On Wednesday night Tucker Carlson was subject to an outrageous thug assault on his home by pampered decadent "anti-fascists" and "anti-racists" who have no idea what those words mean - and that, when you're battering on a front door and forcing the woman inside to hide in the pantry in terror, you're the fascist. Tucker is one of the sharpest and most perceptive analysts of the real underlying ailments in our society, which is why the mob would just as soon shut him up. I'm privileged to make a small contribution to his show, and to have lent a hand to his recent book launch, and to have hosted him when he's broadcast his show for the full hour from our North Country studio. There would be a big hole in American public discourse if he were to be forced from the scene. So, of course, stupid violent pampered criminal goons who wouldn't last two minutes with him in a debate instead threaten his wife - and his brother, and his college room-mate. And you know they're serious and that this is a strategic choice because they have their latest crappy witless jingle all ready:
Tucker Carlson, we will fight.
We know where you sleep at night.
This is an appalling reflection on where our politics is headed. In recent years I've seen enough friends in Europe forced out of public life and into hiding by Islamic fanatics in the cause of their lunatic caliphate. To see the same template adopted by 28-year-old Navel-Gazing Studies resistance poseurs is pathetic but disturbing nevertheless. Did they mean to assault him and his family? Or were they just mouthing off? Well, they broke an oak door. But, in any case, that's not a calculation that should be forced on even as decayed a public discourse as ours.These are not the poor and downtrodden: The poseur resistance is largely what Americans call "upper middle-class", for whom identification, arrest, trial and conviction would have serious consequences. We will see whether the District of Columbia has the will to do that - or, as in other US cities, whether they're content to cede the streets to the paramilitary wing of Media Matters.
What with one thing and another, Brian Kilmeade was in the anchor's chair last night, with Tucker calling in by telephone, and I turned up halfway through to talk to Brian about the latest evolution in the politics of self-identification and the repeal of the facts of life. Click below to watch:
You can see the full edition of "Tucker Carlson Tonight" here - and, if you're one of that small brave band who enjoy me on camera, don't forget our special free speech edition of The Mark Steyn Show. Among the mob outside Tucker's pad was, incredibly, a former guest on his show: Those who can't win the argument would prefer just to shut you down and prevent you ever making one.
If you like me with Tucker, try me with Dennis Miller, live on stage together for the first time. Dennis mentions it toward the end of this appearance with Jimmy Kimmel:
Full details of the Miller/Steyn tour here - and, if you're a Mark Steyn Club member, don't forget to use the special pre-sale code.
If you prefer me in audio only, I'll be back later this evening, Friday, to launch a brand new nightly audio adventure in this month's Tale for Our Time.
For more on The Mark Steyn Club, see here - and don't forget our special Gift Membership.
