On Hate and Terror

This seems to be something new. The Orlando Attack is recognized as both a hate crime and an act of terrorism.

But. Wait a Second! Aren't all terrorist acts motivated by terror and aren't hate crimes committed with the intent of wreaking terror among the targeted population.

I wanted to write a post condemning the despicable act that took place in Orlando. Instead I found myself distracted by a strange confluence of terms and writing about the political reaction to the attack instead.

The difference between the terms "terrorism" and "hate crime" is the political narrative about an action.

Looking at the media, I see that the terms people use to describe this attack is determined by the narrative the speaker wishes to follow. People wishing to advance the cause of the LGBT community use "hate crime."

Trump, who wants to develop an "I told you so" narrative uses the term "terrorist" along with conservatives who wish to focus on the ongoing conflict between the Christian and Islamic Worlds.

Traditionally, Obama has been slow to call mass killings committed by people of Islamic origin "terrorists" as he has be trying to distance himself from that narrative. Obama was very quick to use the term "hate crime" as the term fits a narrative that he likes to pursue.

This game where the political class tries to control the people by controlling the narrative is a propaganda technique taught in our progressive schools.

Perhaps the fact that the horrific attack that occurred in Orlando is described as both a "hate crime" and "terrorist action" might encourage people wake up and notice the shallowness of the political arguments that rage around terrorism.

Our political leaders gain power by carefully developing narratives. The competing narratives destroy our ability to communicate and can have the affect of amplifying hostilities.

The Orlando Attack is not some strange convergence of hate and terror. This terrible event just happened to occur during a political campaign in a way that highlights the differences between two political narratives.

It is unlikely that this convergence of narratives will unify the nation. The most likely result of the attack is that it will cause more division as politicos struggle to control the narrative. Politics based on narratives, instead of a search for truth, is a dangerous game.