OPINION:
The most dangerous weapon in the hands of a hostile government may not be a missile, drone or terrorist. It may be an American who doesn’t realize that he is helping the enemy.
This is a “useful idiot.”
Of course, disagreement does not make someone a useful idiot .Legitimate protest is an essential part of American democracy. A person can oppose a war, a government policy or a foreign-policy decision and demonstrate against it without becoming anyone’s pawn.
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The distinction is unwitting assistance.
A useful idiot is someone who adopts or repeats a narrative, slogan or claim promoted by a hostile government or movement without recognizing its source, purpose or consequences. He or she may be intelligent, sincere and even genuinely believe the cause is just.
But good intentions do not preclude someone from advancing another’s agenda.
Hostile governments do not necessarily have to convince Americans to support them. They can exploit our divisions — political, racial, religious and cultural — and amplify grievances that already exist. Social media makes this easier than ever.
So what do we do?
We don’t silence legitimate disagreement. We don’t call everyone who disagrees with us a traitor. We don’t substitute name-calling for evidence.
We think critically. We check the source, know the history and distinguish fact from propaganda. And we recognize when a legitimate grievance is being manipulated to serve the interests of a hostile government or movement.
We must also pay attention to what happens beyond Washington. State legislatures, governors, school boards, city councils and local elections increasingly determine policies that affect our daily lives.
Our enemies are watching our divisions. We don’t have to hate America to help them;we simply have to stop thinking critically.
The best defense is an informed American citizen who refuses to become part of someone else’s propaganda machine.
Rancho Mirage, California
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