The problem I have with takes like this is that they don't grapple with the insolubility of the problem.

If you pay attention to them/punish them, you give them free advertising, the "outsider status they crave," etc.

If you don't, they fester and exercise *more* power. https://twitter.com/broderick/status/1357778587122872324

Fascists thrive on being so over-the-top, so utterly shameless, that the only way to deal with them is to, in some way, damage yourself. That's endemic to fascism's corruption: it forces its opponents to get their hands dirty.

It's unfortunate, but one has to admit that there is no easy solution here. The fact is that the Democrats *are* taking the more courageous and forthright approach here by refusing to normalise QAnon reps and showing that there will be consequences.

Punting a QAnon'er from committees is risky; it sets precedents, it's free advertising and fundraising opportunities, it furthers the narrative of being an outsider hated by the elites...

But what was the alternative? Let her stay on the *Education* committee?

This is why impeaching Trump is a "bad" idea too. Keeps his name in the papers, gives him and his cronies a platform, likely won't succeed in punishing him... And yet, to refuse the attempt is even more dangerous because it grants permission.

Fascists are dangerous for lots of reasons. One of them is the simple fact that confronting them entails risk. There's no quick or clean solution once they make it this far.

Yes, punishing them furthers their anti-elite narrative. But the alternative is to let them exercise power freely; surely you can see why that's not the most commendable idea?

When I hear people carp on about how the Democrats are goofing by tying the GOP to QAnon, I really wonder what's the great alternative they're proposing? I'm all ears here, truly.

Mind you, the Dem's messaging about college education being mutually exclusive with cult membership is... not ideal. That's pretty bad, yes. Both smug and inaccurate.

But some people seem to be suggesting that the Dems shouldn't be opposing the QAnon caucus at all.