JSNE is an independent community effort focused on gathering, organizing and presenting fact-based information that enables the public to understand the cabalistic enclave (The Cabal) behind current political, economic and cultural divisiveness in the Douglas County community and beyond.
JSNE is non-partisan. In our view, the threats to our community and to the broader American democracy and way of life cannot be adequately framed by partisanship. In fact, we believe modern media and punditry have done a disservice by portraying the core conflict as ‘liberals vs conservatives’, ‘left vs right’. Instead, our work is shaped by the ideas presented in Jane Mayer’s 2016 book, Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right. Mayer’s investigative work over thirty years reveals the highly complex commitment of the wealthiest activist families and corporations (‘top 1%’) to gain unlimited power and wealth, regardless of the negative effects on the rest of us. As Bernie Sanders has emphasized during his 50 years of public service, “It’s us versus the oligarchs and corporate interests who have so much power and influence in this country.”
That power and influence extends down to the community level in places like Douglas County.
JNSE Purpose
JSNE defines success by the ability of our community to unite, break down barriers, and actively collaborate to address The Cabal’s chronic divisiveness while enhancing opportunity and inclusivity. The vast majority of those in our area are well-meaning individuals who are not driven by political ideology; unfortunately, many remain uninformed about the intricate local issues that affect us all.
What is Far-Right Extremism – The Douglas County Loop
Extremism is “the quality or state of being extreme” or “the advocacy of extreme measures or views”. Let’s say it another way…extremism is challenging to define but almost everyone will say they know it when they see it, or feel it.
It’s little wonder defining “extremism” in the current cultural/political realm is akin to kicking pop cans around the street. There’s one practical way to stop the can-kicking…define extremism to fit the immediate community challenge.
And that’s what Just Say No to Extremism is all about.
Focus: Far-Right Extremism…in Douglas County and beyond.
Today, Far-Right Extremism is synonymous and fully interconnected with the specifics of ideological populism that has re-emerged as a contemporary movement – local, state, nation, globe.
- Authoritarian, exclusionary and intolerant, demonizes the other side
- Nationalistic, nativistic, often race based
- Threatening, intimidating, uses physical and mental violence
- Propagandistic, planned, misinformative
- Anti-logical and anti-scientific
- Against any compromise with others, intolerant of dissent within their group
- Strong religious/cultural component
- Dark money resourced
In America, there are associated populist terms at play: Trumpism, Tea Party, cult-of-personality, denier, ultra-right, minority rule, January 6 insurrection, militant, militia, fundamentalism, evangelical fundamentalism, fanaticism, anti-liberalism, anti-intellectualism, zealot.
Robert F. Kennedy said “What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.”
Right-Wing Extremism is Not a New Phenomenon in Douglas County and Colorado.
The local brand of extremism in and around Douglas County and Colorado isn’t new…it’s a contemporized version of a long-term project, at least seven decades in the making, back to the 1950s.
A simmering soup of started with a hefty portion of anti-government libertarianism borne out of the oil and gas industry and the associated self-interests of ulgtra-conservative stalwats with last familiar last names – Koch, Coors, Anschutz
local and outside billionaires and the wealthy investing and pushing their self-interests down to our community…a place these right-wingers view as a political and cultural incubator…a springboard for the rest of the country.
The most recent iteration of extremism fueled by the Trump/Bannon version of nativist populism, unbounded social media, subversive politics and dark money have reinforced the longstanding underlayment of conservatism gone amuck. The overt characteristics are evident…and “meaner” in daily life.
- Cabalistic, tribal, collusive
- Normalized, institutionalized
- Tightly interconnected with outside control, money and influence
- Politicized, shady, self-interested
- Evangelical Christian
- Violent, militant
And the local story takes a very unique loop, one that makes Douglas County both a beginning and ending point for today’s American Right-Wing Extremism
The Backdrop
Since the vibrant days of the Gold Rush, Colorado has carved out a unique history as a gathering place for diverse social, religious, and self-made libertarian movements. The state’s conservative trajectory gained momentum during World War II, with significant wartime spending leading to the establishment of numerous military bases and an influx of dedicated personnel. Over the years, Colorado Springs has blossomed into a hub for hundreds of evangelical Christian organizations, many of which continue to thrive today. This development has beautifully harmonized with the state’s breathtaking natural resources and stunning landscapes, making Colorado not just a home but a place of inspiration.
Douglas County Pushback
As Colorado has evolved and its population has become more diverse, Douglas County has held tightly to traditional views, often influenced by fear-mongering ideologues who posit that our region and the broader world are “on a path to destruction.” It is puzzling that in one of America’s wealthiest areas, some residents remain fixated on preserving control over local governance and economic structures. Sadly, this reactionary mindset can create an unwelcoming atmosphere for anyone whose beliefs, attributes, or moral values differ.A pivotal moment in this scenario was the development of Highlands Ranch in the 1980s by the Mission Viejo Company. This ambitious project aimed to replicate a highly conservative community model from Orange County, California. Consequently, Douglas County became a testing ground for right-wing movements and ideologies that resonate on both state and national levels. A notable example of this is the ongoing struggle for influence within the Douglas County School District.
Unraveling the veil of influence wielded by The Cabal presents a substantial challenge. This network hasn’t emerged recently; rather, it has a long-standing history that is crucial to our narrative. It embodies an exclusive structure that systematically operates behind a façade of self-sustaining economic, political, and social power.
JSNE on The Cabal
At JSNE, we are passionately dedicated to gathering and connecting crucial facts about the entrenched and often secretive activities of more extreme right-wing players and their ideologies. We stand firmly against the divisive and destructive impacts of ideological extremism, particularly the concerning rise of what we identify as the Trump regime and MAGA movement.
Regrettably, many people around us—our families, neighbors, and friends—experience feelings of mental and physical fear stemming from the influence of what we call The Cabal. This mindset feels particularly out of place in one of America’s most affluent counties.
JSNE views right-wing extremism as a significant threat to our community. Our mission is to shed light on The Cabal’s operations, empowering our community to engage in peaceful pushback.We refer to this complex network as “The Cabal.” As a registered limited liability corporation in Colorado, JSNE is proud to operate independently, avoiding outside financial influences, paid subscriptions, or product monetization. To manage the narrative, The Cabal has co-opted various corporate and independent media channels into an orchestrated propagandistic effort. JSNE diligently investigates and reports on the often covert actions of elected officials, political parties, and their associated institutions concerning their ties to divisive extremists and ideologies at local, regional, and national levels. Currently, these ideologies encompass Trumpism, MAGA, dark money funding, astroturfing, evangelical nativism, and anti-government militias, alongside concerns regarding local government corruption and favoritism toward affluent community members.