I’m of the opinion that the feds don’t actually understand the principles of communism or anarchism. I’ve seen people ask the question here about “do you think some of the feds / deep state folks are actually really well versed in Marxist theory?” and I really think they aren’t. I have never seen a right winger be able to correctly articulate the principles of Marxism, even when they seem to genuinely try and study it to critique it (I’m talking about people like the Austrian economists). I don’t think they’re distinguishing between anarchists, communists, et al other than “scary lefties who want to destroy society and make everyone equal” or whatever.

[–] SpookyGenderCommunist@hexbear.net 16 points 1 year ago

I'm currently getting a degree in political science, and while there are definitely Marxists in the field, doing Marxist analysis (usually under the labels Political Economy, or World Systems Theory, everyone nods and agrees with Marxist analysis, as long as you don't call it that), my university happens to be associated with a nearby air force base, and is therefore swarmed with ghouls who wanna be CIA agents, and shit.

The amount of PHD's who's area of expertise overlaps with Marxism, but who knows nothing about it except for the shit they hear from the base (ie, east Asia "experts"), is agonizing.

I had a professor try to tell me Bourgeoisie still meant Middle Class, and that Marxism asserted a class above them which controlled everything, that he couldn't define when I pressed him on it....

[–] Dirt_Owl@hexbear.net 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I remember watching a documentary about that guy who famously gamed some McDonalds promotion and it included interviews with the actual FBI agent that had been called to investigate it. They agent spoke like an absolute idiot. Seriously he had the air of a 13 year old frat boy.

[–] 420blazeit69@hexbear.net 8 points 1 year ago

have enough tools to make their job idiot proof

This is really it at the federal level, especially with investigations into political groups. You have tons of resources and access to information, and the ongoing nature of what you're investigating means you can take however much time you need to build your case (contrast this with, say, solving a murder that has already been committed). The DOJ works with you from the jump to make sure you're getting what you need for court. When you get to court, you're dealing with lengthy federal sentences so your defendants have tons of incentives to make a deal.

If you really fuck up and there's a newsworthy crime you theoretically could have prevented, that's spun as you needing more power/resources next time around.