Burn Me!

 Based on a leaked DOJ memo exclusively reported over on Ken Klippenstein's Substack, it sounds like the administration really is going to follow through on their threats to investigate political dissidents as alleged "domestic terrorists." 

To get the ball rolling, the FBI has reportedly been tasked with compiling a list of individuals and organizations with alleged ties to "Antifa" (a quasi-fictional entity)—and who are "engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism." Warning signs  supposedly include holding certain proscribed beliefs, such as "opposition to [...] immigration enforcement; extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders; [...] radical gender ideology [;] anti-capitalism," etc. 

Reading about the forthcoming Bondi/Patel list of presumptively suspect left-wing organizations, I can only think back to Robert Southey's idea in the 19th century to compile a list of authors of the so-called "Satanic School," whom he proposed to submit for prosecution—"thereby adding to his other laurels the ambition of those of an informer," as Byron put it. It would seem that the upper ranks of this administration can conceive of no higher aspiration either. 

The other thought that comes to mind is that every left-liberal organization in the country will be poring over that list as soon as it comes to light—and what an enormous disgrace it would be not to see one's own name included in its ranks! "Haven't I always told the truth; and here you are, treating me like a liar," as Brecht once put it—hearing news of a book-burning rally and discovering that his own works had not been deemed worthy of destruction. "Burn me!" he demanded. 

And so we demand as well. If opposition to detaining immigrants in conditions that amount to torture and deporting people to places where their lives and freedom will be in jeopardy is now an "extreme" viewpoint; then call me an extremist. If merely holding these beliefs is itself considered criminal, under this administration, then I will have to say—with old Eugene Debs—that "as long as there is a criminal element, I am of it." I'd be proud to see my name on Bondi's list. "Burn me!"