Photo credit (edited), fair use
Increasingly, I’ve encountered opinions of people who claim that any skepticism of the United States (U.S.) government constitutes “Far-Right extremism.” Apparently, anyone with a view right of a centrist perspective qualifies for this label.
Recognizing this ad hominem characterization for what it is, an argument directed against a group of people rather than the position they are maintaining, I think critically of supposed “extremist movement” labels in this regard. The same may be said of claims concerning so-called “domestic terrorism.”
I’ve served in the U.S. Department of Defense (just under 11 years), worked in a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (just under 2 years), was once subcontracted with the U.S. Department of Energy (a little over 4 years), and worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (just under 1 year).
As well, I’ve worked in unison with the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the Central Intelligence Agency in some capacity with my aforementioned governmental service. As well, I was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Given my background, I have some understanding about federal operations (“fed ops”). Moreover, I remain familiar with psychological operations (“PsyOps”) tactics. Although I have no definitive proof to offer the reader, I suspect that branding a large swath of the U.S. population as having participated in “extremism” and “terrorism” is ops-related.
As an example, one source reports that “Far-Right extremists are organizing an armed convoy to the Texas border” which is scheduled to begin today (1/29/2024). This panned protest relates to the Biden administration’s U.S. border actions (or lack thereof). According to one source:
A Jan. 12 news release called on any active and retired law enforcement and military, veterans, elected officials, truckers and other “LAW ABIDING, freedom-loving Americans” to join the movement. Their goal, the group claims, is to “shed light on the obvious dangers posed by wide open Southern borders.”
While I in no way intend to defame anyone who participates in the convoy, because I support the rights of U.S. citizens to peacefully protest the government, I wonder if the convoy will be infiltrated by glowies (feds). And with potentially thousands in attendance, I imagine the protest will glow to outer space.
After all, it isn’t as though this would be the first time a fed honeypot was used in relatively recent history. As an example, in regards to the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot, one source states:
An examination of the case by BuzzFeed News also reveals that some of those [federal] informants, acting under the direction of the FBI [Federal Bureau of Investigation], played a far larger role than has previously been reported. Working in secret, they did more than just passively observe and report on the actions of the suspects. Instead, they had a hand in nearly every aspect of the alleged plot, starting with its inception. The extent of their involvement raises questions as to whether there would have even been a conspiracy without them.
Using proxies of the federal government, federal informants do the bidding of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. I, too, used informants and assets in the performance of my duties as a military policeman. As a separate example of potential fed ops, one source reports:
Merrick Garland said at a House hearing Wednesday [9/20/2023] he did not know whether there were government informants present at the Capitol on January 6 – after a former top FBI official testified there were informants there and the feds had to scramble to determine how many.
Totally-not-a-fed-or-fed-adjacent Ray Epps was captured on video telling a crowd, “I’m gonna put it out there. I’m probably gonna go to jail for it, okay? Tomorrow [1/6/2021], we need to go into the Capitol! Into the Capitol!”
Unlike his prediction, Epps didn’t go to jail for his role in Jan. 6th, as he instead reportedly received probation. Meanwhile, some people who peacefully walked through the U.S. Capitol currently remain incarcerated.
Some have questioned as to whether or not “the Justice Department cast too wide a prosecutorial net” regarding Jan 6th. What has been described as the “the biggest investigation in FBI history,” inquiry into so-called Far-Right participants of Jan. 6th, gives pause to the “God’s Army” protest convoy.
Through the lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), one can acknowledge helplessness regarding matters over which one has no control or influence. Although you may not be entirely opposed to immigration, you take issue with unauthorized border crossings on mass.
Using your constitutionally-protected right of peaceful assembly, you may join in the convoy protest, because you want the government to know about your dissatisfaction with its behavior (or lack thereof). And given the U.S. government’s modus operandi, there may be fed ops afoot.
This isn’t to suggest that all people participating in the protest are feds or fed-adjacent. However, it isn’t implausible to suspect that there will be some people present to agitate participants into behaving irrationally so that the supply for Far-Right extremism and terrorism can meet the likely demand.
Using REBT, I teach people to tolerate and accept that with which they disagree. This practice isn’t the same as agreeing with or liking that reportedly “over 6.3 million encounters with illegal immigrant border crossers from the beginning of the Biden administration in January 2021 to December 2023” have occurred.
Rather, I invite people to consider how each individual with whom I work has incredibly limited ability to control or influence these crossings. As well, I question the idea of refusal to tolerate the fact that glowies operate in opposition to U.S. citizens—and do so frequently.
Playing through scenarios of perceived heroics when faced with fed ops and PsyOps, I encourage clients to consider the consequences of self-disturbing beliefs. Although one may feel better while attending a protest, I wonder if one has gotten better while incarcerated after eating from a fed honeypot.
How useful would you be to friends, family, or fellow U.S. citizens when languishing in jail or prison after falling for fed fuckery? In what other way may you be of service than to get caught up in a fed dragnet?
Of course, I’m not here to tell people what they should, must, or ought to do. If tolerating fed ops isn’t of interest to you and you’d rather take a ride on the fed express, I won’t stop you. For those who would like to know more about how not to disturb yourselves into a prison sentence, I’m here to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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