe.

It is left to me to repaint the broader Political climate that creates these human time bombs, and while tragic, and my heart goes out to all those effected with love and empathy, remind this community that far more people die every hour both at home and abroad because of that climate.

Sheriff Clarence Dupnik bravely pointed out the obvious, “When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government. The anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous,” said the sheriff. “And unfortunately, Arizona I think has become sort of the capital. We have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry.”

I see the Left, with fair justification, pointing at the monopoly the Right has on our National dialogue and using this to try and tear down the lock hold the hate and fear-mongers have, blaming them for the actions of this insane young man.

I see the Right painting him as a loony-leftist, and pointing repeatedly to the fact that there is no evidence he was influenced by Palin, Beck or Limbaugh.

What I do not see?

Condemnation of a system in which the mentally disturbed go undiagnosed, and untreated.

I do not see anyone taking the broader view that People increasingly understand something is seriously amiss in this country, in their lives, while all the conflicting misinformation leaves them totally confused and hopeless, with no clear idea of who or what is to blame.

People cannot get jobs. People who do find work feel expendable and without security in the few jobs thousands are vying for. People are losing their homes, and no one seems to care or be able to help them. People are amassing huge debts due to illness, if they can get treatment at all.

All they are told, is that things are improving right now, and they have to be willing to give more to the bankers, and somehow they will become solvent again at some imaginary future date. Yet they see no improvement. All they are told is that it is the fault of “Acorn” or “Immigrant Babies” or “Muslims” or “Socialists” taking away their freedom to be rich and have apple pie. Somehow, they are told, if these “others” are marginalized enough (at least to white Americans) we will return to the boon economy and unlocked doors of the “Leave it to Beaver” past.

They are taught that we are in imminent danger at all times, so much so, that strip searches are acceptable, being spied upon is patriotism and dissent is treason.

They are told that our Armed Forces are there to “protect our freedoms” (the plural of which annoys me endlessly) while the justifications of our invasions have proven to be tacitly untrue – outright lies. Most are so removed from the realities of the harshness and inhumanity of our actions, our drone attacks on civilians and torture of the innocent and guilty alike, they never think about it past, “Support Our Troops.” No one is telling them that it is this Military Industrial Complex, along with the Financial Empire that has bankrupted their Country, and left them destitute.

It is hard enough for a sane individual faced with the tidy word, “austerity” to comprehend all this and not be pushed to utter despondency. No income, no future, no better life for their children, no retirement, no safety net, and the constant message that they should be afraid.

For any person with mental diseases or any level emotional disturbances?

They are thrust into a frightening world with no hope, no one to blame, a sense of worthlessness and alienation.

The conditions in this country are nothing BUT a hotbed for setting off Human Time Bombs, bombs who in better times could find some niche in society, perhaps treatment and medication for their conditions. People who may be able to function without the added stressors of joblessness, homelessness and not be set off by a 24/7 cycle of fear and loathing.

This is more than the story of one sick man, it is the story of a sick society, a society intentionally poisoned against itself, so that a cabal of profiteers can keep them confused, isolated and unable to address in any tangible way their very real problems. They have no voice, no representation, no Unions or redress for being denied health care or being abused by the finacial sector taking their homes.

We are voiceless, and ever more frustrated by the conditions in which we live.

Every human time bomb who goes off will not have the same set of circumstances leading up to their psychotic break, nor the same ideology, the same religious affiliation, be the same color or sex.

The only thing they share? Is living in horrific, confusing times, struggling to survive and being driven to the brink.

The only thing I know for sure, is that until the underlying disease that is the American Way in our times is addressed, these time bombs are but a symptom of a greater cancer….

and there will be more of them.