Fight Avowed Enemies for Fear that Fear Influences You

In another world, the growth of an “anti-imperialist” left faction in the media and in our politics would be something we could assess on rational grounds. You could weigh the hypothesis that they are annoying but will fizzle whenever they face real contact with American public opinion. That they are too crazy and dysfunctional as a movement to ever win power, but that they are an existential threat to the left by either infecting institutions of power against effective voices on the left or by alienating ordinary Americans against the left more broadly. Or that they’re actually a threat of totalitarianism directly by taking over in America.

This world we could be rational in would be one where the “anti-imperialist”/communist left wasn’t applying such reliable incentives to find reasoning that it’s best to not go far enough in criticizing leftists enough to bring down the predictable assault. If you were to find reasoning to cross that line (especially in a sustained way), then you would feel obligated to bring harassment to your yourself and your family, death threats and if you’re reliant on a left wing audience, having a substantial share told terrible lies about you.

In this environment, whatever your position, you aren’t a trustworthy political analyst. Your own personal motivations are too viscerally intertwined with your assessments. This is common when facing strong personal incentives in the face of an evil opponent facing you.

This is why when faced with pressure by a clear evil, it is wrong to overly ponder the costs and benefits. Their stance towards you itself necessitates a response because their stance threatens your intellectual integrity, your ability to be a moral person, and your freedom.