Right-wing Cancel Culture, Kimmel, and McCarthyism

(updated 23 Sept) 

I've never watched Jimmy Kimmel or been a fan. Like many Americans, I've seen the occasional YouTube clip on this or that issue when he's made the news. Most of the time (I must confess) I just haven't found him to be that funny.

The FCC head suggested that Kimmel's recent comments regarding the Charlie Kirk shooter were misleading the American public. While it would seem that Robinson is unlikely to be a member of the MAGA cult, his motives still remain unclear. Some have attempted to connect him to Nick Fuentes who is a Right-wing rival and critic of Charlie Kirk. The point being is it may be more complicated. However, Right-wing media has already decided the issue and is moving forward with their propaganda and their political campaign to capitalize on Kirk's death. On that point, Kimmel was certainly correct.

The idea that a figure on the Right (and connected to Trump) would criticize anyone for 'misleading the public' is of course laughable. From FOX to Newsmax, to Beck, Hannity, and many, many more - including Kirk himself, the Right is not only a misinformation machine but engages in active disinformation campaigns.

The Mainstream media is guilty of obfuscation, omission, and occasional disinformation. As a comedian, Kimmel leans to the Left and yet primarily (I would say) toward the Democratic Party which hardly qualifies as 'Left' in historical terms, at least on several key issues. Right-wing media is simply a farce, and a tool of manipulation working at the behest of the oligarchy. It's primary function is to generate fear and anger which are then channelled into political action.

Such outrageous lies and a lack of shame are to be expected from the unbelievers building their Babel. There's no surprise there.

But why are Christians silent? Why do they support this? Why do they cry about censorship and cancel culture and then support the Right when it engages in the same? Are they literally that blind? Are their consciences beyond repair? Or is it once again, the end justifies the means. The principles they trumpet are sincerely held when it's to their advantage and quickly dispensed with when they become inconvenient. Needless to say political Christianity in America has abandoned any claim to integrity or discernment.

While Kimmel is now slated to return to the airwaves, this is in keeping with a pattern, and the period we're living is rapidly becoming reminiscent of McCarthyism. And this makes perfect sense given how the GOP has now for decades continued to champion that period and Senator McCarthy's campaign (in concert with HUAC). They have long signalled a desire to return to such tactics and Trump himself has the protege of Roy Cohn - McCarthy's close aide. Such tactics are deeply ingrained in him.

Additionally, while it was scandalous for Nixon to have an 'Enemies List' - the very revelation was a publicity fiasco. Today, the president can stand on national television and speak of his enemies and task the Justice Department to go after them. And of course Pam Bondi who has already proved to be one of the most inept and corrupt persons to hold the office of Attorney General in American history - she will offer no resistance. Even the media fails to pick up on the magnitude of this story. And of course Congress (at this point) exists only to support and ratify Trump's agenda. History will not be kind to the likes of Bondi, Mike Johnson, and the Roberts Court.

And finally, I was reminded by my wife of an episode during Obama's tenure. Right-wing media figures like Glenn Beck were accused of disseminating disinformation - if memory serves this was part of the 'Death Panels' flap. It was leading to turmoil and tension in society and it was all based on lies. When challenged, Beck and others retreated to their 'entertainer' status and argued that as such they should not be held to the same standard as news outlets or journalists.

No doubt Beck et al. will come to the defense of Kimmel. If not, they're total hypocrites and need to be called out.