Its what happens when hate takes over. Normally it is kept in check, because there is a veneer of constraint and societal control, and plain old cowardice--that's where the guns come in. Its so easy to kill at a distance, and now it is constitutionally acceptable--even mandated! It is always waiting for an excuse to be released. Its a human thing, its not just in Armenia, Myanmar or Ruwanda, it also happened in Germany and the Balkans, Ireland and South Africa. Its alive and well in America too, look at our history of slavery, Civil War, the Klan, Jim Crow, lynching, segregation. But that kind of hatred need not be limited to racial conflict. Once its awakened, it can be easily re-targeted to wherever its needed, to another religion, nationality, ideology, economic class or social caste.

No, I don't think American Conservatives are necessarily racist. That would be too simple, too easy, an explanation. But I do believe the ignorance, hatred, anger and fear that lurk in the lizard brain has been exploited and manipulated and directed in other directions and for other purposes. When Rush talks about "Liberals", his listeners subconsciously hear "Niggers". He knows that. OF COURSE he knows that.

The terrifying thing is that his audience does not.