Destroy confidence in expertise. Sew distrust in higher education, professional societies, medicine, science. The internet has made this so easy. Mimeographed conspiracy theories only spread so far.

The best way to bring down a nation is to sow confusion and discord, leading to division and conflict. Its the same logic used by terrorists everywhere, and for the same reason. You convince the populace the institutions of the society are incapable of maintaining order, that they cannot protect the people from violence and chaos. It keeps people in their homes, afraid to participate in public life, and to mistrust in their institutions and history. It makes them willing to pay any price for law and order, to prefer stability to freedom.

During the period of disorder that ensues, a small but ruthless minority, aided by legions of the dispossessed and misguided, can seize power. Anything, or any one, who offers an alternative to this program becomes an enemy and must be discredited and stopped at all costs.

Yeah, we’ve got our hands full. And as a nation, we are too poorly educated to have access to the many lessons of history that should be obvious to those who simply look and listen today.

Or could it be he wasn’t afraid to contradict Lord Trump?

Maybe its just because the Liberals like him?

Or is it simply because, rightly or wrongly, his positions and opinions are based on his qualified scientific assessment, not on ideology or politics?

Right wing hatred locks on to certain personalities like a heat-seeking missile. Persuasive voices, particularly those supported by long experience or training, or academic credentials, are especially hated by the Right. Bernie Sanders is a declared Socialist, yet he doesn’t get as much flack from the Conservatives as does Dr Fauci. They expect Bernie to oppose them, but his opinions can be dismissed as opinions. Fauci has a great deal of experience in the field of fighting epidemics, under both Republican and Democratic administrations. This makes him particularly dangerous. People might listen to him.

I suspect Anthony Fauci (as well as Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi) will be in prison if there’s a GOP victory in the next election.