Image by Nick Fancher.

Professor Emeritus Roddey Reid could have retired from the University of California San Diego to a life of deserved leisure. Instead, he has just published a Handbook on Political Intimidation/Bullying, which is increasingly dominating government, business, and civil society.

A guest this week on my radio show and podcast, Professor Reid, was followed by Professor of Law Robert Fellmeth from the University of San Diego a leading critic of unbridled anonymous speech fostered by Silicon Valley companies to boost profits.

Reid argues, Newt Gingrich launched this political onslaught in 1994 when he took over the GOP, led the Republicans to victory and became House Speaker. “To be clear,” Reid continues, “political intimidation and public bullying are forms of psychological and physical political violence…meant to injure, humiliate, isolate, coerce, and even destroy opponents and entire communities.” These interviews should spark a civic rebellion.

The political intimidation operates in both open sight – from the belligerent bully-in-chief Trump, and in the shadows with serious anonymous threats to members of Congress, judges, and their families. Combined, this viciousness has meant the difference in razor-thin votes in Congress. For example, the violent-talking, unfit Secretary of Defense being confirmed by the Senate. Other Trump nominees, who are also staggeringly inexperienced, totally obeisant to Trump’s wrecking of America in daily violation of the Constitution and federal laws, have also squeaked through Senate confirmation........

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