Obama: “Silencing Dissent” is on “Wrong Side of History”

by Will Potter on January 21, 2009

in Terrorism Scare Mongering

Obama poster, will he oppose eco-terrorism scare-mongering.

Will Obama do anything to oppose the Green Scare, and eco-terrorist scare-mongering?

One of the most common questions I’m asked at speaking events and in media interviews is, “Will all of this–the Green Scare, labeling activists as “eco-terrorists,” domestic spying, and more–get better with Obama?”

And my answer is always a resounding “maybe, but probably not.”

A line from Barack Obama’s inaugural address yesterday caught my attention though.

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

Granted, everyone says they’re against the “silencing of dissent,” just like everyone praises that terrorist Martin Luther King Jr. But comments like this, combined with Obama’s statements in opposition to “eco-terrorism” hearings in Congress, may mean there is some room for change.

He certainly has a personal motivation to at least think about the scare-mongering. It’s already knocking on his front door.

The Center For Consumer Freedom (which you might remember from their McCarthyist New York Times ad recently) is putting out press releases that Obama supports animal rights extremists.

CCF says Barack Obama’s pick for “regulatory czar,” Cass Sunstein, is a “radical animal rights activist”.

They point to a paper he wrote called “The Rights of Animals.” Here’s the thing, though. It looks like CCF didn’t even bother to read the abstract, which says clear as day:

On reflection, the spotlight should be placed squarely on the issue of suffering and well-being. This position requires rejection of some of the most radical claims by animal rights advocates, especially those that stress the “autonomy” of animals, or that object to any human control and use of animals.

Obama is no stranger to “terrorist” scare-mongering. And now he’s being pulled directly into this “Green Scare” as well. He, like everyone, has a few ways to respond. He can either buckle to the PR campaign, and let it change his actions. Or he can come out and confront it head on.

What do you think? Will Obama do anything to oppose the Green Scare, and eco-terrorist scare-mongering?

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